Ottachattiya
From Uyarntha Ullam · 1985
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Uyarntha Ullam1985
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Otta chattiya vachikkittu | Holding a broken pot, |
| Uruttu thaalam podaadhae | Do not play a pretentious beat. |
| Paattaan sonnadha kettukkittu | Just listening to what the elders said, |
| Pazhaya paatta paadaadhae | Do not keep singing the old song. |
| Male | |
| Neeyum naanum onnaaganum | You and I must become one, |
| Sama needhi gnyaayam undaaganum | Social equality and justice must prevail. |
| Sorum neerum ellaarukkum | If food and water reach everyone, |
| Vandhu serndhaa bhoomi nallarukkum | Then this world will truly be good. |
| Ingae dhaan padichaen vaazhkkai paadam | It is right here that I learned the lesson of life. |
| Male | |
| Otta chattiya vachikkittu | Holding a broken pot, |
| Ada uruttu thaalam podaadhae | Hey, do not play a pretentious beat. |
| Hey hey hey hey hey hey hey | Hey hey hey hey hey hey hey |
| Male | |
| Kattilgal meththaigal | Beds and mattresses, |
| Mel maadi | Upper floors of high-rises, |
| Ellaam naan paarthendaa munnaadi | I have seen all of that before, my friend. |
| Angellaam illaadha sandhosham | The happiness that was not found there, |
| Ingae naan kandenae inneram | I have found here right now. |
| Male | |
| Malar manjam pottu | Making a flower-decked bed, |
| Naan paduthaenda naethu | I slept on it yesterday, |
| Adhil oru naalum thookkam | But sleep never came even for a single day, |
| Varala hey hey | It didn't come, hey hey! |
| Tharai melae thaanae | Right on the plain ground, |
| Ingu paduthaendaa naanae | I slept here myself, |
| Ada idhu pola inbam illa | Hey, there is no joy like this! |
| Male | |
| Ada veetta vittadhum | Hey, as soon as I left the house, |
| Veliya vandhadhum therinjadhu | And came outside, I realized, |
| Ooru ulagam irukkum | The village and the world out there, |
| Iruppu purinjadhu | I understood their true reality. |
| Therinjadha purinjadha | Do you understand what was realized? |
| Eduthu chonnaa arinji kollanum | When explained, one should listen and learn. |
| Male | |
| Otta chattiya vachikkittu | Holding a broken pot, |
| Ada uruttu thaalam podaadhae | Hey, do not play a pretentious beat. |
| Hoi paattaan sonnadha kettukkittu | Hoi, listening to what the elders said, |
| Pazhaya paatta paadaadhae | Do not keep singing the old song. |
| Male | |
| Sorum neerum ellaarukkum | If food and water reach everyone, |
| Vandhu serndhaa bhoomi nallarukkum | Then this world will truly be good. |
| Ingae dhaan padichaen vaazhkkai paadam | It is right here that I learned the lesson of life. |
| Male | |
| Otta chattiya vachikkittu | Holding a broken pot, |
| Thathikina thakka thinna thinna | Thathikina thakka thinna thinna |
| Uruttu thaalam podaadhae | Do not play a pretentious beat. |
| Hey hey hey hey hey | Hey hey hey hey hey |
| Chorus | |
| Thanthaana thanthaana naa naa | Thanthaana thanthaana naa naa |
| Male | |
| Muppaatha vandhaalae | When the mother goddess arrives, |
| Thaai aattum | She sways like a loving mother, |
| Naam ellaam ava peththa saeiyaattum | And we are all like children born to her. |
| Kuppathil ippa thaan kondaattam | Only now there is a celebration in the slum, |
| Koozh kaachi ootha thaan perungkoottam | There is a huge crowd to serve the cooked porridge. |
