Kudi Uyara Kol
From Thookku Medai · 1982
- Lyricist
- Karunanithi
- Singer
- Malaysia Vasudevan
- Music director
- Shankar Ganesh
- Details
- Thookku Medai1982
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Hahahahahahaa | [Laughing sound] |
| Kudi uyara kol uyarum | When the citizenry prospers, the scepter rises |
| Kol uyara kodi uyarum | When the scepter rises, the flag flies high |
| Kudi uyara kol uyarum | When the citizenry prospers, the scepter rises |
| Kol uyara kodi uyarum ahaa | When the scepter rises, the flag flies high, aha |
| Eththanai azhagaai eththanai valamaai | How beautifully, how prosperously |
| Engal makkal saagiraar | Our people are dying |
| Eriyum nerupil vegiraar | Burning in the raging fire |
| Male | |
| Ellaarum innaattu | Everyone is this country's |
| Mannar endraar paattilae | King, so said the songs |
| Engal mannar vaazhugindraar | Yet our kings are living |
| Mannaangkatti veettilae | In houses made of mud and dirt |
| Idi idiththaal mazhai pozhinthaal | When thunder strikes or rain falls |
| Mannarellaam road-la | All these kings end up on the streets |
| Sirakodintha paravai kooda irukkuthaiyyaa kootti-la | Even a bird with broken wings has a safe nest, oh sir |
| Male | |
| Kudi uyara kol uyarum | When the citizenry prospers, the scepter rises |
| Kol uyara kodi uyarum | When the scepter rises, the flag flies high |
| Male | |
| Engalukkum unarchchi undu | We too have human feelings |
| Engal bangala-vil meththai undu | There is a bed inside our bungalow |
| Engalukkum unarchchi undu | We too have human feelings |
| Engal bangala-vil meththai undu | There is a bed inside our bungalow |
| Male | |
| Pulichchakkaadi madhuvai undu | We drink sour rice-water as our fine liquor |
| Purushan manaivi saervathundu | Husband and wife still come together |
| Pulichchakkaadi madhuvai undu | We drink sour rice-water as our fine liquor |
| Purushan manaivi saervathundu | Husband and wife still come together |
| Velicham potta car-um vanthaa | When cars with bright headlights pass by |
| Vilagi vilagi padupathundu | We step aside and lie down on the pavement |
| Velicham potta car-um vanthaa | When cars with bright headlights pass by |
| Vilagi vilagi padupathundu | We step aside and lie down on the pavement |
| Male | |
| Kudi uyara kol uyarum | When the citizenry prospers, the scepter rises |
| Kol uyara kodi uyarum | When the scepter rises, the flag flies high |
| Male | |
| Muththellaam mookku sali | All pearls are just nasal discharge to us |
| Raththa kaayam raththinamaam | Bleeding wounds are our precious rubies |
| Vairangal natchathiram | The stars in the night sky are our diamonds |
| Vaanavillae vaidooriyam…eppadi | The rainbow is our cat's-eye gem... how about that? |
| Male | |
| Muththellaam mookku sali | All pearls are just nasal discharge to us |
| Raththa kaayam raththinamaam | Bleeding wounds are our precious rubies |
| Vairangal natchathiram | The stars in the night sky are our diamonds |
| Vaanavillae vaidooriyam… | The rainbow is our cat's-eye gem... |
| Male | |
| Kuththukkallu simmaasanam | A roadside milestone is our throne |
| Kuppa thotti rajaangam | A garbage bin is our entire kingdom |
| Seththu pizhaikkum makkalukku | For these destitute people barely clinging to life |
| Jegaththai azhikkum sakthi undu | There lies the power to destroy the world |
| Male | |
| Kudi uyara kol uyarum | When the citizenry prospers, the scepter rises |
| Kol uyara kodi uyarum | When the scepter rises, the flag flies high |
| Kudi uyara kol uyarum | When the citizenry prospers, the scepter rises |
| Kol uyara kodi uyarum | When the scepter rises, the flag flies high |
| Eththanai azhagaai eththanai valamaai | How beautifully, how prosperously |
| Engal makkal saagiraar | Our people are dying |
| Eriyum nerupil vegiraar | Burning in the raging fire |
| Male | |
| Kudi uyara kol uyarum | When the citizenry prospers, the scepter rises |
| Kol uyara kodi uyarum | When the scepter rises, the flag flies high |
| Male | |
| ………………. | [Fade out / Instrumental outro] |
ஹஹஹஹஹஹா......
