Ellorum Rasaanna Puthu Jananga
From Paattukku Oru Thalaivan · 1989
- Lyricist
- Isaignani Ilayaraja
- Singers
- Malaysia Vasudevan, Chorus
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Paattukku Oru Thalaivan1989
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Ellorum raasanna pothu jananga | If everyone is called a king, who are the common people? |
| Yaaru yaaru | Who is who? |
| Poi ellam vela pogum mada jananga ooru ooru | In a town of foolish people, all lies sell well! |
| Male | |
| {Maaru thatturiyaa mallukku nikkuriyaa | Are you thumping your chest, standing up for a fight? |
| Chorus :Vaavaaa | Chorus: Come, come! |
| Male :Orangatturiyaa odhungi nikkuriya | Are you stepping aside, standing out of the way? |
| Chorus :Vaavaaa} (2) | Chorus: Come, come! |
| Male | |
| Ellorum raasanna pothu jananga | If everyone is called a king, who are the common people? |
| Yaaru yaaru | Who is who? |
| Poi ellam vela pogum mada jananga ooru ooru | In a town of foolish people, all lies sell well! |
| Male | |
| Naattai aazhum raasava thaan | To protect a king who rules the land, |
| Kakka pala per venumada | Many guards are needed, my friend. |
| Kakka pala per venumunna | If he needs many guards to protect him, |
| Kaidhi avan thaan raasa illa | He is a prisoner, not a true king! |
| Male | |
| Ingae padai balamae illama | Here, without any army strength, |
| Nagar valama varuvom | We walk around the town freely. |
| Ada thalaiyanaiyum illaenaa | Hey, if there is no pillow, |
| Kaiya vachu paduppom | We sleep resting our head on our hands! |
| Chorus | |
| Ingae padai balamae illama | Here, without any army strength, |
| Nagar valama varuvom | We walk around the town freely. |
| Ada thalaiyanaiyum illaenaa | Hey, if there is no pillow, |
| Kaiya vachu paduppom | We sleep resting our head on our hands! |
| Male | |
| Un vaasamooChorus :Naalum rottoram | Your dwelling... Chorus: Is always on the roadside! |
| Male :Pennaala thaanChorus :Raasavum theruvoram | Male: Because of women... Chorus: Even the king is on the street corner! |
| Male :SimmaasanamChorus :Nee dhaan thandhaalum | Male: A throne... Chorus: Even if you give it, |
| Male :Un bojanamChorus :Cholam kamboothaan | Male: Your food... Chorus: Is just millet and sorghum! |
| Male :Kekkadhae madaiyaa nee | Male: Don't ask for it, you fool, |
| Kelvaraiyil neiyaa neiyaa | Can ragi porridge ever yield ghee? |
| Male | |
| {Maaru thatturiyaa mallukku nikkuriyaa | Are you thumping your chest, standing up for a fight? |
| Chorus :Vaavaaa | Chorus: Come, come! |
| Male :Orangatturiyaa odhungi nikkuriya | Are you stepping aside, standing out of the way? |
| Chorus :Vaavaaa} (2) | Chorus: Come, come! |
| Male | |
| Kettikkaran puluga mattum | A clever man's lies |
| Ettu naal thaan thambhi thambhi | Last only for eight days, brother! |
| Ettu naalum mudinju pochu | Those eight days are now over, |
| Poiyaa thaanae nambi nambi | By repeatedly believing in mere lies! |
| Male | |
| Unna avan yemaathi | He cheated you, |
| Mela poiyi kundhi | Sat up high above, |
| Un thalaiyil ezhudhiputtaan | And wrote your fate as a crossroads |
| Naalu pakkam sandhi | Open on all four sides! |
| Chorus | |
| Unna avan yemaathi | He cheated you, |
| Mela poiyi kundhi | Sat up high above, |
