Oora Paththa Kettu Pochu
From Engal Kural · 1985
- Lyricist
- T. Rajendar
- Singers
- Malaysia Vasudevan, Jayachandran
- Music director
- T. Rajendar
- Details
- Engal Kural1985
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Haei oora paaththaa kettu pochchu | Hey, looking at this town, it has gone to ruin! |
| Car-ah paathaa thuttu aachchu | Looking at the car, it shows money was made! |
| Oora paaththaa kettu pochchu | Looking at this town, it has gone to ruin! |
| Car-ah paathaa thuttu aachchu | Looking at the car, it shows money was made! |
| Male | |
| Irukkuravan yaeikkiraan | The rich man deceives others, |
| Illaathavan thavikkiraan | The poor man suffers in agony. |
| Irukkuravan yaeikkiraan | The rich man deceives others, |
| Illaathavan thavikkiraan | The poor man suffers in agony. |
| Male | |
| Maetta odachchi onnaa aakkanum | We must break down the high grounds and make everyone equal, |
| Naatta thiruththa tamizhan valaranum….haei | To reform the country, the Tamilian must rise! |
| Maetta odachchi onnaa aakkanum | We must break down the high grounds and make everyone equal, |
| Naatta thiruththa tamizhan valaranum….haehaei | To reform the country, the Tamilian must rise! |
| Male | |
| Haei oora paaththaa kettu pochchu | Hey, looking at this town, it has gone to ruin! |
| Car-ah paathaa thuttu aachchu haeihei | Looking at the car, it shows money was made, hey! |
| Male | |
| Haei dharumam urangum samayaththilae | Hey, at a time when righteousness sleeps, |
| Adharmam sirikkum ulagaththilae | In a world where unrighteousness laughs, |
| Dharumam urangum samayaththilae | At a time when righteousness sleeps, |
| Adharmam sirikkum ulagaththilae | In a world where unrighteousness laughs, |
| Male | |
| Neram vanthaa nelama maarum | When the right time comes, the situation will change, |
| Kaalam poranthaa kavalai theerum | When a new dawn arrives, worries will end. |
| Neram vanthaa nelama maarum | When the right time comes, the situation will change, |
| Kaalam poranthaa kavalai theerum | When a new dawn arrives, worries will end. |
| Female | |
| Poiyyaththaan nampuraan | He believes only in lies, |
| Porattaththaan madhikkiraan | He respects only pretenses, |
| Unmaiya unaruvaan | Eventually, he will realize the truth, |
| Ullaththil varunthuvaan….haei…. | And he will grieve deep within his heart! |
| Male | |
| Haei oora paaththaa kettu pochchu | Hey, looking at this town, it has gone to ruin! |
| Car-ah paathaa thuttu aachchu | Looking at the car, it shows money was made! |
| Male | |
| Irukkuravan yaeikkiraan | The rich man deceives others, |
| Illaathavan thavikkiraan | The poor man suffers in agony. |
| Irukkuravan yaeikkiraan | The rich man deceives others, |
| Illaathavan thavikkiraan | The poor man suffers in agony. |
| Male | |
| Maetta odachchi onnaa aakkanum | We must break down the high grounds and make everyone equal, |
| Naatta thiruththa tamizhan valaranum…. | To reform the country, the Tamilian must rise! |
| Male | |
| Kutti paaru poovaattamae | Look at the young girl, gentle like a flower, |
| Vetti poraa kiliyaattamae | Strutting past freely like a parrot. |
| Kutti paaru poovaattamae | Look at the young girl, gentle like a flower, |
| Vetti poraa kiliyaattamae | Strutting past freely like a parrot. |
| Male | |
| Putti pottae puthi kettaan | He drank from the bottle and lost his sanity, |
| Kezhavi ivala azhagi endraan | He called an old woman a beauty! |