குடி உயர கோல் உயரும்
கோல் உயர கொடி உயரும்
குடி உயர கோல் உயரும்
கோல் உயர கொடி உயரும் ஆஹா
எத்தனை அழகாய் எத்தனை வளமாய்
எங்கள் மக்கள் சாகிறார்
எரியும் நெருப்பில் வேகிறார்
[Laughing sound]
When the citizenry prospers, the scepter rises
When the scepter rises, the flag flies high
When the citizenry prospers, the scepter rises
When the scepter rises, the flag flies high, aha
How beautifully, how prosperously
Our people are dying
Burning in the raging fire
எல்லாரும் இந்நாட்டு
மன்னர் என்றார் பாட்டிலே
எங்கள் மன்னர் வாழுகின்றார்
மண்ணாங்கட்டி வீட்டிலே
இடி இடித்தால் மழை பொழிந்தால்
மன்னரெல்லாம் ரோட்டுல
சிறகொடிந்த பறவை கூட இருக்குதய்யா கூட்டில
Everyone is this country's
King, so said the songs
Yet our kings are living
In houses made of mud and dirt
When thunder strikes or rain falls
All these kings end up on the streets
Even a bird with broken wings has a safe nest, oh sir
குடி உயர கோல் உயரும்
கோல் உயர கொடி உயரும்
When the citizenry prospers, the scepter rises
When the scepter rises, the flag flies high
எங்களுக்கும் உணர்ச்சி உண்டு
எங்கள் பங்களாவில் மெத்தை உண்டு
எங்களுக்கும் உணர்ச்சி உண்டு
பங்களாவில் மெத்தை உண்டு
We too have human feelings
There is a bed inside our bungalow
We too have human feelings
There is a bed inside our bungalow
புளிச்சக்காடி மதுவை உண்டு
புருஷன் மனைவி சேர்வதுண்டு
புளிச்சக்காடி மதுவை உண்டு
புருஷன் மனைவி சேர்வதுண்டு
வெளிச்சம் போட்ட காரும் வந்தா
விலகி விலகி படுப்பதுண்டு.....
வெளிச்சம் போட்ட காரும் வந்தா
விலகி விலகி படுப்பதுண்டு.....
We drink sour rice-water as our fine liquor
Husband and wife still come together
We drink sour rice-water as our fine liquor
Husband and wife still come together
When cars with bright headlights pass by
We step aside and lie down on the pavement
When cars with bright headlights pass by
We step aside and lie down on the pavement
குடி உயர கோல் உயரும்
கோல் உயர கொடி உயரும்
When the citizenry prospers, the scepter rises
When the scepter rises, the flag flies high
முத்தெல்லாம் மூக்குச் சளி
ரத்தக் காயம் ரத்தினமாம்
வைரங்கள் நட்சத்திரம்
வானவில்லே வைடூரியம்...எப்படி....
All pearls are just nasal discharge to us
Bleeding wounds are our precious rubies
The stars in the night sky are our diamonds
The rainbow is our cat's-eye gem... how about that?
முத்தெல்லாம் மூக்குச் சளி
ரத்தக் காயம் ரத்தினமாம்
வைரங்கள் நட்சத்திரம்
வானவில்லே வைடூரியம்..
All pearls are just nasal discharge to us
Bleeding wounds are our precious rubies
The stars in the night sky are our diamonds
The rainbow is our cat's-eye gem...
குத்துக் கல்லு சிம்மாசனம்
குப்பத் தொட்டி ராஜாங்கம்
செத்துப் பிழைக்கும் மக்களுக்கு
ஜெகத்தை அழிக்கும் சக்தி உண்டு
A roadside milestone is our throne
A garbage bin is our entire kingdom
For these destitute people barely clinging to life
There lies the power to destroy the world
குடி உயர கோல் உயரும்
கோல் உயர கொடி உயரும்
குடி உயர கோல் உயரும்
கோல் உயர கொடி உயரும் ஆஹா....
எத்தனை அழகாய் எத்தனை வளமாய்
எங்கள் மக்கள் சாகிறார்
எரியும் நெருப்பில் வேகிறார்
When the citizenry prospers, the scepter rises
When the scepter rises, the flag flies high
When the citizenry prospers, the scepter rises
When the scepter rises, the flag flies high
How beautifully, how prosperously
Our people are dying
Burning in the raging fire
குடி உயர கோல் உயரும்
கோல் உயர கொடி உயரும்
When the citizenry prospers, the scepter rises
When the scepter rises, the flag flies high
.....................
