First Last
From Thanga Meengal · 2013
- Lyricist
- Na. Muthu Kumar
- Singer
- Baby Sadhana
- Music director
- Yuvan Shankar Raja
- Details
- Thanga Meengal2013
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Appakkalum pillaigalum | Both fathers and children, |
| Poga maatten endru adampidikkira | Refuse and throw tantrums about going to... |
| Orae edam pallikoodam mattumthaan | The only place, which is school! |
| Female | |
| Oh oho oyeah…(2) | Oh oho oyeah…(2) |
| Female | |
| First last pass fail | First, last, pass, fail, |
| Homework exam question paper | Homework, exams, question papers... |
| Yaaru kandupudicha | Who invented all this? |
| Female | |
| Makku plastri stupid idiot | Calling us 'duffer', 'plaster', 'stupid idiot', |
| Standup on the bench ellaam | Making us stand up on the bench and all... |
| Yaaru kandupudicha | Who invented this? |
| Female | |
| Monday tuesday | Monday, Tuesday, |
| Wednesday thursday friday | Wednesday, Thursday, Friday... |
| Varaikkum school vaikka | Keeping school open till then... |
| Yaaru kandupudicha | Who invented this? |
| Chorus | |
| Schoolu pogathaan pudikkala | I don't like going to school, |
| Exam ezhuthavum pudikkala | I don't like writing exams either, |
| Entha paadamum naa padikkala | I haven't studied any lessons, |
| Naa muttipoda poren | I am going to kneel down in punishment. |
| Chorus | |
| Night muzhuvathum padikkiren | I study all night long, |
| Naa class vanthathum marakkiren | But I forget as soon as I enter the class, |
| Right wrong ethu muzhikkiren | I blink, confused between what is right and wrong, |
| Naa fail aaga poren | I am going to fail! |
| Chorus | |
| Ohh. he.. ho.. yeah | Ohh.. he.. ho.. yeah |
| We want to fly.. | We want to fly.. |
| Ohh. he.. ho.. yeah | Ohh.. he.. ho.. yeah |
| Where is the sky | Where is the sky |
| Female | |
| Sciene maths social science | Science, Maths, Social Science... |
| Subject ellaam englishla padikka | To study all these subjects in English, |
| Yaaru kandupudicha.. | Who invented this? |
| Oh god.. yaaru kandupudicha | Oh god.. who invented this? |
| Female | |
| Tamizhla pesum pasangala paatha | If they see kids speaking in Tamil, |
| Thalaiyila kotti fine-ah poda | Rap them on the head and fine them... |
| Yaaru kandupudicha.. | Who invented this? |
| Oh god.. yaaru kandupudicha | Oh god.. who invented this? |
| Chorus | |
| Games aadavum time illa | There's no time to play games, |
| Cartoon paakkavum time illa | No time to watch cartoons either, |
| Exam nadakkura timeula | During the exam time, |
| Naa enna pannaporaen | What am I going to do? |
| Fees kattithaan padikkiren | I am studying by paying fees, |
| Naa fuse aagithaan nikkuren | But I am standing here completely blown out like a fuse! |
| Waste papera questiona | This question paper, like waste paper, |
| Naa thookipodaporen | I am going to throw it away. |
| Female | |
| Ohh. he.. ho.. yeah | Ohh.. he.. ho.. yeah |
| We want to fly.. | We want to fly.. |
| Ohh. he.. ho.. yeah | Ohh.. he.. ho.. yeah |
| Where is the sky | Where is the sky |
| Chorus | |
| Ohh. he.. ho.. yeah | Ohh.. he.. ho.. yeah |
| We want to fly.. | We want to fly.. |
| Ohh. he.. ho.. yeah | Ohh.. he.. ho.. yeah |
| Where is the sky | Where is the sky |
| Female | |
| Butterflya kaithula katti | Tying up a butterfly with a thread, |
| Freedom pathi paadam nadatha | And teaching a lesson about freedom... |
| Yaaru kandupudicha | Who invented this? |
| Yaaru kandupudicha | Who invented this? |
| Female | |
| Sengal mela sengal adukki | Stacking brick upon brick, |
| Students sidela pongal vaikka | And making students boil like Pongal inside... |
| Yaaru kandupudicha | Who invented this? |
| Yaaru kandupudicha | Who invented this? |
| Chorus | |
| Paati kadhaiyumthaan kekkala | Haven't heard grandmother's stories, |
| Friend koodaiyum pesala | Haven't spoken with friends either, |
| Naa bendu kayanduporen | I am completely worn out and bent out of shape, |
| Intha schoolayum pidikkala | I don't like this school, |
| Entha schooliyum pidiikkala | I don't like any school! |
| Vittuvidungada padikkala | Leave me alone, guys, I am not studying, |
| Naa fail aaga poren | I am going to fail! |
| Chorus | |
| Ohh. he.. ho.. yeah | Ohh.. he.. ho.. yeah |
| We want to fly.. | We want to fly.. |
| Ohh. he.. ho.. yeah | Ohh.. he.. ho.. yeah |
| Where is the sky | Where is the sky |
அப்பாக்களும்
பிள்ளைகளும் போக
மாட்டேன் என்று அடம்
பிடிக்கிற ஒரே இடம்
பள்ளிக்கூடம் மட்டும்
தான்
Both fathers and children,
Refuse and throw tantrums about going to...
