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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Oora Paththa Kettu Pochu

From Engal Kural · 1985

Lyricist
T. Rajendar
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, Jayachandran
Music director
T. Rajendar
Movie name
Engal Kural
Movie release year
1985
Lyrics added on
4 Jan 2022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Haei oora paaththaa kettu pochchu
Car-ah paathaa thuttu aachchu
Oora paaththaa kettu pochchu
Car-ah paathaa thuttu aachchu
Irukkuravan yaeikkiraan
Illaathavan thavikkiraan
Irukkuravan yaeikkiraan
Illaathavan thavikkiraan
Maetta odachchi onnaa aakkanum
Naatta thiruththa tamizhan valaranum….haei
Maetta odachchi onnaa aakkanum
Naatta thiruththa tamizhan valaranum….haehaei
Haei oora paaththaa kettu pochchu
Car-ah paathaa thuttu aachchu haeihei
Haei dharumam urangum samayaththilae
Adharmam sirikkum ulagaththilae
Dharumam urangum samayaththilae
Adharmam sirikkum ulagaththilae
Neram vanthaa nelama maarum
Kaalam poranthaa kavalai theerum
Neram vanthaa nelama maarum
Kaalam poranthaa kavalai theerum
Poiyyaththaan nampuraan
Porattaththaan madhikkiraan
Unmaiya unaruvaan
Ullaththil varunthuvaan….haei….
Haei oora paaththaa kettu pochchu
Car-ah paathaa thuttu aachchu
Irukkuravan yaeikkiraan
Illaathavan thavikkiraan
Irukkuravan yaeikkiraan
Illaathavan thavikkiraan
Maetta odachchi onnaa aakkanum
Naatta thiruththa tamizhan valaranum….
Kutti paaru poovaattamae
Vetti poraa kiliyaattamae
Kutti paaru poovaattamae
Vetti poraa kiliyaattamae
Putti pottae puthi kettaan
Kezhavi ivala azhagi endraan
Putti pottae puthi kettaan
Kezhavi ivala azhagi endraan
Velakkaththaan anaichchuttaa
Evalumae azhagidaa
Vayachaththaan maranthuttaa
Vadivamae amuthadaa haei….ammamooi
Oora paaththaa kettu pochchu
Car-ah paathaa thuttu aachchu
Oora paaththaa kettu pochchu
Car-ah paathaa thuttu aachchu
Irukkuravan yaeikkiraan
Illaathavan thavikkiraan
Irukkuravan yaeikkiraan
Illaathavan thavikkiraan
Maetta odachchi onnaa aakkanum
Naatta thiruththa tamizhan valaranum….haei
Hey, look at this world, it has gone to ruin!
Look at the cars, it is all about money!
Look at this world, it has gone to ruin!
Look at the cars, it is all about money!
The one who has wealth cheats,
The one who has nothing suffers.
The one who has wealth cheats,
The one who has nothing suffers.
We must break down the high divides and make all equal,
To reform the land, the Tamil must rise... hey!
We must break down the high divides and make all equal,
To reform the land, the Tamil must rise... hey hey!
Hey, look at this world, it has gone to ruin!
Look at the cars, it is all about money, hey hey!
Hey, at a time when righteousness is asleep,
In a world where injustice laughs,
At a time when righteousness is asleep,
In a world where injustice laughs,
When the right time comes, conditions will change,
When a good time arrives, our worries will end.
When the right time comes, conditions will change,
When a good time arrives, our worries will end.
He puts his trust only in lies,
He respects only deceit.
One day he will realize the truth,
And he will deeply regret it in his heart... hey!
Look at this world, it has gone to ruin!
Look at the cars, it is all about money!
The one who has wealth cheats,
The one who has nothing suffers.
The one who has wealth cheats,
The one who has nothing suffers.
We must break down the high divides and make all equal,
To reform the land, the Tamil must rise...
Look at that chick, soft like a flower,
Strutting past just like a parrot!
Look at that chick, soft like a flower,
Strutting past just like a parrot!
He downed a bottle and lost his mind,
Calling this old lady a beauty!
He downed a bottle and lost his mind,
Calling this old lady a beauty!
Once you switch off the light,
Every woman looks beautiful, man!
If you just forget about age,
Her very form is sweet nectar, hey... oh my!
Look at this world, it has gone to ruin!
Look at the cars, it is all about money!
Look at this world, it has gone to ruin!
Look at the cars, it is all about money!
The one who has wealth cheats,
The one who has nothing suffers.
The one who has wealth cheats,
The one who has nothing suffers.
We must break down the high divides and make all equal...
To reform the land, the Tamil must rise... hey!
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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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