Nalla Kalam Poranthida
From Katta Panchayathu · 1996
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Nalla kaalam poranthida | For good times to be born |
| Namma kannu thoranthida | For our eyes to be opened |
| Kettu pona dhesam | For this ruined country |
| Nalla sattappadi uruppada | To prosper under proper rule of law |
| Thalaivan oruththan varanum | A leader must come |
| Thatti ketkka thalaivan oruththan varanum | A leader must come to question and demand justice |
| Chorus | |
| Thalaivan oruththan varanum | A leader must come |
| Thatti ketkka thalaivan oruththan varanum | A leader must come to question and demand justice |
| Male | |
| Aalukkaalu adithadi nadakkuthu Adikkadi | Everyone fights among themselves frequently |
| Saathigalin kedupidi yaezhaikalukenna vali | What pain the poor suffer under the tight grip of casteism |
| Thalaivan oruththan varanum | A leader must come |
| Thatti ketkka thalaivan oruththan varanum | A leader must come to question and demand justice |
| Male | |
| Nalla kaalam poranthida | For good times to be born |
| Namma kannu thoranthida | For our eyes to be opened |
| Kettu pona dhesam | For this ruined country |
| Nalla sattappadi uruppada | To prosper under proper rule of law |
| Thalaivan oruththan varanum | A leader must come |
| Thatti ketkka thalaivan oruththan varanum | A leader must come to question and demand justice |
| Chorus | |
| Thalaivan oruththan varanum | A leader must come |
| Thatti ketkka thalaivan oruththan varanum | A leader must come to question and demand justice |
| Male | |
| Veliyai thaandi meya pona aadugal | Sheep that cross the fence to graze |
| Pattiyila adaippaanga | Will be locked inside the pen |
| Chorus :Kondi thozhuvaththula adaippaanga | Chorus: They will lock them inside the pound |
| Male | |
| Aththu meeri naattaiyum meyum | Trespassing and grazing upon the whole nation |
| Eththanaiyo maadirukku | There are so many cattle like that |
| Thinnu thinni kozhuththa maatta | Fattened cattle that eat endlessly |
| Kandukkaama naadirukku | The country remains ignoring them |
| Aatta maatta adakki vekka | To control the sheep and cattle |
| Kiraamatthula aal irukkaan | There are people in the village |
| Naatta meyum maatta adakka | But to control the cattle grazing the nation |
| Naattukulla yaar irukkaan | Who is there inside the country? |
| Chorus | |
| Thalaivan oruththan varanum | A leader must come |
| Thatti ketkka thalaivan oruththan varanum | A leader must come to question and demand justice |
| Thalaivan oruththan varanum | A leader must come |
| Thatti ketkka thalaivan oruththan varanum | A leader must come to question and demand justice |
| Male | |
| Eththanaiyo katchi ingirukku ingirukku | There are so many political parties here, right here |
| Engalukku nambikkai illa | We have no trust in them |
| Chorus :Konjam kooda engalukku nambikkai illa | Chorus: We don't have even a little bit of trust in them |
| Male | |
| Moththamaa oozhalil pangirukku pangirukku | Altogether, everyone shares a piece in corruption |
| Suththaminu yaarum illa | No one is clean |
| Chorus :Suththam panna uththamanum yaarumae illa | Chorus: There is no righteous person to clean things up |
| Male | |
| Naalum oru pirachchanaiyil | Every day with a new problem |
| Namma naadum thaththalikkuthae | Our country is struggling helplessly |
| Yaedhum solla vakkillaama | Having no voice or power to say anything |
| Yaezhai manam konthalikkuthu | The heart of the poor boils in rage |
| Pallu pola gandhi thaththaa pola | Like Patel, like Gandhi Grandpa |
| Ingu yaar irukkaan | Who is here today? |
| Sollaaponaa poonai kazhuththil | Frankly speaking, to tie the bell |
| Mani katta yaar irukkaan | Around the neck of the cat, who is there? |
| Chorus | |
| Thalaivan oruththan varanum | A leader must come |
| Thatti ketkka thalaivan oruththan varanum | A leader must come to question and demand justice |
| Thalaivan oruththan varanum | A leader must come |
| Thatti ketkka thalaivan oruththan varanum | A leader must come to question and demand justice |
| Male | |
| Nalla kaalam poranthida | For good times to be born |
| Namma kannu thoranthida | For our eyes to be opened |
| Kettu pona dhesam | For this ruined country |
