Gundu Onnu Vachirukken
From Arangetra Velai · 1990
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Gundu onnu vechirukken | I have placed a bomb |
| Vedi gundu onnu vechirukken | I have placed an explosive bomb |
| Kanni vedi vechirukken | I have placed a landmine |
| En kannil thiri vechirukken | I have set a burning wick in my eyes |
| Male | |
| Thottaa sedharividum | If you touch it, it will shatter to pieces |
| Thotta vedichividum | If you touch it, it will explode |
| Kuttu odanjividum | The secret will crack open |
| Pattaa therichividum | If it strikes, everything will fly apart |
| Doi… ho… ho… ho hoooyoii… | Doi… ho… ho… ho hoooyoii… |
| Male | |
| Gundu onnu vechirukken | I have placed a bomb |
| Vedi gundu onnu vechirukken | I have placed an explosive bomb |
| Kanni vedi vechirukken | I have placed a landmine |
| En kannil thiri vechirukken | I have set a burning wick in my eyes |
| Ho…… ho… | Ho…… ho… |
| Male | |
| Thaaipaalum kettupochu | Even mother's milk has turned sour |
| Enna pannum kozhanda | What will the poor child do now? |
| Hmm hmm ahahaaan.. | Hmm hmm ahahaaan.. |
| Hmm hmm ahahaaan.. | Hmm hmm ahahaaan.. |
| Hmm hmm ahahaaan.. huahahaan | Hmm hmm ahahaaan.. huahahaan |
| Male | |
| Vaaikkaalil thanni illa | There is no water in the irrigation canal |
| Thanniyilae manushan | Yet man is completely immersed in alcohol |
| Hmm hmm ahahaaan.. | Hmm hmm ahahaaan.. |
| Hmm hmm ahahaaan.. | Hmm hmm ahahaaan.. |
| Hmm hmm ahahaaan.. huahahaan | Hmm hmm ahahaaan.. huahahaan |
| Male | |
| Suttuputta hero nee dhaan | If you shoot someone, you become a hero |
| Thattuketta zero dhaan | Otherwise, you are just a hopeless zero |
| Vettukuthu neeyum potta | If you engage in violence and brawls |
| Katchikulla quota dhaan | You are guaranteed a quota in the political party |
| Veeraappa meratti uruttum | Intimidating and blustering with fake bravado |
| Oorellaam thiruttu payaga | The entire town is full of thieves |
| Kettalum suttalum ellorum | Whether ruined or burnt down, everyone |
| Raajanga dhaan | Acts like they rule a kingdom |
| Male | |
| Doi gundu onnu vechirukken | Doi, I have placed a bomb |
| Vedi gundu onnu vechirukken | I have placed an explosive bomb |
| Kanni vedi vechirukken | I have placed a landmine |
| En kannil thiri vechirukken | I have set a burning wick in my eyes |
| Male | |
| Thottaa sedharividum | If you touch it, it will shatter to pieces |
| Thotta vedichividum | If you touch it, it will explode |
| Kuttu odanjividum | The secret will crack open |
| Pattaa therichividum | If it strikes, everything will fly apart |
| Doi… ho… ho… ho hoooyoii… | Doi… ho… ho… ho hoooyoii… |
| Male | |
| Gundu onnu vechirukken | I have placed a bomb |
| Vedi gundu onnu vechirukken | I have placed an explosive bomb |
| Kanni vedi vechirukken | I have placed a landmine |
| En kannil thiri vechirukken .. ho… | I have set a burning wick in my eyes .. ho… |
| Male | |
