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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kettaalum Seru

From Paattukku Naan Adimai · 1990

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singer
Malaysia Vasudevan
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Paattukku Naan Adimai1990

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
KannammaaOh my dear girl (Kannamma)
Chorus :HoiChorus: Hoi!
Male :KannaiyaaOh my dear guy (Kannaiya)
Chorus :HoiChorus: Hoi!
Male
Annanae anniyaeOh brother, oh sister-in-law
Thambiyae thangaiyaeOh younger brother, oh younger sister
Ennudan uzhaithuzhaithuMy eyes that work tirelessly
Kashta padumAnd undergo hardship
Endhan kangalae hae hehehhaeAre these eyes of mine, ha ha ha
Male
Kettaalum seru pattanam thaanEven if ruined, Chennai city is grand
Ellaamum ingae soppanam thaanEverything here is merely a dream
Ottaama vaazhum vaazhkkaiyadaaIt is a life lived detached from one another
Kaasu ullavanga kooda ezhaiyadaaEven those with money are poor inside, my friend
Jinukku jinukku jin jinjinannaaRhythmic vocal beat (Jinukku jinukku jin jinjinannaa)
Jana jinakku jinakku jan janjinannaa hoiRhythmic vocal beat (Jana jinakku jinakku jan janjinannaa hoi)
Chorus
Jinukku jinukku jin jinjinannaaRhythmic vocal beat (Jinukku jinukku jin jinjinannaa)
Male :Haa haahaMale: Ha haaha
Chorus :Jinakku jinakku jan janjinannaaChorus: Rhythmic vocal beat (Jinakku jinakku jan janjinannaa)
Male
Kettaalum seru pattanam thaanEven if ruined, Chennai city is grand
Ellaamum ingae soppanam thaanEverything here is merely a dream
Ottaama vaazhum vaazhkkaiyadaaIt is a life lived detached from one another
Kaasu ullavanga kooda ezhaiyadaaEven those with money are poor inside, my friend
Male
{Beachula adikkira{On the beach where it blows
Kulu kulu kaathukkuFor the cool, cool breeze
Koodudhu koodudhu koottamCrowds keep gathering and growing
Veettila irukkura kavalaiya pokkidaTo escape the worries at home
Roattula irukkudhu nottam} (2)Their eyes roam around on the street} (repeated twice)
Male
Pattathu yaanaiyil pallava raajanumThe Pallava king on the royal elephant
Bavani vandhaan adhu naethuWent on a procession, but that was yesterday
Pallavan mel ippaNow on Pallavan transport buses
Pala vidha koottamA massive, varied crowd
Parakkudhaiyaa vazhi paathuFlies by watching the road
Jolly undu goli unduThere is fun and playing marbles
Ae thalukku thalukku thaanOh, full of glitter and shine
Kulukku kulukku thaanSwinging and swaying with style
Male
Kettaalum seru pattanam thaanEven if ruined, Chennai city is grand
Ellaamum ingae soppanam thaanEverything here is merely a dream
Ottaama vaazhum vaazhkkaiyadaaIt is a life lived detached from one another
Kaasu ullavanga kooda ezhaiyadaaEven those with money are poor inside, my friend
Jinukku jinukku jin jinjinannaaRhythmic vocal beat (Jinukku jinukku jin jinjinannaa)
Jana jinakku jinakku jan janjinannaaRhythmic vocal beat (Jana jinakku jinakku jan janjinannaa)
Chorus
Jinukku jinukku jin jinjinannaaRhythmic vocal beat (Jinukku jinukku jin jinjinannaa)
Jinakku jinakku jan janjinannaaRhythmic vocal beat (Jinakku jinakku jan janjinannaa)
Male
Kettaalum seru pattanam thaanEven if ruined, Chennai city is grand
Ellaamum ingae soppanam thaanEverything here is merely a dream
Ottaama vaazhum vaazhkkaiyadaaIt is a life lived detached from one another
Kaasu ullavanga kooda ezhaiyadaaEven those with money are poor inside, my friend
Male
Thandhanaa naanaaFolk rhythm refrain (Thandhanaa naanaa)
Chorus :Thandhanaa naanaaChorus: Folk rhythm refrain (Thandhanaa naanaa)
Male :Ae thandhanaa naanaaMale: Hey, folk rhythm refrain (Thandhanaa naanaa)
Chorus :Thandhanaa naanaaChorus: Folk rhythm refrain (Thandhanaa naanaa)
