Madrasai Suthi
From May Madham · 1994
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- Shahul Hameed, Swarnalatha
- Music director
- A. R. Rahman
- Details
- May Madham1994
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Durrrr…urrrr…urrr…. | (Sound effects / Vocalization) |
| Hey hey…. hey hey …hey hey | Hey hey... hey hey... hey hey |
| Hey driona drio drio dunnunana nanaa | Hey driona drio drio dunnunana nanaa |
| Hey driona drio drio dunnunana nanaa | Hey driona drio drio dunnunana nanaa |
| Female | |
| Madrasa suthi pakka poren | I am going to explore Madras all around |
| Marinavil veedu katta poren | I am going to build a house in Marina |
| {Light house-il yeri nikka poren | I am going to stand atop the Lighthouse |
| Naan mangaatha rani pola varen} (2) | I will rule like an unvanquished queen |
| Female | |
| Madrasa suthi pakka poren | I am going to explore Madras all around |
| Marinavil veedu katta poren | I am going to build a house in Marina |
| Light house-il yeri nikka poren | I am going to stand atop the Lighthouse |
| Naan mangaatha rani pola varen | I will rule like an unvanquished queen |
| Male | |
| Madrasa suththi katta poren | I will wrap up and conquer all of Madras |
| Marinavil sundal vaangi thaaren | I will buy you sundal at Marina Beach |
| {Idhu thanae ribbon building paaru | Look, isn't this the Ripon Building? |
| Idhukku ungappan per vaikka solla poren} (2) | I will tell them to name it after your father |
| Female | |
| Ada cinema pidikkum kodambakkam | Ah, Kodambakkam that loves cinema |
| Aeroplane irangum meenambakkam | Meenambakkam where airplanes land |
| Foreign sarkku burma bazar | Burma Bazaar for foreign goods |
| Namma ulloor sarakku jam bazaru… | Jam Bazaar for our local local stuff... |
| Eh…ehhh…ehhh..ehhhey… | Eh...ehhh...ehhh..ehhhey... |
| Female | |
| Yeh ponnu yeh ponnu.. | Hey girl, hey girl... |
| Idha pakkadha kannenna kannu | What kind of eyes are those if they don't look at this? |
| Yeh ponnu yeh ponnu | Hey girl, hey girl |
| Enna..ittukinnu podi en kannu | Take me along and go, my sweetheart |
| Female | |
| Madras-in hero | The hero of Madras |
| Male :Adhu metro water | Male: That is Metro Water |
| Female :Aanaa stylenaa ippo | Female: But if you talk about style now |
| Male :Kudi mineral water | Male: Drink mineral water |
| Female | |
| Madrasin geedham | The anthem of Madras |
| Male :Adhu auto auto saththamdhan | Male: That is just the sound of auto rickshaws |
| Male :All in all kettan oru | Male: 'All-in-all' Kettan holding a |
| Photo photo kaiyyildhan | Photo photo in his hand |
| Female | |
| Madrasa suthi pakka poren | I am going to explore Madras all around |
| Marinavil veedu katta poren | I am going to build a house in Marina |
| {Light house-il yeri nikka poren | I am going to stand atop the Lighthouse |
| Naan mangaatha rani pola varen} (2) | I will rule like an unvanquished queen |
| Female | |
| {Hey driona drio drio | Hey driona drio drio |
| Dunnunana nanaa }(4) | Dunnunana nanaa |
| Female | |
| Ponnu yeh ponnu | Hey girl, oh girl |
| Nastah thunna vadi en kannu | Come eat breakfast, my dear |
| Unna koottikinnu poren cinemakku | I will take you to the movies |
| Illa koththikinnu povan porambokku.. | Or some rogue will snatch you away.. |
| Aahaan..eheein | Aahaan..eheein |
| Female | |
| Kalam kettu pochchu mavarasi | Times have gone bad, fortunate lady |
| Summa gappunnu isukkudhu mugarasi | Her charming face naturally pulls everyone in |
| Mooththava solren idha yosi | I am an elder speaking, think about this |
| Nan moonu thalaimuraiya madharasi | I have been a Madras resident for three generations |
| Male | |
| Vellaikkaran kottai | The British fort |
| Female :Adhu pazhaiya madras | Female: That is Old Madras |
| Male :Raniyamma pettai | Male: Raniyamma Pettai |
| Female :Idhu pudhiya madras | Female: This is New Madras |
| Male | |
| One wayil pugundhu kooda | Even by entering a one-way street |
| Female :Madrasa suththi pakkalaam | Female: We can tour around Madras |
| Male :Centraliyum egmoreiyum | Male: Around Central and Egmore |
| Male :Suththi katti nee thuddu sekkalaam | Male: You can hustle and make quick money |
| Male | |
| Cinema paiththiyam endral madras | If crazy about cinema, it is Madras |
| Kadhal paiththiyam endral madras | If crazy about love, it is Madras |
| Inga illa joli packet gali | No job here, pockets are empty |
| Aana lifeo jolly jolly | Yet life is totally fun and joyful |
| Female | |
| Madrasa suthi pakka poren | I am going to explore Madras all around |
| Marinavil veedu katta poren | I am going to build a house in Marina |
| {Light house-il yeri nikka poren | I am going to stand atop the Lighthouse |
| Naan mangaatha rani pola varen} (2) | I will rule like an unvanquished queen |
| Female | |
| Light house-il yeri nikka poren | I am going to stand atop the Lighthouse |
| Naan madrasin rani pola varen | I will rule like the queen of Madras |
ஜி. வி. பிரகாஷ் குமார் மற்றும் மனோரமா
(Sound effects / Vocalization)
Hey hey... hey hey... hey hey
Hey driona drio drio dunnunana nanaa
Hey driona drio drio dunnunana nanaa
டுர்ர்ர்...உர்ர்ர்...உர்ர்ர்...