| Nellu vilaiyum nilam | The fertile land that yielded paddy |
| Veenaagi pochu | Has gone completely to waste |
| Hmm hmm ahahaaan.. | Hmm hmm ahahaaan.. |
| Hmm hmm ahahaaan.. | Hmm hmm ahahaaan.. |
| Hmm hmm ahahaaan.. huahahaan | Hmm hmm ahahaaan.. huahahaan |
| Male | |
| Ooril janam irundhum | Despite having so many people in the town |
| Kaadaagi pochu | It has turned into an abandoned wilderness |
| Hmm hmm ahahaaan.. | Hmm hmm ahahaaan.. |
| Hmm hmm ahahaaan.. | Hmm hmm ahahaaan.. |
| Hmm hmm ahahaaan.. huahahaan | Hmm hmm ahahaaan.. huahahaan |
| Male | |
| Ketta velai aanaal kooda | Even if it is a dirty, dishonest job |
| Thuddu vantha thaapae illa | As long as cash comes in, no one complains |
| Ishta padi vitta pothum | If children are left to do as they please |
| Appan pola pullayilla | The son will no longer respect or follow the father |
| Male | |
| Kulirellaam velagi pochu | The fear and sensitivity have all gone away |
| Ellaamae pazhagipochu | Everyone has become numb and used to it all |
| Vellaikkum kollaikkum | Torn between honest work and looted money |
| Allaadum sollaigalae…ae…ae…ae… | Oh souls struggling endlessly… ae… ae… ae… |
| Male | |
| Gundu onnu vechirukken | I have placed a bomb |
| Vedi gundu onnu vechirukken | I have placed an explosive bomb |
| Kanni vedi vechirukken | I have placed a landmine |
| En kannil thiri vechirukken | I have set a burning wick in my eyes |
| Male | |
| Thottaa sedharividum | If you touch it, it will shatter to pieces |
| Thotta vedichividum | If you touch it, it will explode |
| Kuttu odanjividum | The secret will crack open |
| Pattaa therichividum | If it strikes, everything will fly apart |
| Doi… ho… ho… ho hoooyoii… | Doi… ho… ho… ho hoooyoii… |
| Male | |
| Gundu onnu vechirukken | I have placed a bomb |
| Vedi gundu onnu vechirukken | I have placed an explosive bomb |
| Kanni vedi vechirukken | I have placed a landmine |
| En kannil thiri vechirukken… ho… | I have set a burning wick in my eyes… ho… |
குண்டு ஒண்ணு வச்சிருக்கேன்
வெடி குண்டு ஒண்ணு வச்சிருக்கேன்
கன்னி வெடி வச்சிருக்கேன்
என் கண்ணில் திரி வச்சிருக்கேன்
I have placed a bomb
I have placed an explosive bomb
I have placed a landmine
I have set a burning wick in my eyes
தொட்டா சிதறிவிடும்
தோட்டா வெடிச்சிவிடும்
குட்டு ஒடிஞ்சிவிடும்
பட்டா தெறிச்சிவிடும் டோய்
ஹோ ஹோ ஹோய் ஹோய்
If you touch it, it will shatter to pieces
If you touch it, it will explode
The secret will crack open
If it strikes, everything will fly apart
Doi… ho… ho… ho hoooyoii…
குண்டு ஒண்ணு வச்சிருக்கேன்
வெடி குண்டு ஒண்ணு வச்சிருக்கேன்
கன்னி வெடி வச்சிருக்கேன்
என் கண்ணில் திரி வச்சிருக்கேன்
ஹோஹோ....
I have placed a bomb
I have placed an explosive bomb
I have placed a landmine
I have set a burning wick in my eyes
Ho…… ho…
தாய்பாலும் கெட்டுபோச்சு
என்ன பண்ணும் கொழந்த
ம்ஹீம் அஹ ம்ஹீம்அஹ
ம்ஹீம் அஹ ம்ஹீம் அஹஆஹா
Even mother's milk has turned sour
What will the poor child do now?
Hmm hmm ahahaaan..
Hmm hmm ahahaaan..