| Male | |
| Kaappahthum aaththaa | The protecting mother goddess, |
| Iru kannaala paarthaa | If she looks upon us with both her eyes, |
| Ada ennaalum thunbam illa | Hey, there will be no sorrow ever. |
| Keezh vargam enna | What is lower class? |
| Idhil mel vargam enna | What is upper class in this? |
| Ada ellorum oru thaai pulla | Hey, everyone is a child of the same mother! |
| Male | |
| Kuzhandhai kuttigal | Children and kids, |
| Irukka venum alavula | Should be kept within reasonable limits. |
| Kudumbha nalathai | The welfare of the family, |
| Ninaikka venum manasila | Must be kept in mind. |
| Therinjadha purinjadha | Do you understand what was realized? |
| Eduthu chonnaa arinji kollanum | When explained, one should listen and learn. |
| Male | |
| Otta chattiya vachikkittu | Holding a broken pot, |
| Uruttu thaalam podaadhae | Do not play a pretentious beat. |
| Paattaan sonnadha kettukkittu | Listening to what the elders said, |
| Pazhaya paatta paadaadhae | Do not keep singing the old song. |
| Male | |
| Neeyum naanum onnaaganum | You and I must become one, |
| Sama needhi gnyaayam undaaganum | Social equality and justice must prevail. |
| Sorum neerum ellaarukkum | If food and water reach everyone, |
| Vandhu serndhaa bhoomi nallarukkum | Then this world will truly be good. |
| Ingae dhaan padichaen vaazhkkai paadam | It is right here that I learned the lesson of life. |
| Male | |
| Otta chattiya vachikkittu | Holding a broken pot, |
| Hoi hoi hoi hoi hoi | Hoi hoi hoi hoi hoi |
| Uruttu thaalam podaadhae | Do not play a pretentious beat. |
| Hey hey hey hey hey hey hey | Hey hey hey hey hey hey hey |
ஓட்ட சட்டிய வச்சிக்கிட்டு
உருட்டு தாளம் போடாதே
பாட்டான் சொன்னத கேட்டுகிட்டு
பழைய பாட்ட பாடாதே
Holding a broken pot,
Do not play a pretentious beat.
Just listening to what the elders said,
Do not keep singing the old song.
நீயும் நானும் ஒன்னாகணும்
சம நீதி நியாயம் உண்டாகணும்
சோறும் நீரும் எல்லாருக்கும்
வந்து சேர்ந்தா பூமி நல்லாருக்கும்
இங்கேதான் படிச்சேன் வாழ்க்கை பாடம்
You and I must become one,
Social equality and justice must prevail.
If food and water reach everyone,
Then this world will truly be good.
It is right here that I learned the lesson of life.
ஓட்ட சட்டிய வச்சிக்கிட்டு
அட உருட்டு தாளம் போடாதே
ஹேய் ஹேய் ஹேய் ஹேய் ஹேய்
Holding a broken pot,
Hey, do not play a pretentious beat.
Hey hey hey hey hey hey hey
பெண் குழு :
ஐஸ்லக்கா
ஆண் குழு :
ஐஸ்லக்கா
Beds and mattresses,
Upper floors of high-rises,
I have seen all of that before, my friend.
The happiness that was not found there,
I have found here right now.
பெண் குழு :
ஐஸ்லக்கா
ஆண் குழு :
ஐஸ்லக்கா
Making a flower-decked bed,
I slept on it yesterday,
But sleep never came even for a single day,
It didn't come, hey hey!
Right on the plain ground,
I slept here myself,
Hey, there is no joy like this!
பெண் குழு :
ஹோய்
ஆண் குழு :
ஹோய்
பெண் குழு :
ஹோய்
ஆண் குழு :
ஹோய்
பெண் குழு :
ஹோய் ஹோய்
Hey, as soon as I left the house,
And came outside, I realized,
The village and the world out there,
I understood their true reality.
Do you understand what was realized?
When explained, one should listen and learn.
கட்டில்கள் மெத்தைகள்
மேல் மாடி
எல்லாம் நான் பார்த்தேன்டா முன்னாடி
அங்கெல்லாம் இல்லாத சந்தோசம்
இங்கே நான் கண்டேனே இந்நேரம்
Holding a broken pot,
Hey, do not play a pretentious beat.
