Kandha Kaara Vadai
From Saguni · 2012
- Lyricist
- Paramu
- Singers
- Shankar Mahadevan, Karthi
- Music director
- G. V. Prakash Kumar
- Details
- Saguni2012
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Busy city with pasi citizens | Busy city with hungry citizens |
| Male | |
| Kandha kaara vada | Hot spicy vada |
| Murukku masaal vada | Crunchy snacks and masala vada |
| Roadula thaan idli kada | Idli shop right on the road |
| Kaasillana patni kada | Starvation shop if you have no money |
| Male | |
| Kandha kaara vada | Hot spicy vada |
| Murukku masaal vada | Crunchy snacks and masala vada |
| Roadula thaan idli kada | Idli shop right on the road |
| Kaasillana patni kada | Starvation shop if you have no money |
| Male | |
| Parakuranae | He flies |
| Machaan paayuraanae | Brother leaps forward |
| Theduraan oduraan | He searches, he runs |
| Nikka yethu neramilla | There is no time to stop |
| Male | |
| Jeichitta pugal | If won, fame |
| Bothaiyil aaduraanae | He dances in intoxication |
| Thothitta sarakku pottu aadurenae | If lost, I drink alcohol and dance |
| Hindi pesuran engleesh-u pesuraan | He speaks Hindi, he speaks English |
| Chorus | |
| Ithu vanthara vaazha vaikkum | This is the land that shelters outsiders who arrive |
| Tamil naadu-nga | This is Tamil Nadu |
| Tamil pesuravana yenthuraanae | The native Tamil speaker picks up |
| Thiru vodu-nga | A begging bowl |
| Male :Yammaaa…. | Male: Oh mother! |
| Male | |
| Kandha kaara vada | Hot spicy vada |
| Murukku masaal vada | Crunchy snacks and masala vada |
| Roadula thaan idli kada | Roadside idli shop |
| Kaasillana patni kada | Starvation shop if you have no money |
| Male | |
| Kandha kaara vada | Hot spicy vada |
| Murukku masaal vada | Crunchy snacks and masala vada |
| Roadula thaan idli kada | Roadside idli shop |
| Kaasillana patni kada | Starvation shop if you have no money |
| Chorus | |
| …………………………… | |
| Male | |
| Parakkum paalam | Flyovers |
| Parakkum rail-u | Elevated trains |
| Chennai palapalakkuthu | Chennai shines bright |
| Pala perukku platform la dhaan | For many people on the platform |
| First-u night-u nadakuthu…uu… | Their wedding night happens |
| Male | |
| Molachu moonu ela vidala | Barely sprouted three leaves yet |
| Footboard-u adikuthu | Riding on the bus footboard |
| Nethu porandha kulandhai kuda | Even a baby born yesterday |
| Fulla dhan kudikuthu | Is drinking alcohol fully |
| Male | |
| Siganal kaatran | Showing signals |
| Thanga ponnu madiyuthu | Pure golden girl yields to temptation |
| Ada moonae maasam dhaan | Oh, in just three months |
| Courtil divorce kekuthu | Asking for divorce in court |
| Chorus | |
| Ithu vanthara vaazha vaikkum | This is the land that shelters outsiders who arrive |
| Tamil naadu-nga | This is Tamil Nadu |
| Tamil pesuravana yenthuraanae | The native Tamil speaker picks up |
| Thiru vodu-nga | A begging bowl |
| Male :Yammaaa…. | Male: Oh mother! |
| Male | |
| Kandha kaara vada | Hot spicy vada |
| Murukku masaal vada | Crunchy snacks and masala vada |
| Roadula thaan idli kada | Roadside idli shop |
| Kaasillana patni kada | Starvation shop if you have no money |
| Male | |
| Kandha kaara vada | Hot spicy vada |
| Murukku masaal vada | Crunchy snacks and masala vada |