Hmm hmm ahahaaan.. huahahaan
வாய்க்காலில் தண்ணி இல்ல
தண்ணியில மனுஷன்
ம்ஹீம் அஹ ம்ஹீம்அஹ
ம்ஹீம் அஹ ம்ஹீம் அஹஆஹா
There is no water in the irrigation canal
Yet man is completely immersed in alcohol
Hmm hmm ahahaaan..
Hmm hmm ahahaaan..
Hmm hmm ahahaaan.. huahahaan
சுட்டுபுட்ட ஹீரோ நீ தான்
தட்டுகெட்ட ஜீரோ தான்
வெட்டு குத்து நீயும் போட்டா
கட்சிக்குள்ள கோட்டா தான்
If you shoot someone, you become a hero
Otherwise, you are just a hopeless zero
If you engage in violence and brawls
You are guaranteed a quota in the political party
Intimidating and blustering with fake bravado
The entire town is full of thieves
Whether ruined or burnt down, everyone
Acts like they rule a kingdom
வீராப்பா மெரட்டி உருட்டும்
ஊரெல்லாம் திருட்டு பயக
கெட்டாலும் சுட்டாலும்
எல்லோரும் ராஜாக்கள்தான்
Doi, I have placed a bomb
I have placed an explosive bomb
I have placed a landmine
I have set a burning wick in my eyes
டோய் குண்டு ஒண்ணு வச்சிருக்கேன்
வெடி குண்டு ஒண்ணு வச்சிருக்கேன்
கன்னி வெடி வச்சிருக்கேன்
என் கண்ணில் திரி வச்சிருக்கேன்
If you touch it, it will shatter to pieces
If you touch it, it will explode
The secret will crack open
If it strikes, everything will fly apart
Doi… ho… ho… ho hoooyoii…
தொட்டா சிதறிவிடும்
தோட்டா வெடிச்சிவிடும்
குட்டு ஒடிஞ்சிவிடும்
பட்டா தெறிச்சிவிடும் டோய்
ஹோ ஹோ ஹோய் ஹோய்
I have placed a bomb
I have placed an explosive bomb
I have placed a landmine
I have set a burning wick in my eyes .. ho…
குண்டு ஒண்ணு வச்சிருக்கேன்
வெடி குண்டு ஒண்ணு வச்சிருக்கேன்
கன்னி வெடி வச்சிருக்கேன்
என் கண்ணில் திரி வச்சிருக்கேன்
ஹோய் ஹோ
The fertile land that yielded paddy
Has gone completely to waste
Hmm hmm ahahaaan..
Hmm hmm ahahaaan..
Hmm hmm ahahaaan.. huahahaan
நெல்லு விளையும்
நிலம் வீடாகிபோச்சு
ம்ஹீம் அஹ ம்ஹீம்அஹ
ம்ஹீம் அஹ ம்ஹீம் அஹஆஹா
Despite having so many people in the town
It has turned into an abandoned wilderness
Hmm hmm ahahaaan..
Hmm hmm ahahaaan..