| Un thalaiyil ezhudhiputtaan | And wrote your fate as a crossroads |
| Naalu pakkam sandhi | Open on all four sides! |
| Male | |
| PolladhavanChorus :Pinaal pogaadhae | Male: After the wicked man... Chorus: Do not follow! |
| Male :IlladhadhaChorus :Enni vaazhadhae | Male: For things non-existent... Chorus: Do not live yearning! |
| Male :EllathukkumChorus :Thalaiya aattadhae | Male: To everything... Chorus: Do not nod your head! |
| Male :Aatti puttuChorus :Vasama mattadhae | Male: Having nodded your head... Chorus: Do not get trapped! |
| Male :Pala kaalam vidiyaama | Male: For a long time without dawn, |
| Iruttae ezha pozhappa pochu | Darkness became the life of the poor. |
| Male | |
| Ellorum raasanna pothu jananga | If everyone is called a king, who are the common people? |
| Yaaru yaaru | Who is who? |
| Poi ellam vela pogum mada jananga ooru ooru | In a town of foolish people, all lies sell well! |
| Male | |
| {Maaru thatturiyaa mallukku nikkuriyaa | Are you thumping your chest, standing up for a fight? |
| Chorus :Vaavaaa | Chorus: Come, come! |
| Male :Orangatturiyaa odhungi nikkuriya | Are you stepping aside, standing out of the way? |
| Chorus :Vaavaaa} (2) | Chorus: Come, come! |
| Male | |
| Ellorum raasanna pothu jananga | If everyone is called a king, who are the common people? |
| Yaaru yaaru | Who is who? |
| Poi ellam vela pogum mada jananga ooru ooru | In a town of foolish people, all lies sell well! |
எல்லோரும் ராசான்னா பொது ஜனங்க யாரு யாரு
பொய் எல்லாம் வெல போகும் மட ஜனங்க ஊரு ஊரு
If everyone is called a king, who are the common people?
Who is who?
In a town of foolish people, all lies sell well!
{மாறு தட்டுறியா மல்லுக்கு நிக்கிறியா…..
குழு :
வாவ்வா
ஓரங்கட்டுறியா ஒதுங்கி நிக்கிறியா…….
குழு :
வாவ்வா..} (2)
Are you thumping your chest, standing up for a fight?
Chorus: Come, come!
Are you stepping aside, standing out of the way?
Chorus: Come, come!
எல்லோரும் ராசான்னா பொது ஜனங்க யாரு யாரு
பொய் எல்லாம் வெல போகும் மட ஜனங்க ஊரு ஊரு
If everyone is called a king, who are the common people?
Who is who?
In a town of foolish people, all lies sell well!
நாட்டை ஆளும் ராசாவத் தான்
காக்கப் பல பேர் வேணுமடா
காக்கப் பல பேர் வேணுமுன்னா
கைதி அவன் தான் ராசா இல்ல
To protect a king who rules the land,
Many guards are needed, my friend.
If he needs many guards to protect him,
He is a prisoner, not a true king!
இங்கே படை பலமே இல்லாம
நகர் வலமா வருவோம்
அட தலையணையும் இல்லேன்னா
கைய வச்சு படுப்போம்
Here, without any army strength,
We walk around the town freely.
Hey, if there is no pillow,
We sleep resting our head on our hands!
இங்கே படை பலமே இல்லாம
நகர் வலமா வருவோம்
அட தலையணையும் இல்லேன்னா
கைய வச்சு படுப்போம்
Here, without any army strength,
We walk around the town freely.
Hey, if there is no pillow,
We sleep resting our head on our hands!
உன் வாசமோ......குழு :
நாளும் ரோட்டோரம்
பொண்ணால தான்....குழு :
ராசாவும் தெருவோரம்
சிம்மாசனம்..........குழு :
நீதான் தந்தாலும்
உன் போஜனம்......குழு :
சோளம் கம்போதான்
கேக்காதே மடையா நீ
கேள்வறையில் நெய்யா நெய்யா.......
Your dwelling... Chorus: Is always on the roadside!
Male: Because of women... Chorus: Even the king is on the street corner!
Male: A throne... Chorus: Even if you give it,
Male: Your food... Chorus: Is just millet and sorghum!
Male: Don't ask for it, you fool,
Can ragi porridge ever yield ghee?
