Ennada Kadhaiyaa
From Thangaikku Oru Thalattu · 1990
- Lyricist
- Muthulingam
- Singer
- Mano
- Music director
- Shankar Ganesh
- Details
- Thangaikku Oru Thalattu1990
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Ennada kadahiya keethu | Hey man, hear my story! |
| Ada ennda kadhaiya keethu | Oh man, listen to my story! |
| pulla adipen innum kudippen | I will smoke up and drink even more, |
| Study ya neippen da | I will stand steady, man! |
| Na study ya nippen da | I will stand firm and steady, man! |
| Maaman sonna suttupuduven | If my uncle tells me, I will shoot, |
| Mathavanga sona vettipuduven | If others tell me, I will slash them! |
| Ennda kadhaya keethu | Listen to my story, man! |
| Ada ennda kadhaiya keethu dai | Oh man, listen to my story! |
| Male | |
| Nainaa naina | Father, oh father... |
| Nainaa naina naina naina | Father, oh father, father, father... |
| Nainaa naina naina naina | Father, oh father, father, father... |
| Male | |
| Jaathi illa petham illa | There is no caste division or discrimination, |
| Nammoda pettaikulla | Inside our local hood. |
| Neethi illai nermai illai | There is neither justice nor honesty, |
| Adhikaara kottaikulla | Inside the fortress of political power. |
| Male | |
| Therthal vanthaal kadaisi aalungalukellaam | When elections arrive, to reach the common people, |
| Nammale thedikittu varuvaanga | They come searching for us on their own. |
| Kandum peasamale povaanga | Later, they pass by without even looking at us. |
| Male | |
| Kuppamunna laesaaga ennatheenga | Do not think lightly of the slum dwellers, |
| Athukku kovam vantha | If their rage is ignited, |
| Raasaaangam thaanhunga | It will topple the entire kingdom! |
| Aama | Yes indeed! |
| Kuppamunna laesaaga ennatheenga | Do not think lightly of the slum dwellers, |
| Athukku kovam vantha | If their rage is ignited, |
| Raasaaangam thaanhunga | It will topple the entire kingdom! |
| Male | |
| Ennada kadahiya keethu | Hey man, hear my story! |
| Ada ennda kadhaiya keethu | Oh man, listen to my story! |
| pulla adipen innum kudippen | I will smoke up and drink even more, |
| Study ya neippen da | I will stand steady, man! |
| Na study ya nippen da | I will stand firm and steady, man! |
| Maaman sonna suttupuduven | If my uncle tells me, I will shoot, |
| Mathavanga sona vettipuduven | If others tell me, I will slash them! |
| Ennda kadhaya keethu | Listen to my story, man! |
| Ada ennda kadhaiya keethu Haang | Oh man, listen to my story, yeah! |
| Male | |
| Maina…maina | Mynah bird... mynah bird... |
| Maina maina maina maina | Mynah, mynah, mynah, mynah... |
| Maina maina maina maina | Mynah, mynah, mynah, mynah... |
| Male | |
| Kuruvikellam koodu undu | Even sparrows have nests, |
| Puli vaazhum katukulla | In the forest where tigers roam. |
| Naam kunthikidakka thaan sonthathila | Yet we do not own even a place to squat, |
| Veedilla nattukkulla | Without a house of our own in this country. |
| Male | |
| Kondaattamum dhinam salaabamum | Daily celebrations and high profits, |
| Pana mudhalliyin inba paechu | Are the pleasant talk of the wealthy capitalists. |
| Thindaatattamum kooda thalaatatmum | Endless struggles and swinging misfortunes, |
| Namma thozhilalyin kadhayaachu | Have become the life story of us workers. |