Hmm hmm ahahaaan.. huahahaan
ஊரில் ஜனம் இருந்தும்
காடாகி போச்சு
ம்ஹீம் அஹ ம்ஹீம்அஹ
ம்ஹீம் அஹ ம்ஹீம் அஹஆஹா
Even if it is a dirty, dishonest job
As long as cash comes in, no one complains
If children are left to do as they please
The son will no longer respect or follow the father
கெட்ட வேலையான கூட
துட்டு வந்த தப்பே இல்ல
இஷ்டப்படி விட்ட போதும்
அப்பன் போல புள்ளயில்ல
The fear and sensitivity have all gone away
Everyone has become numb and used to it all
Torn between honest work and looted money
Oh souls struggling endlessly… ae… ae… ae…
குளிரெல்லாம் விலகிபோச்சு
எல்லாமே பழகிபோச்சு
வெள்ளைக்கும் கொள்ளைக்கும்
அல்லாடும் சொள்ளைகளே
I have placed a bomb
I have placed an explosive bomb
I have placed a landmine
I have set a burning wick in my eyes
குண்டு ஒண்ணு வச்சிருக்கேன்
வெடி குண்டு ஒண்ணு வச்சிருக்கேன்
கன்னி வெடி வச்சிருக்கேன்
என் கண்ணில் திரி வச்சிருக்கேன்
If you touch it, it will shatter to pieces
If you touch it, it will explode
The secret will crack open
If it strikes, everything will fly apart
Doi… ho… ho… ho hoooyoii…
தொட்டா சிதறிவிடும்
தோட்டா வெடிச்சிவிடும்
குட்டு ஒடிஞ்சிவிடும் பட்டா
தெறிச்சிவிடும் டோய்
ஹோ ஹோ ஹோய் ஹோய்
I have placed a bomb
I have placed an explosive bomb
I have placed a landmine
I have set a burning wick in my eyes… ho…
குண்டு ஒண்ணு வச்சிருக்கேன்
வெடி குண்டு ஒண்ணு வச்சிருக்கேன்
கன்னி வெடி வச்சிருக்கேன்
என் கண்ணில் திரி வச்சிருக்கேன்
ஹோய் ஹோ
Gundu onnu vechirukken
I have placed a bomb
Vedi gundu onnu vechirukken
I have placed an explosive bomb
Kanni vedi vechirukken
I have placed a landmine
En kannil thiri vechirukken
I have set a burning wick in my eyes
Thottaa sedharividum
If you touch it, it will shatter to pieces
Thotta vedichividum
If you touch it, it will explode
Kuttu odanjividum
The secret will crack open
Pattaa therichividum
If it strikes, everything will fly apart
Doi… ho… ho… ho hoooyoii…
Doi… ho… ho… ho hoooyoii…
Gundu onnu vechirukken
I have placed a bomb
Vedi gundu onnu vechirukken
I have placed an explosive bomb
Kanni vedi vechirukken
I have placed a landmine
En kannil thiri vechirukken
I have set a burning wick in my eyes
Ho…… ho…
Ho…… ho…
Thaaipaalum kettupochu
Even mother's milk has turned sour
Enna pannum kozhanda
What will the poor child do now?
Hmm hmm ahahaaan..
Hmm hmm ahahaaan..
Hmm hmm ahahaaan..
Hmm hmm ahahaaan..
Hmm hmm ahahaaan.. huahahaan
Hmm hmm ahahaaan.. huahahaan
Vaaikkaalil thanni illa
There is no water in the irrigation canal
Thanniyilae manushan
Yet man is completely immersed in alcohol
Hmm hmm ahahaaan..
Hmm hmm ahahaaan..
Hmm hmm ahahaaan..
Hmm hmm ahahaaan..
Hmm hmm ahahaaan.. huahahaan
Hmm hmm ahahaaan.. huahahaan
Suttuputta hero nee dhaan
If you shoot someone, you become a hero
Thattuketta zero dhaan
Otherwise, you are just a hopeless zero
Vettukuthu neeyum potta
If you engage in violence and brawls
Katchikulla quota dhaan
You are guaranteed a quota in the political party
Veeraappa meratti uruttum
Intimidating and blustering with fake bravado
Oorellaam thiruttu payaga
The entire town is full of thieves
Kettalum suttalum ellorum
Whether ruined or burnt down, everyone
Raajanga dhaan
Acts like they rule a kingdom
Doi gundu onnu vechirukken
Doi, I have placed a bomb
Vedi gundu onnu vechirukken
I have placed an explosive bomb
Kanni vedi vechirukken
I have placed a landmine
En kannil thiri vechirukken
I have set a burning wick in my eyes
Thottaa sedharividum
If you touch it, it will shatter to pieces
Thotta vedichividum
If you touch it, it will explode
Kuttu odanjividum
The secret will crack open
Pattaa therichividum
If it strikes, everything will fly apart
Doi… ho… ho… ho hoooyoii…
Doi… ho… ho… ho hoooyoii…
Gundu onnu vechirukken
I have placed a bomb
Vedi gundu onnu vechirukken
I have placed an explosive bomb
Kanni vedi vechirukken
I have placed a landmine
En kannil thiri vechirukken .. ho…
I have set a burning wick in my eyes .. ho…
Nellu vilaiyum nilam
The fertile land that yielded paddy
Veenaagi pochu
Has gone completely to waste
Hmm hmm ahahaaan..
