Oorukkoru Katchiyum
From Ramanaa · 2002
- Lyricist
- Pazhani Bharathi
- Singer
- Ilayaraja
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Ramanaa2002
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Aa….aa….aa….aa…aa…aa…aa…. | Aa….aa….aa….aa…aa…aa…aa…. |
| Aa….aa….aa….aa…aa…aa…aa…. | Aa….aa….aa….aa…aa…aa…aa…. |
| Male | |
| Oorukkoru katchiyum veedhikkoru thaththuvam | A political party for every town, a philosophy for every street, |
| Eththanai irukkuthu | How many of them exist! |
| Aalukkoru latchiyam perukkoru saththiyam | An ambition for every person, a truth for every name, |
| Eththanai irukkuthu | How many of them exist! |
| Male | |
| Oorukkoru katchiyum veedhikkoru thaththuvam | A political party for every town, a philosophy for every street, |
| Eththanai irukkuthu | How many of them exist! |
| Aalukkoru latchiyam perukkoru saththiyam | An ambition for every person, a truth for every name, |
| Eththanai irukkuthu | How many of them exist! |
| Male | |
| Iththanai irunthum niththamum thudiththum | Despite all this existing and daily suffering, |
| Panja paramparaikku vazhi illa | There is no way out for generations born in poverty. |
| Paadu pattum varumai mattum ozhiyala | Despite hard labor, poverty alone has not been eradicated. |
| Makkal munnaerum vazhi innum theriyala | The way for common people to progress remains unknown. |
| Thappu engaennu kandu solla yaarumilla | There is no one to identify where the fault lies. |
| Male | |
| Oorukkoru katchiyum veedhikkoru thaththuvam | A political party for every town, a philosophy for every street, |
| Eththanai irukkuthu | How many of them exist! |
| Aalukkoru latchiyam perukkoru saththiyam | An ambition for every person, a truth for every name, |
| Eththanai irukkuthu | How many of them exist! |
| Male | |
| Pallikkoodam koyil endru sonnaan bharathi | Poet Bharathi called the school a sacred temple, |
| Adhu paadam solla panaththai pidikkum kodumai yaenadi | Why has it become a cruelty that demands money just to teach lessons? |
| Thaali thavira ellaam ingu adagu kadaiyilae | Except for the sacred wedding lockets, everything is in the pawn shop here. |
| Ada ellaam vittru padiththum kooda velai kidaikkalae | Alas, even after selling everything to study, no job is to be found! |
| Male | |
| Idi idikkum naeraththilae kanthal kudisi vellaththilae | During times of thunder, inside ragged huts amidst floods, |
| Eththanai minnal ullaththilae | How many flashes of grief strike within the heart, |
| Raththam kodhikkum thukkaththilae | In sorrow that makes the blood boil! |
| Vazhi pirakkumaa vizhi thirakkumaa | Will a path emerge? Will eyes be opened? |
| Ingu moththaththil aththanai perukkum | For everyone living here altogether? |
| Male | |
| Oorukkoru katchiyum veedhikkoru thaththuvam | A political party for every town, a philosophy for every street, |
| Eththanai irukkuthu | How many of them exist! |
| Aalukkoru latchiyam perukkoru saththiyam | An ambition for every person, a truth for every name, |
| Eththanai irukkuthu | How many of them exist! |
| Male | |
| Ottu thuniyil udambai maraikkum nilamai maarumaa | Will the plight of wearing a single ragged cloth to cover the body ever change? |
| Ingu otti pona vayiru unna kavalai theerumaa | Will the agony of finding food for a shriveled, starving stomach end? |
| Pirarkku uzhaikkum yaezhaikkenna kidaikkuthu | What does the poor man who labors for others ever gain? |
| Ingu thanakkae uzhaikkum thalaigal naattai gaali aakkuthu | The leaders who labor only for themselves are destroying the country! |
| Male | |
| Inbanal mattuum engalaiyae | While prosperity keeps away from us, |
| Theendaamai endru thalli vaikka | Treating us like untouchables and casting us aside, |
| Engalai ingu aaluvathu indianaa anniyanaa | Are those ruling over us here Indians or foreigners? |
| Vayir eriyuthae uyir uruguthae | The stomach burns, the soul melts, |
| Dharmam podhuvil endraikku varumo | On which day will justice become universal? |
| Male | |
| Oorukkoru katchiyum veedhikkoru thaththuvam | A political party for every town, a philosophy for every street, |
| Eththanai irukkuthu | How many of them exist! |
| Aalukkoru latchiyam perukkoru saththiyam | An ambition for every person, a truth for every name, |
| Eththanai irukkuthu | How many of them exist! |
| Male | |
| Iththanai irunthum niththamum thudiththum | Despite all this existing and daily suffering, |
| Panja paramparaikku vazhi illa | There is no way out for generations born in poverty. |
| Paadu pattum varumai mattum ozhiyala | Despite hard labor, poverty alone has not been eradicated. |
| Makkal munnaerum vazhi innum theriyala | The way for common people to progress remains unknown. |
| Thappu engaennu kandu solla yaarumilla | There is no one to identify where the fault lies. |
| Male | |
| Oorukkoru katchiyum veedhikkoru thaththuvam | A political party for every town, a philosophy for every street, |
| Eththanai irukkuthu | How many of them exist! |
| Aalukkoru latchiyam perukkoru saththiyam | An ambition for every person, a truth for every name, |
| Eththanai irukkuthu | How many of them exist! |
ஆ....ஆ....ஆ....ஆ.....ஆ.....ஆ.....ஆ...
