Koovam Manakkira Seemai
From Thalaiyatti Bommaigal · 1986
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- Malaysia Vasudevan, S. Janaki
- Music director
- Gangai Amaran
- Details
- Thalaiyatti Bommaigal1986
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Koovam manakkira seemaiyithu… | This is a land where the Cooum river smells... |
| Koovam manakkira seemaiyithu….. | This is a land where the Cooum river smells... |
| Pattanmo pattanam | Oh, what a grand city it is! |
| Kundu kuzhiyumaa rodu irukku | The road is full of potholes and bumps |
| Latchanamo latchanam | Oh, what a splendid beauty it has! |
| Male | |
| Intha ooru sanangala paaththuputtaen | I have observed the people of this town |
| Ullatha naan sollavaa | Shall I tell you the honest truth? |
| Ingu yaarum thalaigal aattugira | Everyone here is just a head-nodding |
| Bommaingathaan allaavaa | Bobblehead doll, aren't they? |
| Male | |
| Koovam manakkira seemaiyithu… | This is a land where the Cooum river smells... |
| Male | |
| Katchiyum kitchiyum pesikkittu | Talking about political parties and chatter |
| Sandaiya pottukiraan | They keep fighting among themselves |
| Male :Amaammaa | Male: Yes, indeed! |
| Male :Kandappan sonnatha kettukittu | Listening to whatever Kandappan says |
| Mandaiya aattikkiraan | They blindly nod their heads |
| Male :Aamam ooi | Male: Yes, oh yes! |
| Male | |
| Saavi koduththaakkaa aadugira bomma | They are like wind-up toys that dance when key is turned |
| Aaga moththam ingae naanarinja unmai | Overall, the truth that I have realized here |
| Saeri sanga sangathi ingae chekkumaaduthaan | The affairs of this town are like an oil-press bullock |
| Onnu pona vazhi maththathum | The path that one sheep takes, all the rest |
| Pogum semmari aaduthaan | Follow like a flock of sheep |
| Naattu nadappa arinjaen purinjaen naanthaanae…ae…. | I have known and understood the way of the world, haven't I? |
| Male | |
| Koovam manakkira seemaiyithu….. | This is a land where the Cooum river smells... |
| Pattanmo pattanam | Oh, what a grand city it is! |
| Kundu kuzhiyumaa rodu irukku | The road is full of potholes and bumps |
| Latchanamo latchanam | Oh, what a splendid beauty it has! |
| Male | |
| Intha ooru sanangala paaththuputtaen | I have observed the people of this town |
| Ullatha naan sollavaa | Shall I tell you the honest truth? |
| Ingu yaarum thalaigal aattugira | Everyone here is just a head-nodding |
| Bommaingathaan allaavaa | Bobblehead doll, aren't they? |
| Male | |
| Koovam manakkira seemaiyithu….. | This is a land where the Cooum river smells... |
| Male | |
| …………….. | ... |
| Male | |
| Moolaikku moolaiththaan kunthikittu | Sitting in every nook and corner |
| Mangaaththaa aadugiraan | They play games of chance and gamble |
| Ennanu yaedhunu kettudaamaa | Without questioning what or why |
| Maamula kodukkiraan amaaa | They pay bribes routinely, oh yes |
| Male | |
| Valluvanin pechchu kaaththuthaan pochchu | Thiruvalluvar's moral words have vanished into thin air |
| Pallavanin ullae ezhuthi vachchaachchu | They are now written only inside Pallavan transport buses |
| Kaasu irunthaa kaasu irunthaa pattanam pooraa | If you have money, if you have money, the entire city |
| Velaikku vaangalaam | Can be bought for a price |
| Kattaththin melae kaalaiyum neetti | Stretching out your legs over the law |
| Paduththu thoongalaam | You can lie down and sleep peacefully |
| Naattu nadappa arinjaen purinjaen naanthanae | I have known and understood the way of the world, haven't I? |
| Male | |
| Koovam manakkira seemaiyithu….. | This is a land where the Cooum river smells... |
| Pattanmo pattanam | Oh, what a grand city it is! |
| Kundu kuzhiyumaa rodu irukku | The road is full of potholes and bumps |
| Latchanamo latchanam | Oh, what a splendid beauty it has! |
| Male | |
| Intha ooru sanangala paaththuputtaen | I have observed the people of this town |
| Ullatha naan sollavaa | Shall I tell you the honest truth? |
| Ingu yaarum thalaigal aattugira | Everyone here is just a head-nodding |
| Bommaingathaan allaavaa | Bobblehead doll, aren't they? |
| Male | |
| Koovam manakkira seemaiyithu….. | This is a land where the Cooum river smells... |
கூவம் மணக்கிற சீமையிது...
கூவம் மணக்கிற சீமையிது...
பட்டணமோ பட்டணம்
குண்டு குழியுமா ரோடு இருக்கு
லட்சணமோ லட்சணம்
This is a land where the Cooum river smells...
This is a land where the Cooum river smells...