| Putti pottae puthi kettaan | He drank from the bottle and lost his sanity, |
| Kezhavi ivala azhagi endraan | He called an old woman a beauty! |
| Male | |
| Velakkaththaan anaichchuttaa | If you switch off the lamp, |
| Evalumae azhagidaa | Every woman looks beautiful, my friend! |
| Vayachaththaan maranthuttaa | If you forget about age, |
| Vadivamae amuthadaa haei….ammamooi | Her very form is like sweet nectar, oh my! |
| Male | |
| Oora paaththaa kettu pochchu | Looking at this town, it has gone to ruin! |
| Car-ah paathaa thuttu aachchu | Looking at the car, it shows money was made! |
| Oora paaththaa kettu pochchu | Looking at this town, it has gone to ruin! |
| Car-ah paathaa thuttu aachchu | Looking at the car, it shows money was made! |
| Male | |
| Irukkuravan yaeikkiraan | The rich man deceives others, |
| Illaathavan thavikkiraan | The poor man suffers in agony. |
| Irukkuravan yaeikkiraan | The rich man deceives others, |
| Illaathavan thavikkiraan | The poor man suffers in agony. |
| Male | |
| Maetta odachchi onnaa aakkanum | We must break down the high grounds and make everyone equal, |
| Naatta thiruththa tamizhan valaranum….haei | To reform the country, the Tamilian must rise! |
ஹேய் ஊரப் பாத்தா கெட்டுப் போச்சு
காரப் பாத்தா துட்டுப் ஆச்சு
ஊரப் பாத்தா கெட்டுப் போச்சு
காரப் பாத்தா துட்டுப் ஆச்சு
Hey, looking at this town, it has gone to ruin!
Looking at the car, it shows money was made!
Looking at this town, it has gone to ruin!
Looking at the car, it shows money was made!
இருக்குறவன் ஏய்க்கிறான்
இல்லாதவன் தவிக்கிறான்
இருக்குறவன் ஏய்க்கிறான்
இல்லாதவன் தவிக்கிறான்
The rich man deceives others,
The poor man suffers in agony.
The rich man deceives others,
The poor man suffers in agony.
மேட்ட ஒடச்சி ஒண்ணா ஆக்கணும்
நாட்ட திருத்த தமிழன் வளரணும்.....ஹேய்
மேட்ட ஒடச்சி ஒண்ணா ஆக்கணும்
நாட்ட திருத்த தமிழன் வளரணும்.....ஹேஹேய்
We must break down the high grounds and make everyone equal,
To reform the country, the Tamilian must rise!
We must break down the high grounds and make everyone equal,
To reform the country, the Tamilian must rise!
ஹேய் ஊரப் பாத்தா கெட்டுப் போச்சு
காரப் பாத்தா துட்டுப் ஆச்சு ஹேய்ஹெய்
Hey, looking at this town, it has gone to ruin!
Looking at the car, it shows money was made, hey!
ஹேய் தருமம் உறங்கும் சமயத்திலே
அதர்மம் சிரிக்கும் உலகத்திலே
தருமம் உறங்கும் சமயத்திலே
அதர்மம் சிரிக்கும் உலகத்திலே
Hey, at a time when righteousness sleeps,
In a world where unrighteousness laughs,
At a time when righteousness sleeps,
In a world where unrighteousness laughs,
நேரம் வந்தா நெலம மாறும்
காலம் பொறந்தா கவலை தீரும்
நேரம் வந்தா நெலம மாறும்
காலம் பொறந்தா கவலை தீரும்
When the right time comes, the situation will change,
When a new dawn arrives, worries will end.
When the right time comes, the situation will change,
When a new dawn arrives, worries will end.
பொய்யத்தான் நம்புறான்
பொரட்டத்தான் மதிக்கிறான்
உண்மைய உணருவான்
உள்ளத்தில் வருந்துவான்....ஹேய்.......
He believes only in lies,
He respects only pretenses,
Eventually, he will realize the truth,
And he will grieve deep within his heart!
ஊரப் பாத்தா கெட்டுப் போச்சு
காரப் பாத்தா துட்டுப் ஆச்சு
Hey, looking at this town, it has gone to ruin!
Looking at the car, it shows money was made!
இருக்குறவன் ஏய்க்கிறான்
இல்லாதவன் தவிக்கிறான்
இருக்குறவன் ஏய்க்கிறான்
இல்லாதவன் தவிக்கிறான்
The rich man deceives others,
The poor man suffers in agony.
The rich man deceives others,
The poor man suffers in agony.
