Nee Ulla Poranthu
From Ethir Kaatru · 1990
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- Malaysia Vasudevan, Chorus
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Ethir Kaatru1990
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Thaanatthana thaana thatthana | Thaanatthana thaana thatthana |
| Thananannaa | Thananannaa |
| Arae thaanatthana thanana thatthana | Arae thaanatthana thanana thatthana |
| Thananannaa | Thananannaa |
| Chorus | |
| Aei hoi | Aei hoi |
| Thaanatthana thaana thatthana | Thaanatthana thaana thatthana |
| Thananannaa | Thananannaa |
| Arae thaanatthana thanana thatthana | Arae thaanatthana thanana thatthana |
| Thananannaa | Thananannaa |
| Haai haai | Haai haai |
| Male | |
| Nee ulla porandhu veliyae pona | You were born inside and went outside, |
| Kanna piraanae | Oh Lord Krishna! |
| Naanga veliyae porandhu ulla vandhom | We were born outside and came inside, |
| Kanna piraanae | Oh Lord Krishna! |
| Chorus | |
| Nee ulla porandhu veliyae pona | You were born inside and went outside, |
| Kanna piraanae | Oh Lord Krishna! |
| Naanga veliyae porandhu ulla vandhom | We were born outside and came inside, |
| Kanna piraanae | Oh Lord Krishna! |
| Male | |
| Ooru olagam ellaam | The entire world and town |
| Kettu poi thulludhu | Has gone corrupt and is dancing in folly; |
| Ulla iruppadhu thaan | Staying inside (prison) |
| Ippa romba nalladhu | Is actually much better now! |
| Adichu paadu | Clap and sing! |
| Kummi adichu paadu | Clap hands and sing Kummi folk song! |
| Ae pudichup podu | Hey, catch the rhythm! |
| Thaalam pudichu podu | Catch the beat and keep time! |
| Chorus | |
| Nee ulla porandhu veliyae pona | You were born inside and went outside, |
| Kanna piraanae | Oh Lord Krishna! |
| Naanga veliyae porandhu ulla vandhom | We were born outside and came inside, |
| Kanna piraanae | Oh Lord Krishna! |
| Male | |
| Sutta satti melae | On a hot pan, |
| Konjam uppa pottu paaru | Try throwing some salt; |
| Adhu satham pottu vedikkum | It will crackle with noise, |
| Andha satham neeyum kelu | Listen to that sound! |
| Male | |
| Vetti paiya pechu | Listening to useless foolish talk, |
| Adha vaedham pola nenachu | Believing it as sacred gospel, |
| Matti paiya kettu | Getting misled by foolish people, |
| Avan kettu poraan yelasu | The youth today are getting ruined! |
| Male | |
| Kaattil kadhir aruthu | For the poor working hard in fields, |
| Kashta padum ezhaikku | Harvesting grain under the sun, |
| Naattil oruthan vandhu | Has anyone ever come in this land |
| Dhaagam theerthu vechaanaa | To quench their deep thirst? |
| Akkaalathilum ikkaalathilum | Whether in those ancient times or today, |
| Koozhukku azhuga thaan | The poor only cry for a bowl of porridge! |
| Kattaantharaiyl motta chuvaril | On bare ground and against bare walls, |
| Ezhainga pozhappu thaan | Such is the simple life of the poor! |
| Chorus | |
| Nee ulla porandhu veliyae pona | You were born inside and went outside, |
| Kanna piraanae | Oh Lord Krishna! |
| Naanga veliyae porandhu ulla vandhom | We were born outside and came inside, |
| Kanna piraanae | Oh Lord Krishna! |
| Chorus | |
| Nee ulla porandhu veliyae pona | You were born inside and went outside, |
| Kanna piraanae | Oh Lord Krishna! |
| Naanga veliyae porandhu ulla vandhom | We were born outside and came inside, |
| Kanna piraanae | Oh Lord Krishna! |
| Male | |
| Ooru olagam ellaam | The entire world and town |
| Kettu poi thulludhu | Has gone corrupt and is dancing in folly; |
| Ulla iruppadhu thaan | Staying inside (prison) |
| Ippa romba nalladhu | Is actually much better now! |
| Chorus | |
| Adichu paadu | Clap and sing! |
| Kummi adichu paadu | Clap hands and sing Kummi folk song! |
