Karuthavanlaam Galeejaam
From Velaikkaran · 2017
- Lyricist
- Viveka
- Singer
- Anirudh Ravichander
- Music director
- Anirudh Ravichander
- Details
- Velaikkaran2017
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Karuthavanlaam galeejaam | They spread a rumor that dark-skinned people are dirty |
| Kelappi vuttaanga | They started this narrative |
| Andha karutha maathu | Change that dark-tinted mindset |
| Goiyaala | Oh darn! |
| Male | |
| Ye ulaichathellaam nammaalu | Hey, those who laboured are all our people |
| Odhingi nikkaadha | Don't stand back in hesitation |
| Vaa va therikka vidu | Come, let's make it blast and rock |
| Goiyyaala | Oh darn! |
| Male | |
| Thakkaali .. | Tomato.. (local slang filler) |
| Male | |
| Ye karuthavanlaam galeejaam | Hey, they say dark-skinned people are dirty |
| Ye ulaichathellaam nammaalu | Hey, those who laboured are all our people |
| Male | |
| Ye indha nagaram ippothaan | Hey, this city has only recently |
| Maanagaram aachu | become a metropolis |
| Idhu maara muzhu kaaranamae | The complete reason behind this transformation |
| Naama annaachi | is us, my brother! |
| Male | |
| Ye thagara kottaala | Hey, even if we reside |
| Thangi irundhaalum | in tin-roofed sheds |
| Chennaiyoda annai | the mother of Chennai city |
| Namma kuppam thaanaae | is indeed our working-class settlement |
| Male | |
| Karuthavanlaam galeejaam | They spread a rumor that dark-skinned people are dirty |
| Kelappi vutaanga | They started this narrative |
| Andha karutha maathu | Change that dark-tinted mindset |
| Goiyaala | Oh darn! |
| Male | |
| Ye ulaichathellaam nammaalu | Hey, those who laboured are all our people |
| Odhingi nikkaadha | Don't stand back in hesitation |
| Vaa va therikka vidu | Come, let's make it blast and rock |
| Goiyyaala | Oh darn! |
| Male | |
| Thakkaali .. | Tomato.. |
| Male | |
| Ye karuthavanlaam galeejaam | Hey, they say dark-skinned people are dirty |
| Ye ulaichathellaam nammaalu | Hey, those who laboured are all our people |
| Female | |
| Area kaasi kuppom | In the Kasimedu area settlement |
| Ellorum onnaa nippom | we will all stand together as one |
| Yaarunu pakka mattom | We won't look at who someone is |
| Paasatha pangu vaippom | we will share love unconditionally |
| Chorus | |
| {Tajmahala kattinadhu | { The Taj Mahal was actually built |
| Koththanaaru | by the masons |
| Shahjahan kitta sonnaa kooda | Even if you ask Shah Jahan about it, |
| Oththupaaru }(2) | he would agree } (2) |
| Male | |
| Udhavinnu kettaakooda | If you ask for help in an emergency, |
| Apartmentu aalu | the guy living in the high-rise apartment |
| Nice-ah appeet aavaaru | will quietly escape |
| Phone-a switch off seivaaru | and switch off his mobile phone |
| Male | |
| Evanummae azhaikkaama | Without anyone even calling him, |
| Kuppam gopaalu | Gopalu from the local slum |
| Vandhu kooda nippaaru | will come and stand beside you |
| Edhuthu vela paaappaaru | and take up the work himself |
| Chorus | |
| Oorukku sondhakkaaran | The rightful owner of the soil |
| Oorukku veliya ninnaan | stood outside the town borders |
| Perukku chennaikkaaran | A Chennaiite only in name |
| Yedhedho sattam sonnaan | spoke about various laws and rules |
| Male | |
| Ye Karuthavanlaam galeejaam | Hey, dark-skinned people are dirty |
| Ye karuthavanlaam | Hey, dark-skinned people |
