Mathiya Seraiyila
From Vada Chennai · 2018
- Lyricist
- Arivu
- Singer
- Arivu
- Music director
- Santhosh Narayanan
- Details
- Vada Chennai2018
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Kallu odaikkiren jailula | I break stones in jail |
| Kannu muzhikkuren iravula | I lie awake in the night |
| Thappichu pogavum vazhiyilla | There is no way to escape |
| Eppa kedaikkumo viduthala | When will I ever get freedom? |
| Male | |
| Kallu odaikkiren jailula | I break stones in jail |
| Kannu muzhikkuren iravula | I lie awake in the night |
| Thappichu pogavum vazhiyilla | There is no way to escape |
| Eppa kedaikkumo viduthala | When will I ever get freedom? |
| Male | |
| Mathiya seraiyila | In the Central Jail |
| Naan lathiyum udhaiyila | Me, amidst baton strikes and kicks |
| Mathiya seraiyila | In the Central Jail |
| Naan lathiyum udhaiyila | Me, amidst baton strikes and kicks |
| Male | |
| Jaameenu jaameenuthaan | Bail, it is just bail |
| Vaanginu ponga veliya | Get it and go outside |
| Inga michamirundha kudthuduvaanga | Here, if there are leftovers, they will give |
| Raathirikkuthaan kaliya | Ragi porridge for the night |
| Male | |
| Jaameenu jaameenuthaan | Bail, it is just bail |
| Vaanginu ponga veliya | Get it and go outside |
| Inga michamirundha kudthuduvaanga | Here, if there are leftovers, they will give |
| Raathirikkuthaan kaliya | Ragi porridge for the night |
| Male | |
| Vambuthumbu pannuravanlaam | All those who cause trouble |
| Kedakkuraan ozhungaa | Are lying low and behaving properly |
| Ippa nenju kozhuppu eduthavandhaan | Now the one who acted arrogant |
| Thudikkuraan erumbaa | Is squirming like an ant |
| Male | |
| Vambuthumbu pannuravanlaam | All those who cause trouble |
| Kedakkuraan ozhungaa | Are lying low and behaving properly |
| Ippa nenju kozhuppu eduthavandhaan | Now the one who acted arrogant |
| Thudikkuraan erumbaa | Is squirming like an ant |
| Male | |
| Mathiya seraiyila | In the Central Jail |
| Naan lathiyum udhaiyila | Me, amidst baton strikes and kicks |
| Mathiya seraiyila | In the Central Jail |
| Naan lathiyum udhaiyila | Me, amidst baton strikes and kicks |
| Male | |
| Jailukku puliyamaram | For the jail, a tamarind tree |
| Nezhalu kodukkudhaan | Gives its shade |
| Anga olinjikittu pullainga ellaam | Hiding there, all the young boys |
| Pottalam pirikkudhaan | Are opening packets of contraband |
| Male | |
| Thoongasolla kosungatholla | Mosquito menace while trying to sleep |
| Enganu ketka yaarumilla | There is no one to complain to |
| Thoongasolla kosungatholla | Mosquito menace while trying to sleep |
| Enganu ketka yaarumilla | There is no one to complain to |
| Male | |
| Vathipetti ulagam | A matchbox world |
| Naan thatturen eppo thorakkum ulla | I knock, when will it open inside? |
| Seththu seththu pozhaikkum | Dying and reviving repeatedly |
| Naan kaththukutti mirugam | I am a novice wild beast |
| Male | |
| Mathiya seraiyila | In the Central Jail |
| Naan lathiyum udhaiyila | Me, amidst baton strikes and kicks |
| Mathiya seraiyila | In the Central Jail |
| Naan lathiyum udhaiyila | Me, amidst baton strikes and kicks |
| Male | |
| Kallu odaikkiren jailula | I break stones in jail |
| Kannu muzhikkuren iravula | I lie awake in the night |
| Ponnu manasula edamilla | There is no place in a girl's heart |
| Ponnaankanni keera pudikkala | I didn't like Ponnanganni greens |
| Male | |
| Takkaru naanunga | I used to be top-notch |
| Inga numberu thaanunga | Here I am reduced to just a number |
| Takkaru naanunga | I used to be top-notch |
| Inga numberu thaanunga | Here I am reduced to just a number |
| Male | |
| Mathiya seraiyila | In the Central Jail |
| Naan lathiyum udhaiyila | Me, amidst baton strikes and kicks |
| Mathiya seraiyila | In the Central Jail |
| Naan lathiyum udhaiyila | Me, amidst baton strikes and kicks |
கல்லு ஓடைக்கிறேன்
ஜெயிலுல
கண்ணு முழிக்குறேன் இரவுல
தப்பிச்சு போகவும் வழியில்ல
எப்ப கிடைக்குமோ விடுதலை
I break stones in jail
I lie awake in the night
There is no way to escape
When will I ever get freedom?