ஆண் மற்றும் குழு :
எல்லோரும் ராசான்னா பொது ஜனங்க யாரு யாரு
பொய் எல்லாம் வெல போகும் மட ஜனங்க ஊரு ஊரு
Are you thumping your chest, standing up for a fight?
Chorus: Come, come!
Are you stepping aside, standing out of the way?
Chorus: Come, come!
{மாறு தட்டுறியா மல்லுக்கு நிக்கிறியா…..
குழு :
வாவ்வா
ஓரங்கட்டுறியா ஒதுங்கி நிக்கிறியா…….
குழு :
வாவ்வா..} (2)
A clever man's lies
Last only for eight days, brother!
Those eight days are now over,
By repeatedly believing in mere lies!
ஆண் மற்றும் குழு :
எல்லோரும் ராசான்னா பொது ஜனங்க யாரு யாரு
பொய் எல்லாம் வெல போகும் மட ஜனங்க ஊரு ஊரு
He cheated you,
Sat up high above,
And wrote your fate as a crossroads
Open on all four sides!
கெட்டிக்காரன் புளுகு மட்டும்
எட்டு நாள் தான் தம்பி தம்பி
எட்டு நாளும் முடிஞ்சு போச்சு
பொய்யத் தானே நம்பி நம்பி
He cheated you,
Sat up high above,
And wrote your fate as a crossroads
Open on all four sides!
உன்ன அவன் ஏமாத்தி
மேல போயி குந்தி
உன் தலையில் எழுதிப்புட்டான்
நாலு பக்கம் சந்தி
Male: After the wicked man... Chorus: Do not follow!
Male: For things non-existent... Chorus: Do not live yearning!
Male: To everything... Chorus: Do not nod your head!
Male: Having nodded your head... Chorus: Do not get trapped!
Male: For a long time without dawn,
Darkness became the life of the poor.
உன்ன அவன் ஏமாத்தி
மேல போயி குந்தி
உன் தலையில் எழுதிப்புட்டான்
நாலு பக்கம் சந்தி
If everyone is called a king, who are the common people?
Who is who?
In a town of foolish people, all lies sell well!
பொல்லாதவன்.......குழு :
பின்னால் போகாதே
இல்லாதத.........குழு :
எண்ணி வாழாதே
எல்லாத்துக்கும்.......குழு :
தலைய ஆட்டாதே
ஆட்டிப்புட்டு........குழு :
வசமா மாட்டாதே
பல காலம் விடியாம
இருட்டே ஏழ பொழப்பா போச்சு...
Are you thumping your chest, standing up for a fight?
Chorus: Come, come!
Are you stepping aside, standing out of the way?
Chorus: Come, come!
எல்லோரும் ராசான்னா பொது ஜனங்க யாரு யாரு
பொய் எல்லாம் வெல போகும் மட ஜனங்க ஊரு ஊரு
If everyone is called a king, who are the common people?
Who is who?
In a town of foolish people, all lies sell well!
{மாறு தட்டுறியா மல்லுக்கு நிக்கிறியா…..
குழு :
வாவ்வா
ஓரங்கட்டுறியா ஒதுங்கி நிக்கிறியா…….
குழு :
வாவ்வா..} (2)
எல்லோரும் ராசான்னா பொது ஜனங்க யாரு யாரு
பொய் எல்லாம் வெல போகும் மட ஜனங்க ஊரு ஊரு
Ellorum raasanna pothu jananga
If everyone is called a king, who are the common people?
Yaaru yaaru
Who is who?
Poi ellam vela pogum mada jananga ooru ooru
In a town of foolish people, all lies sell well!
{Maaru thatturiyaa mallukku nikkuriyaa
Are you thumping your chest, standing up for a fight?
Chorus :Vaavaaa
Chorus: Come, come!
Male :Orangatturiyaa odhungi nikkuriya
Are you stepping aside, standing out of the way?
Chorus :Vaavaaa} (2)
Chorus: Come, come!
Ellorum raasanna pothu jananga
If everyone is called a king, who are the common people?
Yaaru yaaru
Who is who?