| Ye ulaichathellaam | Hey, all those who laboured |
| Male | |
| Ye karuthavanlaam galeejaam | Hey, dark-skinned people are dirty |
| Ye karuthavanlaam galeejaam | Hey, dark-skinned people are dirty |
| Kelappi vutaanga | They started this narrative |
| Thakkaali .. | Tomato.. |
| Male | |
| Ye karuthavanlaam galeejaam | Hey, they say dark-skinned people are dirty |
| Ye ulaichathellaam nammaalu | Hey, those who laboured are all our people |
| Male | |
| Ye indha nagaram ippothaan | Hey, this city has only recently |
| Maanagaram aachu | become a metropolis |
| Idhu maara muzhu kaaranamae | The complete reason behind this transformation |
| Naama annaachi | is us, my brother! |
| Male | |
| Ye thagara kottaala | Hey, even if we reside |
| Thangi irundhaalum | in tin-roofed sheds |
| Chennaiyoda annai | the mother of Chennai city |
| Namma kuppam thaanaae | is indeed our working-class settlement |
| Male | |
| Karuthavanlaam galeejaam | They spread a rumor that dark-skinned people are dirty |
| Kelappi vutaanga | They started this narrative |
| Andha karutha maathu | Change that dark-tinted mindset |
| Goiyaala | Oh darn! |
| Male | |
| Ye ulaichathellaam nammaalu | Hey, those who laboured are all our people |
| Odhingi nikkaadha | Don't stand back in hesitation |
| Vaa va therikka vidu | Come, let's make it blast and rock |
| Goiyyaala | Oh darn! |
| Male | |
| Thakkaali .. | Tomato.. |
| Chorus | |
| Tajmahala kattinadhu | The Taj Mahal was actually built |
| Koththanaaru | by the masons |
| Shahjahan kitta sonnaa kooda | Even if you ask Shah Jahan about it, |
| Oththupaaru | he would agree |
| Chorus | |
| Sandhu kulla bondhu kulla | Inside the narrow streets and dark alleys, |
| Vandhu paaru | come and look for yourself |
| Indha salaiyellaam | All these modern roads, |
| Kanmuzhuchi pottadhu yaaru | who stayed awake all night to lay them? |
| Chorus | |
| Tajmahala kattinadhu | The Taj Mahal was actually built |
| Koththanaaru | by the masons |
| Shahjahan kitta sonnaa kooda | Even if you ask Shah Jahan about it, |
| Oththupaaru | he would agree |
கருத்தவன்லாம் கலீஜாம்
கிளப்பி விட்டாங்க
அந்த கருத்த மாத்து கொய்யால
They spread a rumor that dark-skinned people are dirty
They started this narrative
Change that dark-tinted mindset
Oh darn!
ஏய் உழைச்சதெல்லாம் நம்மாளு
ஒதுங்கி நிக்காத
வா வா தெறிக்க விடு கொய்யால
Hey, those who laboured are all our people
Don't stand back in hesitation
Come, let's make it blast and rock
Oh darn!
தக்காளி
Tomato.. (local slang filler)
ஏய் கருத்தவன்லாம் கலீஜாம்
ஏய் உழைச்சதெல்லாம் நம்மாளு
Hey, they say dark-skinned people are dirty
Hey, those who laboured are all our people
ஏய் இந்த நகரம் இப்போ தான்
மாநகரம் ஆச்சு
இது மாற முழு காரணமே
நம்ம அண்ணாச்சி
Hey, this city has only recently
become a metropolis
The complete reason behind this transformation
is us, my brother!
ஏய் தகர கொட்டால
தங்கி இருந்தாலும்
சென்னையோட அன்னை
நம்ம குப்பம் தானே
Hey, even if we reside
in tin-roofed sheds
the mother of Chennai city
is indeed our working-class settlement
கருத்தவன்லாம் கலீஜாம்
கிளப்பி விட்டாங்க
அந்த கருத்த மாத்து கொய்யால
They spread a rumor that dark-skinned people are dirty
They started this narrative
Change that dark-tinted mindset
Oh darn!
ஏய் உழைச்சதெல்லாம் நம்மாளு
ஒதுங்கி நிக்காத
வா வா தெறிக்க விடு கொய்யால
Hey, those who laboured are all our people
Don't stand back in hesitation
Come, let's make it blast and rock
Oh darn!
