Paambe Nee Aadu
From Nenjukku Neethi(1979) · 1979
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- Shankar Ganesh
- Details
- Nenjukku Neethi(1979)1979
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Oru thavarum senjariyaa uththamara maththavara | Is he a virtuous person who has never committed any mistake, or someone else? |
| Koththi pazhi vaanga vantha kuttu paambae | You young snake that has come to bite and exact vengeance! |
| Un kottaththa naan adakka poren | I am going to subdue your arrogance! |
| Kodumaigala mudikka poren | I am going to put an end to all cruelties! |
| Keezhirangi vanthidappa naagapaambae | Come down below, O cobra snake! |
| Mugamoodiya naan kizhikka poren ketta paambae | I am going to tear off your mask, evil snake! |
| Male | |
| Paambae neeyaadu paambae | Dance, snake, dance! |
| Aadumvarai aadu paambae | Dance for as long as you can, snake! |
| Pagal vesham pottu vantha | You deceitful snake that arrived wearing a disguise |
| Potti paambae | You competing cobra! |
| Male | |
| Adhigaaram konda paambae | O snake possessed with authority, |
| Agangaaram neranja paambae | O snake filled with arrogance, |
| Keezhirangi vaa vaa ketta paambae | Come down here, come on, evil snake! |
| Male | |
| Paambae neeyaadu paambae | Dance, snake, dance! |
| Aadumvarai aadu paambae | Dance for as long as you can, snake! |
| Pagal vesham pottu vantha | You deceitful snake that arrived wearing a disguise |
| Potti paambae | You competing cobra! |
| Male | |
| Koozhukkum velaiyindri | Without even work to earn basic porridge, |
| Kudilukkum olaiyindri | Without even thatch for a humble hut, |
| Yaezhainga thudikkaiyilae | When the poor people are struggling in agony, |
| Paalundu neeyindru pazhamendru nee kandu | Consuming milk and enjoying fruits today, |
| Paththiramaa neeyingu nadikkiriyae | You act so safely and slyly here! |
| Male | |
| Yaezhainga vayirunga izhukkuthu pudikkuthu | The stomachs of the poor are aching and cramping from hunger, |
| Irukkira edaththaiyum silathunga idikkuthu | Some people are even destroying whatever little shelter they have left, |
| Kovilirunthoru kodumaigal nadaththura | Committing atrocities right from inside the temple, |
| Kutti paambae | You little snake! |
| Male | |
| Paambae neeyaadu paambae | Dance, snake, dance! |
| Aadumvarai aadu paambae | Dance for as long as you can, snake! |
| Pagal vesham pottu vantha | You deceitful snake that arrived wearing a disguise |
| Potti paambae | You competing cobra! |
| Male | |
| Beedaththil yaerikondu | Mounting onto the pedestal, |
| Pidivaatham pannikkondu | Stubbornly holding your ground, |
| Aattangal podaathe | Do not put on your arrogant dances! |
| Paavaththa saerkkaathae pazhigala vaangaathae | Do not accumulate sins, do not invite vengeance, |
| Panjaigalin vaazhvai theendaathae | Do not harm the lives of the destitute! |
| Male | |
| Paavamum pazhigalum kooduthu yaeruthu | Sins and blame are piling up and rising high, |
| Pasiyila irukkura vayirunga eriyuthu | Stomachs suffering in severe hunger are burning, |
| Kaaranamellaam needhaan kalla paambae | You alone are the reason for all this, deceitful snake! |
| Male | |
| Paambae neeyaadu paambae | Dance, snake, dance! |
