Paattu Onnu Paadu Thambi
From Varumayin Niram Sigappu · 1980
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Varumayin Niram Sigappu1980
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Hey hey hey hey | Hey hey hey hey |
| Hey eh eh ehhh | Hey eh eh ehhh |
| Rurururu…ruru ruuuu | Rurururu…ruru ruuuu |
| Male | |
| Paattu onnu paadu thambi | Sing a song, my brother |
| Pasiya konjam marandhiruppom | Let us forget our hunger for a while |
| Paattu onnu paadu thambi | Sing a song, my brother |
| Pasiya konjam marandhiruppom | Let us forget our hunger for a while |
| Male | |
| Bhaaradhaththu thalainagaril | In the capital city of India |
| Thedu thedu velai thedu thambi… | Search, search for a job, brother... |
| Bhaaradhaththu perumai thannai | The glory of India |
| Paadu paadu soru edhukku thambi… | Sing, sing about it; who needs food anyway, brother? |
| Male | |
| Paattu onnu paadu thambi | Sing a song, my brother |
| Pasiya konjam marandhiruppom | Let us forget our hunger for a while |
| Bhaaradhaththu thalainagaril | In the capital city of India |
| Thedu thedu velai thedu thambiyoo.. | Search, search for a job, brother... |
| Bhaaradhaththu perumai thannai | The glory of India |
| Paadu paadu soru edhukku thambi… | Sing, sing about it; who needs food anyway, brother? |
| Male | |
| Vandhaara vaazhavachi | Welcoming strangers and helping them thrive |
| Ah sondhangalai yengavachi | Ah, while making our own relatives yearn |
| Bhoomi engum per eduthomae…. | We gained a name all across the world... |
| Thambiyapooo | Oh brother... |
| Oor muzhudhum budhi | To the whole world |
| Sonnomae..aahhaahh …. | We gave advice... ah ah... |
| Male | |
| Pattanaththu veedhiyilae | On the streets of the city |
| Pattam petra aanum pennum | Degree-holding men and women |
| Ittilukkum dosaikkumaa | Just for idlis and dosas |
| Suththi suththi vaaraarappaa | Are wandering around endlessly, my friend |
| Paarukkullae nalla naadu | In this world, the best country |
| Bhaaratham dhaan-nu sollungappa | Say that it is India, my friend |
| Male | |
| Paattu onnu paadu thambi | Sing a song, my brother |
| Pasiya konjam marandhiruppom | Let us forget our hunger for a while |
| Bhaaradhaththu thalainagaril | In the capital city of India |
| Thedu thedu velai thedu thambi.. | Search, search for a job, brother... |
| Bhaaradhaththu perumai thannai | The glory of India |
| Paadu paadu soru edhukku thambi… | Sing, sing about it; who needs food anyway, brother? |
| Male | |
| Vatraadha gangai endrum | The perennial Ganges river |
| Vaagaana ponni endrum | And the fertile Cauvery river |
| Katraadha aalillaiyappa | There is no uneducated person who hasn't learned of them |
| Aanaalum.. kathaazhai velayudhapooo… | Even so... it is all dry cactus thorns everywhere... |
| Ohhoo… | Ohhoo… |
| Male | |
| Naan porandha seemaiyilae | In the land where I was born |
| Naama senja paavamillae | It is not a sin that we committed |
| Naan porandha seemaiyilae | In the land where I was born |
| Naama senja paavamillae | It is not a sin that we committed |
| Appanukkum ammaavukkum | For father and mother |
| Aasae vandha dhoshamappa….aahoo… | It was the fault of their desire, my friend... |
| Appanukkum ammaavukkum | For father and mother |
| Aasae vandha dhoshamappa | It was the fault of their desire, my friend |
| Gangaiyilae muzhgivittu | Taking a dip in the Ganges |
| Kaavikkatti povomappaa …. | Let us wear saffron robes and leave, my friend... |
| Male | |
| Paattu onnu paadu thambi | Sing a song, my brother |
| Pasiya konjam marandhiruppom | Let us forget our hunger for a while |
| Bhaaradhaththu thalainagaril | In the capital city of India |
| Thedu thedu velai thedu thambi.. | Search, search for a job, brother... |
| Bhaaradhaththu perumai thannai | The glory of India |
| Paadu paadu soru edhukku thambi… | Sing, sing about it; who needs food anyway, brother? |
| Aaa aaa haan………. | Aaa aaa haan.......... |
| Male | |
| Oorellaam pillaiyappaa | Children everywhere in town |
| Ulveedu neraiyudhappa | The inside of the house is overflowing |
| Kooraiyilum thongudhae yappaa.. | They are even hanging from the roof, my friend... |
| Inimel kooppidavum perillaiyappaa…ahaa.. | There are no names left to call them anymore, my friend... |
| Male | |
| Palliyilae idamumillae | There is no room in schools |
| Padichi vandhaa velaiyillae | Even after studying, there are no jobs |
| Palliyarai mattum summaa | Only the bedroom keeps bursting |
| Pattu pattu therikkudhappa | With endless passion and life, my friend |
| Aandavan mel pazhiyappottu | Blaming it all on God |
| Adivaiyiththai thadavungappaa … | Rub your empty stomachs, my friends... |
| Male | |
| Paattu onnu paadu thambi | Sing a song, my brother |
| Pasiya konjam marandhiruppom | Let us forget our hunger for a while |
| Bhaaradhaththu thalainagaril | In the capital city of India |
| Thedu thedu velai thedu thambiyooo.. | Search, search for a job, brother... |
| Bhaaradhaththu perumai thannai | The glory of India |
| Paadu paadu soru edhukku thambi… | Sing, sing about it; who needs food anyway, brother? |
விசில் :
.................................
