Kodi Katti Parakira
From Aalappirandhavan · 1987
- Lyricist
- Isaignani Ilayaraja
- Singer
- Malaysia Vasudevan
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Aalappirandhavan1987
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| Maharaja vaazhga | Long live the emperor |
| Maharaja vaazhga | Long live the emperor |
| Maharaja vaazhga | Long live the emperor |
| Chorus | |
| ……………. | ... |
| Male | |
| Kodikkatti parakkira raja | The king who flies his banner high |
| Enga maharaja enga magaraja | Our emperor, our great emperor |
| Chorus :Kodikkatti parakkira raja | Chorus: The king who flies his banner high |
| Enga maharaja enga magaraja | Our emperor, our great emperor |
| Male | |
| Adi aaththaadi avan | Oh my goodness, he |
| Engiruntho dhinam varuvaandi | Arrives daily from somewhere unknown |
| Siru kooththaadi ingu poraadi | A simple performer, fighting right here |
| Kurai theerppaandi | To resolve all our grievances |
| Male | |
| Thanniya kudippaan tharaiyila paduppaan | He drinks simple water and sleeps on the bare floor |
| Than kudi makkalin kavalaiya theerppaan | He relieves the worries of his citizens |
| Male | |
| Kodikkatti parakkira raja | The king who flies his banner high |
| Enga maharaja enga magaraja | Our emperor, our great emperor |
| Chorus :Kodikkatti parakkira raja | Chorus: The king who flies his banner high |
| Enga maharaja enga magaraja | Our emperor, our great emperor |
| Male | |
| Padaigalum illa kudigalum illa | No armies and no subject citizens |
| Edupidi illa adhanaal kedupidi illa | No errand-boys, so there is no oppression |
| Male | |
| Vote-tugalindri nottugalindri | Without votes and without money notes |
| Thaanaai nindraanae adhai | He stood up on his own |
| Vettugalindri paattugalindri | Without violence and without boasting songs |
| Thaniyaai vedraanae | He wins all alone |
| Chorus | |
| Ottugalindri nottugalindri | Without votes and without money notes |
| Thaanaai nindraanae adhai | He stood up on his own |
| Vettugalindri paattugalindri | Without violence and without boasting songs |
| Thaniyaai vedraanae | He wins all alone |
| Male | |
| Mudiyaathu mudiyaathu | Impossible, impossible |
| Engalai surandida mudiyaathu | It is impossible to exploit us anymore |
| Padiyaathu padiyaathu yaezhaigal varkkam padiyaathu | Will not submit, the working poor will never submit |
| Ingae yaezhaigal kadhavathu thirakkuthu | Here, the doors of the poor are opening |
| Unmai sudhandhiram piranthathu piranthathu | True freedom is born, it is born |
| Male | |
| Kodikkatti parakkira raja | The king who flies his banner high |
| Enga maharaja enga magaraja | Our emperor, our great emperor |
| Chorus :Kodikkatti parakkira raja | Chorus: The king who flies his banner high |
| Enga maharaja enga magaraja | Our emperor, our great emperor |
| Chorus | |
| …………… | ... |
| Male | |
| Yaeri sellum vilaivaasigalai | The rising prices of essential goods |
| Idhuvarai yaarum irakkiyathillai | Nobody has brought down so far |
| Male | |
| Koshangal pottu | Shouting slogans loud |
| Kodikalai pidiththom | And holding party flags |
| Nadanthathu ondrumillai | Nothing actually happened |
| Verum veshangal paarththu | Just looking at mere pretenders |
| Whistle-galai adiththom | We blew our whistles in applause |
| Kidaiththathu nanmaiyillai | No good came out of it |
| Chorus | |
| Koshangal pottu | Shouting slogans loud |
| Kodikalai pidiththom | And holding party flags |
| Nadanthathu ondrumillai | Nothing actually happened |
| Verum veshangal paarththu | Just looking at mere pretenders |
| Whistle-galai adiththom | We blew our whistles in applause |
| Kidaiththathu nanmaiyillai | No good came out of it |
| Male | |