| Roadula thaan idli kada | Roadside idli shop |
| Kaasillana patni kada | Starvation shop if you have no money |
| Chorus | |
| ………………………………… | |
| Male | |
| Aadina aatam pesina pechu | Dances danced, words spoken |
| Moochadangi paduthu kidakuthu ..uu | Lies still holding breath |
| Ponathukku munnaal naalaya ponangal | Tomorrow's corpses before departing |
| Potti poottu kuthadikuthu..uu | Compete and dance merrily |
| Male | |
| Kaasukaaga kadavulayae | For the sake of money, even God |
| Naadu kadathuran | Is smuggled out of the country |
| Tharisanam venumuna | If you want a divine view |
| Kadavul kuda kaasu kekuran | Even God asks for money |
| Male | |
| Card-u kaatina | If you show a card |
| Atm kaasu thuputhu | The ATM spits cash |
| Kaasu ilathavana | If you have no money |
| Ulagam kaari thuputhu | The world spits on you |
| Chorus | |
| Ithu vanthara vaazha vaikkum | This is the land that shelters outsiders who arrive |
| Tamil naadu-nga | This is Tamil Nadu |
| Tamil pesuravana yenthuraanae | The native Tamil speaker picks up |
| Thiru vodu-nga | A begging bowl |
| Male :Yammaaa…. | Male: Oh mother! |
| Male | |
| Kandha kaara vada | Hot spicy vada |
| Murukku masaal vada | Crunchy snacks and masala vada |
| Roadula thaan idli kada | Roadside idli shop |
| Kaasillana patni kada | Starvation shop if you have no money |
| Male | |
| Kandha kaara vada | Hot spicy vada |
| Murukku masaal vada | Crunchy snacks and masala vada |
| Roadula thaan idli kada | Roadside idli shop |
| Kaasillana patni kada | Starvation shop if you have no money |
| Male | |
| Parakuranae | He flies |
| Machaan paayuraanae | Brother leaps forward |
| Theduraan oduraan | He searches, he runs |
| Nikka yethu neramilla | There is no time to stop |
| Male | |
| Jeichitta pugal | If won, fame |
| Bothaiyil aaduraanae | He dances in intoxication |
| Thothitta sarakku pottu aadurenae | If lost, I drink alcohol and dance |
| Hindi pesuran engleesh-u pesuraan | He speaks Hindi, he speaks English |
| Chorus | |
| Ithu vanthara vaazha vaikkum | This is the land that shelters outsiders who arrive |
| Tamil naadu-nga | This is Tamil Nadu |
| Tamil pesuravana | The native Tamil speaker |
| Male :Risk-a irunthaalum life jaali boss | Male: Even if it is risky, life is fun boss! |
பிஸி சிட்டி வித் பசி சிட்டிசன்
Busy city with hungry citizens
கந்தா கார வடை
முறுக்கு மசால் வடை
ரோடுல தான் இட்லி கடை
காசில்லைனா பட்னி கடை
Hot spicy vada
Crunchy snacks and masala vada
Idli shop right on the road
Starvation shop if you have no money
ஆண்
: கந்தா கார வடை
முறுக்கு மசால் வடை
ரோடுல தான் இட்லி கடை
காசில்லைனா பட்னி கடை
Hot spicy vada
Crunchy snacks and masala vada
Idli shop right on the road
Starvation shop if you have no money
பறக்குறானே
மச்சான் பாயுறானே
தேடுறான் ஓடுறான் ..
நிக்க எது நேரமில்ல
He flies
Brother leaps forward
He searches, he runs
There is no time to stop
ஜெயிசிட்டா புகழ்
போதையில் ஆடுறானே
தோத்துட்டா சரக்கு
போட்டு ஆடுறானே
ஹிந்தி பேசுறான் .. இங்கிலீஷ்சு பேசுறான்
If won, fame
He dances in intoxication
If lost, I drink alcohol and dance
He speaks Hindi, he speaks English
இது வந்தாரை வாழ வைக்கும்
தமிழ் நாடுங்க
தமிழ் பேசுறவன் ஏந்துறானே
திருவோடுங்க
யம்மா..
This is the land that shelters outsiders who arrive
This is Tamil Nadu
The native Tamil speaker picks up
A begging bowl
Male: Oh mother!