மேட்ட ஒடச்சி ஒண்ணா ஆக்கணும்
நாட்ட திருத்த தமிழன் வளரணும்.....
We must break down the high grounds and make everyone equal,
To reform the country, the Tamilian must rise!
குட்டிப் பாரு பூவாட்டமே
வெட்டிப் போறா கிளியாட்டமே
குட்டிப் பாரு பூவாட்டமே
வெட்டிப் போறா கிளியாட்டமே
Look at the young girl, gentle like a flower,
Strutting past freely like a parrot.
Look at the young girl, gentle like a flower,
Strutting past freely like a parrot.
புட்டி போட்டே புத்தி கெட்டான்
கெழவி இவள அழகி என்றான்
புட்டி போட்டே புத்தி கெட்டான்
கெழவி இவள அழகி என்றான்
He drank from the bottle and lost his sanity,
He called an old woman a beauty!
He drank from the bottle and lost his sanity,
He called an old woman a beauty!
வெளக்கத்தான் அணைச்சுட்டா
எவளுமே அழகிடா
வயசத்தான் மறந்துட்டா
வடிவமே அமுதடா ஹேய்...அம்மமோய்.....
If you switch off the lamp,
Every woman looks beautiful, my friend!
If you forget about age,
Her very form is like sweet nectar, oh my!
ஊரப் பாத்தா கெட்டுப் போச்சு
காரப் பாத்தா துட்டுப் ஆச்சு
ஊரப் பாத்தா கெட்டுப் போச்சு
காரப் பாத்தா துட்டுப் ஆச்சு
Looking at this town, it has gone to ruin!
Looking at the car, it shows money was made!
Looking at this town, it has gone to ruin!
Looking at the car, it shows money was made!
இருக்குறவன் ஏய்க்கிறான்
இல்லாதவன் தவிக்கிறான்
இருக்குறவன் ஏய்க்கிறான்
இல்லாதவன் தவிக்கிறான்
The rich man deceives others,
The poor man suffers in agony.
The rich man deceives others,
The poor man suffers in agony.
மேட்ட ஒடச்சி ஒண்ணா ஆக்கணும்.....
நாட்ட திருத்த தமிழன் வளரணும்.....ஹேய்
We must break down the high grounds and make everyone equal,
To reform the country, the Tamilian must rise!
Haei oora paaththaa kettu pochchu
Hey, looking at this town, it has gone to ruin!
Car-ah paathaa thuttu aachchu
Looking at the car, it shows money was made!
Oora paaththaa kettu pochchu
Looking at this town, it has gone to ruin!
Car-ah paathaa thuttu aachchu
Looking at the car, it shows money was made!
Irukkuravan yaeikkiraan
The rich man deceives others,
Illaathavan thavikkiraan
The poor man suffers in agony.
Irukkuravan yaeikkiraan
The rich man deceives others,
Illaathavan thavikkiraan
The poor man suffers in agony.
Maetta odachchi onnaa aakkanum
We must break down the high grounds and make everyone equal,
Naatta thiruththa tamizhan valaranum….haei
To reform the country, the Tamilian must rise!
Maetta odachchi onnaa aakkanum
We must break down the high grounds and make everyone equal,
Naatta thiruththa tamizhan valaranum….haehaei
To reform the country, the Tamilian must rise!
Haei oora paaththaa kettu pochchu
Hey, looking at this town, it has gone to ruin!
Car-ah paathaa thuttu aachchu haeihei
Looking at the car, it shows money was made, hey!
Haei dharumam urangum samayaththilae
Hey, at a time when righteousness sleeps,
Adharmam sirikkum ulagaththilae
In a world where unrighteousness laughs,
Dharumam urangum samayaththilae
At a time when righteousness sleeps,
Adharmam sirikkum ulagaththilae
In a world where unrighteousness laughs,
Neram vanthaa nelama maarum
When the right time comes, the situation will change,
Kaalam poranthaa kavalai theerum
When a new dawn arrives, worries will end.
Neram vanthaa nelama maarum
When the right time comes, the situation will change,
Kaalam poranthaa kavalai theerum
When a new dawn arrives, worries will end.
