Ethanaiyo Pei Irukku
From Vandhale Maharasi · 1973
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- L. R. Eswari
- Music director
- Vaali
- Details
- Vandhale Maharasi1973
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Eththanaiyo pei irukku naattukkullae | There are so many ghosts in this country, |
| Nee ennaiyaadaa veratta vanthae veettukkullae | Why have you come to chase me out from inside the house, man? |
| Eththanaiyo pei irukku naattukkullae | There are so many ghosts in this country, |
| Nee ennaiyaadaa veratta vanthae veettukkullae | Why have you come to chase me out from inside the house, man? |
| Female | |
| Seththavanga peyaaga maaruvaangadaa adei | The dead turn into ghosts, hey man! |
| Thookkula thonguvaan aamaam | He hangs himself on a rope, yes, |
| Veshaththa saappiduvaan | He consumes poison, |
| Alavukku melae thookka maaththiraiya | He swallows sleeping pills |
| Muzhunguvaandaa | beyond the limit, man! |
| Female | |
| Ippadi seththavanga peyaaga maaruvaangadaa | Like this, the dead turn into ghosts, man! |
| Nermaiyattravanga peyaatta poduraangadaa | Dishonest people dance around like ghosts, man! |
| Nermaiyattravanga peyaatta poduraangadaa | Dishonest people dance around like ghosts, man! |
| Female | |
| Eththanaiyo pei irukku naattukkullae | There are so many ghosts in this country, |
| Nee ennaiyaadaa veratta vanthae veettukkullae | Why have you come to chase me out from inside the house, man? |
| Female | |
| Panakkaara peigal pollaathadaa | Rich ghosts are wicked, man, |
| Un pambai adikkellaam sollaathadaa | They do not yield to the beat of your exorcism drum, man! |
| Sila pathavu pisaasugalum irukkuthadaa thanakku | There are also position-hungry demons, |
| Udhavi seithavanaiyum odhaikkuthadaa | Who kick even those who helped them, man! |
| Saathiyennum pei pidiththu aattuthadaa adeikappaa | The ghost of casteism grips and shakes us, oh father! |
| Saathiyennum pei pidiththu aattuthadaa | The ghost of casteism grips and shakes us, |
| Adhu thegan ennum neruppai moottuthadaa | It ignites the fire of hatred, man! |
| Female | |
| Eththanaiyo pei irukku naattukkullae | There are so many ghosts in this country, |
| Nee ennaiyaadaa veratta vanthae veettukkullae | Why have you come to chase me out from inside the house, man? |
| Female | |
| Vilaivaasi peigal yaeruthadaa | Price-hike ghosts are climbing up, man! |
| Female :Arisi vela | Female: Rice price... |
| Male :Aanai vela | Male: Is elephant price! |
| Female :Paruppu vela | Female: Dal price... |
| Male :Kudhura vela | Male: Is horse price! |
| Female :Nallenna | Female: Sesame oil... |
| Male :Athu illanna | Male: If that is missing... |
| Female :Kadalennaa | Female: Groundnut oil... |
| Male :Adhu kannula padalanna | Male: If that cannot be spotted... |
| Female | |
| Vilaivaasi peigal yaeruthadaa | Price-hike ghosts are climbing up, man! |
| Adhu vesham pola naattil maaruthadaa | It spreads across the nation like poison, man! |
| Suya vilampara pei engum nirainjirukku | Self-publicity ghosts are filled everywhere, |
| Adhu veedhi suvarellaam malinjirukku | Abundant all over street walls! |
| Female | |
| Kudikaara peikal kuthikkuthadaa | Drunkard ghosts jump around, man, |
| Adhu kundaanthadiya kandu sirikuthadaa | They laugh upon seeing the policeman's heavy club, man! |
| Adhikaara peikal irukkuthadaa | Authoritative ghosts exist, man, |
| Adhu sathikaara kumbala valarkkuthadaa | They nurture treacherous cliques, man! |
| Female | |
| Eththanaiyo pei irukku naattukkullae | There are so many ghosts in this country, |
| Nee ennaiyaadaa veratta vanthae veettukkullae | Why have you come to chase me out from inside the house, man? |
| Female | |
| Oozhalennum pei onnu irukkuthadaa | There is a ghost named corruption, man, |
| Adhu oyyaaramaa car-il parakkuthadaa | It flies around stylishly in cars, man! |
| Lancham ennum pei onnu vathaikkuthadaa | A ghost named bribery torments us, man, |
| Adhu latchiyaththai latchththilae pudhaikkuthadaa | It buries high ideals in millions, man! |
| Female | |
| Onda vantha peikal rendu irukku | There are two intruding ghosts right here, |
| Adhai ootti vittu appuramaa ennai adakku | Drive them away first, and then try to subdue me! |
| Onda vantha peikal rendu irukku | There are two intruding ghosts right here, |
| Adhai ootti vittu appuramaa ennai adakku | Drive them away first, and then try to subdue me! |
| Aiyyo….amma…..aiyyo…amma…… | Oh my god... mother... oh my god... mother... |
எத்தனையோ பேய் இருக்கு நாட்டுக்குள்ளே
நீ என்னையாடா வெரட்ட வந்தே வீட்டுக்குள்ளே....
