- Lyricist
- Isaignani Ilayaraja
- Singers
- Malaysia Vasudevan, Chorus
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Movie name
- Paattukku Oru Thalaivan
- Movie release year
- 1989
- Lyrics added on
- 15 Sept 2020
Lyrics & meaning
♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Ellorum raasanna pothu jananga
Yaaru yaaru
Poi ellam vela pogum mada jananga ooru ooru
{Maaru thatturiyaa mallukku nikkuriyaa
Chorus :Vaavaaa
Male :Orangatturiyaa odhungi nikkuriya
Chorus :Vaavaaa} (2)
Ellorum raasanna pothu jananga
Yaaru yaaru
Poi ellam vela pogum mada jananga ooru ooru
Naattai aazhum raasava thaan
Kakka pala per venumada
Kakka pala per venumunna
Kaidhi avan thaan raasa illa
Ingae padai balamae illama
Nagar valama varuvom
Ada thalaiyanaiyum illaenaa
Kaiya vachu paduppom
Ingae padai balamae illama
Nagar valama varuvom
Ada thalaiyanaiyum illaenaa
Kaiya vachu paduppom
Un vaasamooChorus :Naalum rottoram
Male :Pennaala thaanChorus :Raasavum theruvoram
Male :SimmaasanamChorus :Nee dhaan thandhaalum
Male :Un bojanamChorus :Cholam kamboothaan
Male :Kekkadhae madaiyaa nee
Kelvaraiyil neiyaa neiyaa
{Maaru thatturiyaa mallukku nikkuriyaa
Chorus :Vaavaaa
Male :Orangatturiyaa odhungi nikkuriya
Chorus :Vaavaaa} (2)
Kettikkaran puluga mattum
Ettu naal thaan thambhi thambhi
Ettu naalum mudinju pochu
Poiyaa thaanae nambi nambi
Unna avan yemaathi
Mela poiyi kundhi
Un thalaiyil ezhudhiputtaan
Naalu pakkam sandhi
Unna avan yemaathi
Mela poiyi kundhi
Un thalaiyil ezhudhiputtaan
Naalu pakkam sandhi
PolladhavanChorus :Pinaal pogaadhae
Male :IlladhadhaChorus :Enni vaazhadhae
Male :EllathukkumChorus :Thalaiya aattadhae
Male :Aatti puttuChorus :Vasama mattadhae
Male :Pala kaalam vidiyaama
Iruttae ezha pozhappa pochu
Ellorum raasanna pothu jananga
Yaaru yaaru
Poi ellam vela pogum mada jananga ooru ooru
{Maaru thatturiyaa mallukku nikkuriyaa
Chorus :Vaavaaa
Male :Orangatturiyaa odhungi nikkuriya
Chorus :Vaavaaa} (2)
Ellorum raasanna pothu jananga
Yaaru yaaru
Poi ellam vela pogum mada jananga ooru ooru
If everyone is a king, then who are the common people?
Who are they, who?
This is a town of gullible fools where every lie easily sells!
{Are you thumping your chest and ready to fight?
Chorus: Come on!
Male: Or are you stepping aside and backing away?
Chorus: Come on!} (2)
If everyone is a king, then who are the common people?
Who are they, who?
This is a town of gullible fools where every lie easily sells!
To protect the king who rules the land,
so many guards are needed, my friend!
If you need that many people to protect you,
then he is just a prisoner, not a king!
Here, without any army or force,
we roam freely all across the town.
Hey, even if we don't have a pillow,
we will just rest on our arm and sleep!
Here, without any army or force,
we roam freely all across the town.
Hey, even if we don't have a pillow,
we will just rest on our arm and sleep!
Male: Your home... Chorus: ...is always by the roadside!
Male: Because of a woman... Chorus: ...even the king is out on the street!
Male: Even if a throne... Chorus: ...is offered by you,
Male: ...your daily food... Chorus: ...is only maize and millet!
Male: Don't ask like a fool,
"Is there ghee dripping from ragi (finger millet)?"
{Are you thumping your chest and ready to fight?
Chorus: Come on!
Male: Or are you stepping aside and backing away?
Chorus: Come on!} (2)
A clever man's tall tale
lasts for only eight days, my brother!
Even those eight days have passed,
believing one lie after another!
He cheated you,
went up high and sat on his seat,
and scribbled your fate on your forehead,
leaving you humiliated at the crossroads!
He cheated you,
went up high and sat on his seat,
and scribbled your fate on your forehead,
leaving you humiliated at the crossroads!
Male: Behind an evil man... Chorus: ...do not follow!
Male: Daydreaming of things that don't exist... Chorus: ...do not live your life!
Male: To everything they say... Chorus: ...do not nod your head!
Male: Having nodded along... Chorus: ...do not get trapped!
Male: With no dawn in sight for ages,
life has completely dissolved into darkness!
If everyone is a king, then who are the common people?
Who are they, who?
This is a town of gullible fools where every lie easily sells!
{Are you thumping your chest and ready to fight?
Chorus: Come on!
Male: Or are you stepping aside and backing away?
Chorus: Come on!} (2)
If everyone is a king, then who are the common people?
Who are they, who?
This is a town of gullible fools where every lie easily sells!
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Chorus
Male
Male
Male
Male
Chorus
Male
Male
Male
Male
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
The song 'Ellorum Raasanna' from Paattukku Oru Thalaivan (1989) is a philosophical and socially conscious folk track composed by Isaignani Ilaiyaraaja. It questions political hierarchy, false pride, and blind belief in deceitful leaders. The lyrics humorously contrast a ruler surrounded by guards—who is effectively imprisoned by his security—with common people who live freely without armies, sleeping peacefully anywhere.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Rhetorical Question (Vinah)
“Ellorum raasanna pothu jananga Yaaru yaaru”
The song opens with a rhetorical question asking if everyone claims kinghood, who remains to be the common people.
Irony / Paradox (Muran)
“Kakka pala per venumunna Kaidhi avan thaan raasa illa”
Presents the paradox that a king needing guards is actually a prisoner rather than a free ruler.
Repetition (Edugai & Adduki)
“Ettu naal thaan thambhi thambhi / Poiyaa thaanae nambi nambi”
The doubling of words creates rhythmic emphasis and folk cadence.
Did you know?
Trivia
The film 'Paattukku Oru Thalaivan' starring Vijayakanth features music composed by Ilaiyaraaja, who also penned the lyrics for this energetic social commentary song.
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