| Aadumvarai aadu paambae | Dance for as long as you can, snake! |
| Pagal vesham pottu vantha | You deceitful snake that arrived wearing a disguise |
| Potti paambae | You competing cobra! |
| Male | |
| Oorukkul vanjam vaththu | Harboring malice within the town, |
| Ullukkul nanjum vaithu | Keeping poison hidden inside your heart, |
| Ulavura nalla paambae | O cobra roaming around pretending to be good! |
| Nallorai vaataathae | Do not torment righteous people, |
| Naakkai nee neettaathae | Do not stick out your tongue in threat, |
| Nalinthavar vaazhvai vathaikkaathae | Do not oppress the lives of the weak and helpless! |
| Male | |
| Veshamum kalaigira neramum nerunguthu | The time for your disguise to fade away is drawing near, |
| Vedhanai theeyila vilangugal norunguthu | Handcuffs/shackles are shattering in the fire of agony, |
| Naasamum moshamum naalaikku mudiyuthu | Destruction and evil deeds will come to an end tomorrow, |
| Nanju paambae | O poisonous snake! |
| Male | |
| : Paambae neeyaadu paambae | Dance, snake, dance! |
| Aadumvarai aadu paambae | Dance for as long as you can, snake! |
| Pagal vesham pottu vantha | You deceitful snake that arrived wearing a disguise |
| Potti paambae | You competing cobra! |
ஒரு தவறும் செஞ்சறியா உத்தமர மத்தவர
கொத்தி பழி வாங்க வந்த குட்டிப் பாம்பே
உன் கொட்டத்த நான் அடக்கப் போறேன்
கொடுமைகளை முடிக்கப்போறேன்
கீழிறங்கி வந்திடப்பா நாகப்பாம்பே
முகமூடிய நான் கிழிக்கப்போறேன் கெட்டப் பாம்பே....
Is he a virtuous person who has never committed any mistake, or someone else?
You young snake that has come to bite and exact vengeance!
I am going to subdue your arrogance!
I am going to put an end to all cruelties!
Come down below, O cobra snake!
I am going to tear off your mask, evil snake!
பாம்பே நீயாடு பாம்பே
ஆடும்வரை ஆடு பாம்பே
பகல் வேஷம் போட்டு வந்த
பொட்டிப் பாம்பே
Dance, snake, dance!
Dance for as long as you can, snake!
You deceitful snake that arrived wearing a disguise
You competing cobra!
அதிகாரம் கொண்ட பாம்பே
அகங்காரம் நெறஞ்ச பாம்பே
கீழிறங்கி வா வா கெட்டப் பாம்பே
O snake possessed with authority,
O snake filled with arrogance,
Come down here, come on, evil snake!
பாம்பே நீயாடு பாம்பே
ஆடும்வரை ஆடு பாம்பே
பகல் வேஷம் போட்டு வந்த
பொட்டிப் பாம்பே
Dance, snake, dance!
Dance for as long as you can, snake!
You deceitful snake that arrived wearing a disguise
You competing cobra!
கூழுக்கும் வேலையின்றி
குடிலுக்கும் ஓலையின்றி
ஏழைங்க துடிக்கையிலே
பாலுண்டு நீயின்று பழமென்று நீ கண்டு
பத்திரமா நீயிங்கு நடிக்கிறியே
Without even work to earn basic porridge,
Without even thatch for a humble hut,
When the poor people are struggling in agony,
Consuming milk and enjoying fruits today,
You act so safely and slyly here!
ஏழைங்க வயிறுங்க இழுக்குது புடிக்குது
இருக்கிற எடத்தையும் சிலதுங்க இடிக்குது
கோவிலிலிருந்தொரு கொடுமைகள் நடத்துற
குட்டி பாம்பே.....
The stomachs of the poor are aching and cramping from hunger,
Some people are even destroying whatever little shelter they have left,
Committing atrocities right from inside the temple,
You little snake!
பாம்பே நீயாடு பாம்பே
ஆடும்வரை ஆடு பாம்பே
பகல் வேஷம் போட்டு வந்த
பொட்டிப் பாம்பே
Dance, snake, dance!
Dance for as long as you can, snake!
You deceitful snake that arrived wearing a disguise
You competing cobra!
