Naadu Kettu Ponathale
From Suthanthira Nattin Adimaigal · 1988
- Lyricist
- Gangai Amaran
- Singer
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Suthanthira Nattin Adimaigal1988
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Naadu kettu ponathaalae…ae…ae…ae… | Because the country has gone corrupt... |
| Naadu kettu ponathaalae… | Because the country has gone corrupt... |
| Naan kudikkiraen | I am drinking. |
| Intha kedu ketta manushangala | These ruined, evil people, |
| Thiruththa pogiraen…. | I am going to reform them.... |
| Male | |
| Naadu kettu ponathaalae… | Because the country has gone corrupt... |
| Naan kudikkiraen | I am drinking. |
| Intha kedu ketta manushangala | These ruined, evil people, |
| Thiruththa pogiraen…. | I am going to reform them.... |
| Male | |
| Buththi solli paarththaen | I tried giving advice and sense, |
| Ada entha paya kettaan | Hey, which guy ever listened? |
| Kaththi kaththi thonda thanni | Shouting and shouting, my throat's water |
| Vaththi pochchu podaa dei | Dried up completely, go away man! |
| Male | |
| Buththi solli paarththaen | I tried giving advice and sense, |
| Ada entha paya kettaan | Hey, which guy ever listened? |
| Kaththi kaththi thonda thanni | Shouting and shouting, my throat's water |
| Vaththi pochchu podaa dei | Dried up completely, go away man! |
| Male | |
| Buththi solli paarththaen | I tried giving advice and sense, |
| Ada entha paya kettaan | Hey, which guy ever listened? |
| Kaththi kaththi thonda thanni | Shouting and shouting, my throat's water |
| Vaththi pochchu podaa dei….. | Dried up completely, go away man!..... |
| Male | |
| Naadu kettu ponathaalae… | Because the country has gone corrupt... |
| Naan kudikkiraen | I am drinking. |
| Intha kedu ketta manushangala | These ruined, evil people, |
| Thiruththa pogiraen…. | I am going to reform them.... |
| Male | |
| Thanthaniyaa oru kanni ponnu | A young girl all alone |
| Theruvila nadakka mudiyala | Cannot even walk down the street. |
| Thanthaniyaa oru kanni ponnu | A young girl all alone |
| Theruvila nadakka mudiyala….aah… | Cannot even walk down the street....aah… |
| Thaayum magalum inga veettukulla | A mother and daughter here inside their home |
| Bayamindri irukka vazhiyillae….aaah… | Have no way to live without fear....aaah… |
| Oru thaayum magalum inga veettukulla | A mother and daughter here inside their home |
| Bayamindri irukka vazhiyillae…. | Have no way to live without fear.... |
| Male | |
| Idhu sudhanthira naadaa | Is this an independent country? |
| Onnum puriyala podaa | I do not understand anything, go away man! |
| Nenaikka nenaikka | The more I think about it, |
| Namma manasu thaangala | Our heart cannot endure it. |
| Kodhippa adakka konjam | To quench this boiling rage, a little bit of |
| Theerththam ooththuraen | Holy water (alcohol) I am pouring! |
| Male | |
| Naadu kettu ponathaalae… | Because the country has gone corrupt... |
| Naan kudikkiraen | I am drinking. |
| Intha kedu ketta manushangala | These ruined, evil people, |
| Thiruththa pogiraen…. | I am going to reform them.... |
| Male | |
| Haah maangaa madaiyan | Haah, a total fool, |
| Ivan puththi kettu manushana | losing his mind, elevated a mere human |
| Kadavul aakkinaen…aa… | to the status of God...aa… |
| Maangaa madaiyan | A total fool, |
| Ivan puththi kettu manushana | losing his mind, elevated a mere human |
| Kadavul aakkinaen…aaah… | to the status of God...aaah… |
| Male | |
| Pakkaath thirudan hoi | A downright thief, hey, |
| Arulvaakku endru poiyaa solli | falsely speaking divine prophecies, |
| Oorai yaeikkiraan….aah…. | cheats the entire town....aah…. |
| Pakkaath thirudan hoi | A downright thief, hey, |
| Arulvaakku endru poiyaa solli | falsely speaking divine prophecies, |
| Oorai yaeikkiraan…. | cheats the entire town.... |
| Male | |
| Ada pagalilae nyaani | Hey, a sage during the day, |
| Aan iravilae thaenee | yet a honeybee seeking pleasure at night! |
| Padichchu padichhu solli evanum thirunthala | No matter how repeatedly taught, nobody reforms. |
| Kudiya maranthu vittu urakkam pidikkala | Without drinking alcohol, sleep does not come. |
| Male | |
| Naadu kettu ponathaalae… | Because the country has gone corrupt... |
| Naan kudikkiraen | I am drinking. |
| Intha kedu ketta manushangala | These ruined, evil people, |
| Thiruththa pogiraen…. | I am going to reform them.... |
| Male | |
| Buththi solli paarththaen | I tried giving advice and sense, |
| Ada entha paya kettaan | Hey, which guy ever listened? |
| Kaththi kaththi thonda thanni | Shouting and shouting, my throat's water |
| Vaththi pochchu podaa dei | Dried up completely, go away man! |
| Kaththi kaththi thonda thanni | Shouting and shouting, my throat's water |
| Vaththi pochchu podaa dei | Dried up completely, go away man! |
| Hoi hoi ho….. | Hoi hoi ho….. |
நாடு கெட்டுப் போனதாலே......ஏ.....ஏ....ஏ......