Oh, what a grand city it is!
The road is full of potholes and bumps
Oh, what a splendid beauty it has!
இந்த ஊரு சனங்கள பாத்துப்புட்டேன்
உள்ளத நான் சொல்லவா
இங்கு யாரும் தலைகள ஆட்டுகிற
பொம்மைங்கதான் அல்லவா
I have observed the people of this town
Shall I tell you the honest truth?
Everyone here is just a head-nodding
Bobblehead doll, aren't they?
கூவம் மணக்கிற சீமையிது...
This is a land where the Cooum river smells...
கட்சியும் கிட்சியும் பேசிக்கிட்டு
சண்டைய போட்டுக்கிறான்
ஆமாம்மா
கண்டப்பன் சொன்னத கேட்டுக்கிட்டு
மண்டைய ஆட்டிக்கிறான்
ஆமாம் ஓய்
Talking about political parties and chatter
They keep fighting among themselves
Male: Yes, indeed!
Listening to whatever Kandappan says
They blindly nod their heads
Male: Yes, oh yes!
சாவி கொடுத்தாக்கா ஆடுகிற பொம்ம
ஆக மொத்தம் இங்கே நானறிஞ்ச உண்மை
சேரி சனங்க சங்கதி இங்கே செக்குமாடுதான்
ஒன்னு போன வழி மத்ததும்
போகும் செம்மறி ஆடுதான்
நாட்டு நடப்ப அறிஞ்சேன் புரிஞ்சேன் நான்தானே....ஏ....
They are like wind-up toys that dance when key is turned
Overall, the truth that I have realized here
The affairs of this town are like an oil-press bullock
The path that one sheep takes, all the rest
Follow like a flock of sheep
I have known and understood the way of the world, haven't I?
கூவம் மணக்கிற சீமையிது...
பட்டணமோ பட்டணம்
குண்டு குழியுமா ரோடு இருக்கு
லட்சணமோ லட்சணம்
This is a land where the Cooum river smells...
Oh, what a grand city it is!
The road is full of potholes and bumps
Oh, what a splendid beauty it has!
இந்த ஊரு சனங்கள பாத்துப்புட்டேன்
உள்ளத நான் சொல்லவா
இங்கு யாரும் தலைகள ஆட்டுகிற
பொம்மைங்கதான் அல்லவா
I have observed the people of this town
Shall I tell you the honest truth?
Everyone here is just a head-nodding
Bobblehead doll, aren't they?
கூவம் மணக்கிற சீமையிது...
This is a land where the Cooum river smells...
.............................
...
மூலைக்கு மூலைத்தான் குந்திகிட்டு
மங்காத்தா ஆடுகிறான் ஆமா...
என்னான்னு ஏதுன்னு கேட்டுடாம
மாமுல கொடுக்கிறான் ஆமா....
Sitting in every nook and corner
They play games of chance and gamble
Without questioning what or why
They pay bribes routinely, oh yes
வள்ளுவனின் பேச்சு காத்துலதான் போச்சு
பல்லவனின் உள்ளே எழுதி வச்சாச்சு
காசு இருந்தா காசு இருந்தா பட்டணம் பூரா
வெலைக்கு வாங்கலாம்
கட்டத்தின் மேலே காலையும் நீட்டி
படுத்து தூங்கலாம்
நாட்டு நடப்ப அறிஞ்சேன் புரிஞ்சேன் நான்தானே....
Thiruvalluvar's moral words have vanished into thin air
They are now written only inside Pallavan transport buses
If you have money, if you have money, the entire city
Can be bought for a price
Stretching out your legs over the law
You can lie down and sleep peacefully
I have known and understood the way of the world, haven't I?
கூவம் மணக்கிற சீமையிது...
பட்டணமோ பட்டணம்
குண்டு குழியுமா ரோடு இருக்கு
லட்சணமோ லட்சணம்
This is a land where the Cooum river smells...
Oh, what a grand city it is!
The road is full of potholes and bumps
Oh, what a splendid beauty it has!
இந்த ஊரு சனங்கள பாத்துப்புட்டேன்
உள்ளத நான் சொல்லவா
இங்கு யாரும் தலைகள ஆட்டுகிற
பொம்மைங்கதான் அல்லவா
I have observed the people of this town
Shall I tell you the honest truth?
Everyone here is just a head-nodding
Bobblehead doll, aren't they?
கூவம் மணக்கிற சீமையிது......ஏ......
This is a land where the Cooum river smells...
Koovam manakkira seemaiyithu…
This is a land where the Cooum river smells...
Koovam manakkira seemaiyithu…..
This is a land where the Cooum river smells...
Pattanmo pattanam
Oh, what a grand city it is!
Kundu kuzhiyumaa rodu irukku
The road is full of potholes and bumps
Latchanamo latchanam
Oh, what a splendid beauty it has!
Intha ooru sanangala paaththuputtaen
I have observed the people of this town
Ullatha naan sollavaa
Shall I tell you the honest truth?