| Ae pudichup podu | Hey, catch the rhythm! |
| Thaalam pudichu podu | Catch the beat and keep time! |
| Chorus | |
| Nee ulla porandhu veliyae pona | You were born inside and went outside, |
| Kanna piraanae | Oh Lord Krishna! |
| Naanga veliyae porandhu ulla vandhom | We were born outside and came inside, |
| Kanna piraanae | Oh Lord Krishna! |
| Male | |
| Raaman porandha podhu | When Lord Rama was born, |
| Ketta raavananum irundhaan | Evil Ravana was also there; |
| Kannan irundha podhu | When Lord Krishna lived, |
| Angu kamsanum kooda irundhaan | Kamsa was right beside him too; |
| Male | |
| Paandavargal irundhaa | Where the Pandavas existed, |
| Angu gauravarum iruppaar | The Kauravas were present as well; |
| Gandhi vaazhndha naattil | In the nation where Gandhi lived, |
| Andha gotsheyum thaan iruppan | That Godse too existed! |
| Male | |
| Oorellaam raavanan thaan | The entire town is filled with Ravanas now, |
| Raaman ingae yaarum illae | There is no Rama to be found here; |
| Naadellaam gotshaekkal thaan | The whole country is full of Godses now, |
| Gandhi ingae yaarum illae | There is no Gandhi to be found here! |
| Akkaalathilum ikkaalathilum | Whether in past ages or in modern times, |
| Nalladhu kettadhundu | Good and evil have always coexisted; |
| Yek kolathilum kettaalum | No matter what form evil takes, |
| Andha kettadha vittu thallu | Reject that badness and move away! |
| Chorus | |
| Nee ulla porandhu veliyae pona | You were born inside and went outside, |
| Kanna piraanae | Oh Lord Krishna! |
| Naanga veliyae porandhu ulla vandhom | We were born outside and came inside, |
| Kanna piraanae | Oh Lord Krishna! |
| Chorus | |
| Nee ulla porandhu veliyae pona | You were born inside and went outside, |
| Kanna piraanae | Oh Lord Krishna! |
| Naanga veliyae porandhu ulla vandhom | We were born outside and came inside, |
| Kanna piraanae | Oh Lord Krishna! |
| Male | |
| Ooru olagam ellaam | The entire world and town |
| Kettu poi thulludhu | Has gone corrupt and is dancing in folly; |
| Ulla iruppadhu thaan | Staying inside (prison) |
| Ippa romba nalladhu | Is actually much better now! |
| Chorus | |
| Adichu paadu | Clap and sing! |
| Kummi adichu paadu | Clap hands and sing Kummi folk song! |
| Ae pudichup podu | Hey, catch the rhythm! |
| Thaalam pudichu podu | Catch the beat and keep time! |
| Chorus | |
| Nee ulla porandhu veliyae pona | You were born inside and went outside, |
| Kanna piraanae | Oh Lord Krishna! |
| Naanga veliyae porandhu ulla vandhom | We were born outside and came inside, |
| Kanna piraanae | Oh Lord Krishna! |
ஆஅ.....ஆஅ....ஆஅ.....
Thaanatthana thaana thatthana
Thananannaa
Arae thaanatthana thanana thatthana
Thananannaa
..........................
Aei hoi
Thaanatthana thaana thatthana
Thananannaa
Arae thaanatthana thanana thatthana
Thananannaa
Haai haai
நீ உள்ள பொறந்து
வெளியே போனே கண்ண பிரானே
நாங்க வெளியே பொறந்து
உள்ள வந்தோம் கண்ண பிரானே
You were born inside and went outside,
Oh Lord Krishna!
We were born outside and came inside,
Oh Lord Krishna!
நீ உள்ள பொறந்து
வெளியே போனே கண்ண பிரானே
நாங்க வெளியே பொறந்து
உள்ள வந்தோம் கண்ண பிரானே
You were born inside and went outside,
Oh Lord Krishna!
We were born outside and came inside,
Oh Lord Krishna!
ஊரு ஒலகம் எல்லாம்
கெட்டுப் போய்த் துள்ளுது
உள்ள இருப்பதுதான்
இப்ப ரொம்ப நல்லது
The entire world and town
Has gone corrupt and is dancing in folly;
Staying inside (prison)
Is actually much better now!
Clap and sing!
Clap hands and sing Kummi folk song!
Hey, catch the rhythm!
Catch the beat and keep time!
அடிச்சுப் பாடு
கும்மி அடிச்சுப் பாடு
ஏ புடிச்சுப் போடு
தாளம் புடிச்சுப் போடு
You were born inside and went outside,
Oh Lord Krishna!
We were born outside and came inside,
Oh Lord Krishna!