கந்தா கார வடை
முறுக்கு மசால் வடை
ரோடுல தான் இட்லி கடை
காசில்லைனா பட்னி கடை
Hot spicy vada
Crunchy snacks and masala vada
Roadside idli shop
Starvation shop if you have no money
கந்தா கார வடை
முறுக்கு மசால் வடை
ரோடுல தான் இட்லி கடை
காசில்லைனா பட்னி கடை
Hot spicy vada
Crunchy snacks and masala vada
Roadside idli shop
Starvation shop if you have no money
....................................................
பறக்கும் பாலம் ..
பறக்கும் ரைல்லு
சென்னை பளபளக்குது
பல பேருக்கு பிளாட்போர்ம்லதான்
பர்ஸ்ட் நைட்டு நடக்குது
Flyovers
Elevated trains
Chennai shines bright
For many people on the platform
Their wedding night happens
மொளச்சு மூணு இல விடல
புட் போர்டு அடிக்குது
நேத்து பொறந்த குழந்தை கூட
புல்லா தான் குடிக்குது
Barely sprouted three leaves yet
Riding on the bus footboard
Even a baby born yesterday
Is drinking alcohol fully
சிக்னல் காட்றான்
தங்க பொண்ணு மடியுது
அட மூனே மாசம் தான்
கோர்டில் டைவர்ஸ் கேக்குது
Showing signals
Pure golden girl yields to temptation
Oh, in just three months
Asking for divorce in court
இது வந்தாரை வாழ வைக்கும்
தமிழ் நாடுங்க
தமிழ் பேசுறவன் ஏந்துறானே
திருவோடுங்க
யம்மா..
This is the land that shelters outsiders who arrive
This is Tamil Nadu
The native Tamil speaker picks up
A begging bowl
Male: Oh mother!
கந்தா கார வடை
முறுக்கு மசால் வடை
ரோடுல தான் இட்லி கடை
காசில்லைனா பட்னி கடை
Hot spicy vada
Crunchy snacks and masala vada
Roadside idli shop
Starvation shop if you have no money
கந்தா கார வடை
முறுக்கு மசால் வடை
ரோடுல தான் இட்லி கடை
காசில்லைனா பட்னி கடை
Hot spicy vada
Crunchy snacks and masala vada
Roadside idli shop
Starvation shop if you have no money
....................................................
ஆடின ஆட்டம்.. பேசின பேச்சு
மூச்சடங்கி படுத்து கிடக்குது
பிணத்துக்கு முன்னாள்
நாளைய பொணங்கள்
போட்டி போட்டு குத்தடிக்குது
Dances danced, words spoken
Lies still holding breath
Tomorrow's corpses before departing
Compete and dance merrily
காசுக்காக கடவுளைய
நாடு கடத்துறான்
தரிசனம் வேணுமுன்ன
கடவுள் கூட காசுகேக்கிறான்
For the sake of money, even God
Is smuggled out of the country
If you want a divine view
Even God asks for money
கார்டு காட்டின
ஏடிஎம் காசு துப்புது
காசு இல்லாதவன
உலகம் காறி துப்புது
If you show a card
The ATM spits cash
If you have no money
The world spits on you
இது வந்தாரை வாழ வைக்கும்
தமிழ் நாடுங்க
தமிழ் பேசுறவன் ஏந்துறானே
திருவோடுங்க
யம்மா..
This is the land that shelters outsiders who arrive
This is Tamil Nadu
The native Tamil speaker picks up
A begging bowl
Male: Oh mother!
கந்தா கார வடை
முறுக்கு மசால் வடை
ரோடுல தான் இட்லி கடை
காசில்லைனா பட்னி கடை
Hot spicy vada
Crunchy snacks and masala vada
Roadside idli shop
Starvation shop if you have no money
கந்தா கார வடை
முறுக்கு மசால் வடை
ரோடுல தான் இட்லி கடை
காசில்லைனா பட்னி கடை
Hot spicy vada
Crunchy snacks and masala vada
Roadside idli shop
Starvation shop if you have no money
பறக்குறானே
மச்சான் பாயுறானே
தேடுறான் ஓடுறான் ..