| Dharmangalum niyaayangalum | Righteousness and justice |
| Eliyavar sorpadi ketkaathu | Do not listen to the words of the poor |
| Madhangalum arasiyal katchigalum | Religions and political parties |
| Manithanai nesikka mudiyaathu | Are incapable of loving humanity |
| Ingae yaezhaigal kadhavathu thirakkuthu | Here, the doors of the poor are opening |
| Unmai sudhanthiram piranthathu piranthathu | True freedom is born, it is born |
| Male | |
| Kodikkatti parakkira raja | The king who flies his banner high |
| Enga maharaja enga magaraja haei…. | Our emperor, our great emperor, hey! |
| Chorus :Kodikkatti parakkira raja | Chorus: The king who flies his banner high |
| Enga maharaja enga magaraja…. | Our emperor, our great emperor... |
| Male | |
| Adi aaththaadi | Oh my goodness |
| Avan engiruntho dhinam varuvaandi | He arrives daily from somewhere unknown |
| Siru kooththaadi ingu poraadi | A simple performer, fighting right here |
| Kurai theerppaandi | To resolve all our grievances |
| Male | |
| Thanniya kudippaan tharaiyila paduppaan | He drinks simple water and sleeps on the bare floor |
| Than kudi makkalin kavalaiya theerppaan | He relieves the worries of his citizens |
| Male | |
| Kodikkatti parakkira raja | The king who flies his banner high |
| Enga maharaja enga magaraja haei haei…. | Our emperor, our great emperor, hey hey! |
| Chorus :Kodikkatti parakkira raja | Chorus: The king who flies his banner high |
| Enga maharaja enga magaraja…. | Our emperor, our great emperor... |
மகாராஜா வாழ்க
மகாராஜா வாழ்க
மகாராஜா வாழ்க
Long live the emperor
Long live the emperor
Long live the emperor
...............................
...
கொடிக்கட்டி பறக்கிற ராஜா
எங்க மகராஜா எங்க மகராஜா
குழு :
கொடிக்கட்டி பறக்கிற ராஜா
எங்க மகராஜா எங்க மகராஜா
The king who flies his banner high
Our emperor, our great emperor
Chorus: The king who flies his banner high
Our emperor, our great emperor
அடி ஆத்தாடி அவன்
எங்கிருந்தோ தினம் வருவான்டி
சிறு கூத்தாடி இங்கு போராடி
குறை தீர்ப்பான்டி
Oh my goodness, he
Arrives daily from somewhere unknown
A simple performer, fighting right here
To resolve all our grievances
தண்ணிய குடிப்பான் தரையில படுப்பான்
தன் குடி மக்களின் கவலைய தீர்ப்பான்
He drinks simple water and sleeps on the bare floor
He relieves the worries of his citizens
கொடிக்கட்டி பறக்கிற ராஜா
எங்க மகராஜா எங்க மகராஜா ஹேய்
குழு :
கொடிக்கட்டி பறக்கிற ராஜா
எங்க மகராஜா எங்க மகராஜா.....
The king who flies his banner high
Our emperor, our great emperor
Chorus: The king who flies his banner high
Our emperor, our great emperor
படைகளும் இல்ல குடிகளும் இல்ல
எடுபிடி இல்ல அதனால் கெடுபிடி இல்ல
No armies and no subject citizens
No errand-boys, so there is no oppression
ஓட்டுகளின்றி நோட்டுகளின்றி
தானாய் நின்றானே அதை
வேட்டுகளின்றி பாட்டுகளின்றி
தனியாய் வென்றானே
Without votes and without money notes
He stood up on his own
Without violence and without boasting songs
He wins all alone
ஓட்டுகளின்றி நோட்டுகளின்றி
தானாய் நின்றானே அதை
வேட்டுகளின்றி பாட்டுகளின்றி
தனியாய் வென்றானே....
Without votes and without money notes
He stood up on his own
Without violence and without boasting songs
He wins all alone
முடியாது முடியாது
எங்களை சுரண்டிட முடியாது
படியாது படியாது ஏழைகள் வர்க்கம் படியாது
இங்கே ஏழைகள் கதவது திறக்குது
உண்மை சுதந்திரம் பிறந்தது பிறந்தது
Impossible, impossible
It is impossible to exploit us anymore
Will not submit, the working poor will never submit
Here, the doors of the poor are opening
True freedom is born, it is born
கொடிக்கட்டி பறக்கிற ராஜா
எங்க மகராஜா எங்க மகராஜா ஹேய்...
குழு :
கொடிக்கட்டி பறக்கிற ராஜா
எங்க மகராஜா எங்க மகராஜா.....
The king who flies his banner high
Our emperor, our great emperor
Chorus: The king who flies his banner high
Our emperor, our great emperor
...........................
...