நீ உள்ள பொறந்து
வெளியே போனே கண்ண பிரானே
நாங்க வெளியே பொறந்து
உள்ள வந்தோம் கண்ண பிரானே
On a hot pan,
Try throwing some salt;
It will crackle with noise,
Listen to that sound!
சுட்ட சட்டி மேல
கொஞ்சம் உப்ப போட்டு பாரு
அது சத்தம் போட்டு வெடிக்கும்
அந்த சத்தம் நீயும் கேளு
Listening to useless foolish talk,
Believing it as sacred gospel,
Getting misled by foolish people,
The youth today are getting ruined!
வெட்டிப் பைய பேச்சு
அதை வேதம் போல நெனச்சு
மட்டிப் பைய கேட்டு
அவன் கெட்டுப் போறான் எளசு
For the poor working hard in fields,
Harvesting grain under the sun,
Has anyone ever come in this land
To quench their deep thirst?
Whether in those ancient times or today,
The poor only cry for a bowl of porridge!
On bare ground and against bare walls,
Such is the simple life of the poor!
காட்டில் கதிர் அறுத்து
கஷ்டப் படும் ஏழைக்கு
நாட்டில் ஒருத்தன் வந்து
தாகம் தீர்த்து வெச்சானா
You were born inside and went outside,
Oh Lord Krishna!
We were born outside and came inside,
Oh Lord Krishna!
அக்காலத்திலும் இக்காலத்திலும்
கூழுக்கு அழுகதான்
கட்டாந்தரையில் மொட்டச் சுவத்தில்
ஏழைங்க பொழப்புதான்
You were born inside and went outside,
Oh Lord Krishna!
We were born outside and came inside,
Oh Lord Krishna!
நீ உள்ள பொறந்து
வெளியே போனே கண்ண பிரானே
நாங்க வெளியே பொறந்து
உள்ள வந்தோம் கண்ண பிரானே
The entire world and town
Has gone corrupt and is dancing in folly;
Staying inside (prison)
Is actually much better now!
நீ உள்ள பொறந்து
வெளியே போனே கண்ண பிரானே
நாங்க வெளியே பொறந்து
உள்ள வந்தோம் கண்ண பிரானே
Clap and sing!
Clap hands and sing Kummi folk song!
Hey, catch the rhythm!
Catch the beat and keep time!
ஊரு ஒலகம் எல்லாம்
கெட்டுப் போய்த் துள்ளுது
உள்ள இருப்பதுதான்
இப்ப ரொம்ப நல்லது
You were born inside and went outside,
Oh Lord Krishna!
We were born outside and came inside,
Oh Lord Krishna!
அடிச்சுப் பாடு
கும்மி அடிச்சுப் பாடு
ஏ புடிச்சுப் போடு
தாளம் புடிச்சுப் போடு
When Lord Rama was born,
Evil Ravana was also there;
When Lord Krishna lived,
Kamsa was right beside him too;
நீ உள்ள பொறந்து
வெளியே போனே கண்ண பிரானே
நாங்க வெளியே பொறந்து
உள்ள வந்தோம் கண்ண பிரானே
Where the Pandavas existed,
The Kauravas were present as well;
In the nation where Gandhi lived,
That Godse too existed!
ராமன் பொறந்த போது
கெட்ட ராவணனும் இருந்தான்
கண்ணன் இருந்த போது
அங்கு கம்சனும் கூட இருந்தான்
The entire town is filled with Ravanas now,
There is no Rama to be found here;
The whole country is full of Godses now,
There is no Gandhi to be found here!
Whether in past ages or in modern times,
Good and evil have always coexisted;
No matter what form evil takes,
Reject that badness and move away!
பாண்டவர்கள் இருந்தா
அங்கு கௌரவரும் இருப்பார்
காந்தி வாழ்ந்த நாட்டில்
அந்த கோட்சேயும் தான் இருப்பான்
You were born inside and went outside,
Oh Lord Krishna!
We were born outside and came inside,
Oh Lord Krishna!
ஊரெல்லாம் ராவணன்தான்
ராமன் இங்கே யாரும் இல்லே
நாடெல்லாம் கோட்சேகள்தான்
காந்தி இங்கே யாரும் இல்லே
You were born inside and went outside,
Oh Lord Krishna!
We were born outside and came inside,
Oh Lord Krishna!
அக்காலத்திலும் இக்காலத்திலும்
நல்லது கெட்டதுண்டு
எக்காலத்திலும் கெட்டாலும்
அந்தக் கெட்டத விட்டுத் தள்ளு
The entire world and town
Has gone corrupt and is dancing in folly;
Staying inside (prison)
Is actually much better now!