Hey hey hey hey
Hey eh eh ehhh
Rurururu…ruru ruuuu
ஹே ஹே ஹே ஹே
ஹே ஏ ஏ ஏஹே
ருருருறு....ருரு ரூஊஉ
Sing a song, my brother
Let us forget our hunger for a while
Sing a song, my brother
Let us forget our hunger for a while
பாட்டு ஒன்னு பாடு தம்பி
பசிய கொஞ்சம் மறந்திருப்போம்
பாட்டு ஒன்னு பாடு தம்பி
பசிய கொஞ்சம் மறந்திருப்போம்
In the capital city of India
Search, search for a job, brother...
The glory of India
Sing, sing about it; who needs food anyway, brother?
பாரதத்து தலைநகரில்
தேடு தேடு வேலை தேடு தம்பி..
பாரதத்து பெருமை தன்னை
பாடு பாடு சோறு எதுக்கு தம்பி...
Sing a song, my brother
Let us forget our hunger for a while
In the capital city of India
Search, search for a job, brother...
The glory of India
Sing, sing about it; who needs food anyway, brother?
பாட்டு ஒன்னு பாடு தம்பி
பசிய கொஞ்சம் மறந்திருப்போம்
பாரதத்து தலைநகரில்
தேடு தேடு வேலை தேடு தம்பியோ...
பாரதத்து பெருமை தன்னை
பாடு பாடு சோறு எதுக்கு தம்பி...
Welcoming strangers and helping them thrive
Ah, while making our own relatives yearn
We gained a name all across the world...
Oh brother...
To the whole world
We gave advice... ah ah...
வந்தாரா வாழவச்சி
ஆ சொந்தங்களை ஏங்கவச்சி
பூமி எங்கும் பேர் எடுத்தோமே...
தம்பியப்போ
ஊர் முழுதும் புத்தி
சொன்னோமே...ஆஹாஹ்ஹ...
On the streets of the city
Degree-holding men and women
Just for idlis and dosas
Are wandering around endlessly, my friend
In this world, the best country
Say that it is India, my friend
பட்டணத்து வீதியிலே
பட்டம் பெற்ற ஆணும் பெண்ணும்
இட்டிலிக்கும் தோசைக்குமா
சுத்தி சுத்தி வாராரப்பா
பாருக்குள்ளே நல்ல நாடு
பாரதம் தான்னு சொல்லுங்கப்பா
Sing a song, my brother
Let us forget our hunger for a while
In the capital city of India
Search, search for a job, brother...
The glory of India
Sing, sing about it; who needs food anyway, brother?
பாட்டு ஒன்னு பாடு தம்பி
பசிய கொஞ்சம் மறந்திருப்போம்
பாரதத்து தலைநகரில்
தேடு தேடு வேலை தேடு தம்பி..
பாரதத்து பெருமை தன்னை
பாடு பாடு சோறு எதுக்கு தம்பி...
The perennial Ganges river
And the fertile Cauvery river
There is no uneducated person who hasn't learned of them
Even so... it is all dry cactus thorns everywhere...
Ohhoo…
வற்றாத கங்கை என்றும்
வாகான பொன்னி என்றும்
கற்றாத ஆளில்லையப்பா
ஆனாலும்...கத்தாழை விளையுதப்போ...