| Nalla sattappadi uruppada | To prosper under proper rule of law |
| Thalaivan oruththan varanum | A leader must come |
| Thatti ketkka thalaivan oruththan varanum | A leader must come to question and demand justice |
| Chorus | |
| Thalaivan oruththan varanum | A leader must come |
| Thatti ketkka thalaivan oruththan varanum | A leader must come to question and demand justice |
| Male | |
| Aalukkaalu adithadi nadakkuthu Adikkadi | Everyone fights among themselves frequently |
| Saathigalin kedupidi yaezhaikalukenna vali | What pain the poor suffer under the tight grip of casteism |
| Thalaivan oruththan varanum | A leader must come |
| Thatti ketkka thalaivan oruththan varanum | A leader must come to question and demand justice |
| Male | |
| Nalla kaalam poranthida | For good times to be born |
| Namma kannu thoranthida | For our eyes to be opened |
| Kettu pona dhesam | For this ruined country |
| Nalla sattappadi uruppada | To prosper under proper rule of law |
| Thalaivan oruththan varanum | A leader must come |
| Thatti ketkka thalaivan oruththan varanum | A leader must come to question and demand justice |
| Chorus | |
| Thalaivan oruththan varanum | A leader must come |
| Thatti ketkka thalaivan oruththan varanum | A leader must come to question and demand justice |
நல்ல காலம் பொறந்திட
நம்ம கண்ணு தொறந்திட
கெட்டுப் போன தேசம்
நல்ல சட்டப்படி உருப்பட
தலைவன் ஒருத்தன் வரணும்
தட்டிக் கேட்க தலைவன் ஒருத்தன் வரணும்
For good times to be born
For our eyes to be opened
For this ruined country
To prosper under proper rule of law
A leader must come
A leader must come to question and demand justice
தலைவன் ஒருத்தன் வரணும்
தட்டிக் கேட்க தலைவன் ஒருத்தன் வரணும்
A leader must come
A leader must come to question and demand justice
ஆளுக்காளு அடிதடி நடக்குது அடிக்கடி
சாதிகளின் கெடுபிடி ஏழைகளுக்கென்ன வழி
தலைவன் ஒருத்தன் வரணும்
தட்டிக் கேட்க தலைவன் ஒருத்தன் வரணும்
Everyone fights among themselves frequently
What pain the poor suffer under the tight grip of casteism
A leader must come
A leader must come to question and demand justice
நல்ல காலம் பொறந்திட
நம்ம கண்ணு தொறந்திட
கெட்டுப் போன தேசம்
நல்ல சட்டப்படி உருப்பட
தலைவன் ஒருத்தன் வரணும்
தட்டிக் கேட்க தலைவன் ஒருத்தன் வரணும்....
For good times to be born
For our eyes to be opened
For this ruined country
To prosper under proper rule of law
A leader must come
A leader must come to question and demand justice
தலைவன் ஒருத்தன் வரணும்
தட்டிக் கேட்க தலைவன ஒருத்தன் வரணும்
A leader must come
A leader must come to question and demand justice
வேலியைத் தாண்டி மேயப் போன ஆடுகள
பட்டியில அடைப்பாங்க
குழு :
கிராமத்துல பட்டியில அடைப்பாங்க
Sheep that cross the fence to graze
Will be locked inside the pen
Chorus: They will lock them inside the pound
வெளஞ்ச நெலத்துல வாய வைக்கும் மாடுகள
தொழுவத்துல அடைப்பாங்க
குழு :
கொண்டித் தொழுவத்துல அடைப்பாங்க
Trespassing and grazing upon the whole nation
There are so many cattle like that
Fattened cattle that eat endlessly
The country remains ignoring them
To control the sheep and cattle
There are people in the village
But to control the cattle grazing the nation
Who is there inside the country?
அத்து மீறி நாட்டை மேயும்
எத்தனையோ மாடிருக்கு
தின்னு தின்னு கொழுத்த மாட்ட
கண்டுக்காம நாடிருக்கு
ஆட்ட மாட்ட அடக்கி வெக்க
கிராமத்துல ஆள் இருக்கான்
நாட்ட மேயும் மாட்ட அடக்க
நாட்டுக்குள்ள யார் இருக்கான்
A leader must come
A leader must come to question and demand justice
A leader must come
A leader must come to question and demand justice
தலைவன் ஒருத்தன் வரணும்
தட்டிக் கேட்க தலைவன் ஒருத்தன் வரணும்
தலைவன் ஒருத்தன் வரணும்
தட்டிக் கேட்க தலைவன் ஒருத்தன் வரணும்
There are so many political parties here, right here
We have no trust in them
Chorus: We don't have even a little bit of trust in them
எத்தனையோ கட்சி இங்கிருக்கு இங்கிருக்கு
எங்களுக்கு நம்பிக்கை இல்ல
குழு :
கொஞ்சம் கூட எங்களுக்கு நம்பிக்கை இல்ல
Altogether, everyone shares a piece in corruption
No one is clean
Chorus: There is no righteous person to clean things up
மொத்தமா ஊழலில் பங்கிருக்கு பங்கிருக்கு
சுத்தமின்னு யாருமே இல்ல
குழு :
சுத்தம் பண்ண உத்தமனும் யாருமே இல்ல
Every day with a new problem
Our country is struggling helplessly
Having no voice or power to say anything
The heart of the poor boils in rage
Like Patel, like Gandhi Grandpa
Who is here today?