நாடு கெட்டுப் போனதாலே
நான் குடிக்கிறேன்
இந்த கேடு கெட்ட மனுஷங்கள
திருத்தப் போகிறேன்.....
Because the country has gone corrupt...
Because the country has gone corrupt...
I am drinking.
These ruined, evil people,
I am going to reform them....
நாடு கெட்டுப் போனதாலே
நான் குடிக்கிறேன்
இந்த கேடு கெட்ட மனுஷங்கள
திருத்தப் போகிறேன்....
Because the country has gone corrupt...
I am drinking.
These ruined, evil people,
I am going to reform them....
புத்தி சொல்லிப் பார்த்தேன்
அட எந்த பயக் கேட்டான்
கத்தி கத்தி தொண்ட தண்ணி
வத்திப் போச்சு போடா டேய்...
I tried giving advice and sense,
Hey, which guy ever listened?
Shouting and shouting, my throat's water
Dried up completely, go away man!
புத்தி சொல்லிப் பார்த்தேன்
அட எந்த பயக் கேட்டான்
கத்தி கத்தி தொண்ட தண்ணி
வத்திப் போச்சு போடா டேய்...ஹஹாஹ்..
I tried giving advice and sense,
Hey, which guy ever listened?
Shouting and shouting, my throat's water
Dried up completely, go away man!
நாடு கெட்டுப் போனதாலே
நான் குடிக்கிறேன்
இந்த கேடு கெட்ட மனுஷங்கள
திருத்தப் போகிறேன்....
I tried giving advice and sense,
Hey, which guy ever listened?
Shouting and shouting, my throat's water
Dried up completely, go away man!.....
தன்னந்தனியா ஒரு கன்னி பொண்ணு
தெருவுல நடக்க முடியல....
தன்னந்தனியா ஒரு கன்னி பொண்ணு
தெருவுல நடக்க முடியல....ஆஆஹ்...
தாயும் மகளும் இங்க வீட்டுக்குள்ள
பயமின்றி இருக்க வழியில்லே........ஆஆஹ்...
ஒரு தாயும் மகளும் இங்க வீட்டுக்குள்ள
பயமின்றி இருக்க வழியில்லே...
Because the country has gone corrupt...
I am drinking.
These ruined, evil people,
I am going to reform them....
இது சுதந்திர நாடா
ஒண்ணும் புரியல போடா
நெனைக்க நெனைக்க
நம்ம மனசு தாங்கல
கொதிப்ப அடக்க கொஞ்சம்
தீர்த்தம் ஊத்துறேன்
A young girl all alone
Cannot even walk down the street.
A young girl all alone
Cannot even walk down the street....aah…
A mother and daughter here inside their home
Have no way to live without fear....aaah…
A mother and daughter here inside their home
Have no way to live without fear....
நாடு கெட்டுப் போனதாலே
நான் குடிக்கிறேன்
இந்த கேடு கெட்ட மனுஷங்கள
திருத்தப் போகிறேன்....
Is this an independent country?
I do not understand anything, go away man!
The more I think about it,
Our heart cannot endure it.