Poiyyaththaan nampuraan
He believes only in lies,
Porattaththaan madhikkiraan
He respects only pretenses,
Unmaiya unaruvaan
Eventually, he will realize the truth,
Ullaththil varunthuvaan….haei….
And he will grieve deep within his heart!
Haei oora paaththaa kettu pochchu
Hey, looking at this town, it has gone to ruin!
Car-ah paathaa thuttu aachchu
Looking at the car, it shows money was made!
Irukkuravan yaeikkiraan
The rich man deceives others,
Illaathavan thavikkiraan
The poor man suffers in agony.
Irukkuravan yaeikkiraan
The rich man deceives others,
Illaathavan thavikkiraan
The poor man suffers in agony.
Maetta odachchi onnaa aakkanum
We must break down the high grounds and make everyone equal,
Naatta thiruththa tamizhan valaranum….
To reform the country, the Tamilian must rise!
Kutti paaru poovaattamae
Look at the young girl, gentle like a flower,
Vetti poraa kiliyaattamae
Strutting past freely like a parrot.
Kutti paaru poovaattamae
Look at the young girl, gentle like a flower,
Vetti poraa kiliyaattamae
Strutting past freely like a parrot.
Putti pottae puthi kettaan
He drank from the bottle and lost his sanity,
Kezhavi ivala azhagi endraan
He called an old woman a beauty!
Putti pottae puthi kettaan
He drank from the bottle and lost his sanity,
Kezhavi ivala azhagi endraan
He called an old woman a beauty!
Velakkaththaan anaichchuttaa
If you switch off the lamp,
Evalumae azhagidaa
Every woman looks beautiful, my friend!
Vayachaththaan maranthuttaa
If you forget about age,
Vadivamae amuthadaa haei….ammamooi
Her very form is like sweet nectar, oh my!
Oora paaththaa kettu pochchu
Looking at this town, it has gone to ruin!
Car-ah paathaa thuttu aachchu
Looking at the car, it shows money was made!
Oora paaththaa kettu pochchu
Looking at this town, it has gone to ruin!
Car-ah paathaa thuttu aachchu
Looking at the car, it shows money was made!
Irukkuravan yaeikkiraan
The rich man deceives others,
Illaathavan thavikkiraan
The poor man suffers in agony.
Irukkuravan yaeikkiraan
The rich man deceives others,
Illaathavan thavikkiraan
The poor man suffers in agony.
Maetta odachchi onnaa aakkanum
We must break down the high grounds and make everyone equal,
Naatta thiruththa tamizhan valaranum….haei
To reform the country, the Tamilian must rise!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Oora Paaththaa Kettu Pochchu from the movie Engal Kural (1985) is a socially conscious and satirical track penned by T. Rajendar. The song critiques societal decay where material display—such as driving cars—is prioritized over moral values, resulting in the rich exploiting the poor. It serves as a call for social reform and equality, urging the Tamil youth to rise, tear down class barriers ('maetta odachchi'), and transform society.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyming)
“Irukkuravan yaeikkiraan / Illaathavan thavikkiraan”
The second letter 'ru' in Irukkuravan matches 'lla' (consonant similarity in rhythm) across consecutive lines to create a natural poetic cadence.
Monai (First-letter Alliteration)
“Neram vanthaa nelama maarum”
The repetition of the 'Ne' sound at the beginning of 'Neram' and 'nelama' highlights the thematic connection between time and situation.
Upamai Ani (Simile)
“Kutti paaru poovaattamae / Vetti poraa kiliyaattamae”
Explicit comparisons are made using '-aattamae' (like/as), comparing the girl to a flower ('poovaattamae') and her motion to a parrot ('kiliyaattamae').
Muran Ani (Antithesis)
“Dharumam urangum samayaththilae / Adharmam sirikkum ulagaththilae”
Direct contrast between opposite concepts: Dharumam (Righteousness) sleeping versus Adharmam (Unrighteousness) laughing.
Did you know?
Trivia
Engal Kural (1985) is a action drama film directed by Rama Narayanan featuring Arjun Sarja, Suresh, and Nalini. The lyrics were penned by T. Rajendar, known for his unique signature style of hyper-rhyming and high-energy rhythmic Tamil songcraft.
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