Koduthalum Koduthanda
From Ezhai Jaathi · 1993
- Lyricist
- Gangai Amaran
- Singer
- Mano
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Ezhai Jaathi1993
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Koduthaalum koduthaandaa | Even if he gives, he gives generously! |
| Nalla edam paathu koduthaanda | He gave by choosing a good place! |
| Male | |
| Koduthaalum koduthaandaa | Even if he gives, he gives generously! |
| Nalla edam paathu koduthaanda | He gave by choosing a good place! |
| Koduppaanda innum koduppaanda | He will give, he will give even more! |
| Evaraanaalum koduppaandaa | Whoever it may be, he will give! |
| Male | |
| Ooril oozhalgala seivorukkum | To those who commit corruption in town, |
| Onna pathaaga solvorukum | And to those who act as if they are united with you, |
| Chorus | |
| Koduthaalum koduthaandaa | Even if he gives, he gives generously! |
| Nalla edam paathu koduthaanda | He gave by choosing a good place! |
| Male | |
| Koduppaanda innum koduppaanda | He will give, he will give even more! |
| Evaraanaalum koduppaandaa..haa | Whoever it may be, he will give.. haa! |
| Male | |
| Dhesam kaakka vandha sattam thittam | The laws and regulations made to protect the nation, |
| Kaasa vitterinjaa etta nikkum | Will stand at a distance if money is thrown at them. |
| Veli pottu vecha seemaangalum | The rich who build fences around themselves, |
| Vedham oadhugira saathaangal thaan | Are merely devils reciting scriptures. |
| Male | |
| Engeyum eppodhum | Everywhere and at all times, |
| Chorus :Lanjam iruku | Chorus: Bribes exist! |
| Male :Oi vaangaadha kaigalum thaan | Male: Oh, hands that do not accept bribery, |
| Chorus :Konjam iruku | Chorus: Are very few! |
| Male | |
| Ellarumae kallaattamaa | If everyone plays deceitfully, |
| Ninnaakkaa ennaagum nam naadu | What will become of our country? |
| Vakkaalathu vaangidavae | Just to plead or act as an advocate, |
| Vandhaaru annachi adhapaadu | The brother came, look at his plight! |
| Adikkaama sila maadu adhuvaa medhuvaa padiyaathu | Some cattle will not obey unless beaten. |
| Chorus | |
| Koduthaalum koduthaandaa | Even if he gives, he gives generously! |
| Nalla edam paathu koduthaanda | He gave by choosing a good place! |
| Male | |
| Haan koduppaanda innum koduppaanda | Haan, he will give, he will give even more! |
| Evaraanaalum koduppaandaa..haa | Whoever it may be, he will give.. haa! |
| Male | |
| Ooril oozhalgala seivorukkum | To those who commit corruption in town, |
| Onna pathaaga solvorukum | And to those who pretend to be innocent, |
| Chorus | |
| Koduthaalum koduthaandaa | Even if he gives, he gives generously! |
| Nalla edam paathu koduthaanda | He gave by choosing a good place! |
| Male | |
| Thoguthi makkaluku thunbamunnaa | If the constituency people face suffering, |
| Varanum satta sabai member annaa | The Legislative Assembly member brother must step up. |
| Panatha surutturatha ennamunnaa haa | If the intention is merely to hoard money, haa, |
| Paadam sollidanum meendum ninnaa | He must be taught a lesson if he stands again in elections. |
| Male | |
| M L A nammaala vandha padhavi | MLA is a post attained because of us people, |
| Hoi endraalum yaaruku enna udhavi | Hey, but what help has anyone actually received? |
| Ellaathukum nottu vaikkathaan | Just to place cash bribes for everything, |
| Ezhaikkum paazhaikkum aagaadhu | It is impossible for the poor and destitute. |
| Male | |
| Vekkaa vittaal makkalukkellaam | If we do not stop and confront this, for all the people, |
| Undaana thunbangal theeraadhu | The generated sufferings will never end. |
| Idhai kekka thuninjaakkaa | If we dare to question this, |
| Idhu pola thavaru nadakkaadhu | Such mistakes will not happen again. |
| Chorus | |
| Koduthaalum koduthaandaa | Even if he gives, he gives generously! |
| Nalla edam paathu koduthaanda | He gave by choosing a good place! |
| Male | |
| Hahaa koduppaanda innum koduppaanda | Haha, he will give, he will give even more! |
| Evaraanaalum koduppaandaa..haa | Whoever it may be, he will give.. haa! |
| Male | |
| Ooril oozhalgala seivorukkum | To those who commit corruption in town, |
| Onna pathaaga solvorukum | And to those who act as if they are united with you, |
| Chorus | |
| Koduthaalum koduthaandaa | Even if he gives, he gives generously! |
| Nalla edam paathu koduthaanda | He gave by choosing a good place! |
| Hahaa koduppaanda innum koduppaanda | Haha, he will give, he will give even more! |
| Evaraanaalum koduppaandaa.. | Whoever it may be, he will give.. |
| Male :Haa haa haa | Male: Haa haa haa |
கொடுத்தாலும் கொடுத்தான் டா
நல்ல எடம் பாத்து கொடுத்தான் டா
Even if he gives, he gives generously!