[Fade out / Instrumental outro]
Hahahahahahaa
[Laughing sound]
Kudi uyara kol uyarum
When the citizenry prospers, the scepter rises
Kol uyara kodi uyarum
When the scepter rises, the flag flies high
Kudi uyara kol uyarum
When the citizenry prospers, the scepter rises
Kol uyara kodi uyarum ahaa
When the scepter rises, the flag flies high, aha
Eththanai azhagaai eththanai valamaai
How beautifully, how prosperously
Engal makkal saagiraar
Our people are dying
Eriyum nerupil vegiraar
Burning in the raging fire
Ellaarum innaattu
Everyone is this country's
Mannar endraar paattilae
King, so said the songs
Engal mannar vaazhugindraar
Yet our kings are living
Mannaangkatti veettilae
In houses made of mud and dirt
Idi idiththaal mazhai pozhinthaal
When thunder strikes or rain falls
Mannarellaam road-la
All these kings end up on the streets
Sirakodintha paravai kooda irukkuthaiyyaa kootti-la
Even a bird with broken wings has a safe nest, oh sir
Kudi uyara kol uyarum
When the citizenry prospers, the scepter rises
Kol uyara kodi uyarum
When the scepter rises, the flag flies high
Engalukkum unarchchi undu
We too have human feelings
Engal bangala-vil meththai undu
There is a bed inside our bungalow
Engalukkum unarchchi undu
We too have human feelings
Engal bangala-vil meththai undu
There is a bed inside our bungalow
Pulichchakkaadi madhuvai undu
We drink sour rice-water as our fine liquor
Purushan manaivi saervathundu
Husband and wife still come together
Pulichchakkaadi madhuvai undu
We drink sour rice-water as our fine liquor
Purushan manaivi saervathundu
Husband and wife still come together
Velicham potta car-um vanthaa
When cars with bright headlights pass by
Vilagi vilagi padupathundu
We step aside and lie down on the pavement
Velicham potta car-um vanthaa
When cars with bright headlights pass by
Vilagi vilagi padupathundu
We step aside and lie down on the pavement
Kudi uyara kol uyarum
When the citizenry prospers, the scepter rises
Kol uyara kodi uyarum
When the scepter rises, the flag flies high
Muththellaam mookku sali
All pearls are just nasal discharge to us
Raththa kaayam raththinamaam
Bleeding wounds are our precious rubies
Vairangal natchathiram
The stars in the night sky are our diamonds
Vaanavillae vaidooriyam…eppadi
The rainbow is our cat's-eye gem... how about that?
Muththellaam mookku sali
All pearls are just nasal discharge to us
Raththa kaayam raththinamaam
Bleeding wounds are our precious rubies
Vairangal natchathiram
The stars in the night sky are our diamonds
Vaanavillae vaidooriyam…
The rainbow is our cat's-eye gem...
Kuththukkallu simmaasanam
A roadside milestone is our throne
Kuppa thotti rajaangam
A garbage bin is our entire kingdom
Seththu pizhaikkum makkalukku
For these destitute people barely clinging to life
Jegaththai azhikkum sakthi undu
There lies the power to destroy the world
Kudi uyara kol uyarum
When the citizenry prospers, the scepter rises
Kol uyara kodi uyarum
When the scepter rises, the flag flies high
Kudi uyara kol uyarum
When the citizenry prospers, the scepter rises
Kol uyara kodi uyarum
When the scepter rises, the flag flies high
Eththanai azhagaai eththanai valamaai
How beautifully, how prosperously
Engal makkal saagiraar
Our people are dying
Eriyum nerupil vegiraar
Burning in the raging fire
Kudi uyara kol uyarum
When the citizenry prospers, the scepter rises
Kol uyara kodi uyarum
When the scepter rises, the flag flies high
……………….
[Fade out / Instrumental outro]
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Kudi Uyara Kol Uyarum is a powerful socio-political satire written by M. Karunanidhi for the film Thookku Medai (1982). The song bitterly subverts the traditional Tamil political maxim 'Kudi uyara kol uyarum' (When the citizens prosper, the ruler's scepter rises) by contrasting grand democratic ideals with the grim reality of severe poverty, homelessness, and systemic neglect. It mockingly details how the poor, lauded in political rhetoric as 'kings of the nation', actually live in fragile mud huts, sleep on pavements, and dodge oncoming luxury traffic.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Irony / Satire
“Eththanai azhagaai eththanai valamaai / Engal makkal saagiraar / Eriyum nerupil vegiraar Explanation: Sarcastic contrast between "beautifully and richly" and”
Subversion of Proverb
“Kudi uyara kol uyarum / Kol uyara kodi uyarum Explanation: A traditional Tamil proverb on righteous governance is invoked mockingly to highlight the stark contrast with actual poverty. }, { "device": "Metaphor / Contrast", "line": "Muththellaam mookku sali / Raththa kaayam raththinamaam", "explanation": "Re-imagines extreme destitution by poetically comparing nasal discharge to pearls, wounds to rubies, and stars to diamonds." }, { "device": "Edhugai (Tamil Second-letter Rhyme)", "line": "Kuththukkallu simmaasanam / Kuppa thotti rajaangam", "explanation": "Uses second-letter rhyming ('th' / 'p') along with parallel structures to contrast street garbage and stones with royal thrones and kingdoms." } ], "trivia": "'Thookku Medai' was originally a famous political stage play written in the 1950s by former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi. The play held immense significance in the Dravidian movement and was later adapted into a film in 1982 starring Chandrasekhar and Nagesh, with music composed by Shankar-Ganesh and vocals by Malaysia Vasudevan." }”
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