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Isaimozhi
Ramanaa album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Oorukkoru Katchiyum

From Ramanaa · 2002

Lyricist
Pazhani Bharathi
Singer
Ilayaraja
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Ramanaa
Movie release year
2002
Lyrics added on
11 Sept 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Aa….aa….aa….aa…aa…aa…aa….
Aa….aa….aa….aa…aa…aa…aa….
Oorukkoru katchiyum veedhikkoru thaththuvam
Eththanai irukkuthu
Aalukkoru latchiyam perukkoru saththiyam
Eththanai irukkuthu
Oorukkoru katchiyum veedhikkoru thaththuvam
Eththanai irukkuthu
Aalukkoru latchiyam perukkoru saththiyam
Eththanai irukkuthu
Iththanai irunthum niththamum thudiththum
Panja paramparaikku vazhi illa
Paadu pattum varumai mattum ozhiyala
Makkal munnaerum vazhi innum theriyala
Thappu engaennu kandu solla yaarumilla
Oorukkoru katchiyum veedhikkoru thaththuvam
Eththanai irukkuthu
Aalukkoru latchiyam perukkoru saththiyam
Eththanai irukkuthu
Pallikkoodam koyil endru sonnaan bharathi
Adhu paadam solla panaththai pidikkum kodumai yaenadi
Thaali thavira ellaam ingu adagu kadaiyilae
Ada ellaam vittru padiththum kooda velai kidaikkalae
Idi idikkum naeraththilae kanthal kudisi vellaththilae
Eththanai minnal ullaththilae
Raththam kodhikkum thukkaththilae
Vazhi pirakkumaa vizhi thirakkumaa
Ingu moththaththil aththanai perukkum
Oorukkoru katchiyum veedhikkoru thaththuvam
Eththanai irukkuthu
Aalukkoru latchiyam perukkoru saththiyam
Eththanai irukkuthu
Ottu thuniyil udambai maraikkum nilamai maarumaa
Ingu otti pona vayiru unna kavalai theerumaa
Pirarkku uzhaikkum yaezhaikkenna kidaikkuthu
Ingu thanakkae uzhaikkum thalaigal naattai gaali aakkuthu
Inbanal mattuum engalaiyae
Theendaamai endru thalli vaikka
Engalai ingu aaluvathu indianaa anniyanaa
Vayir eriyuthae uyir uruguthae
Dharmam podhuvil endraikku varumo
Oorukkoru katchiyum veedhikkoru thaththuvam
Eththanai irukkuthu
Aalukkoru latchiyam perukkoru saththiyam
Eththanai irukkuthu
Iththanai irunthum niththamum thudiththum
Panja paramparaikku vazhi illa
Paadu pattum varumai mattum ozhiyala
Makkal munnaerum vazhi innum theriyala
Thappu engaennu kandu solla yaarumilla
Oorukkoru katchiyum veedhikkoru thaththuvam
Eththanai irukkuthu
Aalukkoru latchiyam perukkoru saththiyam
Eththanai irukkuthu
Aa... aa... aa... aa... aa... aa... aa...
Aa... aa... aa... aa... aa... aa... aa...
A party for every town, a philosophy for every street,
so many of them exist!
An ambition for every person, a hollow oath in every name,
so many of them exist!
A party for every town, a philosophy for every street,
so many of them exist!
An ambition for every person, a hollow oath in every name,
so many of them exist!
Despite all this, despite struggling every day,
there is no way out for generations of the poor.
Even with hard labor, poverty has not vanished.
The way for people to move forward is still unknown.
There is no one to find and tell where the fault lies.
A party for every town, a philosophy for every street,
so many of them exist!
An ambition for every person, a hollow oath in every name,
so many of them exist!
Bharathi declared that a school is a temple,
why then this cruelty of seizing money just to teach?
Except for the thali (sacred wedding thread), everything is in the pawn shop.
Even after selling everything to study, no job can be found!
As thunder crashes, the ragged hut is caught in a flood,
how many bolts of lightning strike inside our hearts?
Our blood boils in this deep sorrow.
Will a way open up? Will everyone's eyes open?
For all the people living here...
A party for every town, a philosophy for every street,
so many of them exist!
An ambition for every person, a hollow oath in every name,
so many of them exist!
Will this state of covering our bodies with patched clothes ever change?
Will our worries end so these pinched bellies can finally eat?
What wage does a poor man get for slaving away for others?
While leaders who work only for themselves leave the country in ruins!
When simple pleasures push us away
as if we were untouchable,
is the one ruling over us an Indian or a foreigner?
Our stomachs burn with hunger, our very souls melt in pain,
when will justice truly come for everyone?
A party for every town, a philosophy for every street,
so many of them exist!
An ambition for every person, a hollow oath in every name,
so many of them exist!
Despite all this, despite struggling every day,
there is no way out for generations of the poor.
Even with hard labor, poverty has not vanished.
The way for people to move forward is still unknown.
There is no one to find and tell where the fault lies.
A party for every town, a philosophy for every street,
so many of them exist!
An ambition for every person, a hollow oath in every name,
so many of them exist!
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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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