Male
Thandhanaa naanaa thandhanaa naanaaFolk rhythm refrain (Thandhanaa naanaa thandhanaa naanaa)
Thandhanaa naanaa thandhananaaFolk rhythm refrain (Thandhanaa naanaa thandhananaa)
Female Chorus :Thandhanaa naanaaFemale Chorus: Folk rhythm refrain (Thandhanaa naanaa)
Male Chorus :Thandhanaa naanaaMale Chorus: Folk rhythm refrain (Thandhanaa naanaa)
Chorus
Thanattham hoi thanattham hoiRhythmic syllables (Thanattham hoi thanattham hoi)
Thanattham hoi hoi hoi hoiRhythmic syllables (Thanattham hoi hoi hoi hoi)
Male
{Kaadhalil midhakkura{Floating high in love
Kaalaikkum kannikkumFor the young man and young woman
Kavalai illa indha neramThis moment is completely worry-free
Kazhuthula siruOnce around the neck, a small
Manja kayironnu vizhundhadhuYellow sacred thread falls
Kavalai ellaam vandhu serum} (2)All worries will come and pile up} (repeated twice)
Male
Podhigala sumakkuraLike a donkey carrying heavy loads
Kazhudhaiya polaLike that, children now carry heavy schoolbags
Ippa puththagam sumakkudhu pullaOnce the studies are finished
Padippadhu mudinjadhumTheir backs get broken
Iduppadhu odinjidumEven if you search, there are no jobs
Thedunga velaigal illaIt goes on as it has for generations
Parambaraiyaa nadappadhu thaanWhat was written as destiny has unfolded like this today
Ezhudhi mudichadhu ippadi vidinjadhuEven if ruined, Chennai city is grand
Male
Kettaalum seru pattanam thaanEverything here is merely a dream.. ha ha
Ellaamum ingae soppanam thaan..ha haaIt is a life lived detached from one another
Ottaama vaazhum vaazhkkaiyadaaEven those with money are poor inside, my friend
Kaasu ullavanga kooda ezhaiyadaaRhythmic vocal beat (Jinukku jinukku jin jinjinannaa)
Jinukku jinukku jin jinjinannaaRhythmic vocal beat (Jana jinakku jinakku jan janjinannaa ..hoi)
Jana jinakku jinakku jan janjinannaa ..hoiRhythmic vocal beat (Jinukku jinukku jin jinjinannaa)
Chorus
Jinukku jinukku jin jinjinannaaRhythmic vocal beat (Jinakku jinakku jan janjinannaa)
Jinakku jinakku jan janjinannaaRhythmic vocal beat (Jinukku jinukku jin jinjinannaa)
Male
Jinukku jinukku jin jinjinannaaRhythmic vocal beat (Jana jinakku jinakku jan janjinannaa)
Jana jinakku jinakku jan janjinannaaChorus: Rhythmic vocal beat (Jinukku jinukku jin jinjinannaa)
Chorus :Jinukku jinukku jin jinjinannaaRhythmic vocal beat (Jinakku jinakku jan janjinannaa)
Jinakku jinakku jan janjinannaa

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Kettaalum Seru Pattanam Thaan' offers a vivid socio-philosophical commentary on life in Chennai city (historically referred to as Madras / Pattanam). Through lighthearted folk rhythms, the song contrasts the glittering illusion of urban life with the grim reality faced by common working-class people, students, and families.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)

Kettaalum seru pattanam thaan / Ottaama vaazhum vaazhkkaiyadaa

The second consonant 'tt' matches in consecutive lines, creating a classic Tamil rhythmic flow.

Metaphor / Wordplay

Pattathu yaanaiyil pallava raajanum... Pallavan mel ippa pala vidha koottam

Clever historical wordplay contrasting the ancient royal Pallava dynasty kings on elephants with modern Pallavan Transport Corporation (PTC) public buses crammed with commuters.

Simile (Upamai)

Podhigala sumakkura kazhudhaiya pola ippa puththagam sumakkudhu pulla

Comparing school children carrying heavy backpacks to donkeys bearing heavy loads.

Did you know?

Trivia

The phrase 'Kettaalum Seru Pattanam Thaan' is a famous Tamil proverb meaning 'Even if you are ruined, it is best to be ruined in a big city', highlighting how cities offer endless hope and distraction despite socio-economic struggles.

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