Liberty Song (Cement Kaadu)
From Aruvi · 2016
- Lyricist
- Kutti Revathy
- Singer
- Bindhu Malini
- Music directors
- Bindhu Malini, Vedanth Bharadwaj
- Details
- Aruvi2016
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| {Bam bam pa | {Bam bam pa |
| Bam paaba | Bam paaba |
| Bam bam pa | Bam bam pa |
| Bam paaba | Bam paaba |
| Bam bam pa | Bam bam pa |
| Bam paaba | Bam paaba |
| Paabab paabab paba} (3) | Paabab paabab paba} (3) |
| Female | |
| Cement kaadu oorukulla | Inside this city made of a concrete jungle |
| Adupu vaipom roatu mela | We set up our stove on top of the road |
| Alukku makka mathiyilae | Amidst dirt-stained ordinary people |
| Aattam kaanum vaazhkaiyilae | In a life that dances and sways unstable |
| Chorus | |
| Bam bam pa | Bam bam pa |
| Bam paaba | Bam paaba |
| Bam bam pa | Bam bam pa |
| Bam paaba | Bam paaba |
| Bam bam pa | Bam bam pa |
| Bam paaba | Bam paaba |
| Paabab paabab paba | Paabab paabab paba |
| Female | |
| Aattam kaanum vaazhkaiyilae | In a life that dances and sways unstable |
| Aattam kaanum vaazhkaiyilae | In a life that dances and sways unstable |
| Aattam kaanum vaazhkaiyilae | In a life that dances and sways unstable |
| Female | |
| Vellendhi manasula dhan | In an innocent heart |
| Aayiram aasai | A thousand desires bloom |
| Aasaiku alavedhuku | Why place a limit on desire? |
| Panangaasu ulagathula | In this world obsessed with money |
| Vaazha sagikala | Living becomes intolerable |
| Sugam kaana panam edhuku | Why do we need money to experience joy? |
| Female | |
| Payapulla pogaatha idathukellam | To all the places where this young soul hasn't gone |
| Poganum thittam pottu | Planning and making schemes to go |
| Rusikkaadha unavellam | All the foods that haven't been tasted yet |
| Rusikkanum aasai pattu | Desiring and craving to taste them all |
| Kutham sollum ulagathula | In a world that constantly points out faults |
| Vaazhradhum kuthamunna | If even living our life is considered a fault |
| Vaai mela ongi kuthadi…ee… | Punch them hard right on the mouth! |
| Female | |
| Vellendhi manasula dhan | In an innocent heart |
| Aayiram aasai | A thousand desires bloom |
| Aasaiku alavedhuku | Why place a limit on desire? |
| Panangaasu ulagathula | In this world obsessed with money |
| Vaazha sagikala | Living becomes intolerable |
| Sugam kaana panam edhuku | Why do we need money to experience joy? |
| Chorus | |
| {Bam bam pa | {Bam bam pa |
| Bam paaba | Bam paaba |
| Bam bam pa | Bam bam pa |
| Bam paaba | Bam paaba |
| Bam bam pa | Bam bam pa |
| Bam paaba | Bam paaba |
| Paabab paabab paba} (2) | Paabab paabab paba} (2) |
| Chorus | |
| …………………….. | .................. |
| Female | |
| Anbaana vaarthai solla | To speak a few kind words of love |
| Appa amma thevai illa | A father or mother isn't strictly necessary |
| Aabathuku odi vara | To rush to aid in times of danger |
| Saamy illayae | There is no God that shows up |
| Female | |
| Thuppu ketta kadavul gala | O useless Gods |
| Nambi ketta madayangala | O fools who destroyed yourselves believing them |
| Micham meedhi panatha vachi | With whatever leftover money you have |
| Oor sutha pazhagungadaa | Learn to wander and explore the world, guys! |
| Female | |
| Kutham sollum ulagathula | In a world that constantly points out faults |
