Kadhavai Sathadi
From Ratha Kanneer · 1954
- Lyricist
- K. S. Krishnamoorthy
- Singer
- M. L. Vasanthakumari
- Music director
- C. S. Jayaraman
- Details
- Ratha Kanneer1954
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Kadhavai saaththadi | Shut the door |
| Kadhavai saaththadi | Shut the door |
| Kayil kaasillaathavan kadavul aanaalum | Even if he is God, if he has no money in his hand |
| Kadhavai saaththadi | Shut the door |
| Kayil kaasillaathavan kadavul aanaalum | Even if he is God, if he has no money in his hand |
| Kadhavai saaththadi | Shut the door |
| Female | |
| Mathiyung kulir nathiyunjsadai | The one with the cool moon and river in his matted hair |
| Maruviyamuk kannan | The three-eyed Lord Shiva |
| Maayavanaang kannan subramanya | Or Krishna the illusionist, or Subramanya |
| Avan annan | Or his elder brother Ganesha |
| Female | |
| Thuthi puriyum manithargalum | Even human beings who offer prayers |
| Sorna pushbam tharaavidil | If they do not offer golden flowers or money |
| Thuraththiyadiththu izhuththu | Chase them away, beat them, drag them out, and |
| Female | |
| Kadhavai saaththadi | Shut the door |
| Kayil kaasillaathavan kadavul aanaalum | Even if he is God, if he has no money in his hand |
| Kadhavai saaththadi… | Shut the door... |
| Female | |
| Iraval visiri madippu vettikku | To those coming with borrowed fans and starched dhothis |
| Idam kodukkaathae | Do not give them entry |
| Yae…yae…yae…yae…yae… | Hey... hey... hey... hey... hey... |
| Iraval visiri madippu vettikku | To those coming with borrowed fans and starched dhothis |
| Idam kodukkaathae | Do not give them entry |
| Nee dam kodukkaathae | Do not give them any leeway |
| Female | |
| Iyal isai naadaga kalaingar | The artists of literature, music, and theatre |
| Thamathu inakkam vidaathae | Do not abandon your rapport with them |
| Iyal isai naadaga kalaingar | The artists of literature, music, and theatre |
| Thamathu inakkam vidaathae | Do not abandon your rapport with them |
| Female | |
| Arivillaar aadharavai | The patronage of wealthy fools |
| Anbu kondu thedu | Seek with love |
| Adhanaalae mempadum | Because of that, you will elevate yourself |
| Arivillaar aadharavai | The patronage of wealthy fools |
| Anbu kondu thedu | Seek with love |
| Adhanaalae mempadum | Because of that, you will elevate yourself |
| Adhirshtam unnai naadum | Good fortune will come seeking you |
| Female | |
| Porul tharuvaarodu | With those who offer wealth |
| Uravae kondaadu | Celebrate your relationship |
| Bhoomi meedhu poliyundu | There is deceit on this earth |
| Kaaliyundu aalaikkandu | There is destruction, judging a person |
| Female | |
| Kadhavai saaththadi | Shut the door |
| Kayil kaasillaathavan kadavul aanaalum | Even if he is God, if he has no money in his hand |
| Kadhavai saaththadi | Shut the door |
| Female | |
| ……………. | ... |
கதவைச் சாத்தடி
கதவைச் சாத்தடி
கையில் காசில்லாதவன் கடவுள் ஆனாலும்
கதவைச் சாத்தடி
கையில் காசில்லாதவன் கடவுள் ஆனாலும்
கதவைச் சாத்தடி.....
Shut the door
Shut the door
Even if he is God, if he has no money in his hand
Shut the door
Even if he is God, if he has no money in his hand
Shut the door
மதியுங் குளிர் நதியுஞ்சடை
மருவியமுக் கண்ணன்
மாயவனாங் கண்ணன் சுப்ர
மண்ய அவன் அண்ணன்
The one with the cool moon and river in his matted hair
The three-eyed Lord Shiva
Or Krishna the illusionist, or Subramanya
Or his elder brother Ganesha
துதி புரியும் மனிதர்களும்
சொர்ண புஷ்பம் தராவிடில்
துரத்தியடித்து இழுத்து
Even human beings who offer prayers
If they do not offer golden flowers or money
Chase them away, beat them, drag them out, and
கதவைச் சாத்தடி.....
கையில் காசில்லாதவன் கடவுள் ஆனாலும்
கதவைச் சாத்தடி.....
Shut the door
Even if he is God, if he has no money in his hand
Shut the door...
இரவல் விசிறி மடிப்பு வேட்டிக்கு
இடம் கொடுக்காதே
ஏ....ஏ......ஏ.......ஏ.....ஏ.....
இரவல் விசிறி மடிப்பு வேட்டிக்கு
இடம் கொடுக்காதே
நீ இடம் கொடுக்காதே
To those coming with borrowed fans and starched dhothis
Do not give them entry
Hey... hey... hey... hey... hey...