The only place, which is school!
ஓ ஓஹோ
ஓயே (2)
Oh oho oyeah…(2)
ப்ர்ஸ்ட் லாஸ்ட்
பாஸ் பெயில் ஹோம்வொர்க்
எக்ஸாம் கொஸ்டீன் பேப்பர்
யாரு கண்டு பிடிச்சா
First, last, pass, fail,
Homework, exams, question papers...
Who invented all this?
மக்கு பிளாஸ்திரி
ஸ்டுபிட் இடியட் ஸ்டாண்ட்
அப் ஆன் தி பெஞ்ச் எல்லாம்
யாரு கண்டு பிடிச்சா
Calling us 'duffer', 'plaster', 'stupid idiot',
Making us stand up on the bench and all...
Who invented this?
மன்டே டியூஸ்டே
வெனஸ்டே தர்ஸ்டே
ஃப்ரைடே வரைக்கும்
ஸ்கூல் வைக்க யாரு
கண்டு பிடிச்சா
Monday, Tuesday,
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday...
Keeping school open till then...
Who invented this?
ஸ்கூலு போகதான்
புடிக்கல எக்ஸாம் எழுதவும்
புடிக்கல எந்த பாடமும் நா
படிக்கல நா முட்டி போட
போறேன்
I don't like going to school,
I don't like writing exams either,
I haven't studied any lessons,
I am going to kneel down in punishment.
நைட் முழுவதும்
படிக்கிறேன் நா கிளாஸ்
வந்ததும் மறக்கிறேன்
ரைட் ராங் எது முழிக்கிறேன்
நா பெயில் ஆக போறேன்
I study all night long,
But I forget as soon as I enter the class,
I blink, confused between what is right and wrong,
I am going to fail!
ஓ ஹே ஹோ
யே வி வான்ட் டு ப்ளை
ஓ ஹே ஹோ யே வேர்
இஸ் தி ஸ்கை
Ohh.. he.. ho.. yeah
We want to fly..
Ohh.. he.. ho.. yeah
Where is the sky
சயின்ஸ் மேக்ஸ்
சோசியல் சயின்ஸ்
சப்ஜெக்ட் எல்லாம்
இங்கிலீஷ்ல படிக்க யாரு
கண்டு புடிச்சா ஓ காட்
யாரு கண்டு பிடிச்சா
Science, Maths, Social Science...
To study all these subjects in English,
Who invented this?
Oh god.. who invented this?
தமிழ்ல பேசும்
பசங்கள பாத்தா தலையில
கொட்டி பைன போட யாரு
கண்டு பிடிச்சா ஓ காட்
யாரு கண்டு பிடிச்சா
If they see kids speaking in Tamil,
Rap them on the head and fine them...
Who invented this?
Oh god.. who invented this?
கேம்ஸ் ஆடவும்
டைம் இல்ல கார்டூன்
பாக்கவும் டைம் இல்ல
எக்ஸாம் நடக்குற டைமுல
நா என்ன பண்ண போறேன்
பீஸ் கட்டி தான் படிக்கிறேன்
நா பியூஸ் ஆகிதான் நிக்குறேன்
வேஸ்ட் பேப்பர கொஸ்டீனா
நா தூக்கி போட போறேன்
There's no time to play games,
No time to watch cartoons either,
During the exam time,
What am I going to do?