தக்காளி
Tomato..
ஏய் கருத்தவன்லாம் கலீஜாம்
ஏய் உழைச்சதெல்லாம் நம்மாளு
Hey, they say dark-skinned people are dirty
Hey, those who laboured are all our people
ஏரியா காசி குப்பம்
எல்லோரும் ஒன்னா நிப்போம்
யாருனு பாக்க மாட்டோம்
பாசத்த பங்கு வைப்போம்
In the Kasimedu area settlement
we will all stand together as one
We won't look at who someone is
we will share love unconditionally
{தாஜ்மகால் கட்டினது
கொத்தனாரு
ஷாஜகான் கிட்ட சொன்னா கூட
ஒத்துபாரு} (2)
{ The Taj Mahal was actually built
by the masons
Even if you ask Shah Jahan about it,
he would agree } (2)
உதவினு கேட்டா கூட
அபார்ட்மெண்ட் ஆளு
நைசா அப்பீட்டு ஆவாரு
போன சுவிட்ச் ஆப் செய்வாரு
If you ask for help in an emergency,
the guy living in the high-rise apartment
will quietly escape
and switch off his mobile phone
எவனுமே அழைக்காம
குப்பம் கோபாலு
வந்து கூட நிப்பாரு
எடுத்து வேல பாப்பாரு
Without anyone even calling him,
Gopalu from the local slum
will come and stand beside you
and take up the work himself
ஊருக்கு சொந்தகாரன்
ஊருக்கு வெளியே நின்னான்
பேருக்கு சென்னை காரன்
எதேத்தோ சட்டம் சொன்னான்
The rightful owner of the soil
stood outside the town borders
A Chennaiite only in name
spoke about various laws and rules
ஏய் கருத்தவன்லாம் கலீஜாம்
ஏய் கருத்தவன்லாம்
ஏய் உழைச்சதெல்லாம்
Hey, dark-skinned people are dirty
Hey, dark-skinned people
Hey, all those who laboured
ஏய் கருத்தவன்லாம் கலீஜாம்
ஏய் கருத்தவன்லாம் கலீஜாம்
கிளப்பி விட்டாங்க
Hey, dark-skinned people are dirty
Hey, dark-skinned people are dirty
They started this narrative
Tomato..
தக்காளி
Hey, they say dark-skinned people are dirty
Hey, those who laboured are all our people
ஏய் கருத்தவன்லாம் கலீஜாம்
ஏய் உழைச்சதெல்லாம் நம்மாளு
Hey, this city has only recently
become a metropolis
The complete reason behind this transformation
is us, my brother!
ஏய் இந்த நகரம் இப்போ தான்
மாநகரம் ஆச்சு
இது மாற முழு காரணமே
நம்ம அண்ணாச்சி
Hey, even if we reside
in tin-roofed sheds
the mother of Chennai city
is indeed our working-class settlement
ஏய் தகர கொட்டால
தங்கி இருந்தாலும்
சென்னையோட அன்னை
நம்ம குப்பம் தானே
They spread a rumor that dark-skinned people are dirty
They started this narrative
Change that dark-tinted mindset
Oh darn!
கருத்தவன்லாம் கலீஜாம்
கிளப்பி விட்டாங்க
அந்த கருத்த மாத்து கொய்யால
Hey, those who laboured are all our people
Don't stand back in hesitation
Come, let's make it blast and rock
Oh darn!
ஏய் உழைச்சதெல்லாம் நம்மாளு
ஒதுங்கி நிக்காத
வா வா தெறிக்க விடு கொய்யால
Tomato..
தக்காளி
The Taj Mahal was actually built
by the masons
Even if you ask Shah Jahan about it,
he would agree
{தாஜ்மகால் கட்டினது
கொத்தனாரு
ஷாஜகான் கிட்ட சொன்னா கூட
ஒத்துபாரு} (2)
Inside the narrow streets and dark alleys,
come and look for yourself
All these modern roads,
who stayed awake all night to lay them?