ஓஹ்ஹோ
In the land where I was born
It is not a sin that we committed
In the land where I was born
It is not a sin that we committed
For father and mother
It was the fault of their desire, my friend...
For father and mother
It was the fault of their desire, my friend
Taking a dip in the Ganges
Let us wear saffron robes and leave, my friend...
நான் பொறந்த சீமையிலே
நாம செஞ்ச பாவமில்லே
நான் பொறந்த சீமையிலே
நாம செஞ்ச பாவமில்லே
அப்பனுக்கும் அம்மாவுக்கும்
ஆசை வந்த தோஷமப்பா...ஆஹோ
அப்பனுக்கும் அம்மாவுக்கும்
ஆசை வந்த தோஷமப்பா...ஆஹோ
காவிகட்டி போவோம்ப்பா....
Sing a song, my brother
Let us forget our hunger for a while
In the capital city of India
Search, search for a job, brother...
The glory of India
Sing, sing about it; who needs food anyway, brother?
Aaa aaa haan..........
பாட்டு ஒன்னு பாடு தம்பி
பசிய கொஞ்சம் மறந்திருப்போம்
பாரதத்து தலைநகரில்
தேடு தேடு வேலை தேடு தம்பி..
பாரதத்து பெருமை தன்னை
பாடு பாடு சோறு எதுக்கு தம்பி...
ஆஅ..ஆஅ...ஹான்......
Children everywhere in town
The inside of the house is overflowing
They are even hanging from the roof, my friend...
There are no names left to call them anymore, my friend...
ஊரெல்லாம் பிள்ளையப்பா
உள்வீடு நெறையுதப்பா
கூரையிலும் தொங்குதே யப்பா...
இனிமேல் கூப்பிடவும் பேரியில்லையப்பா....ஆஹா...
There is no room in schools
Even after studying, there are no jobs
Only the bedroom keeps bursting
With endless passion and life, my friend
Blaming it all on God
Rub your empty stomachs, my friends...
பள்ளியிலே இடமுமில்லே
படிச்சி வந்தா வேலையில்லே
பள்ளியறை மட்டும் சும்மா
பட்டு பட்டு தெறிக்குதப்பா
ஆண்டவன் மேல் பழியைப்போட்டு
அடிவயித்தை தடவுங்கப்பா....
Sing a song, my brother
Let us forget our hunger for a while
In the capital city of India
Search, search for a job, brother...
The glory of India
Sing, sing about it; who needs food anyway, brother?
பாட்டு ஒன்னு பாடு தம்பி
பசிய கொஞ்சம் மறந்திருப்போம்
பாரதத்து தலைநகரில்
தேடு தேடு வேலை தேடு தம்பியோ...
பாரதத்து பெருமை தன்னை
பாடு பாடு சோறு எதுக்கு தம்பி...
Hey hey hey hey
Hey hey hey hey
Hey eh eh ehhh
Hey eh eh ehhh
Rurururu…ruru ruuuu
Rurururu…ruru ruuuu
Paattu onnu paadu thambi
Sing a song, my brother
Pasiya konjam marandhiruppom
Let us forget our hunger for a while
Paattu onnu paadu thambi
Sing a song, my brother
Pasiya konjam marandhiruppom
Let us forget our hunger for a while
Bhaaradhaththu thalainagaril
In the capital city of India
Thedu thedu velai thedu thambi…
Search, search for a job, brother...
Bhaaradhaththu perumai thannai
The glory of India
Paadu paadu soru edhukku thambi…
Sing, sing about it; who needs food anyway, brother?
Paattu onnu paadu thambi
Sing a song, my brother
Pasiya konjam marandhiruppom
Let us forget our hunger for a while
Bhaaradhaththu thalainagaril
In the capital city of India
Thedu thedu velai thedu thambiyoo..
Search, search for a job, brother...
Bhaaradhaththu perumai thannai
The glory of India
Paadu paadu soru edhukku thambi…
Sing, sing about it; who needs food anyway, brother?
Vandhaara vaazhavachi
Welcoming strangers and helping them thrive
Ah sondhangalai yengavachi
Ah, while making our own relatives yearn
Bhoomi engum per eduthomae….
We gained a name all across the world...
Thambiyapooo
Oh brother...
Oor muzhudhum budhi
To the whole world
Sonnomae..aahhaahh ….
We gave advice... ah ah...
