Othipo Othipo
From Rickshaw Mama · 1992
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| Heyyyy | Heyyyy |
| Rappara pappara | Rappara pappara |
| Pappara pappara paaa | Pappara pappara paaa |
| Hey heyyy | Hey heyyy |
| Rappara pappara | Rappara pappara |
| Pappara pappara paaa | Pappara pappara paaa |
| Papap pappara pappara paaa | Papap pappara pappara paaa |
| Papap pappara pappara paaa | Papap pappara pappara paaa |
| Papap pappara pappara paaa | Papap pappara pappara paaa |
| Papap pappara pappara paaa | Papap pappara pappara paaa |
| Papap pappara paaa papa paaa | Papap pappara paaa papa paaa |
| Male | |
| Oththi po | Move aside |
| Oththi po | Move aside |
| Konjam orama | A bit to the side |
| Oththi po | Move aside |
| Ada oththi po | Oh, move aside |
| Oththi po | Move aside |
| Konjam orama | A bit to the side |
| Oththi po | Move aside |
| Male | |
| Indha rickshaw mama | This Rickshaw Mama's |
| Vandi varuthu | Vehicle is coming |
| Oram po thooram po | Move to the side, move far away |
| Chinna paapakkalai | Carrying little children |
| Yethi varuthu | It is coming along |
| Paarthu po paarthu po | Watch out and go, watch out and go |
| Male | |
| Idhu yaaru thandha vandi | Who gave this vehicle? |
| MGR thandha vandi | MGR gave this vehicle! |
| Chorus | |
| Idhu yaaru thandha vandi | Who gave this vehicle? |
| MGR thandha vandi | MGR gave this vehicle! |
| Male | |
| Haan…. | Haan... |
| Oththi po | Move aside |
| Oththi po | Move aside |
| Konjam orama | A bit to the side |
| Oththi po | Move aside |
| Male | |
| Kaal nadaiya poravanga | People walking on foot |
| Cycle kaaranai moraikka | Stare down the cyclist |
| Cycelilae poravanga | People riding bicycles |
| Scootera vazhi marikka | Block the scooter rider's way |
| Male | |
| Scooterila poravanga | People riding scooters |
| Motor karana thadukka | Try to stop the motorist |
| Moto karan lorryai vida | The motorist, to beat the lorry |
| Over speedu edukka | Goes over speed |
| Male | |
| Appan vitta roatukku | On the road left behind by forefathers |
| Aalukaalu sandai thaan | Everyone is fighting each other |
| Kathi kathi punnachi | Shouting till their throats get sore |
| Annachi thondai thaan | That elder brother's throat is sore |
| Male | |
| Ellarum onna poga | If everyone tries to go at the same time |
| Eppadi thaan aagumaiyaa | How will it ever work out, sir? |
| Male | |
| Indha rickshaw mama | This Rickshaw Mama's |
| Vandi varuthu | Vehicle is coming |
| Oram po thooram po | Move to the side, move far away |
| Chinna paapakkalai | Carrying little children |
| Yethi varuthu | It is coming along |
| Paarthu po paarthu po | Watch out and go, watch out and go |
| Male | |
| Idhu yaaru thandha vandi | Who gave this vehicle? |
| MGR thandha vandi | MGR gave this vehicle! |
| Chorus | |
| Idhu yaaru thandha vandi | Who gave this vehicle? |
| MGR thandha vandi | MGR gave this vehicle! |
| Chorus | |
| Heyyy lalalala lalala laaa | Heyyy lalalala lalala laaa |
| Lalalala lalala laaa | Lalalala lalala laaa |
| Heyyy lalalala lalala laaa | Heyyy lalalala lalala laaa |