Hoi, listening to what the elders said,
Do not keep singing the old song.
மலர் மஞ்சம் போட்டு
நான் படுத்தேன்டா நேத்து
அதில் ஒரு நாளும் தூக்கம்
வரல ஹேய் ஹேய்
தரை மேலே தானே
இங்கு படுத்தேன்டா நானே
அட இது போல இன்பம் இல்ல
If food and water reach everyone,
Then this world will truly be good.
It is right here that I learned the lesson of life.
அட வீட்ட விட்டதும்
வெளிய வந்தது தெரிஞ்சது
ஊரு உலகம் இருக்கும்
இருப்பு புரிஞ்சது
தெரிஞ்சத புரிஞ்சத
எடுத்து சொன்னா அறிஞ்சி கொள்ளனும்
Holding a broken pot,
Thathikina thakka thinna thinna
Do not play a pretentious beat.
Hey hey hey hey hey
ஓட்ட சட்டிய வச்சிக்கிட்டு
உருட்டு தாளம் போடாதே
ஹே பாட்டான் சொன்னத கேட்டுகிட்டு
பழைய பாட்ட பாடாதே
Thanthaana thanthaana naa naa
சோறும் நீரும் எல்லாருக்கும்
வந்து சேர்ந்தா பூமி நல்லாருக்கும்
இங்கேதான் படிச்சேன் வாழ்க்கை பாடம்
When the mother goddess arrives,
She sways like a loving mother,
And we are all like children born to her.
Only now there is a celebration in the slum,
There is a huge crowd to serve the cooked porridge.
ஓட்ட சட்டிய வச்சிக்கிட்டு
ததிகின தக்க தின்ன தின்ன
உருட்டு தாளம் போடாதே
ஹேய் ஹேய் ஹேய் ஹேய்
The protecting mother goddess,
If she looks upon us with both her eyes,
Hey, there will be no sorrow ever.
What is lower class?
What is upper class in this?
Hey, everyone is a child of the same mother!
பெண் குழு :
தகிட ததிமி
ஆண் குழு :
ஹ ஹ
பெண் குழு :
தகிட ததிமி
ஆண் குழு :
ஹ ஹ
Children and kids,
Should be kept within reasonable limits.
The welfare of the family,
Must be kept in mind.
Do you understand what was realized?
When explained, one should listen and learn.
பெண் குழு :
ஹொய்யா
ஆண் குழு :
ஹொய்யா
Holding a broken pot,
Do not play a pretentious beat.
Listening to what the elders said,
Do not keep singing the old song.
பெண் குழு :
தந்தான தந்தன
தந்தன னா
ஆண் குழு :
ஹோய் ஹோய்
You and I must become one,
Social equality and justice must prevail.
If food and water reach everyone,
Then this world will truly be good.
It is right here that I learned the lesson of life.
பெண் குழு :
தந்தான தந்தன
தந்தன னா
ஆண் குழு :
ஹோய் ஹோய்
Holding a broken pot,
Hoi hoi hoi hoi hoi
Do not play a pretentious beat.