ஹே ஹே...ஹே ஹே ஹே ஹே
{ஹே ட்ரியோனா ட்ரியோ ட்ரியோ
டுன்டுன் நானா நானா} (2)
I am going to explore Madras all around
I am going to build a house in Marina
I am going to stand atop the Lighthouse
I will rule like an unvanquished queen
மெட்ராஸை சுத்தி பார்க்க போறேன்
மெரினாவில் வீடு கட்ட போறேன்
{லைட் ஹவுஸில் ஏறி நிக்க போறேன்
நான் மங்காத்தா ராணி போல வாரேன்...} (2)
I am going to explore Madras all around
I am going to build a house in Marina
I am going to stand atop the Lighthouse
I will rule like an unvanquished queen
மெட்ராஸை சுத்தி பார்க்க போறேன்
மெரினாவில் வீடு கட்ட போறேன்
லைட் ஹவுஸில் ஏறி நிக்க போறேன்
நான் மங்காத்தா ராணி போல வாரேன்
I will wrap up and conquer all of Madras
I will buy you sundal at Marina Beach
Look, isn't this the Ripon Building?
I will tell them to name it after your father
ஹே மெட்ராஸை சுத்தி காட்ட போறேன்
மெரினாவில் சுண்டல் வாங்கி தாரேன்
{இது தானே ரிப்பன் பில்டிங் பாரு
இதுக்கு உங்கப்பன் பேர் வைக்க சொல்ல போறேன்} (2)
Ah, Kodambakkam that loves cinema
Meenambakkam where airplanes land
Burma Bazaar for foreign goods
Jam Bazaar for our local local stuff...
Eh...ehhh...ehhh..ehhhey...
அட சினிமா பிடிக்கும் கோடம்பாக்கம்
ஏரோப்ளேன் இறங்கும் மீனம்பாக்கம்
பாரின் சரக்கு பர்மா பஜார்
நம்ம உள்ளூர் சரக்கு ஜாம் பஜாரு
ஹே..எஹே..ஏஹே ஏஹ்ஹே
Hey girl, hey girl...
What kind of eyes are those if they don't look at this?
Hey girl, hey girl
Take me along and go, my sweetheart
ஏ பொண்ணு ஏ பொண்ணு
இதை பார்க்காத கண்ணு என்ன கண்ணு
ஏ பொண்ணு ஏ பொண்ணூ
என்னை இழுத்துக்குனு போடி என் கண்ணு
The hero of Madras
Male: That is Metro Water
Female: But if you talk about style now
Male: Drink mineral water
மெட்ராஸின் ஹீரோ
அது மெட்ரோ வாட்டர்
ஆனா ஸ்டைலுன்னா இப்போ
குடி மினரல் வாட்டர்
The anthem of Madras
Male: That is just the sound of auto rickshaws
Male: 'All-in-all' Kettan holding a
Photo photo in his hand
மெட்ராஸின் கீதம்
அது ஆட்டோ ஆட்டோ சத்தம்தான்
ஆல் இன் ஆல் கேட்டான் ஒரு
போட்டோ போட்டோ கையில்தான்
I am going to explore Madras all around
I am going to build a house in Marina
I am going to stand atop the Lighthouse
I will rule like an unvanquished queen
ஆண் மற்றும் பெண் :
ஒன்னு மாமியார் தொல்லை
இல்ல முகமூடி கொள்ளை
ஆனால் இஸ்மாயிலும் அப்ரஹாமும்
இந்தியனாக வாழும் ஊரு
Hey driona drio drio
Dunnunana nanaa
மெட்ராஸை சுத்தி பார்க்க போறேன்
மெரினாவில் வீடு கட்ட போறேன்
{லைட் ஹவுஸில் ஏறி நிக்க போறேன்
நான் மங்காத்தா ராணி போல வாரேன்} (2)
Hey girl, oh girl
Come eat breakfast, my dear
I will take you to the movies
Or some rogue will snatch you away..
