- Lyricist
- Viveka
- Singer
- Anirudh Ravichander
- Music director
- Anirudh Ravichander
- Movie name
- Velaikkaran
- Movie release year
- 2017
- Lyrics added on
- 20 Jul 2017
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
'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.
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