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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Machi Machi Vaada

From Priyamudan Prabhu · 1984

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, S. N. Surendar, Deepan Chakravarthy
Music director
Gangai Amaran
Details
Priyamudan Prabhu1984

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Machi machi vaadaa machiCome on buddy, come on pal!
Naama ellaam soththu katchi…..We are all the property party...
Chorus :Machi machi vaadaa machiChorus: Come on buddy, come on pal!
Naama ellaam soththu katchiWe are all the property party!
Male
Vambu illa thumbu illaNo trouble, no hassle,
Nambikkaikku panamillaiNo money to build trust.
Male
Oorum mechchi ulagam mechchiPraised by the town, praised by the world,
Vaazhapporom vaadaa machi….machiWe will live well, come on buddy... buddy!
Male
Machi machi vaadaa machiCome on buddy, come on pal!
Naama ellaam soththu katchiWe are all the property party!
Male
Pattamunnaa pattamadaaTalking about degrees, they are just degrees, man!
BA MA pattamadaa….hahaanB.A., M.A. degrees, man... haha!
Vattamellaam vaangi aadiSpinning around in circles,
Kaaththulathaan vittomadaaWe just blew them into the wind, man!
Male
College-la naam padichchuHaving studied in college,
Kashtangala saerththomadaaWe accumulated only hardships, man!
Velai engum kaali illaiThere are no job openings anywhere,
Velaikeththa kooliyillaiThere is no pay matching the work.
Chorus :Eppothumae yaekkaththayaeChorus: Always staying filled with yearning,
Aalum katchi namma katchiThe ruling party is our party!
Male
Machi machi vaadaa machiCome on buddy, come on pal!
Naama ellaam soththu katchi…..hei….We are all the property party... hei!
Male
Kaalamellaam onnukonnaaAll through those days, united as one,
College-la naam irunthomWe spent our time together in college.
Kanni ponna paaththu nammaLooking at young maidens,
Kadhal nenja thaan izhanthomWe surrendered our loving hearts.
Male
Saernthirunthaa koottamellaamThough our group was once united,
Dhesa thirinju pogumadaaWe will scatter across the land, man!
Saerththu vachcha bodhaiyellaamAll the high spirits we accumulated together,
Namma sontham aagumadaaWill remain our true companion, man!
Chorus :Sinaegaththathaan nambi nambiChorus: Trusting purely in friendship,
Saernthiruppom namma katchiOur party will stay together!
Machi machi machi machi machiBuddy, buddy, buddy, buddy, buddy!
Male
Machi machi vaadaa machiCome on buddy, come on pal!
Naama ellaam soththu katchi…..We are all the property party...
Chorus :Hei machi machi vaadaa machiChorus: Hey, come on buddy, come on pal!
Naama ellaam soththu katchiWe are all the property party!
Male
Vambu illa thumbu illaNo trouble, no hassle,
Nambikkaikku panamillaiNo money to build trust.
Male
Oorum mechchi ulagam mechchiPraised by the town, praised by the world,
Vaazhapporom vaadaa machi….machiWe will live well, come on buddy... buddy!
Male
Machi machi vaadaa machiCome on buddy, come on pal!
Naama ellaam soththu katchiWe are all the property party!
Chorus :Hei machi machi vaadaa machiChorus: Hey, come on buddy, come on pal!
Naama ellaam soththu katchiWe are all the property party!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This upbeat youth track captures the camaraderie, optimism, and struggles of recent college graduates in 1980s Tamil Nadu. Despite holding higher education degrees like B.A. and M.A., the group faces unemployment, lack of financial security, and societal apathy. However, rather than giving in to despair, they form a close-knit 'party' of friendship, finding strength and joy in their shared experiences and memories. The lyrics use humorous slang and relatable situations—like falling in love during college days and blowing degrees into the wind—to reflect the spirit of resilient young men who face an uncertain future with humor, solidarity, and hope.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Vambu illa thumbu illa

The second consonant 'm' matches in 'Vambu' and 'Thumbu', creating a rhythmic flow characteristic of Tamil folk and youth songs.

Repetition / Anaphora

Oorum mechchi ulagam mechchi

The word 'mechchi' (praised/admired) is repeated in both halves of the line to emphasize grand ambition despite current poverty.

Epizeuxis / Colloquial Refrain

Machi machi vaadaa machi

Immediate repetition of 'Machi' (buddy/friend) serves as a friendly, energetic call to arms among peers.

Irony / Satire

Naama ellaam soththu katchi

Calling themselves 'soththu katchi' (property/wealthy party) while admitting to having no money or jobs creates a playful, self-deprecating irony.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by lyricist Gangai Amaran, this song represents the classic 1980s Tamil cinema trope of 'unemployed educated youth' (Velaiyilla Pattadhaari), blending social commentary on the job market with energetic college friendship themes.

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