Hey hey hey hey hey hey hey
பெண் குழு :
தந்தான தந்தன
தந்தன தந்தானா
ஆண் குழு :
ஹோய் ஹோய்
பெண் குழு :
தந்தான தந்தன
தந்தன தந்தானா
ஆண் குழு :
ஹோய் ஹோய்
தந்தான தந்தான னா.....னா
முப்பாத்தம்மன்தானே
தாயாட்டம்
நாம் எல்லாம் அவ பெத்த சேயாட்டும்
குப்பத்தில் இப்பதான் கொண்டாட்டம்
காப்பாத்தும் ஆத்தா
இரு கண்ணால பார்த்தா
அட எந்நாளும் துன்பம் இல்ல
கீழ் வர்க்கம் என்ன
இதில் மேல் வர்க்கம் என்ன
அட எல்லோரும் ஒரு தாய் பிள்ள
குழந்தை குட்டிகள்
இருக்க வேணும் அளவுல
குடும்ப நடத்தை
நினைக்க வேணும் மனசில
தெரிஞ்சதா புரிஞ்சதா
எடுத்து சொன்னா அறிஞ்சி கொள்ளனும்
ஓட்ட சட்டிய வச்சிக்கிட்டு
உருட்டு தாளம் போடாதே
பாட்டான் சொன்னத கேட்டுகிட்டு
பழைய பாட்ட பாடாதே
நீயும் நானும் ஒன்னாகணும்
சம நீதி நியாயம் உண்டாகணும்
சோறும் நீரும் எல்லாருக்கும்
வந்து சேரந்தா பூமி நல்லாருக்கும்
இங்கேதான் படிச்சேன் வாழ்க்கை பாடம்
ஓட்ட சட்டிய வச்சிக்கிட்டு
ஹேய் ஹேய் ஹேய் ஹேய்
உருட்டு தாளம் போடாதே
ஹேய் ஹேய் ஹேய் ஹேய்
Otta chattiya vachikkittu
Holding a broken pot,
Uruttu thaalam podaadhae
Do not play a pretentious beat.
Paattaan sonnadha kettukkittu
Just listening to what the elders said,
Pazhaya paatta paadaadhae
Do not keep singing the old song.
Neeyum naanum onnaaganum
You and I must become one,
Sama needhi gnyaayam undaaganum
Social equality and justice must prevail.
Sorum neerum ellaarukkum
If food and water reach everyone,
Vandhu serndhaa bhoomi nallarukkum
Then this world will truly be good.
Ingae dhaan padichaen vaazhkkai paadam
It is right here that I learned the lesson of life.
Otta chattiya vachikkittu
Holding a broken pot,
Ada uruttu thaalam podaadhae
Hey, do not play a pretentious beat.
Hey hey hey hey hey hey hey
Hey hey hey hey hey hey hey
Kattilgal meththaigal
Beds and mattresses,
Mel maadi
Upper floors of high-rises,
Ellaam naan paarthendaa munnaadi
I have seen all of that before, my friend.
Angellaam illaadha sandhosham
The happiness that was not found there,
Ingae naan kandenae inneram
I have found here right now.
Malar manjam pottu
Making a flower-decked bed,
Naan paduthaenda naethu
I slept on it yesterday,
Adhil oru naalum thookkam
But sleep never came even for a single day,
Varala hey hey
It didn't come, hey hey!
Tharai melae thaanae
Right on the plain ground,
Ingu paduthaendaa naanae
I slept here myself,
Ada idhu pola inbam illa
Hey, there is no joy like this!
Ada veetta vittadhum
Hey, as soon as I left the house,
Veliya vandhadhum therinjadhu
And came outside, I realized,
Ooru ulagam irukkum
The village and the world out there,
Iruppu purinjadhu
I understood their true reality.
Therinjadha purinjadha
Do you understand what was realized?
Eduthu chonnaa arinji kollanum
When explained, one should listen and learn.
Otta chattiya vachikkittu
Holding a broken pot,
Ada uruttu thaalam podaadhae
Hey, do not play a pretentious beat.
Hoi paattaan sonnadha kettukkittu
Hoi, listening to what the elders said,
Pazhaya paatta paadaadhae
Do not keep singing the old song.
Sorum neerum ellaarukkum
If food and water reach everyone,
Vandhu serndhaa bhoomi nallarukkum
Then this world will truly be good.
Ingae dhaan padichaen vaazhkkai paadam
It is right here that I learned the lesson of life.
Otta chattiya vachikkittu
Holding a broken pot,
Thathikina thakka thinna thinna
Thathikina thakka thinna thinna
Uruttu thaalam podaadhae
Do not play a pretentious beat.