Aahaan..eheein
{ஹே ட்ரியோனா ட்ரியோ ட்ரியோ
டுன்டுன் நானா நானா} (4)
Times have gone bad, fortunate lady
Her charming face naturally pulls everyone in
I am an elder speaking, think about this
I have been a Madras resident for three generations
பொண்ணு ஏ பொண்ணு
நாஷ்டா துண்ண வாடி என் கண்ணு
உன்னை கூட்டிகினு போறேன் சினிமாவுக்கு
இல்ல கொத்திகினு போவான் பொறம்போக்கு
ஆஹான்...ஆஆ..ஏஹியின்....
The British fort
Female: That is Old Madras
Male: Raniyamma Pettai
Female: This is New Madras
காலம் கெட்டு போச்சு மகராசி
சும்மா கப்புன்னு இசுக்குது முவராசி
மூத்தவ சொல்றேன் இதை யோசி
நான் மூனு தலைமுறையா மதராசி
Even by entering a one-way street
Female: We can tour around Madras
Male: Around Central and Egmore
Male: You can hustle and make quick money
வெள்ளைக்காரன் கோட்டை
அது பழைய மெட்ராஸ்
ராணியம்மா பேட்டை
இது புதிய மெட்ராஸ்
If crazy about cinema, it is Madras
If crazy about love, it is Madras
No job here, pockets are empty
Yet life is totally fun and joyful
ஒன் வேயில் புகுந்து கூட
மெட்ராஸை சுத்தி பார்க்கலாம்
செண்ட்ரலையும் எக்மோரையும்
சுத்தி காட்டி நீ துட்டு சேர்க்கலாம்
I am going to explore Madras all around
I am going to build a house in Marina
I am going to stand atop the Lighthouse
I will rule like an unvanquished queen
சினிமா பைத்தியம் என்றால் மெட்ராஸ்
காதல் வைத்தியம் என்றால் மெட்ராஸ்
இங்கே இல்ல ஜோலி பாக்கெட் காலி
ஆனா லைஃப் போ ஜாலி ஜாலி
I am going to stand atop the Lighthouse
I will rule like the queen of Madras
மெட்ராஸை சுத்தி பார்க்க போறேன்
மெரினாவில் வீடு கட்ட போறேன்
{லைட் ஹவுஸில் ஏறி நிக்க போறேன்
நான் மங்காத்தா ராணி போல வாரேன்...} (2)
லைட் ஹவுஸில் ஏறி நிக்க போறேன்
நான் மெட்ராஸின் ராணி போல வாரேன்
Durrrr…urrrr…urrr….
(Sound effects / Vocalization)
Hey hey…. hey hey …hey hey
Hey hey... hey hey... hey hey
Hey driona drio drio dunnunana nanaa
Hey driona drio drio dunnunana nanaa
Hey driona drio drio dunnunana nanaa
Hey driona drio drio dunnunana nanaa
Madrasa suthi pakka poren
I am going to explore Madras all around
Marinavil veedu katta poren
I am going to build a house in Marina
{Light house-il yeri nikka poren
I am going to stand atop the Lighthouse
Naan mangaatha rani pola varen} (2)
I will rule like an unvanquished queen
Madrasa suthi pakka poren
I am going to explore Madras all around
Marinavil veedu katta poren
I am going to build a house in Marina
Light house-il yeri nikka poren
I am going to stand atop the Lighthouse
Naan mangaatha rani pola varen
I will rule like an unvanquished queen
Madrasa suththi katta poren
I will wrap up and conquer all of Madras
Marinavil sundal vaangi thaaren
I will buy you sundal at Marina Beach
{Idhu thanae ribbon building paaru
Look, isn't this the Ripon Building?
Idhukku ungappan per vaikka solla poren} (2)
I will tell them to name it after your father
Ada cinema pidikkum kodambakkam
Ah, Kodambakkam that loves cinema
Aeroplane irangum meenambakkam
Meenambakkam where airplanes land
Foreign sarkku burma bazar
Burma Bazaar for foreign goods
Namma ulloor sarakku jam bazaru…
Jam Bazaar for our local local stuff...