நீ உள்ள பொறந்து
வெளியே போனே கண்ண பிரானே
நாங்க வெளியே பொறந்து
உள்ள வந்தோம் கண்ண பிரானே
Clap and sing!
Clap hands and sing Kummi folk song!
Hey, catch the rhythm!
Catch the beat and keep time!
நீ உள்ள பொறந்து
வெளியே போனே கண்ண பிரானே
நாங்க வெளியே பொறந்து
உள்ள வந்தோம் கண்ண பிரானே
You were born inside and went outside,
Oh Lord Krishna!
We were born outside and came inside,
Oh Lord Krishna!
ஊரு ஒலகம் எல்லாம்
கெட்டுப் போய்த் துள்ளுது
உள்ள இருப்பதுதான்
இப்ப ரொம்ப நல்லது
அடிச்சுப் பாடு
கும்மி அடிச்சுப் பாடு
ஏ புடிச்சுப் போடு
தாளம் புடிச்சுப் போடு
நீ உள்ள பொறந்து
வெளியே போனே கண்ண பிரானே
நாங்க வெளியே பொறந்து
உள்ள வந்தோம் கண்ண பிரானே
Thaanatthana thaana thatthana
Thaanatthana thaana thatthana
Thananannaa
Thananannaa
Arae thaanatthana thanana thatthana
Arae thaanatthana thanana thatthana
Thananannaa
Thananannaa
Aei hoi
Aei hoi
Thaanatthana thaana thatthana
Thaanatthana thaana thatthana
Thananannaa
Thananannaa
Arae thaanatthana thanana thatthana
Arae thaanatthana thanana thatthana
Thananannaa
Thananannaa
Haai haai
Haai haai
Nee ulla porandhu veliyae pona
You were born inside and went outside,
Kanna piraanae
Oh Lord Krishna!
Naanga veliyae porandhu ulla vandhom
We were born outside and came inside,
Kanna piraanae
Oh Lord Krishna!
Nee ulla porandhu veliyae pona
You were born inside and went outside,
Kanna piraanae
Oh Lord Krishna!
Naanga veliyae porandhu ulla vandhom
We were born outside and came inside,
Kanna piraanae
Oh Lord Krishna!
Ooru olagam ellaam
The entire world and town
Kettu poi thulludhu
Has gone corrupt and is dancing in folly;
Ulla iruppadhu thaan
Staying inside (prison)
Ippa romba nalladhu
Is actually much better now!
Adichu paadu
Clap and sing!
Kummi adichu paadu
Clap hands and sing Kummi folk song!
Ae pudichup podu
Hey, catch the rhythm!
Thaalam pudichu podu
Catch the beat and keep time!
Nee ulla porandhu veliyae pona
You were born inside and went outside,
Kanna piraanae
Oh Lord Krishna!
Naanga veliyae porandhu ulla vandhom
We were born outside and came inside,
Kanna piraanae
Oh Lord Krishna!
Sutta satti melae
On a hot pan,
Konjam uppa pottu paaru
Try throwing some salt;
Adhu satham pottu vedikkum
It will crackle with noise,
Andha satham neeyum kelu
Listen to that sound!
Vetti paiya pechu
Listening to useless foolish talk,
Adha vaedham pola nenachu
Believing it as sacred gospel,
Matti paiya kettu
Getting misled by foolish people,
Avan kettu poraan yelasu
The youth today are getting ruined!
Kaattil kadhir aruthu
For the poor working hard in fields,
Kashta padum ezhaikku
Harvesting grain under the sun,
Naattil oruthan vandhu
Has anyone ever come in this land
Dhaagam theerthu vechaanaa
To quench their deep thirst?
Akkaalathilum ikkaalathilum
Whether in those ancient times or today,
Koozhukku azhuga thaan
The poor only cry for a bowl of porridge!
Kattaantharaiyl motta chuvaril
On bare ground and against bare walls,
Ezhainga pozhappu thaan
Such is the simple life of the poor!
Nee ulla porandhu veliyae pona
You were born inside and went outside,
Kanna piraanae
Oh Lord Krishna!
Naanga veliyae porandhu ulla vandhom
We were born outside and came inside,
Kanna piraanae
Oh Lord Krishna!
Nee ulla porandhu veliyae pona
You were born inside and went outside,
Kanna piraanae
Oh Lord Krishna!