Ingu yaarum thalaigal aattugira
Everyone here is just a head-nodding
Bommaingathaan allaavaa
Bobblehead doll, aren't they?
Koovam manakkira seemaiyithu…
This is a land where the Cooum river smells...
Katchiyum kitchiyum pesikkittu
Talking about political parties and chatter
Sandaiya pottukiraan
They keep fighting among themselves
Male :Amaammaa
Male: Yes, indeed!
Male :Kandappan sonnatha kettukittu
Listening to whatever Kandappan says
Mandaiya aattikkiraan
They blindly nod their heads
Male :Aamam ooi
Male: Yes, oh yes!
Saavi koduththaakkaa aadugira bomma
They are like wind-up toys that dance when key is turned
Aaga moththam ingae naanarinja unmai
Overall, the truth that I have realized here
Saeri sanga sangathi ingae chekkumaaduthaan
The affairs of this town are like an oil-press bullock
Onnu pona vazhi maththathum
The path that one sheep takes, all the rest
Pogum semmari aaduthaan
Follow like a flock of sheep
Naattu nadappa arinjaen purinjaen naanthaanae…ae….
I have known and understood the way of the world, haven't I?
Koovam manakkira seemaiyithu…..
This is a land where the Cooum river smells...
Pattanmo pattanam
Oh, what a grand city it is!
Kundu kuzhiyumaa rodu irukku
The road is full of potholes and bumps
Latchanamo latchanam
Oh, what a splendid beauty it has!
Intha ooru sanangala paaththuputtaen
I have observed the people of this town
Ullatha naan sollavaa
Shall I tell you the honest truth?
Ingu yaarum thalaigal aattugira
Everyone here is just a head-nodding
Bommaingathaan allaavaa
Bobblehead doll, aren't they?
Koovam manakkira seemaiyithu…..
This is a land where the Cooum river smells...
……………..
...
Moolaikku moolaiththaan kunthikittu
Sitting in every nook and corner
Mangaaththaa aadugiraan
They play games of chance and gamble
Ennanu yaedhunu kettudaamaa
Without questioning what or why
Maamula kodukkiraan amaaa
They pay bribes routinely, oh yes
Valluvanin pechchu kaaththuthaan pochchu
Thiruvalluvar's moral words have vanished into thin air
Pallavanin ullae ezhuthi vachchaachchu
They are now written only inside Pallavan transport buses
Kaasu irunthaa kaasu irunthaa pattanam pooraa
If you have money, if you have money, the entire city
Velaikku vaangalaam
Can be bought for a price
Kattaththin melae kaalaiyum neetti
Stretching out your legs over the law
Paduththu thoongalaam
You can lie down and sleep peacefully
Naattu nadappa arinjaen purinjaen naanthanae
I have known and understood the way of the world, haven't I?
Koovam manakkira seemaiyithu…..
This is a land where the Cooum river smells...
Pattanmo pattanam
Oh, what a grand city it is!
Kundu kuzhiyumaa rodu irukku
The road is full of potholes and bumps
Latchanamo latchanam
Oh, what a splendid beauty it has!
Intha ooru sanangala paaththuputtaen
I have observed the people of this town
Ullatha naan sollavaa
Shall I tell you the honest truth?
Ingu yaarum thalaigal aattugira
Everyone here is just a head-nodding
Bommaingathaan allaavaa
Bobblehead doll, aren't they?
Koovam manakkira seemaiyithu…..
This is a land where the Cooum river smells...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This satirical song serves as a sharp social commentary on urban life in Chennai (Madras). Through ironical imagery—such as praising the city while sarcastically highlighting the stench of the Cooum river and pothole-ridden roads—the singer critiques the mindless conformity and passivity of city dwellers. People are compared to head-nodding bobblehead toys, wind-up dolls, and sheep following the herd without exercising critical thought.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Irony / Sarcasm
“Koovam manakkira seemaiyithu…”
The lyrics sarcastically praise the city ('Pattanmo pattanam', 'Latchanamo latchanam') right after pointing out the stinking Cooum river and bumpy roads.
Metaphor
“Saavi koduththaakkaa aadugira bomma”
Comparing passivity of people to key-operated toys and head-nodding dolls.
Simile / Metaphor
“Pogum semmari aaduthaan”
Comparing people blindly following leaders to sheep following a herd.
Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)
“Valluvanin pechchu kaaththuthaan pochchu”
Rhyming of second consonant sound in Tamil poetry ('Valluvanin' / 'Pallavanin').
Did you know?
Trivia
Written by the legendary lyricist Vaali and composed/sung by Gangai Amaran, this track highlights the socio-political urban issues of 1980s Chennai. The reference to 'Pallavanin ullae ezhuthi vachchaachchu' refers to Thirukkural couplets printed inside public transport buses run by the Pallavan Transport Corporation in Chennai.
Keep listening
More from Thalaiyatti Bommaigal
Thalaiyatti Bommaigal
Thalaiyatti Bommaigal