Eh…ehhh…ehhh..ehhhey…
Eh...ehhh...ehhh..ehhhey...
Yeh ponnu yeh ponnu..
Hey girl, hey girl...
Idha pakkadha kannenna kannu
What kind of eyes are those if they don't look at this?
Yeh ponnu yeh ponnu
Hey girl, hey girl
Enna..ittukinnu podi en kannu
Take me along and go, my sweetheart
Madras-in hero
The hero of Madras
Male :Adhu metro water
Male: That is Metro Water
Female :Aanaa stylenaa ippo
Female: But if you talk about style now
Male :Kudi mineral water
Male: Drink mineral water
Madrasin geedham
The anthem of Madras
Male :Adhu auto auto saththamdhan
Male: That is just the sound of auto rickshaws
Male :All in all kettan oru
Male: 'All-in-all' Kettan holding a
Photo photo kaiyyildhan
Photo photo in his hand
Madrasa suthi pakka poren
I am going to explore Madras all around
Marinavil veedu katta poren
I am going to build a house in Marina
{Light house-il yeri nikka poren
I am going to stand atop the Lighthouse
Naan mangaatha rani pola varen} (2)
I will rule like an unvanquished queen
{Hey driona drio drio
Hey driona drio drio
Dunnunana nanaa }(4)
Dunnunana nanaa
Ponnu yeh ponnu
Hey girl, oh girl
Nastah thunna vadi en kannu
Come eat breakfast, my dear
Unna koottikinnu poren cinemakku
I will take you to the movies
Illa koththikinnu povan porambokku..
Or some rogue will snatch you away..
Aahaan..eheein
Aahaan..eheein
Kalam kettu pochchu mavarasi
Times have gone bad, fortunate lady
Summa gappunnu isukkudhu mugarasi
Her charming face naturally pulls everyone in
Mooththava solren idha yosi
I am an elder speaking, think about this
Nan moonu thalaimuraiya madharasi
I have been a Madras resident for three generations
Vellaikkaran kottai
The British fort
Female :Adhu pazhaiya madras
Female: That is Old Madras
Male :Raniyamma pettai
Male: Raniyamma Pettai
Female :Idhu pudhiya madras
Female: This is New Madras
One wayil pugundhu kooda
Even by entering a one-way street
Female :Madrasa suththi pakkalaam
Female: We can tour around Madras
Male :Centraliyum egmoreiyum
Male: Around Central and Egmore
Male :Suththi katti nee thuddu sekkalaam
Male: You can hustle and make quick money
Cinema paiththiyam endral madras
If crazy about cinema, it is Madras
Kadhal paiththiyam endral madras
If crazy about love, it is Madras
Inga illa joli packet gali
No job here, pockets are empty
Aana lifeo jolly jolly
Yet life is totally fun and joyful
Madrasa suthi pakka poren
I am going to explore Madras all around
Marinavil veedu katta poren
I am going to build a house in Marina
{Light house-il yeri nikka poren
I am going to stand atop the Lighthouse
Naan mangaatha rani pola varen} (2)
I will rule like an unvanquished queen
Light house-il yeri nikka poren
I am going to stand atop the Lighthouse
Naan madrasin rani pola varen
I will rule like the queen of Madras
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Madrasa Suthi Pakka Poren from May Madham (1994) is a lively, high-energy homage to the vibrant city of Madras (Chennai). Sung from the perspective of an excited girl visiting and taking in the sights alongside local city dwellers, the track takes listeners on a sonic tour through iconic landmarks like Marina Beach, the Lighthouse, Ripon Building, Burma Bazaar, Kodambakkam, and Meenambakkam.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Rhyme (Iyaibo)
“Ada cinema pidikkum kodambakkam / Aeroplane irangum meenambakkam”
End-rhyme created by pairing location names with distinct characteristics.
Contrast / Parallelism
“Foreign sarkku burma bazar / Namma ulloor sarakku jam bazaru…”
Juxtaposes imported foreign goods sold in Burma Bazaar with local products in Jam Bazaar.
Colloquial Dialect (Madras Bhashai)
“Inga illa joli packet gali / Aana lifeo jolly jolly”
Incorporation of localized street vernacular ('nastah thunna', 'porambokku', 'joli packet gali') to give authentic urban flavor.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by A. R. Rahman with lyrics by Vairamuthu, this track famously features legendary actress-singer Manorama alongside Swarnalatha, delivering an authentic Madras dialect (Madras Bhashai) performance that remains an enduring celebration of Chennai's culture.
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