ஏறிச் செல்லும் விலைவாசிகளை
இதுவரை யாரும் இறக்கியதில்லை
The rising prices of essential goods
Nobody has brought down so far
கோஷங்கள் போட்டு
கொடிகளை பிடித்தோம்
நடந்தது ஒன்றுமில்லை
வெறும் வேஷங்கள் பார்த்து
விசில்களை அடித்தோம்
கிடைத்தது நன்மையில்லை
Shouting slogans loud
And holding party flags
Nothing actually happened
Just looking at mere pretenders
We blew our whistles in applause
No good came out of it
கோஷங்கள் போட்டு
கொடிகளை பிடித்தோம்
நடந்தது ஒன்றுமில்லை
வெறும் வேஷங்கள் பார்த்து
விசில்களை அடித்தோம்
கிடைத்தது நன்மையில்லை
Shouting slogans loud
And holding party flags
Nothing actually happened
Just looking at mere pretenders
We blew our whistles in applause
No good came out of it
தர்மங்களும் நியாயங்களும்
எளியவர் சொற்படி கேட்காது
மதங்களும் அரசியல் கட்சிகளும்
மனிதனை நேசிக்க முடியாது
இங்கே ஏழைகள் கதவது திறக்குது
உண்மை சுதந்திரம் பிறந்தது பிறந்தது
Righteousness and justice
Do not listen to the words of the poor
Religions and political parties
Are incapable of loving humanity
Here, the doors of the poor are opening
True freedom is born, it is born
கொடிக்கட்டி பறக்கிற ராஜா
எங்க மகராஜா எங்க மகராஜா ஹேய்...
குழு :
கொடிக்கட்டி பறக்கிற ராஜா
எங்க மகராஜா எங்க மகராஜா.....
The king who flies his banner high
Our emperor, our great emperor, hey!
Chorus: The king who flies his banner high
Our emperor, our great emperor...
அடி ஆத்தாடி
அவன் எங்கிருந்தோ தினம் வருவான்டி
சிறு கூத்தாடி இங்கு போராடி
குறை தீர்ப்பான்டி
Oh my goodness
He arrives daily from somewhere unknown
A simple performer, fighting right here
To resolve all our grievances
தண்ணிய குடிப்பான் தரையில படுப்பான்
தன் குடி மக்களின் கவலைய தீர்ப்பான்
He drinks simple water and sleeps on the bare floor
He relieves the worries of his citizens
கொடிக்கட்டி பறக்கிற ராஜா
எங்க மகராஜா எங்க மகராஜா ஹேய் ஹேய்...
குழு :
கொடிக்கட்டி பறக்கிற ராஜா
எங்க மகராஜா எங்க மகராஜா.....
The king who flies his banner high
Our emperor, our great emperor, hey hey!
Chorus: The king who flies his banner high
Our emperor, our great emperor...
Maharaja vaazhga
Long live the emperor
Maharaja vaazhga
Long live the emperor
Maharaja vaazhga
Long live the emperor
…………….
...
Kodikkatti parakkira raja
The king who flies his banner high
Enga maharaja enga magaraja
Our emperor, our great emperor
Chorus :Kodikkatti parakkira raja
Chorus: The king who flies his banner high
Enga maharaja enga magaraja
Our emperor, our great emperor
Adi aaththaadi avan
Oh my goodness, he
Engiruntho dhinam varuvaandi
Arrives daily from somewhere unknown
Siru kooththaadi ingu poraadi
A simple performer, fighting right here
Kurai theerppaandi
To resolve all our grievances
Thanniya kudippaan tharaiyila paduppaan
He drinks simple water and sleeps on the bare floor
Than kudi makkalin kavalaiya theerppaan
He relieves the worries of his citizens
Kodikkatti parakkira raja
The king who flies his banner high
Enga maharaja enga magaraja
Our emperor, our great emperor
Chorus :Kodikkatti parakkira raja
Chorus: The king who flies his banner high
Enga maharaja enga magaraja
Our emperor, our great emperor
Padaigalum illa kudigalum illa
No armies and no subject citizens
Edupidi illa adhanaal kedupidi illa
No errand-boys, so there is no oppression
Vote-tugalindri nottugalindri
Without votes and without money notes
Thaanaai nindraanae adhai
He stood up on his own
Vettugalindri paattugalindri
Without violence and without boasting songs
Thaniyaai vedraanae
He wins all alone
Ottugalindri nottugalindri
Without votes and without money notes
Thaanaai nindraanae adhai
He stood up on his own
Vettugalindri paattugalindri
Without violence and without boasting songs
Thaniyaai vedraanae
He wins all alone
Mudiyaathu mudiyaathu
Impossible, impossible
Engalai surandida mudiyaathu
It is impossible to exploit us anymore
Padiyaathu padiyaathu yaezhaigal varkkam padiyaathu
Will not submit, the working poor will never submit
Ingae yaezhaigal kadhavathu thirakkuthu
Here, the doors of the poor are opening
Unmai sudhandhiram piranthathu piranthathu
True freedom is born, it is born
Kodikkatti parakkira raja
The king who flies his banner high
Enga maharaja enga magaraja
Our emperor, our great emperor
Chorus :Kodikkatti parakkira raja
Chorus: The king who flies his banner high
Enga maharaja enga magaraja
Our emperor, our great emperor
……………
...