| Vaazhradhum kutham munna | If even living our life is considered a fault |
| Vaai mela ongi kuthadaaa…aaa…. | Punch them hard right on the mouth! |
| Female | |
| {Alli koduka yaarum illa | {There is no one to hand out charity generously |
| Aravanaipedhum thevai illa | Nor is any comforting embrace necessary |
| Aasa vazkai thedi thedi | Searching endlessly for the life of our desires |
| Kal mela than naanga yeri poovom} (2) | We will climb up and walk over hard rocks} (2) |
| Female | |
| Kaalula sakkaram katti kittom | We tied wheels onto our feet |
| Kannula pootu maatikitom | We put locks over our eyes |
| Maanatha tholachadha | Losing our sense of shame |
| Aiyaiyooo… | Oh dear... |
| Maanatha tholachadha | Losing our sense of shame |
| Nyabagamaa marandhutom | We deliberately forgot all about it |
| Nyabagamaa marandhutom | We deliberately forgot all about it |
| Female | |
| Sakkarama thirumba thirumba suthurom | Like a wheel, we spin round and round |
| Kadivaalam than pottu | Putting on blinders like a horse |
| Kudhiraiyaa odurom | We run like race horses |
| Aganda aagayam | The vast open sky |
| Thirandhu paarthomaa | Have we ever opened our eyes to look at it? |
| Manadhin uyaram kudhichu paarthomaa | Have we ever jumped to measure the height of our minds? |
{ பம் பம் பா பம்
பாப பம் பம் பா பம்
பாப பம் பம் பா பம்
பாப பாபப் பாபப்
பாபா } (3)
{Bam bam pa
Bam paaba
Bam bam pa
Bam paaba
Bam bam pa
Bam paaba
Paabab paabab paba} (3)
சிமெண்ட் காடு
ஊருக்குள்ள அடுப்பு
வைப்போம் ரோட்டு
மேல அழுக்கு மக்க
மத்தியிலே ஆட்டம்
காணும் வாழ்க்கையிலே
Inside this city made of a concrete jungle
We set up our stove on top of the road
Amidst dirt-stained ordinary people
In a life that dances and sways unstable
பம் பம் பா பம்
பாப பம் பம் பா பம் பாப
பம் பம் பா பம் பாப பாபப்
பாபப் பாபா
Bam bam pa
Bam paaba
Bam bam pa
Bam paaba
Bam bam pa
Bam paaba
Paabab paabab paba
ஆட்டம் காணும்
வாழ்க்கையிலே ஆட்டம்
காணும் வாழ்க்கையிலே
ஆட்டம் காணும்
வாழ்க்கையிலே
In a life that dances and sways unstable
In a life that dances and sways unstable
In a life that dances and sways unstable
வெள்ளந்தி மனசுல
தான் ஆயிரம் ஆசை
ஆசைக்கு அளவெதுக்கு
பணங்காசு உலகத்துல
வாழ சகிக்கல சுகம்
காண பணம் எதுக்கு
In an innocent heart
A thousand desires bloom
Why place a limit on desire?
In this world obsessed with money
Living becomes intolerable
Why do we need money to experience joy?
பயபுள்ள போகாத
இடத்துக்கெல்லாம் போகணும்
திட்டம் போட்டு ருசிக்காத
உணவெல்லாம் ருசிக்கணும்
ஆசை பட்டு குத்தம் சொல்லும்
உலகத்துல வாழ்றதும்
குத்தமுன்னா வாய் மேல
ஓங்கி குத்தடி
To all the places where this young soul hasn't gone
Planning and making schemes to go
All the foods that haven't been tasted yet
Desiring and craving to taste them all
In a world that constantly points out faults
If even living our life is considered a fault
Punch them hard right on the mouth!
வெள்ளந்தி மனசுல
தான் ஆயிரம் ஆசை
ஆசைக்கு அளவெதுக்கு
பணங்காசு உலகத்துல
வாழ சகிக்கல சுகம்
காண பணம் எதுக்கு
In an innocent heart
A thousand desires bloom
Why place a limit on desire?
In this world obsessed with money
Living becomes intolerable
Why do we need money to experience joy?
{ பம் பம் பா பம்
பாப பம் பம் பா பம் பாப
பம் பம் பா பம் பாப பாபப்
பாபப் பாபா } (2)
{Bam bam pa
Bam paaba
Bam bam pa
Bam paaba
Bam bam pa
Bam paaba
Paabab paabab paba} (2)
............................
..................