எத்தனையோ பேய் இருக்கு நாட்டுக்குள்ளே
நீ என்னையாடா வெரட்ட வந்தே வீட்டுக்குள்ளே....
There are so many ghosts in this country,
Why have you come to chase me out from inside the house, man?
There are so many ghosts in this country,
Why have you come to chase me out from inside the house, man?
செத்தவங்க பேயாக மாறுவாங்கடா அடேய்....
தூக்குல தொங்குவான் ஆமாம்....
வெஷத்த சாப்பிடுவான்
அளவுக்கு மேலே தூக்க மாத்திரைய
முழுங்குவாண்டா
The dead turn into ghosts, hey man!
He hangs himself on a rope, yes,
He consumes poison,
He swallows sleeping pills
beyond the limit, man!
இப்படி செத்தவங்க பேயாக மாறுவாங்கடா
நேர்மையற்றவங்க பேயாட்டம் போடுறாங்கடா
நேர்மையற்றவங்க பேயாட்டம் போடுறாங்கடா
Like this, the dead turn into ghosts, man!
Dishonest people dance around like ghosts, man!
Dishonest people dance around like ghosts, man!
எத்தனையோ பேய் இருக்கு நாட்டுக்குள்ளே
நீ என்னையாடா வெரட்ட வந்தே வீட்டுக்குள்ளே....
There are so many ghosts in this country,
Why have you come to chase me out from inside the house, man?
பணக்கார பேய்கள் பொல்லாதடா
உன் பம்பை அடிக்கெல்லாம் செல்லாதடா
சில பதவி பிசாசுகளும் இருக்குதடா தனக்கு
உதவி செய்தவனையும் ஒதைக்குதடா
சாதியென்னும் பேய் பிடித்து ஆட்டுதடா அடேயகப்பா
சாதியென்னும் பேய் பிடித்து ஆட்டுதடா
அது தேகம் என்னும் நெருப்பை மூட்டுதடா...
Rich ghosts are wicked, man,
They do not yield to the beat of your exorcism drum, man!
There are also position-hungry demons,
Who kick even those who helped them, man!
The ghost of casteism grips and shakes us, oh father!
The ghost of casteism grips and shakes us,
It ignites the fire of hatred, man!
எத்தனையோ பேய் இருக்கு நாட்டுக்குள்ளே
நீ என்னையாடா வெரட்ட வந்தே வீட்டுக்குள்ளே....
There are so many ghosts in this country,
Why have you come to chase me out from inside the house, man?
விலைவாசி பேய்கள் ஏறுதடா....
அரிசி வெல......
ஆனை வெல.....
பருப்பு வெல.....
குதுர வெல....
நல்லெண்ண.....
அது இல்லன்ன
கடலெண்ண...
அது கண்ணுல படலன்ன...
Price-hike ghosts are climbing up, man!
Female: Rice price...
Male: Is elephant price!
Female: Dal price...
Male: Is horse price!
Female: Sesame oil...
Male: If that is missing...
Female: Groundnut oil...