கல்லு ஓடைக்கிறேன்
ஜெயிலுல
கண்ணு முழிக்குறேன் இரவுல
தப்பிச்சு போகவும் வழியில்ல
எப்ப கிடைக்குமோ விடுதலை
I break stones in jail
I lie awake in the night
There is no way to escape
When will I ever get freedom?
மத்திய செறையில
நான் லத்தியும் உதையில
மத்திய செறையில
நான் லத்தியும் உதையில
In the Central Jail
Me, amidst baton strikes and kicks
In the Central Jail
Me, amidst baton strikes and kicks
ஜாமீனு ஜாமீனுதான்
வாங்கினு போங்க வெளிய
இங்க மிச்சமிருந்த குடுத்துடுவாங்க
ராத்திரிக்குதான் களிய
Bail, it is just bail
Get it and go outside
Here, if there are leftovers, they will give
Ragi porridge for the night
ஜாமீனு ஜாமீனுதான்
வாங்கினு போங்க வெளிய
இங்க மிச்சமிருந்த குடுத்துடுவாங்க
ராத்திரிக்குதான் களிய
Bail, it is just bail
Get it and go outside
Here, if there are leftovers, they will give
Ragi porridge for the night
வம்புதும்பு பண்ணுறவன்லாம்
கெடக்குறான் ஒழுங்கா
இப்ப நெஞ்சு கொழுப்பு எடுத்தவன்தான்
துடிக்கிறான் எறும்பா
All those who cause trouble
Are lying low and behaving properly
Now the one who acted arrogant
Is squirming like an ant
வம்புதும்பு பண்ணுறவன்லாம்
கெடக்குறான் ஒழுங்கா
இப்ப நெஞ்சு கொழுப்பு எடுத்தவன்தான்
துடிக்கிறான் எறும்பா
All those who cause trouble
Are lying low and behaving properly
Now the one who acted arrogant
Is squirming like an ant
மத்திய செறையில
நான் லத்தியும் உதையில
மத்திய செறையில
நான் லத்தியும் உதையில
In the Central Jail
Me, amidst baton strikes and kicks
In the Central Jail
Me, amidst baton strikes and kicks
ஜெயிலுக்கு புளியமரம்
நெழலு குடுக்குதான்
அங்க ஒளிஞ்சிகிட்டு
புள்ளைங்க எல்லாம்
பொட்டலம் பிரிக்குதான்
For the jail, a tamarind tree
Gives its shade
Hiding there, all the young boys
Are opening packets of contraband
தூங்கச்சொல்ல
கொசுங்கத் தொல்லை
எங்கன்னு கேட்க யாருமில்ல
தூங்கச்சொல்ல கொசுங்கத் தொல்லை
எங்கன்னு கேட்க யாருமில்ல
Mosquito menace while trying to sleep
There is no one to complain to
Mosquito menace while trying to sleep
There is no one to complain to
வத்திப்பெட்டி உலகம்
நான் தட்டுறேன்
எப்போ தொறக்கும் உள்ள
செத்து செத்து பொழைக்கும்
நான் கத்துக்குட்டி மிருகம்
A matchbox world
I knock, when will it open inside?
Dying and reviving repeatedly
I am a novice wild beast
மத்திய செறையில
நான் லத்தியும் உதையில
மத்திய செறையில
நான் லத்தியும் உதையில
In the Central Jail
Me, amidst baton strikes and kicks
In the Central Jail
Me, amidst baton strikes and kicks
கல்லு ஓடைக்கிறேன்
ஜெயிலுல
கண்ணு முழிக்குறேன் இரவுல
பொண்ணு மனசுல இடம் இல்ல
பொன்னாங்கண்ணி கீரை புடிக்கல
I break stones in jail
I lie awake in the night
There is no place in a girl's heart
I didn't like Ponnanganni greens
டக்கர் நானுங்க
இங்க நம்பரு தானுங்க
டக்கர் நானுங்க
இங்க நம்பரு தானுங்க
I used to be top-notch
Here I am reduced to just a number
I used to be top-notch
Here I am reduced to just a number
மத்திய செறையில
நான் லத்தியும் உதையில
மத்திய செறையில
நான் லத்தியும் உதையில
In the Central Jail
Me, amidst baton strikes and kicks
In the Central Jail
Me, amidst baton strikes and kicks
Kallu odaikkiren jailula
I break stones in jail
Kannu muzhikkuren iravula
I lie awake in the night
Thappichu pogavum vazhiyilla
There is no way to escape
Eppa kedaikkumo viduthala
When will I ever get freedom?
Kallu odaikkiren jailula
I break stones in jail
Kannu muzhikkuren iravula
I lie awake in the night
Thappichu pogavum vazhiyilla
There is no way to escape
Eppa kedaikkumo viduthala
When will I ever get freedom?