| Lalalala lalala laaa | Lalalala lalala laaa |
| Lala lalal lalal laaa | Lala lalal lalal laaa |
| Lalla lalla laa laa | Lalla lalla laa laa |
| Lala lalla lalla laa laa | Lala lalla lalla laa laa |
| Male | |
| Sigappu vilakku edhukirukku | Why is the red light there? |
| Purijikanum pappa | You must understand, little one |
| Pacha vilakku erinjiduchi | The green light has turned on |
| Munnala nee popaa | Go forward now, child |
| Male | |
| Aanai singam puligal kooda | Even elephants, lions, and tigers |
| Adhadhu routela pogudhu | Travel in their respective paths |
| Aararivu irukkum sanangal | But people who possess six senses |
| Dhinamum route maaruthu | Change their route every day |
| Male | |
| :Padichatha eppothum | What you have studied, always |
| Nadappula konda nee | Put it into practice |
| Nadappula vandha thaan | Only if you put it into practice |
| Naatukkoru raasa nee | Will you become a king for this nation |
| Male | |
| :Naalaikulla raasakkalai | The kings of tomorrow |
| Innaiku yethi pogum vandi | Is the vehicle carrying them today! |
| Male | |
| Oththi po | Move aside |
| Oththi po | Move aside |
| Konjam orama | A bit to the side |
| Oththi po | Move aside |
| Ada oththi po | Oh, move aside |
| Oththi po | Move aside |
| Konjam orama | A bit to the side |
| Oththi po | Move aside |
| Male | |
| Indha rickshaw mama | This Rickshaw Mama's |
| Vandi varuthu | Vehicle is coming |
| Oram po thooram po | Move to the side, move far away |
| Chinna paapakkalai | Carrying little children |
| Yethi varuthu | It is coming along |
| Paarthu po paarthu po | Watch out and go, watch out and go |
| Male | |
| Idhu yaaru thandha vandi | Who gave this vehicle? |
| MGR thandha vandi | MGR gave this vehicle! |
| Chorus | |
| Idhu yaaru thandha vandi | Who gave this vehicle? |
| MGR thandha vandi | MGR gave this vehicle! |
| Male | |
| Haan…. | Haan... |
| Oththi po | Move aside |
| Oththi po | Move aside |
| Konjam orama | A bit to the side |
| Oththi po | Move aside |
ஹேய் ரப்பர பப்பர பப்பர பப்பர பா
ஹேய் ஹேய் ரப்பர பப்பர பப்பர பப்பர பா
பபப பப்பர பப்பர பா
பபப் பப்பர பப்பர பா பபப்
பப்பர பப்பர பா பபப்
பப்பர பப்பர பா பப்பர பபப் பா...
Heyyyy
Rappara pappara
Pappara pappara paaa
Hey heyyy
Rappara pappara
Pappara pappara paaa
Papap pappara pappara paaa
Papap pappara pappara paaa
Papap pappara pappara paaa
Papap pappara pappara paaa
Papap pappara paaa papa paaa
ஒத்திப் போ ஒத்திப் போ
கொஞ்சம் ஓரமா ஒத்திப் போ
அட ஒத்திப் போ ஒத்திப் போ
கொஞ்சம் ஓரமா ஒத்திப் போ
Move aside
Move aside
A bit to the side
Move aside
Oh, move aside
Move aside
A bit to the side
Move aside
இந்த ரிக்க்ஷா மாமா வண்டி வருது
ஓரம் போ தூரம் போ
சின்ன பாப்பாக்கள ஏத்தி வருது
பார்த்துப் போ பார்த்துப் போ
This Rickshaw Mama's
Vehicle is coming
Move to the side, move far away
Carrying little children
It is coming along
Watch out and go, watch out and go
இது யாரு தந்த வண்டி
எம்ஜிஆர் தந்த வண்டி
குழு :
இது யாரு தந்த வண்டி
எம்ஜிஆர் தந்த வண்டி
Who gave this vehicle?
MGR gave this vehicle!
ஆ...ஒத்திப் போ ஒத்திப் போ
கொஞ்சம் ஓரமா ஒத்திப் போ
ஒத்திப் போ ஒத்திப் போ
கொஞ்சம் ஓரமா ஒத்திப் போ
Who gave this vehicle?