ஆ....ஆ....ஆ....ஆ.....ஆ.....ஆ.....ஆ...
Aa….aa….aa….aa…aa…aa…aa….
Aa….aa….aa….aa…aa…aa…aa….
ஊருக்கொரு கட்சியும் வீதிக்கொரு தத்துவம்
எத்தனை இருக்குது
ஆளுக்கொரு லட்சியம் பேருக்கொரு சத்தியம்
எத்தனை இருக்குது
A political party for every town, a philosophy for every street,
How many of them exist!
An ambition for every person, a truth for every name,
How many of them exist!
ஊருக்கொரு கட்சியும் வீதிக்கொரு தத்துவம்
எத்தனை இருக்குது
ஆளுக்கொரு லட்சியம் பேருக்கொரு சத்தியம்
எத்தனை இருக்குது
A political party for every town, a philosophy for every street,
How many of them exist!
An ambition for every person, a truth for every name,
How many of them exist!
இத்தனை இருந்தும் நித்தமும் துடித்தும்
பஞ்சப் பரம்பரைக்கு வழி இல்ல
பாடுபட்டும் வறுமை மட்டும் ஒழியல
மக்கள் முன்னேறும் வழி இன்னும் தெரியல
தப்பு எங்கேன்னு கண்டு சொல்ல யாருமில்ல
Despite all this existing and daily suffering,
There is no way out for generations born in poverty.
Despite hard labor, poverty alone has not been eradicated.
The way for common people to progress remains unknown.
There is no one to identify where the fault lies.
ஊருக்கொரு கட்சியும் வீதிக்கொரு தத்துவம்
எத்தனை இருக்குது
ஆளுக்கொரு லட்சியம் பேருக்கொரு சத்தியம்
எத்தனை இருக்குது
A political party for every town, a philosophy for every street,
How many of them exist!
An ambition for every person, a truth for every name,
How many of them exist!
பள்ளிக்கூடம் கோயில் என்று சொன்னான் பாரதி
அது பாடம் சொல்ல பணத்தைப் பிடிக்கும் கொடுமை ஏனடி
தாலி தவிர எல்லாம் இங்கு அடகு கடையிலே
அட எல்லாம் விற்றுப் படித்தும் கூட வேலை கிடைக்கலே
Poet Bharathi called the school a sacred temple,
Why has it become a cruelty that demands money just to teach lessons?
Except for the sacred wedding lockets, everything is in the pawn shop here.
Alas, even after selling everything to study, no job is to be found!
இடி இடிக்கும் நேரத்திலே கந்தல் குடிசை வெள்ளத்திலே
எத்தனை மின்னல் உள்ளத்திலே
ரத்தம் கொதிக்கும் துக்கத்திலே
வழி பிறக்குமா விழி திறக்குமா
இங்கு மொத்தத்தில் அத்தனை பேருக்கும்..
During times of thunder, inside ragged huts amidst floods,
How many flashes of grief strike within the heart,
In sorrow that makes the blood boil!
Will a path emerge? Will eyes be opened?
For everyone living here altogether?
ஊருக்கொரு கட்சியும் வீதிக்கொரு தத்துவம்
எத்தனை இருக்குது
ஆளுக்கொரு லட்சியம் பேருக்கொரு சத்தியம்
எத்தனை இருக்குது
A political party for every town, a philosophy for every street,
How many of them exist!
An ambition for every person, a truth for every name,
How many of them exist!