நிக்க எது நேரமில்ல
He flies
Brother leaps forward
He searches, he runs
There is no time to stop
ஜெயிசிட்டா புகழ்
போதையில் ஆடுறானே
தோத்துட்டா சரக்கு
போட்டு ஆடுறானே
ஹிந்தி பேசுறான் .. இங்கிலீஷ்சு பேசுறான்
If won, fame
He dances in intoxication
If lost, I drink alcohol and dance
He speaks Hindi, he speaks English
இது வந்தாரை வாழ வைக்கும்
தமிழ் நாடுங்க
தமிழ் பேசுறவன்
This is the land that shelters outsiders who arrive
This is Tamil Nadu
The native Tamil speaker
Male: Even if it is risky, life is fun boss!
ரிஸ்கு- ஆ இருந்தாலும்
லைப் ஜாலி பாஸ்
Busy city with pasi citizens
Busy city with hungry citizens
Kandha kaara vada
Hot spicy vada
Murukku masaal vada
Crunchy snacks and masala vada
Roadula thaan idli kada
Idli shop right on the road
Kaasillana patni kada
Starvation shop if you have no money
Kandha kaara vada
Hot spicy vada
Murukku masaal vada
Crunchy snacks and masala vada
Roadula thaan idli kada
Idli shop right on the road
Kaasillana patni kada
Starvation shop if you have no money
Parakuranae
He flies
Machaan paayuraanae
Brother leaps forward
Theduraan oduraan
He searches, he runs
Nikka yethu neramilla
There is no time to stop
Jeichitta pugal
If won, fame
Bothaiyil aaduraanae
He dances in intoxication
Thothitta sarakku pottu aadurenae
If lost, I drink alcohol and dance
Hindi pesuran engleesh-u pesuraan
He speaks Hindi, he speaks English
Ithu vanthara vaazha vaikkum
This is the land that shelters outsiders who arrive
Tamil naadu-nga
This is Tamil Nadu
Tamil pesuravana yenthuraanae
The native Tamil speaker picks up
Thiru vodu-nga
A begging bowl
Male :Yammaaa….
Male: Oh mother!
Kandha kaara vada
Hot spicy vada
Murukku masaal vada
Crunchy snacks and masala vada
Roadula thaan idli kada
Roadside idli shop
Kaasillana patni kada
Starvation shop if you have no money
Kandha kaara vada
Hot spicy vada
Murukku masaal vada
Crunchy snacks and masala vada
Roadula thaan idli kada
Roadside idli shop
Kaasillana patni kada
Starvation shop if you have no money
……………………………
Parakkum paalam
Flyovers
Parakkum rail-u
Elevated trains
Chennai palapalakkuthu
Chennai shines bright
Pala perukku platform la dhaan
For many people on the platform
First-u night-u nadakuthu…uu…
Their wedding night happens
Molachu moonu ela vidala
Barely sprouted three leaves yet
Footboard-u adikuthu
Riding on the bus footboard
Nethu porandha kulandhai kuda
Even a baby born yesterday
Fulla dhan kudikuthu
Is drinking alcohol fully
Siganal kaatran
Showing signals
Thanga ponnu madiyuthu
Pure golden girl yields to temptation
Ada moonae maasam dhaan
Oh, in just three months
Courtil divorce kekuthu
Asking for divorce in court
Ithu vanthara vaazha vaikkum
This is the land that shelters outsiders who arrive
Tamil naadu-nga
This is Tamil Nadu
Tamil pesuravana yenthuraanae
The native Tamil speaker picks up
Thiru vodu-nga
A begging bowl
Male :Yammaaa….
Male: Oh mother!