Male: If that cannot be spotted...
விலைவாசி பேய்கள் ஏறுதடா....
அது வெஷம் போல நாட்டில் மாறுதடா
சுயவிளம்பர பேய் எங்கும் நிறைஞ்சிருக்கு
அது வீதி சுவரெல்லாம் மலிஞ்சிருக்கு
Price-hike ghosts are climbing up, man!
It spreads across the nation like poison, man!
Self-publicity ghosts are filled everywhere,
Abundant all over street walls!
குடிகார பேய்கள் குதிக்குதடா
அது குண்டாந்தடியக் கண்டு சிரிக்குதடா
அதிகார பேய்கள் இருக்குதடா
அது சதிகார கும்பல வளர்க்குதடா....
Drunkard ghosts jump around, man,
They laugh upon seeing the policeman's heavy club, man!
Authoritative ghosts exist, man,
They nurture treacherous cliques, man!
எத்தனையோ பேய் இருக்கு நாட்டுக்குள்ளே
நீ என்னையாடா வெரட்ட வந்தே வீட்டுக்குள்ளே....
There are so many ghosts in this country,
Why have you come to chase me out from inside the house, man?
ஊழலென்னும் பேய் ஒன்னு இருக்குதடா
அது ஒய்யாரமா காரில் பறக்குதடா
லஞ்சம் என்னும் பேய் ஒன்னு வதைக்குதடா
அது லட்சியத்தை லட்சத்திலே புதைக்குதடா
There is a ghost named corruption, man,
It flies around stylishly in cars, man!
A ghost named bribery torments us, man,
It buries high ideals in millions, man!
ஒண்ட வந்த பேய்கள் ரெண்டு இருக்கு
அதை ஓட்டி விட்டு அப்புறமா என்னை அடக்கு
ஒண்ட வந்த பேய்கள் ரெண்டு இருக்கு
அதை ஓட்டி விட்டு அப்புறமா என்னை அடக்கு
அய்யோ....அம்மா.....அய்யோ....அம்மா....
There are two intruding ghosts right here,
Drive them away first, and then try to subdue me!
There are two intruding ghosts right here,
Drive them away first, and then try to subdue me!
Oh my god... mother... oh my god... mother...
Eththanaiyo pei irukku naattukkullae
There are so many ghosts in this country,
Nee ennaiyaadaa veratta vanthae veettukkullae
Why have you come to chase me out from inside the house, man?
Eththanaiyo pei irukku naattukkullae
There are so many ghosts in this country,
Nee ennaiyaadaa veratta vanthae veettukkullae
Why have you come to chase me out from inside the house, man?
Seththavanga peyaaga maaruvaangadaa adei
The dead turn into ghosts, hey man!
Thookkula thonguvaan aamaam
He hangs himself on a rope, yes,
Veshaththa saappiduvaan
He consumes poison,
Alavukku melae thookka maaththiraiya
He swallows sleeping pills
Muzhunguvaandaa
beyond the limit, man!
Ippadi seththavanga peyaaga maaruvaangadaa
Like this, the dead turn into ghosts, man!
Nermaiyattravanga peyaatta poduraangadaa
Dishonest people dance around like ghosts, man!
Nermaiyattravanga peyaatta poduraangadaa
Dishonest people dance around like ghosts, man!
Eththanaiyo pei irukku naattukkullae
There are so many ghosts in this country,
Nee ennaiyaadaa veratta vanthae veettukkullae
Why have you come to chase me out from inside the house, man?
Panakkaara peigal pollaathadaa
Rich ghosts are wicked, man,
Un pambai adikkellaam sollaathadaa
They do not yield to the beat of your exorcism drum, man!
Sila pathavu pisaasugalum irukkuthadaa thanakku
There are also position-hungry demons,
Udhavi seithavanaiyum odhaikkuthadaa
Who kick even those who helped them, man!
Saathiyennum pei pidiththu aattuthadaa adeikappaa
The ghost of casteism grips and shakes us, oh father!
Saathiyennum pei pidiththu aattuthadaa
The ghost of casteism grips and shakes us,
Adhu thegan ennum neruppai moottuthadaa
It ignites the fire of hatred, man!