சந்துக்குள்ள பொந்துகுள்ள
வந்து பாரு
இந்த சாலை எல்லாம்
கண் முழுச்சி போட்டதாரு
The Taj Mahal was actually built
by the masons
Even if you ask Shah Jahan about it,
he would agree
தாஜ்மகால் கட்டினது
கொத்தனாரு
ஷாஜகான் கிட்ட சொன்னா கூட
ஒத்துபாரு
Karuthavanlaam galeejaam
They spread a rumor that dark-skinned people are dirty
Kelappi vuttaanga
They started this narrative
Andha karutha maathu
Change that dark-tinted mindset
Goiyaala
Oh darn!
Ye ulaichathellaam nammaalu
Hey, those who laboured are all our people
Odhingi nikkaadha
Don't stand back in hesitation
Vaa va therikka vidu
Come, let's make it blast and rock
Goiyyaala
Oh darn!
Thakkaali ..
Tomato.. (local slang filler)
Ye karuthavanlaam galeejaam
Hey, they say dark-skinned people are dirty
Ye ulaichathellaam nammaalu
Hey, those who laboured are all our people
Ye indha nagaram ippothaan
Hey, this city has only recently
Maanagaram aachu
become a metropolis
Idhu maara muzhu kaaranamae
The complete reason behind this transformation
Naama annaachi
is us, my brother!
Ye thagara kottaala
Hey, even if we reside
Thangi irundhaalum
in tin-roofed sheds
Chennaiyoda annai
the mother of Chennai city
Namma kuppam thaanaae
is indeed our working-class settlement
Karuthavanlaam galeejaam
They spread a rumor that dark-skinned people are dirty
Kelappi vutaanga
They started this narrative
Andha karutha maathu
Change that dark-tinted mindset
Goiyaala
Oh darn!
Ye ulaichathellaam nammaalu
Hey, those who laboured are all our people
Odhingi nikkaadha
Don't stand back in hesitation
Vaa va therikka vidu
Come, let's make it blast and rock
Goiyyaala
Oh darn!
Thakkaali ..
Tomato..
Ye karuthavanlaam galeejaam
Hey, they say dark-skinned people are dirty
Ye ulaichathellaam nammaalu
Hey, those who laboured are all our people
Area kaasi kuppom
In the Kasimedu area settlement
Ellorum onnaa nippom
we will all stand together as one
Yaarunu pakka mattom
We won't look at who someone is
Paasatha pangu vaippom
we will share love unconditionally
{Tajmahala kattinadhu
{ The Taj Mahal was actually built
Koththanaaru
by the masons
Shahjahan kitta sonnaa kooda
Even if you ask Shah Jahan about it,
Oththupaaru }(2)
he would agree } (2)
Udhavinnu kettaakooda
If you ask for help in an emergency,
Apartmentu aalu
the guy living in the high-rise apartment
Nice-ah appeet aavaaru
will quietly escape
Phone-a switch off seivaaru
and switch off his mobile phone
Evanummae azhaikkaama
Without anyone even calling him,
Kuppam gopaalu
Gopalu from the local slum
Vandhu kooda nippaaru
will come and stand beside you
Edhuthu vela paaappaaru
and take up the work himself
Oorukku sondhakkaaran
The rightful owner of the soil
Oorukku veliya ninnaan
stood outside the town borders
Perukku chennaikkaaran
A Chennaiite only in name
Yedhedho sattam sonnaan
spoke about various laws and rules
Ye Karuthavanlaam galeejaam
Hey, dark-skinned people are dirty
Ye karuthavanlaam
Hey, dark-skinned people
Ye ulaichathellaam
Hey, all those who laboured
Ye karuthavanlaam galeejaam
Hey, dark-skinned people are dirty
Ye karuthavanlaam galeejaam
Hey, dark-skinned people are dirty
Kelappi vutaanga
They started this narrative
Thakkaali ..
Tomato..
Ye karuthavanlaam galeejaam
Hey, they say dark-skinned people are dirty
Ye ulaichathellaam nammaalu
Hey, those who laboured are all our people
Ye indha nagaram ippothaan
Hey, this city has only recently
Maanagaram aachu
become a metropolis
Idhu maara muzhu kaaranamae
The complete reason behind this transformation
Naama annaachi
is us, my brother!