ஒட்டுத் துணியில் உடம்பை மறைக்கும் நிலமை மாறுமா
இங்கு ஒட்டிப் போன வயிறு உண்ண கவலை தீருமா
பிறர்க்கு உழைக்கும் ஏழைக்கென்ன கூலி கிடைக்குது
இங்கு தனக்கே உழைக்கும் தலைகள் நாட்டை காலி ஆக்குது
Will the plight of wearing a single ragged cloth to cover the body ever change?
Will the agony of finding food for a shriveled, starving stomach end?
What does the poor man who labors for others ever gain?
The leaders who labor only for themselves are destroying the country!
இன்பங்கள் மட்டும் எங்களையே
தீண்டாமை என்று தள்ளி வைக்க
எங்களை இங்கு ஆளுவது இந்தியனா அந்நியனா
வயிறெரியுதே உயிர் உருகுதே
தர்மம் பொதுவில் என்றைக்கு வருமோ
While prosperity keeps away from us,
Treating us like untouchables and casting us aside,
Are those ruling over us here Indians or foreigners?
The stomach burns, the soul melts,
On which day will justice become universal?
ஊருக்கொரு கட்சியும் வீதிக்கொரு தத்துவம்
எத்தனை இருக்குது
ஆளுக்கொரு லட்சியம் பேருக்கொரு சத்தியம்
எத்தனை இருக்குது
A political party for every town, a philosophy for every street,
How many of them exist!
An ambition for every person, a truth for every name,
How many of them exist!
இத்தனை இருந்தும் நித்தமும் துடித்தும்
பஞ்சப் பரம்பரைக்கு வழி இல்ல
பாடுபட்டும் வறுமை மட்டும் ஒழியல
மக்கள் முன்னேறும் வழி இன்னும் தெரியல
தப்பு எங்கேன்னு கண்டு சொல்ல யாருமில்ல
Despite all this existing and daily suffering,
There is no way out for generations born in poverty.
Despite hard labor, poverty alone has not been eradicated.
The way for common people to progress remains unknown.
There is no one to identify where the fault lies.
ஊருக்கொரு கட்சியும் வீதிக்கொரு தத்துவம்
எத்தனை இருக்குது
ஆளுக்கொரு லட்சியம் பேருக்கொரு சத்தியம்
எத்தனை இருக்குது
A political party for every town, a philosophy for every street,
How many of them exist!
An ambition for every person, a truth for every name,
How many of them exist!
Aa….aa….aa….aa…aa…aa…aa….
Aa….aa….aa….aa…aa…aa…aa….
Aa….aa….aa….aa…aa…aa…aa….
Aa….aa….aa….aa…aa…aa…aa….
Oorukkoru katchiyum veedhikkoru thaththuvam
A political party for every town, a philosophy for every street,
Eththanai irukkuthu
How many of them exist!
Aalukkoru latchiyam perukkoru saththiyam
An ambition for every person, a truth for every name,
Eththanai irukkuthu
How many of them exist!
Oorukkoru katchiyum veedhikkoru thaththuvam
A political party for every town, a philosophy for every street,
Eththanai irukkuthu
How many of them exist!
Aalukkoru latchiyam perukkoru saththiyam
An ambition for every person, a truth for every name,
Eththanai irukkuthu
How many of them exist!
Iththanai irunthum niththamum thudiththum
Despite all this existing and daily suffering,
Panja paramparaikku vazhi illa
There is no way out for generations born in poverty.
Paadu pattum varumai mattum ozhiyala
Despite hard labor, poverty alone has not been eradicated.
Makkal munnaerum vazhi innum theriyala
The way for common people to progress remains unknown.
Thappu engaennu kandu solla yaarumilla
There is no one to identify where the fault lies.
Oorukkoru katchiyum veedhikkoru thaththuvam
A political party for every town, a philosophy for every street,
Eththanai irukkuthu
How many of them exist!
Aalukkoru latchiyam perukkoru saththiyam
An ambition for every person, a truth for every name,
Eththanai irukkuthu
How many of them exist!
Pallikkoodam koyil endru sonnaan bharathi
Poet Bharathi called the school a sacred temple,
Adhu paadam solla panaththai pidikkum kodumai yaenadi
Why has it become a cruelty that demands money just to teach lessons?
Thaali thavira ellaam ingu adagu kadaiyilae
Except for the sacred wedding lockets, everything is in the pawn shop here.
Ada ellaam vittru padiththum kooda velai kidaikkalae
Alas, even after selling everything to study, no job is to be found!
Idi idikkum naeraththilae kanthal kudisi vellaththilae
During times of thunder, inside ragged huts amidst floods,
Eththanai minnal ullaththilae
How many flashes of grief strike within the heart,
Raththam kodhikkum thukkaththilae
In sorrow that makes the blood boil!