Pattanaththu veedhiyilae
On the streets of the city
Pattam petra aanum pennum
Degree-holding men and women
Ittilukkum dosaikkumaa
Just for idlis and dosas
Suththi suththi vaaraarappaa
Are wandering around endlessly, my friend
Paarukkullae nalla naadu
In this world, the best country
Bhaaratham dhaan-nu sollungappa
Say that it is India, my friend
Paattu onnu paadu thambi
Sing a song, my brother
Pasiya konjam marandhiruppom
Let us forget our hunger for a while
Bhaaradhaththu thalainagaril
In the capital city of India
Thedu thedu velai thedu thambi..
Search, search for a job, brother...
Bhaaradhaththu perumai thannai
The glory of India
Paadu paadu soru edhukku thambi…
Sing, sing about it; who needs food anyway, brother?
Vatraadha gangai endrum
The perennial Ganges river
Vaagaana ponni endrum
And the fertile Cauvery river
Katraadha aalillaiyappa
There is no uneducated person who hasn't learned of them
Aanaalum.. kathaazhai velayudhapooo…
Even so... it is all dry cactus thorns everywhere...
Ohhoo…
Ohhoo…
Naan porandha seemaiyilae
In the land where I was born
Naama senja paavamillae
It is not a sin that we committed
Naan porandha seemaiyilae
In the land where I was born
Naama senja paavamillae
It is not a sin that we committed
Appanukkum ammaavukkum
For father and mother
Aasae vandha dhoshamappa….aahoo…
It was the fault of their desire, my friend...
Appanukkum ammaavukkum
For father and mother
Aasae vandha dhoshamappa
It was the fault of their desire, my friend
Gangaiyilae muzhgivittu
Taking a dip in the Ganges
Kaavikkatti povomappaa ….
Let us wear saffron robes and leave, my friend...
Paattu onnu paadu thambi
Sing a song, my brother
Pasiya konjam marandhiruppom
Let us forget our hunger for a while
Bhaaradhaththu thalainagaril
In the capital city of India
Thedu thedu velai thedu thambi..
Search, search for a job, brother...
Bhaaradhaththu perumai thannai
The glory of India
Paadu paadu soru edhukku thambi…
Sing, sing about it; who needs food anyway, brother?
Aaa aaa haan……….
Aaa aaa haan..........
Oorellaam pillaiyappaa
Children everywhere in town
Ulveedu neraiyudhappa
The inside of the house is overflowing
Kooraiyilum thongudhae yappaa..
They are even hanging from the roof, my friend...
Inimel kooppidavum perillaiyappaa…ahaa..
There are no names left to call them anymore, my friend...
Palliyilae idamumillae
There is no room in schools
Padichi vandhaa velaiyillae
Even after studying, there are no jobs
Palliyarai mattum summaa
Only the bedroom keeps bursting
Pattu pattu therikkudhappa
With endless passion and life, my friend
Aandavan mel pazhiyappottu
Blaming it all on God
Adivaiyiththai thadavungappaa …
Rub your empty stomachs, my friends...
Paattu onnu paadu thambi
Sing a song, my brother
Pasiya konjam marandhiruppom
Let us forget our hunger for a while
Bhaaradhaththu thalainagaril
In the capital city of India
Thedu thedu velai thedu thambiyooo..
Search, search for a job, brother...
Bhaaradhaththu perumai thannai
The glory of India
Paadu paadu soru edhukku thambi…
Sing, sing about it; who needs food anyway, brother?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song is a scathing social satire from the 1980 movie 'Varumayin Niram Sigappu' (The Color of Poverty is Red), portraying the stark contrast between national pride and the grim reality of severe unemployment, poverty, and overpopulation in India. It highlights how highly educated young men and women wander the streets of the nation's capital unable to afford basic meals, while societal hypocrisy glorifies the past instead of addressing present misery.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Irony / Satire (Nindha Stuthi)
“Bhaaradhaththu perumai thannai Paadu paadu soru edhukku thambi…”
Kannadasan sarcastically suggests singing about national glory as a substitute for food to numb the pain of real hunger.
Adukku Thodaru (Repetition for Emphasis)
“Thedu thedu velai thedu thambi…”
Words like 'Thedu thedu', 'Paadu paadu', and 'Suththi suththi' are repeated consecutively to emphasize desperation and continuous effort.
Contrast / Anthesis
“Vatraadha gangai endrum... Aanaalum.. kathaazhai velayudhapooo…”
Contrasts the eternal, life-giving rivers (Ganges and Cauvery) with the harsh reality of barren cactus thorns representing economic dryness.
Did you know?
Trivia
Although listed without music director and singer details in the prompt context, the song was composed by legendary music director M. S. Viswanathan, sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, and picturized on Kamal Haasan and S. Ve. Shekher in Delhi.
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