To those coming with borrowed fans and starched dhothis
Do not give them entry
Do not give them any leeway
இயல் இசை நாடக கலைஞர்
தமது இணக்கம் விடாதே
இயல் இசை நாடக கலைஞர்
தமது இணக்கம் விடாதே
The artists of literature, music, and theatre
Do not abandon your rapport with them
The artists of literature, music, and theatre
Do not abandon your rapport with them
அறிவில்லார் ஆதரவை
அன்பு கொண்டு தேடு
அதனாலே மேம்படும்
அறிவில்லார் ஆதரவை
அன்பு கொண்டு தேடு
அதனாலே மேம்படும்
அதிர்ஷ்டம் உன்னை நாடும்
The patronage of wealthy fools
Seek with love
Because of that, you will elevate yourself
The patronage of wealthy fools
Seek with love
Because of that, you will elevate yourself
Good fortune will come seeking you
பொருள் தருவாரோடு
உறவே கொண்டாடு
பூமி மீது போலியுண்டு
காலியுண்டு ஆளைக்கண்டு
With those who offer wealth
Celebrate your relationship
There is deceit on this earth
There is destruction, judging a person
கதவைச் சாத்தடி.....
கையில் காசில்லாதவன் கடவுள் ஆனாலும்
கதவைச் சாத்தடி....
Shut the door
Even if he is God, if he has no money in his hand
Shut the door
..................................
...
Kadhavai saaththadi
Shut the door
Kadhavai saaththadi
Shut the door
Kayil kaasillaathavan kadavul aanaalum
Even if he is God, if he has no money in his hand
Kadhavai saaththadi
Shut the door
Kayil kaasillaathavan kadavul aanaalum
Even if he is God, if he has no money in his hand
Kadhavai saaththadi
Shut the door
Mathiyung kulir nathiyunjsadai
The one with the cool moon and river in his matted hair
Maruviyamuk kannan
The three-eyed Lord Shiva
Maayavanaang kannan subramanya
Or Krishna the illusionist, or Subramanya
Avan annan
Or his elder brother Ganesha
Thuthi puriyum manithargalum
Even human beings who offer prayers
Sorna pushbam tharaavidil
If they do not offer golden flowers or money
Thuraththiyadiththu izhuththu
Chase them away, beat them, drag them out, and
Kadhavai saaththadi
Shut the door
Kayil kaasillaathavan kadavul aanaalum
Even if he is God, if he has no money in his hand
Kadhavai saaththadi…
Shut the door...
Iraval visiri madippu vettikku
To those coming with borrowed fans and starched dhothis
Idam kodukkaathae
Do not give them entry
Yae…yae…yae…yae…yae…
Hey... hey... hey... hey... hey...
Iraval visiri madippu vettikku
To those coming with borrowed fans and starched dhothis
Idam kodukkaathae
Do not give them entry
Nee dam kodukkaathae
Do not give them any leeway
Iyal isai naadaga kalaingar
The artists of literature, music, and theatre
Thamathu inakkam vidaathae
Do not abandon your rapport with them
Iyal isai naadaga kalaingar
The artists of literature, music, and theatre
Thamathu inakkam vidaathae
Do not abandon your rapport with them
Arivillaar aadharavai
The patronage of wealthy fools
Anbu kondu thedu
Seek with love
Adhanaalae mempadum
Because of that, you will elevate yourself
Arivillaar aadharavai
The patronage of wealthy fools
Anbu kondu thedu
Seek with love
Adhanaalae mempadum
Because of that, you will elevate yourself
Adhirshtam unnai naadum
Good fortune will come seeking you
Porul tharuvaarodu
With those who offer wealth
Uravae kondaadu
Celebrate your relationship
Bhoomi meedhu poliyundu
There is deceit on this earth
Kaaliyundu aalaikkandu
There is destruction, judging a person
Kadhavai saaththadi
Shut the door
Kayil kaasillaathavan kadavul aanaalum
Even if he is God, if he has no money in his hand
Kadhavai saaththadi
Shut the door
…………….
...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song from the landmark social satire film Ratha Kanneer (1954) takes a sharp, cynical look at materialistic societal norms. Sung from the perspective of a courtesan's mother/household, the lyrics advise shutting the door on anyone who lacks money—even if the visitor were divine figures like Shiva, Krishna, or Ganesha. The song sarcastically suggests flattering and seeking the patronage of wealthy but unintelligent men while driving away penniless pretenders who put on false airs with borrowed clothes.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Moonaai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Kayil kaasillaathavan kadavul aanaalum”
Repetition of the 'Ka' consonant sound in 'Kayil', 'kaasillaathavan', and 'kadavul'.
Iyaibu (End Rhyme)
“Porul tharuvaarodu / Uravae kondaadu”
Rhyming ends in 'porul tharuvaarodu' and 'uravae kondaadu'.
Satire and Irony
“Kayil kaasillaathavan kadavul aanaalum Kadhavai saaththadi”
Hyperbolic satirical statement placing wealth above divinity and moral virtue.
Did you know?
Trivia
Ratha Kanneer (1954), starring M. R. Radha, was adapted from a hugely successful stage play. The song 'Kadhavai Saaththadi' was sung by classical music maestro M. L. Vasanthakumari (MLV), bringing a unique Carnatic classical touch to a razor-sharp social satire song composed by C. S. Jayaraman.
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