Paarappa Pazhaniappa
From Periya Idathu Penn · 1963
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
- Details
- Periya Idathu Penn1963
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Durrrrr…haaaa | Durrrrr…haaaa |
| Ohohohooooo | Ohohohooooo |
| Ohohohooooo | Ohohohooooo |
| Chorus :Ohohohooooo | Chorus :Ohohohooooo |
| Ohohohooooo | Ohohohooooo |
| Hahahhahhahaha…(3) | Hahahhahhahaha…(3) |
| Male :Durrrrr…haaaa | Male :Durrrrr…haaaa |
| Male | |
| {Paarappa pazhaniappa | {Look, O Palaniappa, |
| Pattanamaam pattanamaam} (2) | It is said to be a big city, a big city} (2) |
| Oorappa periyathappa | The town is big, O my friend, |
| Ullamthaan siriyathappa | But the hearts of people are very small, my friend. |
| Oorappa periyathappa | The town is big, O my friend, |
| Ullamthaan siriyathappa | But the hearts of people are very small, my friend. |
| Paarappa pazhaniappa | Look, O Palaniappa, |
| Pattanamaam pattanamaam… | It is said to be a big city, a big city... |
| Male | |
| {Aduperikkum pengalellam | {Women who used to kindle the stove, |
| Azhagazhaga padikuthappa | Are now studying beautifully, my friend. |
| Achchaditha kagithatha | Printed stacks of paper, |
| Adukku adukkaa summakuthappa} (2) | They carry in huge bundles, my friend} (2) |
| Male | |
| Yettinilae padikuthappa | They read from books, my friend, |
| Eduthu sonna puriyalappa | Yet if you explain simple truths, they don't understand, my friend. |
| Yettinilae padikuthappa | They read from books, my friend, |
| Eduthu sonna puriyalappa | Yet if you explain simple truths, they don't understand, my friend. |
| Naatukkuthaan raaniappa | To the country, she may be a queen, my friend, |
| Veettukku ava manaiviappa | At home, she is just a wife, my friend. |
| Chorus :Hahahhahahaha…. | Chorus :Hahahhahahaha…. |
| Male :Naatukkuthaan raaniappa | Male :To the country, she may be a queen, my friend, |
| Veettukku ava manaiviappa | At home, she is just a wife, my friend. |
| Male | |
| Paarappa pazhaniappa | Look, O Palaniappa, |
| Pattanamaam pattanamaam | It is said to be a big city, a big city |
| Oorappa periyathappa | The town is big, O my friend, |
| Ullamthaan siriyathappa | But the hearts of people are very small, my friend. |
| Paarappa pazhaniappa | Look, O Palaniappa, |
| Pattanamaam pattanamaam… | It is said to be a big city, a big city... |
| Male | |
| {Pattanathu kaadhalappa | {Love in the city, my friend, |
| Paathiyilae maraiyumappa | Disappears halfway, my friend. |
| Pattikkattu kaadhalukku | Whereas love in the village, |
| Gettiyaana uruvamappa }(2) | Has a solid, enduring form, my friend} (2) |
| Male | |
| Kaasu panam seruthappa | Money and wealth accumulate, my friend, |
| Car vandi parakuthappa | Cars fly past on the roads, my friend. |
| Kaasu panam seruthappa | Money and wealth accumulate, my friend, |
| Car vandi parakuthappa | Cars fly past on the roads, my friend. |
| Sertha panam selavazhinja | Once all accumulated wealth is spent, |
| Naattu pakkam odunguthappa | They retreat back to the countryside, my friend. |
| Chorus :Hahahahahahaha | Chorus :Hahahahahahaha |
| Male :Sertha panam selavazhinja | Male :Once all accumulated wealth is spent, |
| Naattu pakkam odunguthappa | They retreat back to the countryside, my friend. |
| Male | |
| Paarappa pazhaniappa | Look, O Palaniappa, |
| Pattanamaam pattanamaam | It is said to be a big city, a big city |
| Oorappa periyathappa | The town is big, O my friend, |
| Ullamthaan siriyathappa | But the hearts of people are very small, my friend. |
| Paarappa pazhaniappa | Look, O Palaniappa, |
| Pattanamaam pattanamaam…haan… | It is said to be a big city, a big city…haan… |
| Duuur…aaahaahaa | Duuur…aaahaahaa |
| Duuur…aaahaahaa | Duuur…aaahaahaa |
டுர்ர்ர்...ஹா..
ஓஹோஓ.....ஓஹோஓ....
குழு :
ஓஹோஓ.......
ஹஹஹஹஹா(3)
டுர்ர்ர்...ஹா..