To quench this boiling rage, a little bit of
Holy water (alcohol) I am pouring!
ஹாஹ் மாங்கா மடையன்
இவன் புத்தி கெட்டு மனுஷன
கடவுள் ஆக்கினான்......ஆ.....
மாங்கா மடையன்
இவன் புத்தி கெட்டு மனுஷன
கடவுள் ஆக்கினான்.....ஆஆஹ்...
Because the country has gone corrupt...
I am drinking.
These ruined, evil people,
I am going to reform them....
பக்காத் திருடன் ஹோய்
அருள்வாக்கு என்று பொய்யச் சொல்லி
ஊரை ஏய்க்கிறான்......ஆஆஹ்...
பக்காத் திருடன்
அருள்வாக்கு என்று பொய்யச் சொல்லி
ஊரை ஏய்க்கிறான்
Haah, a total fool,
losing his mind, elevated a mere human
to the status of God...aa…
A total fool,
losing his mind, elevated a mere human
to the status of God...aaah…
அட பகலிலே ஞானி
அவன் இரவிலே தேனீ
படிச்சு படிச்சு சொல்லி எவனும் திருந்தல
குடிய மறந்து விட்டு உறக்கம் பிடிக்கல
A downright thief, hey,
falsely speaking divine prophecies,
cheats the entire town....aah….
A downright thief, hey,
falsely speaking divine prophecies,
cheats the entire town....
நாடு கெட்டுப் போனதாலே
நான் குடிக்கிறேன்
இந்த கேடு கெட்ட மனுஷங்கள
திருத்தப் போகிறேன்....
Hey, a sage during the day,
yet a honeybee seeking pleasure at night!
No matter how repeatedly taught, nobody reforms.
Without drinking alcohol, sleep does not come.
புத்தி சொல்லிப் பார்த்தேன்
அட எந்த பயக் கேட்டான்
கத்தி கத்தி தொண்ட தண்ணி
வத்திப் போச்சு போடா டேய்...
கத்தி கத்தி தொண்ட தண்ணி
வத்திப் போச்சு போடா டேய்...
ஹோய் ஹோய் ஹோ.......
Because the country has gone corrupt...
I am drinking.
These ruined, evil people,
I am going to reform them....
I tried giving advice and sense,
Hey, which guy ever listened?
Shouting and shouting, my throat's water
Dried up completely, go away man!
Shouting and shouting, my throat's water
Dried up completely, go away man!
Hoi hoi ho…..
Naadu kettu ponathaalae…ae…ae…ae…
Because the country has gone corrupt...
Naadu kettu ponathaalae…
Because the country has gone corrupt...
Naan kudikkiraen
I am drinking.
Intha kedu ketta manushangala
These ruined, evil people,
Thiruththa pogiraen….
I am going to reform them....
Naadu kettu ponathaalae…
Because the country has gone corrupt...
Naan kudikkiraen
I am drinking.
Intha kedu ketta manushangala
These ruined, evil people,
Thiruththa pogiraen….
I am going to reform them....
Buththi solli paarththaen
I tried giving advice and sense,
Ada entha paya kettaan
Hey, which guy ever listened?
Kaththi kaththi thonda thanni
Shouting and shouting, my throat's water
Vaththi pochchu podaa dei
Dried up completely, go away man!
Buththi solli paarththaen
I tried giving advice and sense,
Ada entha paya kettaan
Hey, which guy ever listened?
Kaththi kaththi thonda thanni
Shouting and shouting, my throat's water
Vaththi pochchu podaa dei
Dried up completely, go away man!
Buththi solli paarththaen
I tried giving advice and sense,
Ada entha paya kettaan
Hey, which guy ever listened?
Kaththi kaththi thonda thanni
Shouting and shouting, my throat's water
Vaththi pochchu podaa dei…..
Dried up completely, go away man!.....
Naadu kettu ponathaalae…
Because the country has gone corrupt...
Naan kudikkiraen
I am drinking.
Intha kedu ketta manushangala
These ruined, evil people,
Thiruththa pogiraen….
I am going to reform them....
Thanthaniyaa oru kanni ponnu
A young girl all alone
Theruvila nadakka mudiyala
Cannot even walk down the street.