MGR gave this vehicle!
கால்நடையா போறவங்க
சைக்கிள்காரன மொறைக்க
சைக்கிளிலே போறவங்க
ஸ்கூட்டர வழி மறைக்க
Haan...
Move aside
Move aside
A bit to the side
Move aside
ஸ்கூட்டரிலே போறவங்க
மோட்டர்காரன தடுக்க
மோட்டர்காரன் லாரியை விட
ஓவர் ஸ்பீடு எடுக்க
People walking on foot
Stare down the cyclist
People riding bicycles
Block the scooter rider's way
அப்பன் வீட்டு ரோட்டுக்கு
ஆளுக்காளு சண்டதான்
கத்திக் கத்திப் புண்ணாச்சு
அண்ணாச்சி தொண்டதான்
எல்லாரும் ஒண்ணா போக
எப்படித்தான் ஆகுமையா
People riding scooters
Try to stop the motorist
The motorist, to beat the lorry
Goes over speed
ஒத்திப் போ ஒத்திப் போ
கொஞ்சம் ஓரமா ஒத்திப் போ
ஒத்திப் போ ஒத்திப் போ
கொஞ்சம் ஓரமா ஒத்திப் போ
On the road left behind by forefathers
Everyone is fighting each other
Shouting till their throats get sore
That elder brother's throat is sore
இந்த ரிக்க்ஷா மாமா வண்டி வருது
ஓரம் போ தூரம் போ
சின்ன பாப்பாக்கள ஏத்தி வருது
பார்த்துப் போ பார்த்துப் போ
If everyone tries to go at the same time
How will it ever work out, sir?
இது யாரு தந்த வண்டி
எம்ஜிஆர் தந்த வண்டி
குழு :
இது யாரு தந்த வண்டி
எம்ஜிஆர் தந்த வண்டி
This Rickshaw Mama's
Vehicle is coming
Move to the side, move far away
Carrying little children
It is coming along
Watch out and go, watch out and go
ஹே லாலல லாலல லா
லல்லா லாலல லாலல லா
ஹே லாலல லாலல லா
லல்லா லாலல லாலல லா
லல்லா லல்லா லாலா
லல லல்லா லல்லா லாலா
Who gave this vehicle?
MGR gave this vehicle!
சிகப்பு விளக்கு எதுக்கிருக்கு
புரிஞ்சுக்கணும் பாப்பா
பச்ச விளக்கு எரிஞ்சுடுச்சு
முன்னால நீ போப்பா
Who gave this vehicle?
MGR gave this vehicle!
ஆனை சிங்கம் புலிகள் கூட
அத அது ரூட்டுல போகுது
ஆறறிவு இருக்கும்
சனங்க தினமும் ரூட்டு மாறுது
Heyyy lalalala lalala laaa
Lalalala lalala laaa
Heyyy lalalala lalala laaa
Lalalala lalala laaa
Lala lalal lalal laaa
Lalla lalla laa laa
Lala lalla lalla laa laa
படிச்சத எப்போதும்
நடப்புல கொண்டா நீ
நடப்புல வந்தாதான்
நாட்டுக்கொரு ராசா நீ
நாளைக்குள்ள ராசாக்கள
இன்னிக்கு ஏத்திப் போகும் வண்டி
Why is the red light there?
You must understand, little one
The green light has turned on
Go forward now, child
ஒத்திப் போ ஒத்திப் போ
கொஞ்சம் ஓரமா ஒத்திப் போ
அட ஒத்திப் போ ஒத்திப் போ
கொஞ்சம் ஓரமா ஒத்திப் போ
Even elephants, lions, and tigers
Travel in their respective paths
But people who possess six senses
Change their route every day
இந்த ரிக்க்ஷா மாமா வண்டி வருது
ஓரம் போ தூரம் போ
சின்ன பாப்பாக்கள ஏத்தி வருது
பார்த்துப் போ பார்த்துப் போ
What you have studied, always
Put it into practice
Only if you put it into practice
Will you become a king for this nation
இது யாரு தந்த வண்டி
எம்ஜிஆர் தந்த வண்டி
குழு :
இது யாரு தந்த வண்டி
ஹான்
குழு :
எம்ஜிஆர் தந்த வண்டி
The kings of tomorrow
Is the vehicle carrying them today!