அன்பான வார்த்தை
சொல்ல அப்பா அம்மா
தேவை இல்ல ஆபத்துக்கு
ஓடி வர சாமி இல்லையே
To speak a few kind words of love
A father or mother isn't strictly necessary
To rush to aid in times of danger
There is no God that shows up
துப்பு கெட்ட
கடவுள் கள நம்பி கெட்ட
மடயங்களா மிச்சம் மீதி
பணத்த வெச்சி ஊர் சுத்த
பழகுங்கடா
O useless Gods
O fools who destroyed yourselves believing them
With whatever leftover money you have
Learn to wander and explore the world, guys!
குத்தம் சொல்லும்
உலகத்துல வாழ்றதும்
குத்தமுன்னா வாய் மேல
ஓங்கி குத்தடா
In a world that constantly points out faults
If even living our life is considered a fault
Punch them hard right on the mouth!
{ அள்ளி கொடுக்க
யாரும் இல்ல அரவணைப்பேதும்
தேவை இல்ல ஆச வாழ்கை
தேடி தேடி கல் மேல தான்
நாங்க ஏறி போவோம் } (2)
{There is no one to hand out charity generously
Nor is any comforting embrace necessary
Searching endlessly for the life of our desires
We will climb up and walk over hard rocks} (2)
காலுல சக்கரம்
கட்டி கிட்டோம் கண்ணுல
பூட்டு மாட்டி கிட்டோம்
மானத்த தொலைச்சத
அய்யய்யோ மானத்த
தொலைச்சத நியாபகமா
மறந்துட்டோம் நியாபகமா
மறந்துட்டோம்
We tied wheels onto our feet
We put locks over our eyes
Losing our sense of shame
Oh dear...
Losing our sense of shame
We deliberately forgot all about it
We deliberately forgot all about it
சக்கரமா திரும்ப
திரும்ப சுத்துறோம் கடிவாளம்
தான் போட்டு குதிரையா
ஓடுறோம் அகண்ட ஆகாயம்
திறந்து பார்த்தோமா மனதின்
உயரம் குதிச்சு பார்த்தோமா
Like a wheel, we spin round and round
Putting on blinders like a horse
We run like race horses
The vast open sky
Have we ever opened our eyes to look at it?
Have we ever jumped to measure the height of our minds?
{Bam bam pa
{Bam bam pa
Bam paaba
Bam paaba
Bam bam pa
Bam bam pa
Bam paaba
Bam paaba
Bam bam pa
Bam bam pa
Bam paaba
Bam paaba
Paabab paabab paba} (3)
Paabab paabab paba} (3)
Cement kaadu oorukulla
Inside this city made of a concrete jungle
Adupu vaipom roatu mela
We set up our stove on top of the road
Alukku makka mathiyilae
Amidst dirt-stained ordinary people
Aattam kaanum vaazhkaiyilae
In a life that dances and sways unstable
Bam bam pa
Bam bam pa
Bam paaba
Bam paaba
Bam bam pa
Bam bam pa
Bam paaba
Bam paaba
Bam bam pa
Bam bam pa
Bam paaba
Bam paaba
Paabab paabab paba
Paabab paabab paba
Aattam kaanum vaazhkaiyilae
In a life that dances and sways unstable
Aattam kaanum vaazhkaiyilae
In a life that dances and sways unstable
Aattam kaanum vaazhkaiyilae
In a life that dances and sways unstable
Vellendhi manasula dhan
In an innocent heart
Aayiram aasai
A thousand desires bloom
Aasaiku alavedhuku
Why place a limit on desire?
Panangaasu ulagathula
In this world obsessed with money
Vaazha sagikala
Living becomes intolerable
Sugam kaana panam edhuku
Why do we need money to experience joy?
Payapulla pogaatha idathukellam
To all the places where this young soul hasn't gone
Poganum thittam pottu
Planning and making schemes to go
Rusikkaadha unavellam
All the foods that haven't been tasted yet
Rusikkanum aasai pattu
Desiring and craving to taste them all
Kutham sollum ulagathula
In a world that constantly points out faults
Vaazhradhum kuthamunna
If even living our life is considered a fault
Vaai mela ongi kuthadi…ee…
Punch them hard right on the mouth!
Vellendhi manasula dhan
In an innocent heart
Aayiram aasai
A thousand desires bloom
Aasaiku alavedhuku
Why place a limit on desire?