Eththanaiyo pei irukku naattukkullae
There are so many ghosts in this country,
Nee ennaiyaadaa veratta vanthae veettukkullae
Why have you come to chase me out from inside the house, man?
Vilaivaasi peigal yaeruthadaa
Price-hike ghosts are climbing up, man!
Female :Arisi vela
Female: Rice price...
Male :Aanai vela
Male: Is elephant price!
Female :Paruppu vela
Female: Dal price...
Male :Kudhura vela
Male: Is horse price!
Female :Nallenna
Female: Sesame oil...
Male :Athu illanna
Male: If that is missing...
Female :Kadalennaa
Female: Groundnut oil...
Male :Adhu kannula padalanna
Male: If that cannot be spotted...
Vilaivaasi peigal yaeruthadaa
Price-hike ghosts are climbing up, man!
Adhu vesham pola naattil maaruthadaa
It spreads across the nation like poison, man!
Suya vilampara pei engum nirainjirukku
Self-publicity ghosts are filled everywhere,
Adhu veedhi suvarellaam malinjirukku
Abundant all over street walls!
Kudikaara peikal kuthikkuthadaa
Drunkard ghosts jump around, man,
Adhu kundaanthadiya kandu sirikuthadaa
They laugh upon seeing the policeman's heavy club, man!
Adhikaara peikal irukkuthadaa
Authoritative ghosts exist, man,
Adhu sathikaara kumbala valarkkuthadaa
They nurture treacherous cliques, man!
Eththanaiyo pei irukku naattukkullae
There are so many ghosts in this country,
Nee ennaiyaadaa veratta vanthae veettukkullae
Why have you come to chase me out from inside the house, man?
Oozhalennum pei onnu irukkuthadaa
There is a ghost named corruption, man,
Adhu oyyaaramaa car-il parakkuthadaa
It flies around stylishly in cars, man!
Lancham ennum pei onnu vathaikkuthadaa
A ghost named bribery torments us, man,
Adhu latchiyaththai latchththilae pudhaikkuthadaa
It buries high ideals in millions, man!
Onda vantha peikal rendu irukku
There are two intruding ghosts right here,
Adhai ootti vittu appuramaa ennai adakku
Drive them away first, and then try to subdue me!
Onda vantha peikal rendu irukku
There are two intruding ghosts right here,
Adhai ootti vittu appuramaa ennai adakku
Drive them away first, and then try to subdue me!
Aiyyo….amma…..aiyyo…amma……
Oh my god... mother... oh my god... mother...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This satirical song from 'Vandhale Maharasi' (1973) uses the concept of ghosts ('pei') as a metaphor to mock and critique the real social evils plaguing society. When an exorcist tries to drive out a spirit from a house, the spirit retorts by listing all the real 'demons' in the country—casteism, greed, price hikes, inflation, corrupt politicians, self-promoters, alcohol addiction, and bribery. Through L. R. Eswari's energetic delivery and Vaali's sharp lyrics, the track delivers a strong social commentary wrapped in comedy and folk rhythm.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvam)
“Saathiyennum pei pidiththu aattuthadaa”
Social issues like casteism ('Saathiyennum pei'), inflation ('Vilaivaasi peigal'), bribery ('Lancham ennum pei'), and corruption ('Oozhalennum pei') are metaphorically equated to harmful ghosts.
Hyperbole (Uuyarvu Navitchi)
“Male :Aanai vela... Male :Kudhura vela”
Exaggeration comparing commodity prices to giant animals ('Aanai vela' / 'Kudhura vela') to emphasize severe price rises.
Ethirai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Oozhalennum pei onnu irukkuthadaa / Lancham ennum pei onnu vathaikkuthadaa”
Rhyming second consonants across adjacent lines, such as 'Oozhalennum' and 'Lancham' or 'Eththanaiyo' and 'Nee ennaiyaadaa'.
Did you know?
Trivia
Sung by L. R. Eswari, famous for her bold solos and dance tracks in 1960s-70s Tamil cinema, this song showcases Vaali's signature ability to write sharp socio-political commentary using simple, conversational Tamil and humor.
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