I am studying by paying fees,
But I am standing here completely blown out like a fuse!
This question paper, like waste paper,
I am going to throw it away.
ஓ ஹே ஹோ
யே வி வான்ட் டு ப்ளை
ஓ ஹே ஹோ யே வேர்
இஸ் தி ஸ்கை
Ohh.. he.. ho.. yeah
We want to fly..
Ohh.. he.. ho.. yeah
Where is the sky
ஓ ஹே ஹோ
யே வி வான்ட் டு ப்ளை
ஓ ஹே ஹோ யே வேர்
இஸ் தி ஸ்கை
Ohh.. he.. ho.. yeah
We want to fly..
Ohh.. he.. ho.. yeah
Where is the sky
பட்டர்ப்ளைய
கைத்துல கட்டி ப்ரீடம்
பத்தி பாடம் நடத்த யாரு
கண்டு பிடிச்சா யாரு
கண்டு பிடிச்சா
Tying up a butterfly with a thread,
And teaching a lesson about freedom...
Who invented this?
Who invented this?
செங்கல் மேல
செங்கல் அடுக்கி
ஸ்டுடென்ட்ஸ் சைடுல
பொங்கல் வைக்க யாரு
கண்டு பிடிச்சா யாரு
கண்டு பிடிச்சா
Stacking brick upon brick,
And making students boil like Pongal inside...
Who invented this?
Who invented this?
பாட்டி கதையும்
தான் கேக்கல பிரண்ட்
கூடையும் பேசல நா
பெண்டு கைன்டு போறேன்
இந்த ஸ்கூலயும் பிடிக்கல
எந்த ஸ்கூலயும் பிடிக்கல
விட்டு விடுங்கடா படிக்கல
நா பெயில் ஆக போறேன்
Haven't heard grandmother's stories,
Haven't spoken with friends either,
I am completely worn out and bent out of shape,
I don't like this school,
I don't like any school!
Leave me alone, guys, I am not studying,
I am going to fail!
ஓ ஹே ஹோ
யே வி வான்ட் டு ப்ளை
ஓ ஹே ஹோ யே வேர்
இஸ் தி ஸ்கை
Ohh.. he.. ho.. yeah
We want to fly..
Ohh.. he.. ho.. yeah
Where is the sky
Appakkalum pillaigalum
Both fathers and children,
Poga maatten endru adampidikkira
Refuse and throw tantrums about going to...
Orae edam pallikoodam mattumthaan
The only place, which is school!
Oh oho oyeah…(2)
Oh oho oyeah…(2)
First last pass fail
First, last, pass, fail,
Homework exam question paper
Homework, exams, question papers...
Yaaru kandupudicha
Who invented all this?
Makku plastri stupid idiot
Calling us 'duffer', 'plaster', 'stupid idiot',
Standup on the bench ellaam
Making us stand up on the bench and all...
Yaaru kandupudicha
Who invented this?
Monday tuesday
Monday, Tuesday,
Wednesday thursday friday
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday...
Varaikkum school vaikka
Keeping school open till then...
Yaaru kandupudicha
Who invented this?
Schoolu pogathaan pudikkala
I don't like going to school,
Exam ezhuthavum pudikkala
I don't like writing exams either,
Entha paadamum naa padikkala
I haven't studied any lessons,
Naa muttipoda poren
I am going to kneel down in punishment.
Night muzhuvathum padikkiren
I study all night long,
Naa class vanthathum marakkiren
But I forget as soon as I enter the class,
Right wrong ethu muzhikkiren
I blink, confused between what is right and wrong,
Naa fail aaga poren
I am going to fail!
Ohh. he.. ho.. yeah
Ohh.. he.. ho.. yeah
We want to fly..
We want to fly..
Ohh. he.. ho.. yeah
Ohh.. he.. ho.. yeah
Where is the sky
Where is the sky
Sciene maths social science
Science, Maths, Social Science...
Subject ellaam englishla padikka
To study all these subjects in English,
Yaaru kandupudicha..
Who invented this?
Oh god.. yaaru kandupudicha
Oh god.. who invented this?
Tamizhla pesum pasangala paatha
If they see kids speaking in Tamil,
Thalaiyila kotti fine-ah poda
Rap them on the head and fine them...
Yaaru kandupudicha..
Who invented this?
Oh god.. yaaru kandupudicha
Oh god.. who invented this?