Yaeri sellum vilaivaasigalai
The rising prices of essential goods
Idhuvarai yaarum irakkiyathillai
Nobody has brought down so far
Koshangal pottu
Shouting slogans loud
Kodikalai pidiththom
And holding party flags
Nadanthathu ondrumillai
Nothing actually happened
Verum veshangal paarththu
Just looking at mere pretenders
Whistle-galai adiththom
We blew our whistles in applause
Kidaiththathu nanmaiyillai
No good came out of it
Koshangal pottu
Shouting slogans loud
Kodikalai pidiththom
And holding party flags
Nadanthathu ondrumillai
Nothing actually happened
Verum veshangal paarththu
Just looking at mere pretenders
Whistle-galai adiththom
We blew our whistles in applause
Kidaiththathu nanmaiyillai
No good came out of it
Dharmangalum niyaayangalum
Righteousness and justice
Eliyavar sorpadi ketkaathu
Do not listen to the words of the poor
Madhangalum arasiyal katchigalum
Religions and political parties
Manithanai nesikka mudiyaathu
Are incapable of loving humanity
Ingae yaezhaigal kadhavathu thirakkuthu
Here, the doors of the poor are opening
Unmai sudhanthiram piranthathu piranthathu
True freedom is born, it is born
Kodikkatti parakkira raja
The king who flies his banner high
Enga maharaja enga magaraja haei….
Our emperor, our great emperor, hey!
Chorus :Kodikkatti parakkira raja
Chorus: The king who flies his banner high
Enga maharaja enga magaraja….
Our emperor, our great emperor...
Adi aaththaadi
Oh my goodness
Avan engiruntho dhinam varuvaandi
He arrives daily from somewhere unknown
Siru kooththaadi ingu poraadi
A simple performer, fighting right here
Kurai theerppaandi
To resolve all our grievances
Thanniya kudippaan tharaiyila paduppaan
He drinks simple water and sleeps on the bare floor
Than kudi makkalin kavalaiya theerppaan
He relieves the worries of his citizens
Kodikkatti parakkira raja
The king who flies his banner high
Enga maharaja enga magaraja haei haei….
Our emperor, our great emperor, hey hey!
Chorus :Kodikkatti parakkira raja
Chorus: The king who flies his banner high
Enga maharaja enga magaraja….
Our emperor, our great emperor...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This energetic folk-pop track celebrates an unsung leader of the common people—a simple street performer who acts as a savior for the poor without political power, money, or vanity. The lyrics criticize the corruption in politics, pointing out how votes, money, empty slogans, and political banners fail to bring relief from rising prices and exploitation. Unlike politicians who make grand promises, this 'king of the people' lives humbly, drinking water and sleeping on the floor, while genuinely listening to and solving the struggles of the working class.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Vote-tugalindri nottugalindri / Thaanaai nindraanae adhai / Vettugalindri paattugalindri”
Rhyming of the second consonant sound in successive lines ('Vote-tugalindri' / 'Vettugalindri').
Monaai (Initial Alliteration)
“Padaigalum illa kudigalum illa / Edupidi illa adhanaal kedupidi illa”
Repetition of initial consonant sounds ('P') across line beginnings.
Repetition (Anaphora)
“Mudiyaathu mudiyaathu / Engalai surandida mudiyaathu”
Emphatic repetition of words like 'mudiyaathu' and 'padiyaathu' to assert resistance against exploitation.
Irony / Social Satire
“Verum veshangal paarththu / Whistle-galai adiththom / Kidaiththathu nanmaiyillai”
Contrast between grand political showmanship ('koshangal pottu', 'whistle-galai adiththom') and its total lack of real result.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song from 'Aalappirandhavan' (1987) features lyrics written by Ilaiyaraaja himself, showcasing his adept hand at socio-political Tamil folk poetry. Sung forcefully by Malaysia Vasudevan, the song presents a sharp satire on electoral politics, political fanfare, and price inflation during the late 1980s.
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