He gave by choosing a good place!
கொடுத்தாலும் கொடுத்தான் டா
நல்ல எடம் பாத்து கொடுத்தான் டா
கொடுப்பான் டா இன்னும் கொடுப்பான் டா
எவரானாலும் கொடுப்பான் டா
Even if he gives, he gives generously!
He gave by choosing a good place!
He will give, he will give even more!
Whoever it may be, he will give!
ஊரில் ஊழல்கள் செய்வோருக்கும்
ஒண்ண பத்தாகச் சொல்வோருக்கும்
To those who commit corruption in town,
And to those who act as if they are united with you,
கொடுத்தாலும் கொடுத்தான் டா
நல்ல எடம் பாத்து கொடுத்தான் டா
கொடுப்பான் டா இன்னும் கொடுப்பான் டா
எவரானாலும் கொடுப்பான் டா ஹா ...
Even if he gives, he gives generously!
He gave by choosing a good place!
தேசம் காக்க வந்த சட்டம் திட்டம்
காச விட்டெறிஞ்சா எட்ட நிக்கும்
வேலி போட்டு வெச்ச சீமான்களும்
வேதம் ஓதுகிற சாத்தான்கள் தான்
He will give, he will give even more!
Whoever it may be, he will give.. haa!
எங்கேயும் எப்போதும்
குழு :
லஞ்சம் இருக்கு
ஓய் வாங்காத கைகளும்தான்
குழு :
கொஞ்சம் இருக்கு
The laws and regulations made to protect the nation,
Will stand at a distance if money is thrown at them.
The rich who build fences around themselves,
Are merely devils reciting scriptures.
எல்லாருமே கல்லாட்டமா
நின்னாக்கா என்னாகும் நம் நாடு
வக்காலத்து வாங்கிடவே
வந்தாரு அண்ணாச்சி அதப் பாடு
அடிக்காம சில மாடு அதுவா மெதுவா படியாது
Everywhere and at all times,
Chorus: Bribes exist!
Male: Oh, hands that do not accept bribery,
Chorus: Are very few!
கொடுத்தாலும் கொடுத்தான் டா
நல்ல எடம் பாத்து கொடுத்தான் டா
ஹான் கொடுப்பான் டா இன்னும் கொடுப்பான் டா
எவரானாலும் கொடுப்பான் டா
If everyone plays deceitfully,
What will become of our country?
Just to plead or act as an advocate,
The brother came, look at his plight!
Some cattle will not obey unless beaten.
ஊரில் ஊழல்கள் செய்வோருக்கும்
ஒண்ண பத்தாகச் சொல்வோருக்கும்
Even if he gives, he gives generously!
He gave by choosing a good place!
கொடுத்தாலும் கொடுத்தான் டா
நல்ல எடம் பாத்து கொடுத்தான் டா
Haan, he will give, he will give even more!
Whoever it may be, he will give.. haa!