| Male | |
| Kanjikku ezhanga poraduthu | The poor struggle every day just for basic porridge, |
| Namma kanneeril oru kootam neeraaduthu | While a rich crowd bathes in our tears! |
| Kanjikku ezhanga poraduthu | The poor struggle every day just for basic porridge, |
| Namma kanneeril oru kootam neeraaduthu | While a rich crowd bathes in our tears! |
| Male | |
| Ennada kadahiya keethu | Hey man, hear my story! |
| Ada ennda kadhaiya keethu | Oh man, listen to my story! |
| pulla adipen innum kudippen | I will smoke up and drink even more, |
| Study ya neippen da | I will stand steady, man! |
| Na study ya nippen da | I will stand firm and steady, man! |
| Maaman sonna suttupuduven | If my uncle tells me, I will shoot, |
| Mathavanga sona vettipuduven | If others tell me, I will slash them! |
| Ennda kadhaya keethu | Listen to my story, man! |
| Ada ennda kadhaiya keethu Haan | Oh man, listen to my story, yeah! |
| Ada ennda kadhaiya keethu ….. | Oh man, listen to my story... |
என்னடா கதையா கீது
அட என்னடா கதையா கீது
புல்லா அடிப்பேன் இன்னும் குடிப்பேன்
ஸ்டெடியா நிப்பேன் டா
நான் ஸ்டெடியா நிப்பேன் டா
மாமன் சொன்னா கட்டுப்படுவேன்
மத்தவங்க சொன்னா வெட்டிப்புடுவேன்
என்னடா கதையா கீது
அட என்னடா கதையா கீது டேய்
Hey man, hear my story!
Oh man, listen to my story!
I will smoke up and drink even more,
I will stand steady, man!
I will stand firm and steady, man!
If my uncle tells me, I will shoot,
If others tell me, I will slash them!
Listen to my story, man!
Oh man, listen to my story!
விசில் :
.................
Father, oh father...
Father, oh father, father, father...
Father, oh father, father, father...
நைனா நைனா
நைனா நைனா நைனா நைனா
நைனா நைனா நைனா நைனா
There is no caste division or discrimination,
Inside our local hood.
There is neither justice nor honesty,
Inside the fortress of political power.
ஜாதி இல்ல பேதம் இல்ல
நம்மோட பேட்டைக்குள்ள
நீதி இல்ல நேர்மை இல்ல
அதிகார கோட்டைக்குள்ள
When elections arrive, to reach the common people,
They come searching for us on their own.
Later, they pass by without even looking at us.
தேர்தல் வந்தா கட்சி ஆளுங்கெல்லாம்
நம்ம தேடிக்கிட்டு வருவாங்க
ஜெயிச்சுப்புட்டா நம்ம காணாமலே
கண்டும் பேசாமலே போவாங்க
Do not think lightly of the slum dwellers,
If their rage is ignited,
It will topple the entire kingdom!
Yes indeed!
Do not think lightly of the slum dwellers,
If their rage is ignited,
It will topple the entire kingdom!
குப்பமுன்னா லேசாக எண்ணாதீங்க
அதுக்கு கோவம் வந்தா
ராசாங்கம் தாங்காதுங்க
ஆமா
குப்பமுன்னா லேசாக எண்ணாதீங்க
அதுக்கு கோவம் வந்தா
ராசாங்கம் தாங்காதுங்க
Hey man, hear my story!
Oh man, listen to my story!
I will smoke up and drink even more,
I will stand steady, man!
I will stand firm and steady, man!
If my uncle tells me, I will shoot,
If others tell me, I will slash them!
Listen to my story, man!
Oh man, listen to my story, yeah!
என்னடா கதையா கீது
அட என்னடா கதையா கீது
புல்லா அடிப்பேன் இன்னும் குடிப்பேன்
ஸ்டெடியா நிப்பேன் டா மச்சி
நான் ஸ்டெடியா நிப்பேன் டா
மாமன் சொன்னா கட்டுப்படுவேன்
மத்தவங்க சொன்னா வெட்டிப்புடுவேன்
என்னடா கதையா கீது
அட என்னடா கதையா கீது ஆஹாங்
Mynah bird... mynah bird...
Mynah, mynah, mynah, mynah...
Mynah, mynah, mynah, mynah...
முனங்கல் :
......................
Even sparrows have nests,
In the forest where tigers roam.
Yet we do not own even a place to squat,
Without a house of our own in this country.