Hmm hmm ahahaaan..
Hmm hmm ahahaaan..
Hmm hmm ahahaaan..
Hmm hmm ahahaaan.. huahahaan
Hmm hmm ahahaaan.. huahahaan
Ooril janam irundhum
Despite having so many people in the town
Kaadaagi pochu
It has turned into an abandoned wilderness
Hmm hmm ahahaaan..
Hmm hmm ahahaaan..
Hmm hmm ahahaaan..
Hmm hmm ahahaaan..
Hmm hmm ahahaaan.. huahahaan
Hmm hmm ahahaaan.. huahahaan
Ketta velai aanaal kooda
Even if it is a dirty, dishonest job
Thuddu vantha thaapae illa
As long as cash comes in, no one complains
Ishta padi vitta pothum
If children are left to do as they please
Appan pola pullayilla
The son will no longer respect or follow the father
Kulirellaam velagi pochu
The fear and sensitivity have all gone away
Ellaamae pazhagipochu
Everyone has become numb and used to it all
Vellaikkum kollaikkum
Torn between honest work and looted money
Allaadum sollaigalae…ae…ae…ae…
Oh souls struggling endlessly… ae… ae… ae…
Gundu onnu vechirukken
I have placed a bomb
Vedi gundu onnu vechirukken
I have placed an explosive bomb
Kanni vedi vechirukken
I have placed a landmine
En kannil thiri vechirukken
I have set a burning wick in my eyes
Thottaa sedharividum
If you touch it, it will shatter to pieces
Thotta vedichividum
If you touch it, it will explode
Kuttu odanjividum
The secret will crack open
Pattaa therichividum
If it strikes, everything will fly apart
Doi… ho… ho… ho hoooyoii…
Doi… ho… ho… ho hoooyoii…
Gundu onnu vechirukken
I have placed a bomb
Vedi gundu onnu vechirukken
I have placed an explosive bomb
Kanni vedi vechirukken
I have placed a landmine
En kannil thiri vechirukken… ho…
I have set a burning wick in my eyes… ho…
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Gundu Onnu Vechirukken' from the movie 'Arangetra Velai' (1990) is a sharp, satirical socio-political song written by legendary lyricist Vaali. Using high-energy metaphors of explosives, landmines, and burning wicks, the song voices intense frustration and warning against pervasive societal corruption, moral decay, political opportunism, and hypocritical living.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor
“En kannil thiri vechirukken”
The 'wick in the eyes' is a metaphor for vigilant, burning anger and intense watchfulness against injustice.
Iyaipu (End Rhyme)
“Thottaa sedharividum / Thotta vedichividum / Kuttu odanjividum / Pattaa therichividum”
The rhythmic repetition of '-ividum' at the end of consecutive lines creates a punchy, musical cadence.
Muran (Antithesis)
“Suttuputta hero nee dhaan / Thattuketta zero dhaan”
Contrasting 'Hero' and 'Zero' to satirize how society rewards violence over moral integrity.
Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Suttuputta hero nee dhaan / Thattuketta zero dhaan”
The second consonant sound 'tt' ('Su-tt-uputta' and 'Tha-tt-uketta') matches in both lines.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Arangetra Velai' (1990) is the official Tamil remake of the iconic Malayalam comedy-drama 'Ramji Rao Speaking'. Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Vaali, the song uses energetic folk rhythms combined with satire to mirror the desperation and moral dilemmas faced by unemployed youth.
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