Durrrrr…haaaa
Ohohohooooo
Ohohohooooo
Chorus :Ohohohooooo
Ohohohooooo
Hahahhahhahaha…(3)
Male :Durrrrr…haaaa
பாரப்பா பழனியப்பா
பட்டணமாம் பட்டணமாம்
பாரப்பா பழனியப்பா
பட்டணமாம் பட்டணமாம்
ஊரப்பா பெரியதப்பா
உள்ளம்தான் சிறியதப்பா
ஊரப்பா பெரியதப்பா
உள்ளம்தான் சிறியதப்பா
பாரப்பா பழனியப்பா
பட்டணமாம் பட்டணமாம்
{Look, O Palaniappa,
It is said to be a big city, a big city} (2)
The town is big, O my friend,
But the hearts of people are very small, my friend.
The town is big, O my friend,
But the hearts of people are very small, my friend.
Look, O Palaniappa,
It is said to be a big city, a big city...
{அடுப்பெரிக்கும் பெண்களெல்லாம்
அழகழகாய் படிக்குதப்பா
அச்சடித்த காகிதத்த
அடுக்கடுக்காய் சுமக்குதப்பா} (2)
{Women who used to kindle the stove,
Are now studying beautifully, my friend.
Printed stacks of paper,
They carry in huge bundles, my friend} (2)
ஏட்டினிலே படிக்குதப்பா
எடுத்துச்சொன்னா புரியலேப்பா
ஏட்டினிலே படிக்குதப்பா
எடுத்துச்சொன்னா புரியலேப்பா
நாட்டுக்குதான் ராணியப்பா
வீட்டுக்கு அவ மனைவியப்பா
குழு :
ஹஹஹஹஹா
நாட்டுக்குதான் ராணியப்பா
வீட்டுக்கு அவ மனைவியப்பா
They read from books, my friend,
Yet if you explain simple truths, they don't understand, my friend.
They read from books, my friend,
Yet if you explain simple truths, they don't understand, my friend.
To the country, she may be a queen, my friend,
At home, she is just a wife, my friend.
Chorus :Hahahhahahaha….
Male :To the country, she may be a queen, my friend,
At home, she is just a wife, my friend.
பாரப்பா பழனியப்பா
பட்டணமாம் பட்டணமாம்
ஊரப்பா பெரியதப்பா
உள்ளம்தான் சிறியதப்பா
பாரப்பா பழனியப்பா
பட்டணமாம் பட்டணமாம்
Look, O Palaniappa,
It is said to be a big city, a big city
The town is big, O my friend,
But the hearts of people are very small, my friend.
Look, O Palaniappa,
It is said to be a big city, a big city...
{பட்டணத்துக் காதலப்பா
பாதியிலே மறையுமப்பா
பட்டிக்காட்டு காதலுக்கு
கெட்டியான உருவமப்பா} (2)
{Love in the city, my friend,
Disappears halfway, my friend.
Whereas love in the village,
Has a solid, enduring form, my friend} (2)
காசுபணம் சேருதப்பா
காரு வண்டி பறக்குதப்பா
சேத்த பணம் செலவழிஞ்சா
நாட்டுப்பக்கம் ஒதுங்குதப்பா
குழு :
ஹஹஹஹஹா
சேத்த பணம் செலவழிஞ்சா
நாட்டுப்பக்கம் ஒதுங்குதப்பா
Money and wealth accumulate, my friend,
Cars fly past on the roads, my friend.
Money and wealth accumulate, my friend,
Cars fly past on the roads, my friend.
Once all accumulated wealth is spent,
They retreat back to the countryside, my friend.
Chorus :Hahahahahahaha
Male :Once all accumulated wealth is spent,
They retreat back to the countryside, my friend.
பாரப்பா பழனியப்பா
பட்டணமாம் பட்டணமாம்
ஊரப்பா பெரியதப்பா
உள்ளம்தான் சிறியதப்பா
பாரப்பா பழனியப்பா
பட்டணமாம் பட்டணமாம்..ஹான்
Look, O Palaniappa,
It is said to be a big city, a big city
The town is big, O my friend,
But the hearts of people are very small, my friend.
Look, O Palaniappa,
It is said to be a big city, a big city…haan…
Duuur…aaahaahaa
Duuur…aaahaahaa
டுர்ர்ர்...ஹா..2
Durrrrr…haaaa
Durrrrr…haaaa
Ohohohooooo
Ohohohooooo
Ohohohooooo
Ohohohooooo
Chorus :Ohohohooooo
Chorus :Ohohohooooo
Ohohohooooo
Ohohohooooo
Hahahhahhahaha…(3)
Hahahhahhahaha…(3)
Male :Durrrrr…haaaa
Male :Durrrrr…haaaa
{Paarappa pazhaniappa
{Look, O Palaniappa,
Pattanamaam pattanamaam} (2)
It is said to be a big city, a big city} (2)
Oorappa periyathappa
The town is big, O my friend,
Ullamthaan siriyathappa
But the hearts of people are very small, my friend.