Ye thagara kottaala
Hey, even if we reside
Thangi irundhaalum
in tin-roofed sheds
Chennaiyoda annai
the mother of Chennai city
Namma kuppam thaanaae
is indeed our working-class settlement
Karuthavanlaam galeejaam
They spread a rumor that dark-skinned people are dirty
Kelappi vutaanga
They started this narrative
Andha karutha maathu
Change that dark-tinted mindset
Goiyaala
Oh darn!
Ye ulaichathellaam nammaalu
Hey, those who laboured are all our people
Odhingi nikkaadha
Don't stand back in hesitation
Vaa va therikka vidu
Come, let's make it blast and rock
Goiyyaala
Oh darn!
Thakkaali ..
Tomato..
Tajmahala kattinadhu
The Taj Mahal was actually built
Koththanaaru
by the masons
Shahjahan kitta sonnaa kooda
Even if you ask Shah Jahan about it,
Oththupaaru
he would agree
Sandhu kulla bondhu kulla
Inside the narrow streets and dark alleys,
Vandhu paaru
come and look for yourself
Indha salaiyellaam
All these modern roads,
Kanmuzhuchi pottadhu yaaru
who stayed awake all night to lay them?
Tajmahala kattinadhu
The Taj Mahal was actually built
Koththanaaru
by the masons
Shahjahan kitta sonnaa kooda
Even if you ask Shah Jahan about it,
Oththupaaru
he would agree
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Karuthavanlaam Galeejaam' from the movie Velaikkaran (2017) is a powerful, high-energy socio-political anthem celebrating the working class and marginalized slum dwellers of Chennai. The song directly confronts colorism, classism, and social discrimination, challenging the prejudice that dark-skinned working-class people are 'galeeju' (dirty or trashy). Through energetic Gaana rhythms and local Chennai dialect, lyricist Viveka highlights how the laborers, masons, and slum communities are the true architects who built the metropolis of Chennai, yet remain excluded from its prosperity. The lyrics contrast the superficial, self-centered attitude of the wealthy upper class with the genuine empathy and solidarity found among the slum dwellers. Using vivid imagery—such as pointing out that masons built the Taj Mahal, not Shah Jahan alone—the song demands dignity, respect, and recognition for blue-collar workers while calling them to stand tall and celebrate their indispensable contribution to society.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Contrast / Juxtaposition
“Udhavinnu kettaakooda Apartmentu aalu... Evanummae azhaikkaama Kuppam gopaalu Vandhu kooda nippaaru”
Contrasts the indifferent apartment resident who turns off his phone when asked for help with 'Kuppam Gopalu' who shows up unasked to assist.
Historical Metaphor
“Tajmahala kattinadhu Koththanaaru, Shahjahan kitta sonnaa kooda Oththupaaru”
Uses the example of the Taj Mahal to argue that historical monuments and modern infrastructure belong to the laborers who built them, not just the rulers who commissioned them.
Rhetorical Question
“Indha salaiyellaam Kanmuzhuchi pottadhu yaaru”
Asks the audience to reflect on who sacrificed sleep to build the roads and alleys of the modern city.
Ethukai (Second-letter rhyme in Tamil prosody)
“Karuthavanlaam galeejaam / Ye ulaichathellaam nammaalu”
The second letters of 'Karuthavanlaam' and 'Ulaichathellaam' align with consonant harmony (ru / lai class similarity in folk Gaana poetry).
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed and sung by Anirudh Ravichander for the film 'Velaikkaran' (directed by Mohan Raja and starring Sivakarthikeyan), 'Karuthavanlaam Galeejaam' became a massive viral chartbuster. The song brought North Chennai's indigenous 'Kuttu' beat and local Madras slang into mainstream Tamil pop music. Lyricist Viveka specifically used authentic local words like 'Galeeju' (dirty), 'Appeet' (escaped/slipped away), and 'Goiyaala' to capture the raw, untamed voice of the city's working class.
Keep listening
More from Velaikkaran
Velaikkaran
Velaikkaran
Velaikkaran
Velaikkaran