ஆ...ஒத்திப் போ ஒத்திப் போ
கொஞ்சம் ஓரமா ஒத்திப் போ
அட ஒத்திப் போ ஒத்திப் போ
கொஞ்சம் ஓரமா ஒத்திப் போ
Move aside
Move aside
A bit to the side
Move aside
Oh, move aside
Move aside
A bit to the side
Move aside
This Rickshaw Mama's
Vehicle is coming
Move to the side, move far away
Carrying little children
It is coming along
Watch out and go, watch out and go
Who gave this vehicle?
MGR gave this vehicle!
Who gave this vehicle?
MGR gave this vehicle!
Haan...
Move aside
Move aside
A bit to the side
Move aside
Heyyyy
Heyyyy
Rappara pappara
Rappara pappara
Pappara pappara paaa
Pappara pappara paaa
Hey heyyy
Hey heyyy
Rappara pappara
Rappara pappara
Pappara pappara paaa
Pappara pappara paaa
Papap pappara pappara paaa
Papap pappara pappara paaa
Papap pappara pappara paaa
Papap pappara pappara paaa
Papap pappara pappara paaa
Papap pappara pappara paaa
Papap pappara pappara paaa
Papap pappara pappara paaa
Papap pappara paaa papa paaa
Papap pappara paaa papa paaa
Oththi po
Move aside
Oththi po
Move aside
Konjam orama
A bit to the side
Oththi po
Move aside
Ada oththi po
Oh, move aside
Oththi po
Move aside
Konjam orama
A bit to the side
Oththi po
Move aside
Indha rickshaw mama
This Rickshaw Mama's
Vandi varuthu
Vehicle is coming
Oram po thooram po
Move to the side, move far away
Chinna paapakkalai
Carrying little children
Yethi varuthu
It is coming along
Paarthu po paarthu po
Watch out and go, watch out and go
Idhu yaaru thandha vandi
Who gave this vehicle?
MGR thandha vandi
MGR gave this vehicle!
Idhu yaaru thandha vandi
Who gave this vehicle?
MGR thandha vandi
MGR gave this vehicle!
Haan….
Haan...
Oththi po
Move aside
Oththi po
Move aside
Konjam orama
A bit to the side
Oththi po
Move aside
Kaal nadaiya poravanga
People walking on foot
Cycle kaaranai moraikka
Stare down the cyclist
Cycelilae poravanga
People riding bicycles
Scootera vazhi marikka
Block the scooter rider's way
Scooterila poravanga
People riding scooters
Motor karana thadukka
Try to stop the motorist
Moto karan lorryai vida
The motorist, to beat the lorry
Over speedu edukka
Goes over speed
Appan vitta roatukku
On the road left behind by forefathers
Aalukaalu sandai thaan
Everyone is fighting each other
Kathi kathi punnachi
Shouting till their throats get sore
Annachi thondai thaan
That elder brother's throat is sore
Ellarum onna poga
If everyone tries to go at the same time
Eppadi thaan aagumaiyaa
How will it ever work out, sir?
Indha rickshaw mama
This Rickshaw Mama's
Vandi varuthu
Vehicle is coming
Oram po thooram po
Move to the side, move far away
Chinna paapakkalai
Carrying little children
Yethi varuthu
It is coming along
Paarthu po paarthu po
Watch out and go, watch out and go
Idhu yaaru thandha vandi
Who gave this vehicle?
MGR thandha vandi
MGR gave this vehicle!
Idhu yaaru thandha vandi
Who gave this vehicle?
MGR thandha vandi
MGR gave this vehicle!