Games aadavum time illa
There's no time to play games,
Cartoon paakkavum time illa
No time to watch cartoons either,
Exam nadakkura timeula
During the exam time,
Naa enna pannaporaen
What am I going to do?
Fees kattithaan padikkiren
I am studying by paying fees,
Naa fuse aagithaan nikkuren
But I am standing here completely blown out like a fuse!
Waste papera questiona
This question paper, like waste paper,
Naa thookipodaporen
I am going to throw it away.
Ohh. he.. ho.. yeah
Ohh.. he.. ho.. yeah
We want to fly..
We want to fly..
Ohh. he.. ho.. yeah
Ohh.. he.. ho.. yeah
Where is the sky
Where is the sky
Ohh. he.. ho.. yeah
Ohh.. he.. ho.. yeah
We want to fly..
We want to fly..
Ohh. he.. ho.. yeah
Ohh.. he.. ho.. yeah
Where is the sky
Where is the sky
Butterflya kaithula katti
Tying up a butterfly with a thread,
Freedom pathi paadam nadatha
And teaching a lesson about freedom...
Yaaru kandupudicha
Who invented this?
Yaaru kandupudicha
Who invented this?
Sengal mela sengal adukki
Stacking brick upon brick,
Students sidela pongal vaikka
And making students boil like Pongal inside...
Yaaru kandupudicha
Who invented this?
Yaaru kandupudicha
Who invented this?
Paati kadhaiyumthaan kekkala
Haven't heard grandmother's stories,
Friend koodaiyum pesala
Haven't spoken with friends either,
Naa bendu kayanduporen
I am completely worn out and bent out of shape,
Intha schoolayum pidikkala
I don't like this school,
Entha schooliyum pidiikkala
I don't like any school!
Vittuvidungada padikkala
Leave me alone, guys, I am not studying,
Naa fail aaga poren
I am going to fail!
Ohh. he.. ho.. yeah
Ohh.. he.. ho.. yeah
We want to fly..
We want to fly..
Ohh. he.. ho.. yeah
Ohh.. he.. ho.. yeah
Where is the sky
Where is the sky
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This energetic and rebellious track from 'Thanga Meengal' expresses the innocent yet sharp frustration of young school children trapped within a rigid, exam-centric education system. Through child-like rhetoric, late lyricist Na. Muthu Kumar questions the necessity of continuous testing, homework, language restrictions (fining kids for speaking Tamil), and corporal punishments that strip away the joy of childhood. The young protagonist longs for outdoor freedom, play, and simple joys like hearing grandmothers' stories rather than memorizing subjects in an alien language. At its core, the song highlights the hypocrisy of modern schooling—metaphorically comparing it to tying a butterfly with a thread while lecturing it on freedom. It captures a child's desperate plea to fly free from stress, representing the central conflict of the movie, which critiques modern commercialized schooling and emphasizes empathy for struggling young learners.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Iyaipu (End Rhyme)
“Schoolu pogathaan pudikkala / Exam ezhuthavum pudikkala / Entha paadamum naa padikkala”
The repetitive rhythmic ending 'pudikkala' (don't like) and 'padikkala' (didn't study) creates an echoing cadence that reflects a child's persistent complaints.
Visual Metaphor / Irony
“Butterflya kaithula katti / Freedom pathi paadam nadatha”
Tying a butterfly with a string while delivering a lecture on freedom serves as a striking visual metaphor for how rigid school systems suppress natural human freedom while teaching abstract concepts.
Colloquial Metaphor / Slang
“Naa fuse aagithaan nikkuren”
Uses the contemporary slang 'fuse aagiduchu' (getting burnt out / blown fuse) to vividly express cognitive overload and mental exhaustion in a humorous child-like voice.
Anaphora (Repetition for Emphasis)
“Yaaru kandupudicha / Yaaru kandupudicha”
The repeated rhetorical question 'Who invented this?' emphasizes the child's exasperation with everyday school norms and routines.
Did you know?
Trivia
Although the music director is listed as unknown in the prompt, the soundtrack for 'Thanga Meengal' was composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja. The movie was directed by Ram, who also played the lead father character. Lyricist Na. Muthu Kumar won the prestigious National Film Award for Best Lyrics for his work in this film. This particular song was sung by child singers Baby Sadhana (who played the protagonist Chellamma) and Shelina, along with Yuvan Shankar Raja.
Keep listening
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