Naanga veliyae porandhu ulla vandhom
We were born outside and came inside,
Kanna piraanae
Oh Lord Krishna!
Ooru olagam ellaam
The entire world and town
Kettu poi thulludhu
Has gone corrupt and is dancing in folly;
Ulla iruppadhu thaan
Staying inside (prison)
Ippa romba nalladhu
Is actually much better now!
Adichu paadu
Clap and sing!
Kummi adichu paadu
Clap hands and sing Kummi folk song!
Ae pudichup podu
Hey, catch the rhythm!
Thaalam pudichu podu
Catch the beat and keep time!
Nee ulla porandhu veliyae pona
You were born inside and went outside,
Kanna piraanae
Oh Lord Krishna!
Naanga veliyae porandhu ulla vandhom
We were born outside and came inside,
Kanna piraanae
Oh Lord Krishna!
Raaman porandha podhu
When Lord Rama was born,
Ketta raavananum irundhaan
Evil Ravana was also there;
Kannan irundha podhu
When Lord Krishna lived,
Angu kamsanum kooda irundhaan
Kamsa was right beside him too;
Paandavargal irundhaa
Where the Pandavas existed,
Angu gauravarum iruppaar
The Kauravas were present as well;
Gandhi vaazhndha naattil
In the nation where Gandhi lived,
Andha gotsheyum thaan iruppan
That Godse too existed!
Oorellaam raavanan thaan
The entire town is filled with Ravanas now,
Raaman ingae yaarum illae
There is no Rama to be found here;
Naadellaam gotshaekkal thaan
The whole country is full of Godses now,
Gandhi ingae yaarum illae
There is no Gandhi to be found here!
Akkaalathilum ikkaalathilum
Whether in past ages or in modern times,
Nalladhu kettadhundu
Good and evil have always coexisted;
Yek kolathilum kettaalum
No matter what form evil takes,
Andha kettadha vittu thallu
Reject that badness and move away!
Nee ulla porandhu veliyae pona
You were born inside and went outside,
Kanna piraanae
Oh Lord Krishna!
Naanga veliyae porandhu ulla vandhom
We were born outside and came inside,
Kanna piraanae
Oh Lord Krishna!
Nee ulla porandhu veliyae pona
You were born inside and went outside,
Kanna piraanae
Oh Lord Krishna!
Naanga veliyae porandhu ulla vandhom
We were born outside and came inside,
Kanna piraanae
Oh Lord Krishna!
Ooru olagam ellaam
The entire world and town
Kettu poi thulludhu
Has gone corrupt and is dancing in folly;
Ulla iruppadhu thaan
Staying inside (prison)
Ippa romba nalladhu
Is actually much better now!
Adichu paadu
Clap and sing!
Kummi adichu paadu
Clap hands and sing Kummi folk song!
Ae pudichup podu
Hey, catch the rhythm!
Thaalam pudichu podu
Catch the beat and keep time!
Nee ulla porandhu veliyae pona
You were born inside and went outside,
Kanna piraanae
Oh Lord Krishna!
Naanga veliyae porandhu ulla vandhom
We were born outside and came inside,
Kanna piraanae
Oh Lord Krishna!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This energetic philosophical folk-style song from the movie 'Ethir Kaatru' (1990) draws a humorous yet sharp contrast between prison life and society outside. The lyrics compare the prisoners to Lord Krishna, noting that Krishna was born inside a prison cell and moved outside to safety, whereas these men were born free in society but ended up behind bars. The narrator reflections point out that staying inside prison is safer because the outside world has grown corrupt, unjust, and full of deceivers.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Irony / Contrast
“Nee ulla porandhu veliyae pona / Naanga veliyae porandhu ulla vandhom”
Compares Lord Krishna's birth in prison (who escaped outside) with prisoners born outside who ended up inside.
Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyming)
“Sutta satti melae / Matti paiya kettu”
Matching second consonant sounds 'tt' across consecutive lines (Sutta / Matti).
Alliteration & Mythological Allusions
“Raaman porandha podhu / Ketta raavananum irundhaan”
References epic figures of good and evil across epics and modern history (Rama/Ravana, Krishna/Kamsa, Pandavas/Kauravas, Gandhi/Godse).
Did you know?
Trivia
Ethir Kaatru (1990) was directed by Muktha S. Sundar starring Karthik and Kanaka, with music composed by Ilaiyaraaja and lyrics penned by Vaali. The song uses traditional folk rhythms ('Kummi') to present philosophical satire about crime, punishment, and social inequality.
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