Kandha kaara vada
Hot spicy vada
Murukku masaal vada
Crunchy snacks and masala vada
Roadula thaan idli kada
Roadside idli shop
Kaasillana patni kada
Starvation shop if you have no money
Kandha kaara vada
Hot spicy vada
Murukku masaal vada
Crunchy snacks and masala vada
Roadula thaan idli kada
Roadside idli shop
Kaasillana patni kada
Starvation shop if you have no money
…………………………………
Aadina aatam pesina pechu
Dances danced, words spoken
Moochadangi paduthu kidakuthu ..uu
Lies still holding breath
Ponathukku munnaal naalaya ponangal
Tomorrow's corpses before departing
Potti poottu kuthadikuthu..uu
Compete and dance merrily
Kaasukaaga kadavulayae
For the sake of money, even God
Naadu kadathuran
Is smuggled out of the country
Tharisanam venumuna
If you want a divine view
Kadavul kuda kaasu kekuran
Even God asks for money
Card-u kaatina
If you show a card
Atm kaasu thuputhu
The ATM spits cash
Kaasu ilathavana
If you have no money
Ulagam kaari thuputhu
The world spits on you
Ithu vanthara vaazha vaikkum
This is the land that shelters outsiders who arrive
Tamil naadu-nga
This is Tamil Nadu
Tamil pesuravana yenthuraanae
The native Tamil speaker picks up
Thiru vodu-nga
A begging bowl
Male :Yammaaa….
Male: Oh mother!
Kandha kaara vada
Hot spicy vada
Murukku masaal vada
Crunchy snacks and masala vada
Roadula thaan idli kada
Roadside idli shop
Kaasillana patni kada
Starvation shop if you have no money
Kandha kaara vada
Hot spicy vada
Murukku masaal vada
Crunchy snacks and masala vada
Roadula thaan idli kada
Roadside idli shop
Kaasillana patni kada
Starvation shop if you have no money
Parakuranae
He flies
Machaan paayuraanae
Brother leaps forward
Theduraan oduraan
He searches, he runs
Nikka yethu neramilla
There is no time to stop
Jeichitta pugal
If won, fame
Bothaiyil aaduraanae
He dances in intoxication
Thothitta sarakku pottu aadurenae
If lost, I drink alcohol and dance
Hindi pesuran engleesh-u pesuraan
He speaks Hindi, he speaks English
Ithu vanthara vaazha vaikkum
This is the land that shelters outsiders who arrive
Tamil naadu-nga
This is Tamil Nadu
Tamil pesuravana
The native Tamil speaker
Male :Risk-a irunthaalum life jaali boss
Male: Even if it is risky, life is fun boss!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Kandha Kaara Vada' (Vanthara Vaazha Vaikkum) from the movie Saguni (2012) offers a sharp, energetic, and satirical commentary on modern urban life in Chennai and Tamil Nadu. It highlights the fast-paced nature of the city, where people are constantly running in pursuit of money, fame, and survival. It contrasts the famous Tamil proverb that Tamil Nadu welcomes and provides a livelihood to anyone who arrives ('Vanthara Vaazha Vaikkum') with the ironic plight of local Tamils who end up struggling or left behind. Through street-level observations—ranging from roadside eateries, dangerous bus footboard rides, youth alcoholism, quick divorces, commercialization of religion, and modern ATM materialism—the song critiques societal superficiality. Despite the grim social realities highlighted, the song maintains a humorous, philosophical, and resilient tone, epitomized by the famous concluding line that life remains fun despite all risks.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Anaaphora / Repetition (Esei / Rhyme)
“Parakkum paalam / Parakkum rail-u”
Repetition of the line 'Parakkum paalam / Parakkum rail-u' builds rhythm while emphasizing modern rapid urban infrastructure.
Satire and Social Irony
“Ithu vanthara vaazha vaikkum Tamil naadu-nga / Tamil pesuravana yenthuraanae Thiru vodu-nga”
Contrasts Tamil Nadu's hospitable nature towards immigrants with the ironic poverty of native speakers reduced to 'thiru vodu' (begging bowl).
Hyperbole
“Nethu porandha kulandhai kuda / Fulla dhan kudikuthu”
Exaggerates the extreme youthfulness of today's impressionable generation engaging in vices.
Metaphor
“Molachu moonu ela vidala”
'Molachu moonu ela vidala' (Hasn't even grown three leaves) metaphorically describes youngsters who lack age and maturity.
Did you know?
Trivia
The track was composed by G. V. Prakash Kumar with lyrics by Paramu, sung energetically by Shankar Mahadevan and G. V. Prakash. The ending line spoken in Santhanam's iconic delivery, 'Risk-a irunthaalum life jaali boss', turned into one of the most famous pop-culture catchphrases and memes across South India.
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