Frankly speaking, to tie the bell
Around the neck of the cat, who is there?
நாளும் ஒரு பிரச்சனையில்
நம்ம நாடும் தத்தளிக்குதே
ஏதும் சொல்ல வக்கில்லாம
ஏழை மனம் கொந்தளிக்குது
பல்லு போல காந்தி தாத்தா போல
இங்கு யார் இருக்கான்
சொல்லப் போனா பூனை கழுத்தில்
மணி கட்ட யார் இருக்கான்
A leader must come
A leader must come to question and demand justice
A leader must come
A leader must come to question and demand justice
தலைவன் ஒருத்தன் வரணும்
தட்டிக் கேட்க தலைவன் ஒருத்தன் வரணும்
தலைவன் ஒருத்தன் வரணும்
தட்டிக் கேட்க தலைவன் ஒருத்தன் வரணும்
For good times to be born
For our eyes to be opened
For this ruined country
To prosper under proper rule of law
A leader must come
A leader must come to question and demand justice
நல்ல காலம் பொறந்திட
நம்ம கண்ணு தொறந்திட
கெட்டுப் போன தேசம்
நல்ல சட்டப்படி உருப்பட
தலைவன் ஒருத்தன் வரணும்
தட்டிக் கேட்க தலைவன் ஒருத்தன் வரணும்
A leader must come
A leader must come to question and demand justice
தலைவன் ஒருத்தன் வரணும்
தட்டிக் கேட்க தலைவன் ஒருத்தன் வரணும்
Everyone fights among themselves frequently
What pain the poor suffer under the tight grip of casteism
A leader must come
A leader must come to question and demand justice
ஆளுக்காளு அடிதடி நடக்குது அடிக்கடி
சாதிகளின் கெடுபிடி ஏழைகளுக்கென்ன வழி
தலைவன் ஒருத்தன் வரணும்
தட்டிக் கேட்க தலைவன் ஒருத்தன் வரணும்
For good times to be born
For our eyes to be opened
For this ruined country
To prosper under proper rule of law
A leader must come
A leader must come to question and demand justice
நல்ல காலம் பொறந்திட
நம்ம கண்ணு தொறந்திட
கெட்டுப் போன தேசம்
நல்ல சட்டப்படி உருப்பட
தலைவன் ஒருத்தன் வரணும்
தட்டிக் கேட்க தலைவன் ஒருத்தன் வரணும்
A leader must come
A leader must come to question and demand justice
தலைவன் ஒருத்தன் வரணும்
தட்டிக் கேட்க தலைவன் ஒருத்தன் வரணும்
Nalla kaalam poranthida
For good times to be born
Namma kannu thoranthida
For our eyes to be opened
Kettu pona dhesam
For this ruined country
Nalla sattappadi uruppada
To prosper under proper rule of law
Thalaivan oruththan varanum
A leader must come
Thatti ketkka thalaivan oruththan varanum
A leader must come to question and demand justice
Thalaivan oruththan varanum
A leader must come
Thatti ketkka thalaivan oruththan varanum
A leader must come to question and demand justice
Aalukkaalu adithadi nadakkuthu Adikkadi
Everyone fights among themselves frequently
Saathigalin kedupidi yaezhaikalukenna vali
What pain the poor suffer under the tight grip of casteism
Thalaivan oruththan varanum
A leader must come
Thatti ketkka thalaivan oruththan varanum
A leader must come to question and demand justice
Nalla kaalam poranthida
For good times to be born
Namma kannu thoranthida
For our eyes to be opened
Kettu pona dhesam
For this ruined country
Nalla sattappadi uruppada
To prosper under proper rule of law
Thalaivan oruththan varanum
A leader must come
Thatti ketkka thalaivan oruththan varanum
A leader must come to question and demand justice
Thalaivan oruththan varanum
A leader must come
Thatti ketkka thalaivan oruththan varanum
A leader must come to question and demand justice
Veliyai thaandi meya pona aadugal
Sheep that cross the fence to graze
Pattiyila adaippaanga
Will be locked inside the pen
Chorus :Kondi thozhuvaththula adaippaanga
Chorus: They will lock them inside the pound
Aththu meeri naattaiyum meyum
Trespassing and grazing upon the whole nation
Eththanaiyo maadirukku
There are so many cattle like that
Thinnu thinni kozhuththa maatta
Fattened cattle that eat endlessly
Kandukkaama naadirukku
The country remains ignoring them
Aatta maatta adakki vekka
To control the sheep and cattle
Kiraamatthula aal irukkaan
There are people in the village
Naatta meyum maatta adakka
But to control the cattle grazing the nation
Naattukulla yaar irukkaan
Who is there inside the country?