Oorappa periyathappa
The town is big, O my friend,
Ullamthaan siriyathappa
But the hearts of people are very small, my friend.
Paarappa pazhaniappa
Look, O Palaniappa,
Pattanamaam pattanamaam…
It is said to be a big city, a big city...
{Aduperikkum pengalellam
{Women who used to kindle the stove,
Azhagazhaga padikuthappa
Are now studying beautifully, my friend.
Achchaditha kagithatha
Printed stacks of paper,
Adukku adukkaa summakuthappa} (2)
They carry in huge bundles, my friend} (2)
Yettinilae padikuthappa
They read from books, my friend,
Eduthu sonna puriyalappa
Yet if you explain simple truths, they don't understand, my friend.
Yettinilae padikuthappa
They read from books, my friend,
Eduthu sonna puriyalappa
Yet if you explain simple truths, they don't understand, my friend.
Naatukkuthaan raaniappa
To the country, she may be a queen, my friend,
Veettukku ava manaiviappa
At home, she is just a wife, my friend.
Chorus :Hahahhahahaha….
Chorus :Hahahhahahaha….
Male :Naatukkuthaan raaniappa
Male :To the country, she may be a queen, my friend,
Veettukku ava manaiviappa
At home, she is just a wife, my friend.
Paarappa pazhaniappa
Look, O Palaniappa,
Pattanamaam pattanamaam
It is said to be a big city, a big city
Oorappa periyathappa
The town is big, O my friend,
Ullamthaan siriyathappa
But the hearts of people are very small, my friend.
Paarappa pazhaniappa
Look, O Palaniappa,
Pattanamaam pattanamaam…
It is said to be a big city, a big city...
{Pattanathu kaadhalappa
{Love in the city, my friend,
Paathiyilae maraiyumappa
Disappears halfway, my friend.
Pattikkattu kaadhalukku
Whereas love in the village,
Gettiyaana uruvamappa }(2)
Has a solid, enduring form, my friend} (2)
Kaasu panam seruthappa
Money and wealth accumulate, my friend,
Car vandi parakuthappa
Cars fly past on the roads, my friend.
Kaasu panam seruthappa
Money and wealth accumulate, my friend,
Car vandi parakuthappa
Cars fly past on the roads, my friend.
Sertha panam selavazhinja
Once all accumulated wealth is spent,
Naattu pakkam odunguthappa
They retreat back to the countryside, my friend.
Chorus :Hahahahahahaha
Chorus :Hahahahahahaha
Male :Sertha panam selavazhinja
Male :Once all accumulated wealth is spent,
Naattu pakkam odunguthappa
They retreat back to the countryside, my friend.
Paarappa pazhaniappa
Look, O Palaniappa,
Pattanamaam pattanamaam
It is said to be a big city, a big city
Oorappa periyathappa
The town is big, O my friend,
Ullamthaan siriyathappa
But the hearts of people are very small, my friend.
Paarappa pazhaniappa
Look, O Palaniappa,
Pattanamaam pattanamaam…haan…
It is said to be a big city, a big city…haan…
Duuur…aaahaahaa
Duuur…aaahaahaa
Duuur…aaahaahaa
Duuur…aaahaahaa
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Paarappa Pazhaniappa is a humorous and satirical folk-style song from the 1963 Tamil film Periya Idathu Penn. Written from the point of view of a rustic villager observing city life, the song presents a sharp contrast between the grandeur of urban modernization and the perceived lack of true warmth and moral depth among city dwellers. The singer comments on how cities may boast large structures and material riches, yet suffer from small-heartedness and shallow human connections. Through clever lyrical observation, lyricist Kannadasan contrasts transient urban romance with enduring rural devotion, while commenting lightheartedly on social changes, modern education, and financial volatility. The central message emphasizes that superficial education and material wealth mean little if one lacks practical wisdom and a generous heart.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Antithesis / Refrain
“Oorappa periyathappa / Ullamthaan siriyathappa”
Contrasts the physical size of the city ('Oorappa periyathappa') with the narrowness of human hearts ('Ullamthaan siriyathappa') to deliver a social commentary.
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Pattanathu kaadhalappa / Pattikkattu kaadhalukku”
The second consonant 'tta' (ட்ட) rhymes across lines ('Pattanathu' and 'Pattikkattu'), producing a rhythmic lyrical flow characteristic of Tamil poetry.
Irony / Juxtaposition
“Naatukkuthaan raaniappa / Veettukku ava manaiviappa”
Juxtaposes high social standing ('queen to the country') against basic domestic reality ('wife at home') to gently mock superficial urban pretense.
Did you know?
Trivia
Periya Idathu Penn (1963) stars M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) and B. Saroja Devi. The film's musical score was composed by the legendary duo Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy, and this track was sung by T. M. Soundararajan (TMS) with lyrics penned by Kannadasan. The song remains a classic example of MGR's signature folk-social commentary tracks.
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