Panangaasu ulagathula
In this world obsessed with money
Vaazha sagikala
Living becomes intolerable
Sugam kaana panam edhuku
Why do we need money to experience joy?
{Bam bam pa
{Bam bam pa
Bam paaba
Bam paaba
Bam bam pa
Bam bam pa
Bam paaba
Bam paaba
Bam bam pa
Bam bam pa
Bam paaba
Bam paaba
Paabab paabab paba} (2)
Paabab paabab paba} (2)
……………………..
..................
Anbaana vaarthai solla
To speak a few kind words of love
Appa amma thevai illa
A father or mother isn't strictly necessary
Aabathuku odi vara
To rush to aid in times of danger
Saamy illayae
There is no God that shows up
Thuppu ketta kadavul gala
O useless Gods
Nambi ketta madayangala
O fools who destroyed yourselves believing them
Micham meedhi panatha vachi
With whatever leftover money you have
Oor sutha pazhagungadaa
Learn to wander and explore the world, guys!
Kutham sollum ulagathula
In a world that constantly points out faults
Vaazhradhum kutham munna
If even living our life is considered a fault
Vaai mela ongi kuthadaaa…aaa….
Punch them hard right on the mouth!
{Alli koduka yaarum illa
{There is no one to hand out charity generously
Aravanaipedhum thevai illa
Nor is any comforting embrace necessary
Aasa vazkai thedi thedi
Searching endlessly for the life of our desires
Kal mela than naanga yeri poovom} (2)
We will climb up and walk over hard rocks} (2)
Kaalula sakkaram katti kittom
We tied wheels onto our feet
Kannula pootu maatikitom
We put locks over our eyes
Maanatha tholachadha
Losing our sense of shame
Aiyaiyooo…
Oh dear...
Maanatha tholachadha
Losing our sense of shame
Nyabagamaa marandhutom
We deliberately forgot all about it
Nyabagamaa marandhutom
We deliberately forgot all about it
Sakkarama thirumba thirumba suthurom
Like a wheel, we spin round and round
Kadivaalam than pottu
Putting on blinders like a horse
Kudhiraiyaa odurom
We run like race horses
Aganda aagayam
The vast open sky
Thirandhu paarthomaa
Have we ever opened our eyes to look at it?
Manadhin uyaram kudhichu paarthomaa
Have we ever jumped to measure the height of our minds?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This track from the 2016 Tamil film 'Aruvi', with lyrics written by Kutti Revathy, serves as a fiery, non-conformist anthem celebrating freedom, innocence, and rebellion against urban capitalism. Set against the backdrop of a 'concrete jungle', the song captures the lives of marginalized everyday people who survive on the streets while holding onto unbounded desires. It sharply critiques society's obsession with money, hyper-consumerism, rigid morality, and blind religious faith. The lyrics urge individuals to break free from the mechanical rat race—symbolized by horses wearing blinders—and experience true joy through freedom, travel, and emotional independence. Rather than seeking validation or traditional comforts, the protagonist advocates for living boldly, ignoring cynical critics, and exploring the vastness of human experience.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor
“Cement kaadu oorukulla”
'Cement kaadu' (Concrete jungle) compares modern urban cityscape directly to a dense, wild forest.
Imagery
“Kaalula sakkaram katti kittom”
'Kaalula sakkaram katti kittom' (Tied wheels to our feet) creates vivid visual imagery of the frantic, hyper-fast speed of modern daily survival.
Metaphor & Personification
“Kadivaalam than pottu kudhiraiyaa odurom”
'Kadivaalam than pottu kudhiraiyaa odurom' uses the metaphor of a harnessed horse with blinders to represent how modern society forces people into narrow-minded rat races.
Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Payapulla pogaatha idathukellam / Poganum thittam pottu”
Repetition of the initial letter 'Pa' sound across consecutive phrases ('Payapulla', 'Poganum').
Did you know?
Trivia
The soundtrack for 'Aruvi' was composed by the duo Bindhu Malini and Vedanth Bharadwaj, who brought an indie-folk and acoustic theatrical vibe rarely seen in mainstream Tamil cinema. Kutti Revathy, a prominent contemporary Tamil feminist poet, wrote the song to reflect the main protagonist Aruvi's anti-establishment worldview and uninhibited spirit.
Keep listening
More from Aruvi
Aruvi
Aruvi
Aruvi
Aruvi