Mathiya seraiyila
In the Central Jail
Naan lathiyum udhaiyila
Me, amidst baton strikes and kicks
Mathiya seraiyila
In the Central Jail
Naan lathiyum udhaiyila
Me, amidst baton strikes and kicks
Jaameenu jaameenuthaan
Bail, it is just bail
Vaanginu ponga veliya
Get it and go outside
Inga michamirundha kudthuduvaanga
Here, if there are leftovers, they will give
Raathirikkuthaan kaliya
Ragi porridge for the night
Jaameenu jaameenuthaan
Bail, it is just bail
Vaanginu ponga veliya
Get it and go outside
Inga michamirundha kudthuduvaanga
Here, if there are leftovers, they will give
Raathirikkuthaan kaliya
Ragi porridge for the night
Vambuthumbu pannuravanlaam
All those who cause trouble
Kedakkuraan ozhungaa
Are lying low and behaving properly
Ippa nenju kozhuppu eduthavandhaan
Now the one who acted arrogant
Thudikkuraan erumbaa
Is squirming like an ant
Vambuthumbu pannuravanlaam
All those who cause trouble
Kedakkuraan ozhungaa
Are lying low and behaving properly
Ippa nenju kozhuppu eduthavandhaan
Now the one who acted arrogant
Thudikkuraan erumbaa
Is squirming like an ant
Mathiya seraiyila
In the Central Jail
Naan lathiyum udhaiyila
Me, amidst baton strikes and kicks
Mathiya seraiyila
In the Central Jail
Naan lathiyum udhaiyila
Me, amidst baton strikes and kicks
Jailukku puliyamaram
For the jail, a tamarind tree
Nezhalu kodukkudhaan
Gives its shade
Anga olinjikittu pullainga ellaam
Hiding there, all the young boys
Pottalam pirikkudhaan
Are opening packets of contraband
Thoongasolla kosungatholla
Mosquito menace while trying to sleep
Enganu ketka yaarumilla
There is no one to complain to
Thoongasolla kosungatholla
Mosquito menace while trying to sleep
Enganu ketka yaarumilla
There is no one to complain to
Vathipetti ulagam
A matchbox world
Naan thatturen eppo thorakkum ulla
I knock, when will it open inside?
Seththu seththu pozhaikkum
Dying and reviving repeatedly
Naan kaththukutti mirugam
I am a novice wild beast
Mathiya seraiyila
In the Central Jail
Naan lathiyum udhaiyila
Me, amidst baton strikes and kicks
Mathiya seraiyila
In the Central Jail
Naan lathiyum udhaiyila
Me, amidst baton strikes and kicks
Kallu odaikkiren jailula
I break stones in jail
Kannu muzhikkuren iravula
I lie awake in the night
Ponnu manasula edamilla
There is no place in a girl's heart
Ponnaankanni keera pudikkala
I didn't like Ponnanganni greens
Takkaru naanunga
I used to be top-notch
Inga numberu thaanunga
Here I am reduced to just a number
Takkaru naanunga
I used to be top-notch
Inga numberu thaanunga
Here I am reduced to just a number
Mathiya seraiyila
In the Central Jail
Naan lathiyum udhaiyila
Me, amidst baton strikes and kicks
Mathiya seraiyila
In the Central Jail
Naan lathiyum udhaiyila
Me, amidst baton strikes and kicks
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song presents a raw and gritty depiction of prison life inside Chennai Central Jail through the eyes of an inmate. Using authentic North Chennai dialect (Gaana style), the narrator describes the grueling manual labor of breaking stones, police brutality, poor food, mosquito infestations, and claustrophobic cells metaphorically referred to as a 'matchbox world'. Beneath the energetic rhythm lies a poignant commentary on how incarceration strips away human identity, reducing individuals to mere numbers and forced survival.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor
“Vathipetti ulagam”
Compares the cramped, dark jail cell to a matchbox ('Vathipetti ulagam'), emphasizing claustrophobia and confinement.
Simile
“Thudikkuraan erumbaa”
Compares an arrogant man brought low by prison punishment to a writhing ant ('Thudikkuraan erumbaa').
Eybukai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Kallu odaikkiren jailula / Kannu muzhikkuren iravula”
Rhyming scheme common in Tamil poetry using second letter agreements like 'Kallu' and 'Kannu'.
Iyaibu (End Rhyme)
“Mathiya seraiyila / Naan lathiyum udhaiyila”
The line endings rhyme with '-ila' ('Mathiya seraiyila' / 'lathiyum udhaiyila').
Did you know?
Trivia
Featured in Vada Chennai (2018), this song was written by lyricist Arivu (later famous for 'Enjoy Enjaami') and composed by Santhosh Narayanan. It captures the authentic prison culture and folk Gaana aesthetics of North Chennai.
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