Vazhi pirakkumaa vizhi thirakkumaa
Will a path emerge? Will eyes be opened?
Ingu moththaththil aththanai perukkum
For everyone living here altogether?
Oorukkoru katchiyum veedhikkoru thaththuvam
A political party for every town, a philosophy for every street,
Eththanai irukkuthu
How many of them exist!
Aalukkoru latchiyam perukkoru saththiyam
An ambition for every person, a truth for every name,
Eththanai irukkuthu
How many of them exist!
Ottu thuniyil udambai maraikkum nilamai maarumaa
Will the plight of wearing a single ragged cloth to cover the body ever change?
Ingu otti pona vayiru unna kavalai theerumaa
Will the agony of finding food for a shriveled, starving stomach end?
Pirarkku uzhaikkum yaezhaikkenna kidaikkuthu
What does the poor man who labors for others ever gain?
Ingu thanakkae uzhaikkum thalaigal naattai gaali aakkuthu
The leaders who labor only for themselves are destroying the country!
Inbanal mattuum engalaiyae
While prosperity keeps away from us,
Theendaamai endru thalli vaikka
Treating us like untouchables and casting us aside,
Engalai ingu aaluvathu indianaa anniyanaa
Are those ruling over us here Indians or foreigners?
Vayir eriyuthae uyir uruguthae
The stomach burns, the soul melts,
Dharmam podhuvil endraikku varumo
On which day will justice become universal?
Oorukkoru katchiyum veedhikkoru thaththuvam
A political party for every town, a philosophy for every street,
Eththanai irukkuthu
How many of them exist!
Aalukkoru latchiyam perukkoru saththiyam
An ambition for every person, a truth for every name,
Eththanai irukkuthu
How many of them exist!
Iththanai irunthum niththamum thudiththum
Despite all this existing and daily suffering,
Panja paramparaikku vazhi illa
There is no way out for generations born in poverty.
Paadu pattum varumai mattum ozhiyala
Despite hard labor, poverty alone has not been eradicated.
Makkal munnaerum vazhi innum theriyala
The way for common people to progress remains unknown.
Thappu engaennu kandu solla yaarumilla
There is no one to identify where the fault lies.
Oorukkoru katchiyum veedhikkoru thaththuvam
A political party for every town, a philosophy for every street,
Eththanai irukkuthu
How many of them exist!
Aalukkoru latchiyam perukkoru saththiyam
An ambition for every person, a truth for every name,
Eththanai irukkuthu
How many of them exist!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song is a scathing socio-political critique that highlights the deep divide between political rhetoric and ground realities in society. Despite the abundance of political parties, ideologies, and high-sounding morals, the common poor continue to suffer through poverty, unemployment, and systemic neglect. The lyrics contrast the lofty ideals of visionary poets like Subramania Bharathi—who deemed schools as temples—against modern commercialized education and widespread corruption. The emotional arc progresses from acute observation of societal ironies to intense outrage against corrupt leaders who enrich themselves at the expense of the working class. It expresses the anguish of marginalized citizens who feel abandoned, raising poignant questions about when true justice and equality will finally prevail for everyone.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Iyaipu (End Rhyme)
“Paadu pattum varumai mattum ozhiyala / Makkal munnaerum vazhi innum theriyala”
The line endings 'ozhiyala' and 'theriyala' rhyme, creating a rhythmic and melancholic emphasis on unresolved societal problems.
Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Vayir eriyuthae / Uyir uruguthae”
The second consonant sound 'yir' matches in 'Vayir' and 'Uyir', enhancing the emotional intensity.
Rhetorical Question
“Engalai ingu aaluvathu indianaa anniyanaa”
The lyricist asks 'Are those ruling us Indians or foreigners?', using a strong rhetorical question to challenge the empathy and integrity of modern rulers.
Allusion
“Pallikkoodam koyil endru sonnaan bharathi”
Refers directly to Mahakavi Subramania Bharathi's famous declaration that schools are places of worship ('Palli thalam anaiththum koyil seyvom').
Hyperbole / Metaphor
“Vayir eriyuthae uyir uruguthae”
Describing intense hunger and grief as the 'stomach burning' and 'soul melting' forcefully conveys severe physical and emotional distress.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Oorukkoru Katchiyum' is a prominent socio-conscious track from the 2002 blockbuster Tamil movie 'Ramanaa', directed by A. R. Murugadoss and starring Vijayakanth. The film's soundtrack was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics for this song penned by Pazhani Bharathi. Sung powerfully by Sirkazhi G. Sivachidambaram, the song serves as a central thematic piece reflecting the protagonist's crusade against institutional corruption.
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