பீடத்தில் ஏறிக்கொண்டு
பிடிவாதம் பண்ணிக்கொண்டு
ஆட்டங்கள் போடாதே
பாவத்த சேர்க்காதே பழிகள வாங்காதே
பஞ்சைகளின் வாழ்வை தீண்டாதே
Mounting onto the pedestal,
Stubbornly holding your ground,
Do not put on your arrogant dances!
Do not accumulate sins, do not invite vengeance,
Do not harm the lives of the destitute!
பாவமும் பழிகளும் கூடுது ஏறுது
பசியில இருக்குற வயிறுங்க எரியுது
காரணமெல்லாம் நீதான் கள்ளப் பாம்பே
Sins and blame are piling up and rising high,
Stomachs suffering in severe hunger are burning,
You alone are the reason for all this, deceitful snake!
பாம்பே நீயாடு பாம்பே
ஆடும்வரை ஆடு பாம்பே
பகல் வேஷம் போட்டு வந்த
பொட்டிப் பாம்பே
Dance, snake, dance!
Dance for as long as you can, snake!
You deceitful snake that arrived wearing a disguise
You competing cobra!
ஊருக்குள் வஞ்சம் வைத்து
உள்ளுக்குள் நஞ்சும் வைத்து
உலவுற நல்ல பாம்பே
நல்லோரை வாட்டாதே
நாக்கை நீ நீட்டாதே
நலிந்தவர் வாழ்வை வதைக்காதே
Harboring malice within the town,
Keeping poison hidden inside your heart,
O cobra roaming around pretending to be good!
Do not torment righteous people,
Do not stick out your tongue in threat,
Do not oppress the lives of the weak and helpless!
வேஷமும் கலைகிற நேரமும் நெருங்குது
வேதனை தீயில விலங்குகள் நொறுங்குது
நாசமும் மோசமும் நாளைக்கு முடியுது
நஞ்சு பாம்பே...
The time for your disguise to fade away is drawing near,
Handcuffs/shackles are shattering in the fire of agony,
Destruction and evil deeds will come to an end tomorrow,
O poisonous snake!
பாம்பே நீயாடு பாம்பே
ஆடும்வரை ஆடு பாம்பே
பகல் வேஷம் போட்டு வந்த
பொட்டிப் பாம்பே
Dance, snake, dance!
Dance for as long as you can, snake!
You deceitful snake that arrived wearing a disguise
You competing cobra!
Oru thavarum senjariyaa uththamara maththavara
Is he a virtuous person who has never committed any mistake, or someone else?
Koththi pazhi vaanga vantha kuttu paambae
You young snake that has come to bite and exact vengeance!
Un kottaththa naan adakka poren
I am going to subdue your arrogance!
Kodumaigala mudikka poren
I am going to put an end to all cruelties!
Keezhirangi vanthidappa naagapaambae
Come down below, O cobra snake!
Mugamoodiya naan kizhikka poren ketta paambae
I am going to tear off your mask, evil snake!
Paambae neeyaadu paambae
Dance, snake, dance!
Aadumvarai aadu paambae
Dance for as long as you can, snake!
Pagal vesham pottu vantha
You deceitful snake that arrived wearing a disguise
Potti paambae
You competing cobra!
Adhigaaram konda paambae
O snake possessed with authority,
Agangaaram neranja paambae
O snake filled with arrogance,
Keezhirangi vaa vaa ketta paambae
Come down here, come on, evil snake!
Paambae neeyaadu paambae
Dance, snake, dance!
Aadumvarai aadu paambae
Dance for as long as you can, snake!
Pagal vesham pottu vantha
You deceitful snake that arrived wearing a disguise
Potti paambae
You competing cobra!
Koozhukkum velaiyindri
Without even work to earn basic porridge,
Kudilukkum olaiyindri
Without even thatch for a humble hut,
Yaezhainga thudikkaiyilae
When the poor people are struggling in agony,
Paalundu neeyindru pazhamendru nee kandu
Consuming milk and enjoying fruits today,
Paththiramaa neeyingu nadikkiriyae
You act so safely and slyly here!