Heyyy lalalala lalala laaa
Heyyy lalalala lalala laaa
Lalalala lalala laaa
Lalalala lalala laaa
Heyyy lalalala lalala laaa
Heyyy lalalala lalala laaa
Lalalala lalala laaa
Lalalala lalala laaa
Lala lalal lalal laaa
Lala lalal lalal laaa
Lalla lalla laa laa
Lalla lalla laa laa
Lala lalla lalla laa laa
Lala lalla lalla laa laa
Sigappu vilakku edhukirukku
Why is the red light there?
Purijikanum pappa
You must understand, little one
Pacha vilakku erinjiduchi
The green light has turned on
Munnala nee popaa
Go forward now, child
Aanai singam puligal kooda
Even elephants, lions, and tigers
Adhadhu routela pogudhu
Travel in their respective paths
Aararivu irukkum sanangal
But people who possess six senses
Dhinamum route maaruthu
Change their route every day
:Padichatha eppothum
What you have studied, always
Nadappula konda nee
Put it into practice
Nadappula vandha thaan
Only if you put it into practice
Naatukkoru raasa nee
Will you become a king for this nation
:Naalaikulla raasakkalai
The kings of tomorrow
Innaiku yethi pogum vandi
Is the vehicle carrying them today!
Oththi po
Move aside
Oththi po
Move aside
Konjam orama
A bit to the side
Oththi po
Move aside
Ada oththi po
Oh, move aside
Oththi po
Move aside
Konjam orama
A bit to the side
Oththi po
Move aside
Indha rickshaw mama
This Rickshaw Mama's
Vandi varuthu
Vehicle is coming
Oram po thooram po
Move to the side, move far away
Chinna paapakkalai
Carrying little children
Yethi varuthu
It is coming along
Paarthu po paarthu po
Watch out and go, watch out and go
Idhu yaaru thandha vandi
Who gave this vehicle?
MGR thandha vandi
MGR gave this vehicle!
Idhu yaaru thandha vandi
Who gave this vehicle?
MGR thandha vandi
MGR gave this vehicle!
Haan….
Haan...
Oththi po
Move aside
Oththi po
Move aside
Konjam orama
A bit to the side
Oththi po
Move aside
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Oththi Po' from 'Rickshaw Mama' (1992) features a friendly rickshaw driver transporting school children while giving lively, humorous commentary on street life, traffic chaos, and civic sense. He urges pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers to show patience and follow traffic rules, contrasting wild animals that maintain disciplined paths with humans who disregard order despite having six senses. Beyond traffic etiquette, the lyricist Vaali infuses a strong moral message aimed at the young passengers. He emphasizes that education must be translated into practice and treats the children as the future rulers ('raasakkal') of the nation, making his rickshaw a vessel carrying the leaders of tomorrow. The song also pays homage to M.G. Ramachandran (MGR), referencing his iconic legacy of donating rickshaws to rickshaw pullers.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Contrast / Muran
“Aanai singam puligal kooda... Aararivu irukkum sanangal Dhinamum route maaruthu”
Contrasts wild animals (elephants, lions, tigers) who stick to their natural tracks with rational human beings (possessing six senses) who break traffic rules daily.
Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Oram po thooram po”
Repetition of initial soft vocal/consonant rhythm creating a catchy musical cadence.
Metaphor
“Naalaikulla raasakkalai Innaiku yethi pogum vandi”
Metaphorically refers to school children as the 'kings of tomorrow' being transported today in the rickshaw.
Did you know?
Trivia
The line 'MGR thandha vandi' directly references the legendary Tamil actor and former Chief Minister M. G. Ramachandran, who famously distributed free cycle-rickshaws to rickshaw pullers in Tamil Nadu to help them gain financial independence. 'Rickshaw Mama' (1992) starred Sathyaraj in the title role, with music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja and lyrics penned by Vaali.
Keep listening
More from Rickshaw Mama
Rickshaw Mama
Rickshaw Mama
Rickshaw Mama
Rickshaw Mama
Rickshaw Mama
Rickshaw Mama