Thalaivan oruththan varanum
A leader must come
Thatti ketkka thalaivan oruththan varanum
A leader must come to question and demand justice
Thalaivan oruththan varanum
A leader must come
Thatti ketkka thalaivan oruththan varanum
A leader must come to question and demand justice
Eththanaiyo katchi ingirukku ingirukku
There are so many political parties here, right here
Engalukku nambikkai illa
We have no trust in them
Chorus :Konjam kooda engalukku nambikkai illa
Chorus: We don't have even a little bit of trust in them
Moththamaa oozhalil pangirukku pangirukku
Altogether, everyone shares a piece in corruption
Suththaminu yaarum illa
No one is clean
Chorus :Suththam panna uththamanum yaarumae illa
Chorus: There is no righteous person to clean things up
Naalum oru pirachchanaiyil
Every day with a new problem
Namma naadum thaththalikkuthae
Our country is struggling helplessly
Yaedhum solla vakkillaama
Having no voice or power to say anything
Yaezhai manam konthalikkuthu
The heart of the poor boils in rage
Pallu pola gandhi thaththaa pola
Like Patel, like Gandhi Grandpa
Ingu yaar irukkaan
Who is here today?
Sollaaponaa poonai kazhuththil
Frankly speaking, to tie the bell
Mani katta yaar irukkaan
Around the neck of the cat, who is there?
Thalaivan oruththan varanum
A leader must come
Thatti ketkka thalaivan oruththan varanum
A leader must come to question and demand justice
Thalaivan oruththan varanum
A leader must come
Thatti ketkka thalaivan oruththan varanum
A leader must come to question and demand justice
Nalla kaalam poranthida
For good times to be born
Namma kannu thoranthida
For our eyes to be opened
Kettu pona dhesam
For this ruined country
Nalla sattappadi uruppada
To prosper under proper rule of law
Thalaivan oruththan varanum
A leader must come
Thatti ketkka thalaivan oruththan varanum
A leader must come to question and demand justice
Thalaivan oruththan varanum
A leader must come
Thatti ketkka thalaivan oruththan varanum
A leader must come to question and demand justice
Aalukkaalu adithadi nadakkuthu Adikkadi
Everyone fights among themselves frequently
Saathigalin kedupidi yaezhaikalukenna vali
What pain the poor suffer under the tight grip of casteism
Thalaivan oruththan varanum
A leader must come
Thatti ketkka thalaivan oruththan varanum
A leader must come to question and demand justice
Nalla kaalam poranthida
For good times to be born
Namma kannu thoranthida
For our eyes to be opened
Kettu pona dhesam
For this ruined country
Nalla sattappadi uruppada
To prosper under proper rule of law
Thalaivan oruththan varanum
A leader must come
Thatti ketkka thalaivan oruththan varanum
A leader must come to question and demand justice
Thalaivan oruththan varanum
A leader must come
Thatti ketkka thalaivan oruththan varanum
A leader must come to question and demand justice
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song is a socio-political anthem expressing the deep disillusionment of common people regarding corruption, political opportunism, and caste-based oppression. It highlights the plight of the poor who suffer in silence while politicians enrich themselves without accountability, comparing corrupt leaders to fat cattle that graze freely on the nation's wealth.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Extended Metaphor (Uruvagamm)
“Naatta meyum maatta adakka Naattukulla yaar irukkaan”
Corrupt politicians are metaphorically compared to stray, fattened cattle grazing beyond fences, which village folk fail to restrain.
Idiomatic Allusion / Idiom
“Sollaaponaa poonai kazhuththil Mani katta yaar irukkaan”
Uses the classic fable idiom of 'belling the cat' to emphasize the difficulty of challenging powerful, corrupt forces.
Emonai / Anaphora
“Thalaivan oruththan varanum Thatti ketkka thalaivan oruththan varanum”
Repetition of the line across stanzas emphasizes the central demand and plea of the populace for reform and righteous leadership.
Edhugai / Internal Rhyme
“Aalukkaalu adithadi nadakkuthu Adikkadi”
Rhythmic rhyming words 'adithadi' and 'adikkadi' build energy and lyrical cadence.
Did you know?
Trivia
Written by legendary lyricist Vaali for the 1996 film 'Katta Panchayathu', this song reflects the late 90s socio-political discourse in Tamil Nadu, using traditional folk idioms to voice public grievances against political corruption and caste divisions.
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