Thanthaniyaa oru kanni ponnu
A young girl all alone
Theruvila nadakka mudiyala….aah…
Cannot even walk down the street....aah…
Thaayum magalum inga veettukulla
A mother and daughter here inside their home
Bayamindri irukka vazhiyillae….aaah…
Have no way to live without fear....aaah…
Oru thaayum magalum inga veettukulla
A mother and daughter here inside their home
Bayamindri irukka vazhiyillae….
Have no way to live without fear....
Idhu sudhanthira naadaa
Is this an independent country?
Onnum puriyala podaa
I do not understand anything, go away man!
Nenaikka nenaikka
The more I think about it,
Namma manasu thaangala
Our heart cannot endure it.
Kodhippa adakka konjam
To quench this boiling rage, a little bit of
Theerththam ooththuraen
Holy water (alcohol) I am pouring!
Naadu kettu ponathaalae…
Because the country has gone corrupt...
Naan kudikkiraen
I am drinking.
Intha kedu ketta manushangala
These ruined, evil people,
Thiruththa pogiraen….
I am going to reform them....
Haah maangaa madaiyan
Haah, a total fool,
Ivan puththi kettu manushana
losing his mind, elevated a mere human
Kadavul aakkinaen…aa…
to the status of God...aa…
Maangaa madaiyan
A total fool,
Ivan puththi kettu manushana
losing his mind, elevated a mere human
Kadavul aakkinaen…aaah…
to the status of God...aaah…
Pakkaath thirudan hoi
A downright thief, hey,
Arulvaakku endru poiyaa solli
falsely speaking divine prophecies,
Oorai yaeikkiraan….aah….
cheats the entire town....aah….
Pakkaath thirudan hoi
A downright thief, hey,
Arulvaakku endru poiyaa solli
falsely speaking divine prophecies,
Oorai yaeikkiraan….
cheats the entire town....
Ada pagalilae nyaani
Hey, a sage during the day,
Aan iravilae thaenee
yet a honeybee seeking pleasure at night!
Padichchu padichhu solli evanum thirunthala
No matter how repeatedly taught, nobody reforms.
Kudiya maranthu vittu urakkam pidikkala
Without drinking alcohol, sleep does not come.
Naadu kettu ponathaalae…
Because the country has gone corrupt...
Naan kudikkiraen
I am drinking.
Intha kedu ketta manushangala
These ruined, evil people,
Thiruththa pogiraen….
I am going to reform them....
Buththi solli paarththaen
I tried giving advice and sense,
Ada entha paya kettaan
Hey, which guy ever listened?
Kaththi kaththi thonda thanni
Shouting and shouting, my throat's water
Vaththi pochchu podaa dei
Dried up completely, go away man!
Kaththi kaththi thonda thanni
Shouting and shouting, my throat's water
Vaththi pochchu podaa dei
Dried up completely, go away man!
Hoi hoi ho…..
Hoi hoi ho…..
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Suthanthira Nattin Adimaigal' is a biting social satire delivered through the persona of a frustrated protagonist who turns to alcohol as a coping mechanism. He laments the moral decay of society, highlighting how women and girls cannot walk safely outside or even stay inside their homes without fear. Questioning the true meaning of independence in a corrupt nation, he uses cynical humor to vent his anger at fake godmen, hypocrites who behave like saints by day and gluttonous tricksters by night, and citizens who refuse to learn from good advice.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Irony / Sarcasm (Ninthai)
“Kodhippa adakka konjam Theerththam ooththuraen”
Referring to alcohol as 'Theerththam' (holy temple water) to ironically justify drinking to cool down moral rage.
Repetition (Adukkuthodar)
“Kaththi kaththi thonda thanni”
Repeated words like 'Kaththi kaththi' (shouting and shouting) and 'Nenaikka nenaikka' (thinking and thinking) emphasize emotional distress and continuous action.
Metaphor (Uruvagak Kurippu)
“Ada pagalilae nyaani Aan iravilae thaenee”
Comparing hypocritical men to 'nyaani' (sage) during the day and 'thaenee' (bee) at night to illustrate their double lives.
Did you know?
Trivia
Written by Gangai Amaran, 'Suthanthira Nattin Adimaigal' (1988) features heavy political commentary and philosophical cynicism typical of late 1980s Tamil cinema commentary songs, echoing themes of social reform popularized by classical Tamil poet Bharathiyar.
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