Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Dhora Mani Paththara

From Michael Raj · 1987

Lyricist
Mu. Metha
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Chandrabose
Details
Michael Raj1987

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Haei dhoraiHey lord
Dhorai mani paththaraiMister jeweler
Kadhai nallaa katturaeYou spin stories very well
Ooru vaaya poththuraeYou shut the town's mouth
Inga ullathellaam surutturaeYou loot everything around here
Appappaa idhellaam thappappaaOh my, all this is wrong!
Male
Dhorai mani paththaraiMister jeweler
Chorus :Dhorai mani paththaraiChorus: Mister jeweler
Male :Kadhai nallaa katturaeMale: You spin stories very well
Chorus :Kadhai nallaa katturaeChorus: You spin stories very well
Male :Ooru vaaya poththuraeMale: You shut the town's mouth
Chorus :Ooru vaaya poththuraeChorus: You shut the town's mouth
Male :Inga ullathellaam surutturaeMale: You loot everything around here
Chorus :Inga ullathellaam surutturaeChorus: You loot everything around here
Male :Appappaa idhellaam thappappaaMale: Oh my, all this is wrong!
Male
Kaasu panam serkka machiTo hoard money and wealth, my friend,
Senja paavam konjamaaAre the sins you committed just a few?
Kaasiyil gangaiyil kazhuvunaalum pogumaaWill they go away even if washed in Ganges at Kashi?
Chinna chinna thirudangathaanOnly small-time thieves
Jeyilukulae pogiraanGo inside the jail
Periya periya thirudanellaamWhile all the giant thieves
Periya manusan aaguraanBecome big respected gentlemen!
Male
Thirudanga yaarudaa oorukulla keludaaAsk who the real thieves are in town, man!
Thirunthikka paarudaa thinnurathu sorudaaTry to reform yourself, man, you eat food right?
Maanam ketta nainaavukku manushannu perudaaA shameless fellow is called a man!
Male
Dhorai mani paththaraiMister jeweler
Chorus :Dhorai mani paththaraiChorus: Mister jeweler
Male :Kadhai nallaa katturaeMale: You spin stories very well
Chorus :Kadhai nallaa katturaeChorus: You spin stories very well
Male :Ooru vaaya poththuraeMale: You shut the town's mouth
Chorus :Ooru vaaya poththuraeChorus: You shut the town's mouth
Male :Inga ullathellaam surutturaeMale: You loot everything around here
Chorus :Inga ullathellaam surutturaeChorus: You loot everything around here
Male :Appappaa idhellaam thappappaa…..aamaam…Male: Oh my, all this is wrong... yes...
Male
Appanoda soththu unnaYour father's wealth
Aattam poda vaikkuthuMakes you dance in arrogance
Aatchi thantha odambu ingaeThe body nourished by power
Palapalappaa nikkuthuStands shining bright here
Kaasukkaaga unna suththu kaakaikalae kooduthuCrows gather around you just for money
Kaithadinga rosham kettu koshangalae poduthuShamelessly clapping hands and shouting slogans
Male
Unakunnu ennadaaWhat pride or life
Perumaiyum vaazhuthuIs truly yours?
Chee yaezhainga vervaithaan bhoomiya aaluthuShame! It is the sweat of the poor that rules the earth!
Moochcha konjam izhuththu vittaaIf they take a deep breath and let it out,
Puyaladikka poguthuA storm is going to hit!
Male
Dhorai mani paththaraiMister jeweler
Chorus :Dhorai mani paththaraiChorus: Mister jeweler
Male :Kadhai nallaa katturaeMale: You spin stories very well
Chorus :Kadhai nallaa katturaeChorus: You spin stories very well
Male :Ooru vaaya poththuraeMale: You shut the town's mouth
Chorus :Ooru vaaya poththuraeChorus: You shut the town's mouth
Male :Inga ullathellaam surutturaeMale: You loot everything around here
Chorus :Inga ullathellaam surutturaeChorus: You loot everything around here
Male :Appappaa idhellaam thappappaa…doi…Male: Oh my, all this is wrong... doi...
Male
Dhorai mani paththaraiMister jeweler
Chorus :Dhorai mani paththaraiChorus: Mister jeweler
Male :Kadhai nallaa katturaeMale: You spin stories very well
Chorus :Kadhai nallaa katturaeChorus: You spin stories very well
Male :Ooru vaaya poththuraeMale: You shut the town's mouth
Chorus :Ooru vaaya poththuraeChorus: You shut the town's mouth
Male :Inga ullathellaam surutturaeMale: You loot everything around here
Chorus :Inga ullathellaam surutturaeChorus: You loot everything around here
Male :Appappaa idhellaam thappappaa…..aamaam…Male: Oh my, all this is wrong... yes...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This energetic folk-style track from the 1987 film 'Michael Raj' is a biting social satire penned by celebrated poet Mu. Metha. The song takes aim at wealthy oppressors, corrupt politicians, and hypocritical elites who steal from society on a massive scale while escaping punishment. Meanwhile, petty thieves end up behind bars, exposing the double standards of society. The lyrics praise the power and dignity of the working class, reminding the corrupt rich that their wealth was inherited, not earned. It warns that sycophants surround them only for money, and that when the oppressed masses unite and raise their voice, their collective power will hit like a storm to wipe out injustice.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Kaasukkaaga unna suththu kaakaikalae kooduthu

Compares sycophantic followers to crows ('kaakaikal') gathering purely for money.

Antithesis / Irony

Chinna chinna thirudangathaan Jeyilukulae pogiraan / Periya periya thirudanellaam Periya manusan aaguraan

Contrasts petty thieves who are jailed with big looters who become respected society men.

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navirtchi)

Moochcha konjam izhuththu vittaa Puyaladikka poguthu

Exaggerates the force of the working poor's deep breath as capable of creating a storm that overthrows power.

Emonai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Kaasu panam serkka machi ... / Kaasiyil gangaiyil kazhuvunaalum pogumaa

Matching starting letters across lines, such as 'Kaasu' and 'Kaasiyil'.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Michael Raj' (1987) was directed by S. A. Chandrasekhar and featured music composed by Chandrabose, with lyrics by prominent poet Mu. Metha. The film stars Raghuvaran in a lead heroic role.

Keep listening

More from Michael Raj