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Thanikattu Raja album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Naan Thaan Da Ippo Devadas

From Thanikattu Raja · 1982

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Thanikattu Raja
Movie release year
1982
Lyrics added on
17 May 2018

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Naan puratchi thalaivarum illae
Naan doctor kalaingjarum illae
Verum manushan ungha paarvaiyil
Naan oruthan indha paettaiyil
Ungha thozhan enakkendaa poo maala
Naan dhaan da ippo devadhas
Iththodu serththu naalu glass
Naan dhaan da ippo devadhas
Iththodu serththu naalu glass
Ada pala per undu paarvathi
Ava pirinjaa adhu yaar vidhi
Ada kazhudha …aaa…
Adhu kadakkattum podaa
Naan dhaan da ippo devadhas
Iththodu serththu naalu glass
Adidaa milli en per solli
Adhu dhaan romba jolly
Thorandhaan kadaiya eduthaan thadaiya
Inimel enna veli
Hey adidaa milli en per solli
Adhu dhaan romba jolly
Thorandhaan kadaiya eduthaan thadaiya
Inimel enna veli
Venaannu sonnaaru gandhi
Seri dhaan appo seri dhaan
Veredhu ezhaikku saanthi
Idhu dhaan ippo idhu dhaan
Idhu pottaalae adhu sandhosham
Idhu venaanaa adhu un dhosham
Naan dhaan da ippo devadhas
Iththodu serththu naalu glass
Ada pala per undu paarvathi
Ava pirinjaa adhu yaar vidhi
Ada kazhudha …aaa…
Adhu kadakkattum podaa…dei
Kudichaa kooda kushiyaa aada
Padippaen naanum paattu
Idaiyil konjam irumbhal undu
Adhuvum thaalam pottu
Koovaama ponaalum kozhi
Vidiyum pozhudhu vidiyum
Veesaadhu ponaalum kaaththu
Malarum poovum malarum
Ada theeraadhu
Idhuthean thaan daa
Indha thanneeril
Naanum meen thaan da
Iththodu Indha Bottle Close
Iththodu serththu naalu glass
Naan dhaan da ippo devadhas
Ada pala per undu paarvathi
Ava pirinjaa adhu yaar vidhi
Ada kazhudha …aaa…
Adhu kadakkattum podaa
Naan dhaan da ippo devadhas
Iththodu intha bottle close
I am not the Revolutionary Leader,
Nor am I Doctor Kalaignar,
Just an ordinary man in your eyes,
I am just a guy from this neighborhood.
I am your friend, why do I need a garland?
I am Devadas right now, my friend!
Four glasses down, including this one!
I am Devadas right now, my friend!
Four glasses down, including this one!
Hey, there are so many named Parvathi,
If she left, whose fate is that anyway?
Ah, what nonsense... ah...
Leave all that aside, man!
I am Devadas right now, my friend!
Four glasses down, including this one!
Down a shot in my name,
That is when the real fun begins!
They opened the shops and lifted the ban,
What is stopping us anymore?
Hey, down a shot in my name,
That is when the real fun begins!
They opened the shops and lifted the ban,
What is stopping us anymore?
Gandhi told us not to drink,
That was fine back then, sure.
What else brings peace to a poor man?
This is it, right now this is it!
Drink this and you will find joy,
Say no to it, and that is your own loss!
I am Devadas right now, my friend!
Four glasses down, including this one!
Hey, there are so many named Parvathi,
If she left, whose fate is that anyway?
Ah, what nonsense... ah...
Leave all that aside, go on, hey!
Even when drunk, to dance with joy,
I will sing a song of my own!
There might be a little cough in between,
Even that keeps the beat!
Even if the rooster does not crow,
The day will still dawn.
Even if the breeze does not blow,
The flower will still bloom.
Ah, it never runs out,
This is pure honey, my friend!
And in this water,
I am a fish, my friend!
And with this, the bottle is done!
Four glasses down, including this one!
I am Devadas right now, my friend!
Hey, there are so many named Parvathi,
If she left, whose fate is that anyway?
Ah, what nonsense... ah...
Leave all that aside, man!
I am Devadas right now, my friend!
And with this, the bottle is done!
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

The song 'Naan Puratchi Thalaivarum Illae' from Thanikattu Raja (1982) is a lighthearted, self-deprecating drunkard's song performed by Rajinikanth's character. He humbly disclaims being a grand political icon like M.G. Ramachandran (Puratchi Thalaivar) or M. Karunanidhi (Doctor Kalaignar), identifying instead as a simple, ordinary local guy who is playing the role of a modern-day Devadas over a few drinks. Through witty lyrics by Vaali, the song brushes off romantic heartbreak, playfully references Gandhi's prohibition stances vs. a working man's comfort, and asserts that life keeps moving forward regardless of small setbacks. It combines humor, local slang, and street philosophy into a memorable track.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Allusion

“Naan puratchi thalaivarum illae / Naan doctor kalaingjarum illae”

References real-life iconic political figures of Tamil Nadu, M.G. Ramachandran ('Puratchi Thalaivar') and M. Karunanidhi ('Doctor Kalaignar').

Metaphor / Archetype

“Naan dhaan da ippo devadhas”

Compares himself to Devadas, the tragic romantic hero known for turning to alcohol after heartbreak.

Metaphor

“Indha thanneeril / Naan meen thaan da”

Compares himself to a fish swimming happily in alcohol/water.

Ethukai (Assonance / Second-letter Rhyming)

“Kudichaa kooda kushiyaa aada / Padippaen naanum paattu”

Tamil poetic device where the second consonant of consecutive lines matches (e.g., Kudichaa / Padippaen / Idaiyil).

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