Poi ellam vela pogum mada jananga ooru ooru
In a town of foolish people, all lies sell well!
Naattai aazhum raasava thaan
To protect a king who rules the land,
Kakka pala per venumada
Many guards are needed, my friend.
Kakka pala per venumunna
If he needs many guards to protect him,
Kaidhi avan thaan raasa illa
He is a prisoner, not a true king!
Ingae padai balamae illama
Here, without any army strength,
Nagar valama varuvom
We walk around the town freely.
Ada thalaiyanaiyum illaenaa
Hey, if there is no pillow,
Kaiya vachu paduppom
We sleep resting our head on our hands!
Ingae padai balamae illama
Here, without any army strength,
Nagar valama varuvom
We walk around the town freely.
Ada thalaiyanaiyum illaenaa
Hey, if there is no pillow,
Kaiya vachu paduppom
We sleep resting our head on our hands!
Un vaasamooChorus :Naalum rottoram
Your dwelling... Chorus: Is always on the roadside!
Male :Pennaala thaanChorus :Raasavum theruvoram
Male: Because of women... Chorus: Even the king is on the street corner!
Male :SimmaasanamChorus :Nee dhaan thandhaalum
Male: A throne... Chorus: Even if you give it,
Male :Un bojanamChorus :Cholam kamboothaan
Male: Your food... Chorus: Is just millet and sorghum!
Male :Kekkadhae madaiyaa nee
Male: Don't ask for it, you fool,
Kelvaraiyil neiyaa neiyaa
Can ragi porridge ever yield ghee?
{Maaru thatturiyaa mallukku nikkuriyaa
Are you thumping your chest, standing up for a fight?
Chorus :Vaavaaa
Chorus: Come, come!
Male :Orangatturiyaa odhungi nikkuriya
Are you stepping aside, standing out of the way?
Chorus :Vaavaaa} (2)
Chorus: Come, come!
Kettikkaran puluga mattum
A clever man's lies
Ettu naal thaan thambhi thambhi
Last only for eight days, brother!
Ettu naalum mudinju pochu
Those eight days are now over,
Poiyaa thaanae nambi nambi
By repeatedly believing in mere lies!
Unna avan yemaathi
He cheated you,
Mela poiyi kundhi
Sat up high above,
Un thalaiyil ezhudhiputtaan
And wrote your fate as a crossroads
Naalu pakkam sandhi
Open on all four sides!
Unna avan yemaathi
He cheated you,
Mela poiyi kundhi
Sat up high above,
Un thalaiyil ezhudhiputtaan
And wrote your fate as a crossroads
Naalu pakkam sandhi
Open on all four sides!
PolladhavanChorus :Pinaal pogaadhae
Male: After the wicked man... Chorus: Do not follow!
Male :IlladhadhaChorus :Enni vaazhadhae
Male: For things non-existent... Chorus: Do not live yearning!
Male :EllathukkumChorus :Thalaiya aattadhae
Male: To everything... Chorus: Do not nod your head!
Male :Aatti puttuChorus :Vasama mattadhae
Male: Having nodded your head... Chorus: Do not get trapped!
Male :Pala kaalam vidiyaama
Male: For a long time without dawn,
Iruttae ezha pozhappa pochu
Darkness became the life of the poor.
Ellorum raasanna pothu jananga
If everyone is called a king, who are the common people?
Yaaru yaaru
Who is who?
Poi ellam vela pogum mada jananga ooru ooru
In a town of foolish people, all lies sell well!
{Maaru thatturiyaa mallukku nikkuriyaa
Are you thumping your chest, standing up for a fight?
Chorus :Vaavaaa
Chorus: Come, come!
Male :Orangatturiyaa odhungi nikkuriya
Are you stepping aside, standing out of the way?
Chorus :Vaavaaa} (2)
Chorus: Come, come!
Ellorum raasanna pothu jananga
If everyone is called a king, who are the common people?
Yaaru yaaru
Who is who?
Poi ellam vela pogum mada jananga ooru ooru
In a town of foolish people, all lies sell well!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
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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