தொகுதி மக்களுக்கு துன்பமுன்னா
வரணும் சட்ட சபை மெம்பர் அண்ணா
பணத்தச் சுருட்டுறதே எண்ணமுன்னா ஹா
பாடம் சொல்லிடணும் மீண்டும் நின்னா
To those who commit corruption in town,
And to those who pretend to be innocent,
எம் எல் ஏ நம்மால வந்த பதவி
ஹோய் என்றாலும் யாருக்கு என்ன உதவி
எல்லாத்துக்கும் நோட்டு வைக்கத்தான்
ஏழைக்கும் பாழைக்கும் ஆகாது
Even if he gives, he gives generously!
He gave by choosing a good place!
வெக்கா விட்டால் மக்களுக்கெல்லாம்
உண்டான துன்பங்கள் தீராது
இதைக் கேக்க துணிஞ்சாக்கா
இது போல் தவறு நடக்காது....
If the constituency people face suffering,
The Legislative Assembly member brother must step up.
If the intention is merely to hoard money, haa,
He must be taught a lesson if he stands again in elections.
கொடுத்தாலும் கொடுத்தான் டா
நல்ல எடம் பாத்து கொடுத்தான் டா
ஹாஹா கொடுப்பான் டா இன்னும் கொடுப்பான் டா
எவரானாலும் கொடுப்பான் டா
MLA is a post attained because of us people,
Hey, but what help has anyone actually received?
Just to place cash bribes for everything,
It is impossible for the poor and destitute.
ஊரில் ஊழல்கள் செய்வோருக்கும்
ஒண்ண பத்தாகச் சொல்வோருக்கும்
If we do not stop and confront this, for all the people,
The generated sufferings will never end.
If we dare to question this,
Such mistakes will not happen again.
கொடுத்தாலும் கொடுத்தான் டா
நல்ல எடம் பாத்து கொடுத்தான் டா
ஹாஹா கொடுப்பான் டா இன்னும் கொடுப்பான் டா
எவரானாலும் கொடுப்பான் டா
Even if he gives, he gives generously!
He gave by choosing a good place!
ஹா ஹா ஹா ....
Haha, he will give, he will give even more!
Whoever it may be, he will give.. haa!
To those who commit corruption in town,
And to those who act as if they are united with you,
Even if he gives, he gives generously!
He gave by choosing a good place!
Haha, he will give, he will give even more!
Whoever it may be, he will give..
Male: Haa haa haa
Koduthaalum koduthaandaa
Even if he gives, he gives generously!
Nalla edam paathu koduthaanda
He gave by choosing a good place!
Koduthaalum koduthaandaa
Even if he gives, he gives generously!
Nalla edam paathu koduthaanda
He gave by choosing a good place!
Koduppaanda innum koduppaanda
He will give, he will give even more!
Evaraanaalum koduppaandaa
Whoever it may be, he will give!
Ooril oozhalgala seivorukkum
To those who commit corruption in town,
Onna pathaaga solvorukum
And to those who act as if they are united with you,
Koduthaalum koduthaandaa
Even if he gives, he gives generously!
Nalla edam paathu koduthaanda
He gave by choosing a good place!
Koduppaanda innum koduppaanda
He will give, he will give even more!
Evaraanaalum koduppaandaa..haa
Whoever it may be, he will give.. haa!
Dhesam kaakka vandha sattam thittam
The laws and regulations made to protect the nation,
Kaasa vitterinjaa etta nikkum
Will stand at a distance if money is thrown at them.
Veli pottu vecha seemaangalum
The rich who build fences around themselves,
Vedham oadhugira saathaangal thaan
Are merely devils reciting scriptures.
Engeyum eppodhum
Everywhere and at all times,
Chorus :Lanjam iruku
Chorus: Bribes exist!
Male :Oi vaangaadha kaigalum thaan
Male: Oh, hands that do not accept bribery,
Chorus :Konjam iruku
Chorus: Are very few!
Ellarumae kallaattamaa
If everyone plays deceitfully,
Ninnaakkaa ennaagum nam naadu
What will become of our country?
Vakkaalathu vaangidavae
Just to plead or act as an advocate,
Vandhaaru annachi adhapaadu
The brother came, look at his plight!