மைனா...மைனா
மைனா மைனா மைனா மைனா
மைனா மைனா மைனா மைனா
Daily celebrations and high profits,
Are the pleasant talk of the wealthy capitalists.
Endless struggles and swinging misfortunes,
Have become the life story of us workers.
குருவிக்கெல்லாம் கூடு உண்டு
புலி வாழும் காட்டுக்குள்ள
நாம குந்திக்கிடத்தான் சொந்தத்தில
வீடில்ல நாட்டுக்குள்ள
The poor struggle every day just for basic porridge,
While a rich crowd bathes in our tears!
The poor struggle every day just for basic porridge,
While a rich crowd bathes in our tears!
கொண்டாட்டமும் தினம் சல்லாபமும்
பண முதலாளியின் இன்ப பேச்சு
திண்டாட்டமும் கூட தள்ளாட்டமும்
நம்ம தொழிலாளியின் கதை ஆச்சு
Hey man, hear my story!
Oh man, listen to my story!
I will smoke up and drink even more,
I will stand steady, man!
I will stand firm and steady, man!
If my uncle tells me, I will shoot,
If others tell me, I will slash them!
Listen to my story, man!
Oh man, listen to my story, yeah!
Oh man, listen to my story...
கஞ்சிக்கு ஏழைங்க போராடுது
நம்ம கண்ணீரில் ஒரு கூட்டம் நீராடுது
கஞ்சிக்கு ஏழைங்க போராடுது
நம்ம கண்ணீரில் ஒரு கூட்டம் நீராடுது
என்னடா கதையா கீது
அட என்னடா கதையா கீது..ஹோய்
புல்லா அடிப்பேன் இன்னும் குடிப்பேன்
ஸ்டெடியா நிப்பேன் டா மச்சி
நான் ஸ்டெடியா நிப்பேன் டா
மாமன் சொன்னா கட்டுப்படுவேன்
மத்தவங்க சொன்னா வெட்டிப்புடுவேன்
என்னடா கதையா கீது ஹான்
அட என்னடா கதையா கீது .....
Ennada kadahiya keethu
Hey man, hear my story!
Ada ennda kadhaiya keethu
Oh man, listen to my story!
pulla adipen innum kudippen
I will smoke up and drink even more,
Study ya neippen da
I will stand steady, man!
Na study ya nippen da
I will stand firm and steady, man!
Maaman sonna suttupuduven
If my uncle tells me, I will shoot,
Mathavanga sona vettipuduven
If others tell me, I will slash them!
Ennda kadhaya keethu
Listen to my story, man!
Ada ennda kadhaiya keethu dai
Oh man, listen to my story!
Nainaa naina
Father, oh father...
Nainaa naina naina naina
Father, oh father, father, father...
Nainaa naina naina naina
Father, oh father, father, father...
Jaathi illa petham illa
There is no caste division or discrimination,
Nammoda pettaikulla
Inside our local hood.
Neethi illai nermai illai
There is neither justice nor honesty,
Adhikaara kottaikulla
Inside the fortress of political power.
Therthal vanthaal kadaisi aalungalukellaam
When elections arrive, to reach the common people,
Nammale thedikittu varuvaanga
They come searching for us on their own.
Kandum peasamale povaanga
Later, they pass by without even looking at us.
Kuppamunna laesaaga ennatheenga
Do not think lightly of the slum dwellers,
Athukku kovam vantha
If their rage is ignited,
Raasaaangam thaanhunga
It will topple the entire kingdom!
Aama
Yes indeed!
Kuppamunna laesaaga ennatheenga
Do not think lightly of the slum dwellers,
Athukku kovam vantha
If their rage is ignited,
Raasaaangam thaanhunga
It will topple the entire kingdom!
Ennada kadahiya keethu
Hey man, hear my story!
Ada ennda kadhaiya keethu
Oh man, listen to my story!
pulla adipen innum kudippen
I will smoke up and drink even more,
Study ya neippen da
I will stand steady, man!
Na study ya nippen da
I will stand firm and steady, man!