Yaezhainga vayirunga izhukkuthu pudikkuthu
The stomachs of the poor are aching and cramping from hunger,
Irukkira edaththaiyum silathunga idikkuthu
Some people are even destroying whatever little shelter they have left,
Kovilirunthoru kodumaigal nadaththura
Committing atrocities right from inside the temple,
Kutti paambae
You little snake!
Paambae neeyaadu paambae
Dance, snake, dance!
Aadumvarai aadu paambae
Dance for as long as you can, snake!
Pagal vesham pottu vantha
You deceitful snake that arrived wearing a disguise
Potti paambae
You competing cobra!
Beedaththil yaerikondu
Mounting onto the pedestal,
Pidivaatham pannikkondu
Stubbornly holding your ground,
Aattangal podaathe
Do not put on your arrogant dances!
Paavaththa saerkkaathae pazhigala vaangaathae
Do not accumulate sins, do not invite vengeance,
Panjaigalin vaazhvai theendaathae
Do not harm the lives of the destitute!
Paavamum pazhigalum kooduthu yaeruthu
Sins and blame are piling up and rising high,
Pasiyila irukkura vayirunga eriyuthu
Stomachs suffering in severe hunger are burning,
Kaaranamellaam needhaan kalla paambae
You alone are the reason for all this, deceitful snake!
Paambae neeyaadu paambae
Dance, snake, dance!
Aadumvarai aadu paambae
Dance for as long as you can, snake!
Pagal vesham pottu vantha
You deceitful snake that arrived wearing a disguise
Potti paambae
You competing cobra!
Oorukkul vanjam vaththu
Harboring malice within the town,
Ullukkul nanjum vaithu
Keeping poison hidden inside your heart,
Ulavura nalla paambae
O cobra roaming around pretending to be good!
Nallorai vaataathae
Do not torment righteous people,
Naakkai nee neettaathae
Do not stick out your tongue in threat,
Nalinthavar vaazhvai vathaikkaathae
Do not oppress the lives of the weak and helpless!
Veshamum kalaigira neramum nerunguthu
The time for your disguise to fade away is drawing near,
Vedhanai theeyila vilangugal norunguthu
Handcuffs/shackles are shattering in the fire of agony,
Naasamum moshamum naalaikku mudiyuthu
Destruction and evil deeds will come to an end tomorrow,
Nanju paambae
O poisonous snake!
: Paambae neeyaadu paambae
Dance, snake, dance!
Aadumvarai aadu paambae
Dance for as long as you can, snake!
Pagal vesham pottu vantha
You deceitful snake that arrived wearing a disguise
Potti paambae
You competing cobra!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
In 'Paambae Neeyaadu', the protagonist addresses corrupt, oppressive, and hypocritical authority figures by metaphorically calling them poisonous snakes. The lyrics condemn those who hide behind pious disguises while exploiting the poor, stripping away their basic necessities like food and shelter, and misusing power for selfish gains.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagaim)
“Koththi pazhi vaanga vantha kuttu paambae”
The oppressor/villain is repeatedly metaphorized as a 'Paambu' (snake), highlighting stealth, deceitfulness, and lethality.
Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Koozhukkum velaiyindri / Kudilukkum olaiyindri”
Repetition of initial consonant/vowel sounds across words in lines like 'Koozhukkum' and 'Kudilukkum'.
Anaphora / Refrain
“Paambae neeyaadu paambae”
The line 'Paambae neeyaadu paambae' serves as a rhythmic, repeated call-out throughout the song.
Did you know?
Trivia
Kannadasan uses traditional Tamil snake-charmer song motifs ('Siththar Paadal' style) to deliver a sharp political and social critique against systemic oppression.
Keep listening
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