Adikkaama sila maadu adhuvaa medhuvaa padiyaathu
Some cattle will not obey unless beaten.
Koduthaalum koduthaandaa
Even if he gives, he gives generously!
Nalla edam paathu koduthaanda
He gave by choosing a good place!
Haan koduppaanda innum koduppaanda
Haan, he will give, he will give even more!
Evaraanaalum koduppaandaa..haa
Whoever it may be, he will give.. haa!
Ooril oozhalgala seivorukkum
To those who commit corruption in town,
Onna pathaaga solvorukum
And to those who pretend to be innocent,
Koduthaalum koduthaandaa
Even if he gives, he gives generously!
Nalla edam paathu koduthaanda
He gave by choosing a good place!
Thoguthi makkaluku thunbamunnaa
If the constituency people face suffering,
Varanum satta sabai member annaa
The Legislative Assembly member brother must step up.
Panatha surutturatha ennamunnaa haa
If the intention is merely to hoard money, haa,
Paadam sollidanum meendum ninnaa
He must be taught a lesson if he stands again in elections.
M L A nammaala vandha padhavi
MLA is a post attained because of us people,
Hoi endraalum yaaruku enna udhavi
Hey, but what help has anyone actually received?
Ellaathukum nottu vaikkathaan
Just to place cash bribes for everything,
Ezhaikkum paazhaikkum aagaadhu
It is impossible for the poor and destitute.
Vekkaa vittaal makkalukkellaam
If we do not stop and confront this, for all the people,
Undaana thunbangal theeraadhu
The generated sufferings will never end.
Idhai kekka thuninjaakkaa
If we dare to question this,
Idhu pola thavaru nadakkaadhu
Such mistakes will not happen again.
Koduthaalum koduthaandaa
Even if he gives, he gives generously!
Nalla edam paathu koduthaanda
He gave by choosing a good place!
Hahaa koduppaanda innum koduppaanda
Haha, he will give, he will give even more!
Evaraanaalum koduppaandaa..haa
Whoever it may be, he will give.. haa!
Ooril oozhalgala seivorukkum
To those who commit corruption in town,
Onna pathaaga solvorukum
And to those who act as if they are united with you,
Koduthaalum koduthaandaa
Even if he gives, he gives generously!
Nalla edam paathu koduthaanda
He gave by choosing a good place!
Hahaa koduppaanda innum koduppaanda
Haha, he will give, he will give even more!
Evaraanaalum koduppaandaa..
Whoever it may be, he will give..
Male :Haa haa haa
Male: Haa haa haa
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Koduthaalum Koduthaandaa from the 1993 movie Ezhai Jaathi is a socio-political satire song. It critically addresses systemic corruption, bribery, and political apathy toward the working class and the poor. The protagonist sarcastically warns corrupt politicians, deceitful authorities, and greedy hoarders that retribution and justice will reach everyone regardless of their power. The song uses vivid metaphors—comparing hypocritical corrupt elites to scripture-reciting demons and highlighting how laws bend for money—while calling upon citizens to question corrupt elected representatives to demand accountability and true democracy.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Satirical Allusion / Parody
“Koduthaalum koduthaandaa / Nalla edam paathu koduthaanda”
The title refrain parodies the iconic benevolent MGR song 'Koduthaallam Koduthaan' from Padagotti (1964), twisting the theme of divine giving into a sarcastic warning of retribution against corrupt politicians.
Metaphor
“Vedham oadhugira saathaangal thaan”
Compares wealthy hypocritical oppressors to devils reciting holy scriptures.
Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Veli pottu vecha seemaangalum / Vedham oadhugira saathaangal thaan”
The second consonant sound matches across consecutive lines ('-ll-')
Moonaal / Alliteration
“Koduthaalum koduthaandaa / Nalla edam paathu koduthaanda”
Repetition of initial consonants ('K')
Did you know?
Trivia
The track borrows its opening phrase from the famous 1964 MGR song 'Koduthaallam Koduthaan' (composed by Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy, lyrics by Vaali). While the original praised divine generosity, lyricist Gangai Amaran and composer Ilaiyaraaja repurposed it as a sharp political critique on corruption in 1990s Tamil Nadu politics.
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