Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Paarukkulle Nalla Naadu

From Vesham · 1985

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Sundar Rajan, Sakthi Shanmugam
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Vesham1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
…………….....
Male
Paarukullae….In this world...
Male :Govinthaa…Male: Govindha...
Male :Nalla naduMale: A good country
Male :Govinthaa…Male: Govindha...
Male :BharathamthaanMale: Bharatham (India) itself
Male :Govinthaa…Male: Govindha...
Male :Namma naaduMale: Is our country
Male :Govinthaa…Male: Govindha...
Male
Vaesham pottaa vetri kidaikkumIf you wear a disguise, you get success
Namma paaththaa pakthi kidaikkumIf people look at us, they feel devotion
Male
Paarukullae….In this world...
Male :Govinthaa…Male: Govindha...
Male :Nalla naduMale: A good country
Male :Govinthaa…Male: Govindha...
Male :BharathamthaanMale: Bharatham (India) itself
Male :Govinthaa…Male: Govindha...
Male :Namma naaduMale: Is our country
Male :Govinthaa…Male: Govindha...
Male
Manjal poosi mile-gal irunthaaIf a milestone is smeared with turmeric
Kadavul enbaaruThey will call it God
Intha makkalai Paththi naanaa sonnaenDid I say this about these people?
Periyaal sonnaaruA great person (Periyar) said this
Male
Ada kaavi thuniya kattiya saamiOh, the saint wearing saffron clothes
Car-il varuvaaruWill arrive in a car
Adha kandaal pothumJust seeing that is enough
Manthiri kooda kaalil vizhuvaaruEven a minister will fall at his feet
Male
Nallavrkku kaalamillaThere is no good time for good people
Nyaana thangamaeOh precious golden wisdom
Male :Naamam pottaa pozhaichchukalaamMale: If we put on religious marks, we can survive
Nyaana thangamaeOh precious golden wisdom
Male :Saamiyaaraa maariputtaaMale: If one turns into a saint
Sangadangal theenthathadaaAll troubles come to an end, my friend
Male
Paarukullae….In this world...
Male :Govinthaa…Male: Govindha...
Male :Nalla naduMale: A good country
Male :Govinthaa…Male: Govindha...
Male :BharathamthaanMale: Bharatham (India) itself
Male :Govinthaa…Male: Govindha...
Male :Namma naaduMale: Is our country
Male :Govinthaa…Male: Govindha...
Male
Vaesham pottaa vetri kidaikkumIf you wear a disguise, you get success
Namma paaththaa pakthi kidaikkumIf people look at us, they feel devotion
Male
Paarukullae….In this world...
Male :Govinthaa…Male: Govindha...
Male :Nalla naduMale: A good country
Male :Govinthaa…Male: Govindha...
Male :BharathamthaanMale: Bharatham (India) itself
Male :Govinthaa…Male: Govindha...
Male :Namma naaduMale: Is our country
Male :Govinthaa…Male: Govindha...
Male
Kudisaiyil irukkum pullaingalukkuFor the children living in slums and huts
Pasiyaal uyir pogumLife is lost due to hunger
Aanaa kovilil irukkum saamikku nadakkumBut for the deity inside the temple
Paalaal abhishegamAnointing with milk takes place
Male
Yaezhaiyin sirippil iraivan irukkaanGod resides in the smile of the poor
Annaa sonnaruAnna (C.N. Annadurai) said this
Avar sonnatha yaarum ketkalaNobody listened to what he said
Adhanaal thoonga ponaaruThat is why he went to sleep (passed away)
Male
Dhesam pora pokkuThis is the direction this country is going in
Idhu nyaana thangamaeThis is it, oh golden wisdom
Male :Neeyum naanum solli ennaMale: What is the point of you and me talking?
Nyaana thangamaeOh precious golden wisdom
Male :Naalu peru pora vazhiMale: The path that four people walk
Naamum ponaa nyaamadiIf we also take it, it is considered right, my friend
Male
Paarukullae….In this world...
Male :Govinthaa…Male: Govindha...
Male :Nalla naduMale: A good country
Male :Govinthaa…Male: Govindha...
Male :BharathamthaanMale: Bharatham (India) itself
Male :Govinthaa…Male: Govindha...
Male :Namma naaduMale: Is our country
Male :Govinthaa…Male: Govindha...
Male
Vaesham pottaa vetri kidaikkumIf you wear a disguise, you get success
Namma paaththaa pakthi kidaikkumIf people look at us, they feel devotion

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This satirical song written by Vaali critiques social hypocrisy, blind faith, and fake saintliness in modern society. It points out how society easily worships superficial symbols, such as turmeric smeared on a milestone or rich godmen in luxury cars, while genuine goodness and truth go unrewarded. The chorus repeatedly uses the chant 'Govindha' and ironical praise for the nation to highlight the absurdities around us.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Satire / Social Critique

Vaesham pottaa vetri kidaikkum

The line mockingly points out that taking on a pious facade (vaesham) brings instant respect and success in society.

Contrast / Juxtaposition

Kudisaiyil irukkum pullaingalukku pasiyaal uyir pogum / Aanaa kovilil irukkum saamikku nadakkum paalaal abhishegam

Directly contrasts starving children in poverty-stricken huts with extravagant milk ritual abhishekams for stone idols in temples.

Refrain / Apostrophe

Nyaana thangamae

'Nyaana thangamae' serves as a poetic refrain addressing an idealized personification of pure wisdom or truth.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song directly references prominent social and political thinkers of Tamil Nadu: 'Periyaal' refers to Periyar E. V. Ramasamy and his critique of ritualism, while 'Anna' refers to C. N. Annadurai and his famous slogan 'Yaezhaiyin sirippil iraivanai kaanalam' (God is seen in the smile of the poor).

Keep listening

More from Vesham