Maaman sonna suttupuduven
If my uncle tells me, I will shoot,
Mathavanga sona vettipuduven
If others tell me, I will slash them!
Ennda kadhaya keethu
Listen to my story, man!
Ada ennda kadhaiya keethu Haang
Oh man, listen to my story, yeah!
Maina…maina
Mynah bird... mynah bird...
Maina maina maina maina
Mynah, mynah, mynah, mynah...
Maina maina maina maina
Mynah, mynah, mynah, mynah...
Kuruvikellam koodu undu
Even sparrows have nests,
Puli vaazhum katukulla
In the forest where tigers roam.
Naam kunthikidakka thaan sonthathila
Yet we do not own even a place to squat,
Veedilla nattukkulla
Without a house of our own in this country.
Kondaattamum dhinam salaabamum
Daily celebrations and high profits,
Pana mudhalliyin inba paechu
Are the pleasant talk of the wealthy capitalists.
Thindaatattamum kooda thalaatatmum
Endless struggles and swinging misfortunes,
Namma thozhilalyin kadhayaachu
Have become the life story of us workers.
Kanjikku ezhanga poraduthu
The poor struggle every day just for basic porridge,
Namma kanneeril oru kootam neeraaduthu
While a rich crowd bathes in our tears!
Kanjikku ezhanga poraduthu
The poor struggle every day just for basic porridge,
Namma kanneeril oru kootam neeraaduthu
While a rich crowd bathes in our tears!
Ennada kadahiya keethu
Hey man, hear my story!
Ada ennda kadhaiya keethu
Oh man, listen to my story!
pulla adipen innum kudippen
I will smoke up and drink even more,
Study ya neippen da
I will stand steady, man!
Na study ya nippen da
I will stand firm and steady, man!
Maaman sonna suttupuduven
If my uncle tells me, I will shoot,
Mathavanga sona vettipuduven
If others tell me, I will slash them!
Ennda kadhaya keethu
Listen to my story, man!
Ada ennda kadhaiya keethu Haan
Oh man, listen to my story, yeah!
Ada ennda kadhaiya keethu …..
Oh man, listen to my story...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This energetic Madras-slang song expresses the raw social frustration, resilience, and street reality of a marginalized working-class youth living in Chennai's slums ('pettai' / 'kuppam'). The protagonist talks about his tough lifestyle while highlighting the deep socio-economic inequality present in society. He contrasts the unity and lack of caste discrimination in his neighborhood with the corrupt, dishonest political systems operating from the seats of power. The song serves as a powerful critique of electoral opportunism, where politicians seek out the poor only for votes during elections and ignore them afterwards. It highlights the plight of landless laborers who struggle for basic sustenance while wealthy capitalists thrive on their labor and suffering. Despite their dire circumstances, the speaker issues a warning that the anger of the oppressed working class possesses enough power to bring down rulers.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Jaathi illa petham illa / Neethi illai nermai illai”
The second consonant sound 'th' (தி) rhymes across lines ('Jaathi' and 'Neethi').
Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Therthal vanthaal kadaisi aalungalukellaam / Nammale thedikittu varuvaanga”
The second letter sound 'r/d' connects rhythmically between lines.
Metaphor
“Namma kanneeril oru kootam neeraaduthu”
The line metaphorically describes the wealthy elite 'bathing in the tears' of the impoverished working class.
Contrast / Muran
“Kuruvikellam koodu undu ... Naam kunthikidakka thaan sonthathila Veedilla nattukkulla”
Contrasts birds having homes in the forest with human beings having no shelter of their own in their homeland.
Alliteration (Monai)
“Kondaattamum dhinam salaabamum / Pana mudhalliyin inba paechu”
Repetition of initial rhythm and rhyming cadences across stanza segments.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Thangaikku Oru Thalattu' (1990) features music composed by the veteran duo Shankar-Ganesh. The song is rendered by singer Mano in Chennai's authentic local dialect ('Gana' style Madras Bashai slang), which gained immense popular appeal in Tamil cinema during the late 1980s and 1990s as a voice for slum dwellers and urban working classes.
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