Hey hey hey hey hey
Hey hey hey hey hey
Thanthaana thanthaana naa naa
Thanthaana thanthaana naa naa
Muppaatha vandhaalae
When the mother goddess arrives,
Thaai aattum
She sways like a loving mother,
Naam ellaam ava peththa saeiyaattum
And we are all like children born to her.
Kuppathil ippa thaan kondaattam
Only now there is a celebration in the slum,
Koozh kaachi ootha thaan perungkoottam
There is a huge crowd to serve the cooked porridge.
Kaappahthum aaththaa
The protecting mother goddess,
Iru kannaala paarthaa
If she looks upon us with both her eyes,
Ada ennaalum thunbam illa
Hey, there will be no sorrow ever.
Keezh vargam enna
What is lower class?
Idhil mel vargam enna
What is upper class in this?
Ada ellorum oru thaai pulla
Hey, everyone is a child of the same mother!
Kuzhandhai kuttigal
Children and kids,
Irukka venum alavula
Should be kept within reasonable limits.
Kudumbha nalathai
The welfare of the family,
Ninaikka venum manasila
Must be kept in mind.
Therinjadha purinjadha
Do you understand what was realized?
Eduthu chonnaa arinji kollanum
When explained, one should listen and learn.
Otta chattiya vachikkittu
Holding a broken pot,
Uruttu thaalam podaadhae
Do not play a pretentious beat.
Paattaan sonnadha kettukkittu
Listening to what the elders said,
Pazhaya paatta paadaadhae
Do not keep singing the old song.
Neeyum naanum onnaaganum
You and I must become one,
Sama needhi gnyaayam undaaganum
Social equality and justice must prevail.
Sorum neerum ellaarukkum
If food and water reach everyone,
Vandhu serndhaa bhoomi nallarukkum
Then this world will truly be good.
Ingae dhaan padichaen vaazhkkai paadam
It is right here that I learned the lesson of life.
Otta chattiya vachikkittu
Holding a broken pot,
Hoi hoi hoi hoi hoi
Hoi hoi hoi hoi hoi
Uruttu thaalam podaadhae
Do not play a pretentious beat.
Hey hey hey hey hey hey hey
Hey hey hey hey hey hey hey
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Otta Chattiya Vachikkittu from Uyarntha Ullam (1985) is an energetic folk-philosophical song about finding genuine happiness and embracing social equality. The protagonist, having experienced luxurious high-rise living, realizes that material wealth and soft beds cannot buy peaceful sleep or true joy. Living among ordinary slum dwellers teaches him that life's greatest fulfillment comes from simple living, shared community, and human connection. The lyricist Vaali weaves in progressive social messages, urging people to abandon outdated dogmas and class distinctions ('Keezh vargam enna, mel vargam enna'). The song advocates for equal distribution of basic needs like food and water, promotes family planning for a better future, and stresses that all human beings are equal children of the same world.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Otta chattiya vachikkittu / Uruttu thaalam podaadhae”
Matching second consonant 'tta' in consecutive opening lines, creating a rhythmic cadence characteristic of Tamil folk poetry.
Iyaibu (End Rhyme)
“Neeyum naanum onnaaganum / Sama needhi gnyaayam undaaganum”
Matching end sounds ('aaganum') across lines to emphasize unity and social justice.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Otta chattiya vachikkittu / Uruttu thaalam podaadhae”
The 'otta chatti' (leaking/broken pot) is used as a metaphor for hollow pretensions and empty grandstanding.
Rhetorical Question
“Keezh vargam enna / Idhil mel vargam enna”
Questioning class hierarchies to break down social division.
Did you know?
Trivia
Though listed as unknown in the prompt, this classic song from Uyarntha Ullam (1985) was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja and sung energetically by Kamal Haasan himself. The song plays a key narrative role in the movie, marking the pivotal transformation of Kamal Haasan's character from an arrogant, wealthy man to someone who gains wisdom through loss and finds purpose among working-class folk.
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