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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Padippu Thevaillai

From Selfie · 2022

Lyricist
Arivu
Singers
Arunraja Kamaraj, Arivu, Robert Sargunam, G. V. Prakash Kumar
Music director
G. V. Prakash Kumar
Details
Selfie2022

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Padippu theva illa paarudaLook, education is not needed, see!
Ketka yaarum illa en kaalamdaThere is no one to question me, it is my time!
Padicha pudunginga vaaraan daHere come the educated snobs!
Ippo yaaru keezha en kaalu keezhaNow who is beneath? They are right under my feet!
Male
Padippu theva illa paarudaLook, education is not needed, see!
Ketka yaarum illa en kaalamdaThere is no one to question me, it is my time!
Padicha pudungingaThe educated snobs
Ippo yaaru keezha en kaalu keezhaNow who is beneath? They are right under my feet!
Male
Attakathiya irunthomaeWe used to be cardboard swords
Mattakathi aanomaeWe turned into blunt daggers
Padikaama irunthomaeWe stayed uneducated
Panatha paathomaeYet we saw big money
Panatha thaan paathathumaeThe moment we saw money
Kirukkal aanomaeWe lost our minds
Yennanu puriyamaWithout understanding what was happening
Thalasuthi ninnomaeWe stood dizzy
Male
College-ah maranthachaeWe forgot about college
Moola thelivaachaeOur minds became clear
Pudhu route-u potachaeWe carved out a new route
Thug-ah aayachaeWe turned into thugs
Mattam thaan thatniyaeYou constantly put us down
Mattapalaga aaniyaeCalling us useless nails on a wooden board
Padichathaan kaasunnaIf money can only be made by studying,
Neengalam loosuthaanThen all of you are fools!
Male
Cool I’m a kombuCool, I am a big deal
Ushar mela thembuConfidence built on being alert
Kaal mela kaal pottuCrossing one leg over the other
Ukkaarven da kinguI will sit like a king, man!
Male
Navuruma sokku partyMove aside, stylish crowd
Mookku mela finger vaikkaTo make everyone put a finger on their nose in shock
Thoguruma kokku maakkuTrapping the foolish like a heron catching fish
Currency note-u karandhaachiWe milked currency notes out of them!
Arakka parakka padichi mudichiStudying frantic and in a rush
Edutha mark-u edhukku namakkuWhat use are the marks we scored?
Adichi pudichu deal-ah mudichiHustling hard and closing the deal
Kedacha kaasil nadathu virunthuHost a feast with the earned money
College namba controlCollege is under our control
Village out of controlThe village is going out of control
Male
Pattam vaangi enna aachuWhat good did getting a degree do?
Potti vaangi route-ah maathuTake the briefcase full of cash and change your path!
Male
Attakathiya irunthomaeWe used to be cardboard swords
Mattakathi aanomaeWe turned into blunt daggers
Padikaama irunthomaeWe stayed uneducated
Panatha paathomaeYet we saw big money
Panatha thaan paathathumaeThe moment we saw money
Kirukkal aanomaeWe lost our minds
Yennanu puriyamaWithout understanding what was happening
Thalasuthi ninnomaeWe stood dizzy
Male
College-ah maranthachaeWe forgot about college
Moola thelivaachaeOur minds became clear
Pudhu route-u potachaeWe carved out a new route
Thug-ah aayachaeWe turned into thugs
Mattam thaan thatniyaeYou constantly put us down
Mattapalaga aaniyaeCalling us useless nails on a wooden board
Padichathaan kaasunnaIf money can only be made by studying,
Neengalam loosuthaanThen all of you are fools!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This energetic, street-style track from the movie 'Selfie' serves as a cynical critique of the traditional education system and a celebration of underground hustling. The song reflects the mindset of youth who drop out or ignore formal schooling to pursue quick riches through admission brokerage and street deals. Expressing rebellion against societal expectations, the lyrics mock academic degrees, asserting that street-smart tactics and money yield ultimate power and respect.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Attakathiya irunthomae / Mattakathi aanomae

'Attakathi' (cardboard sword) represents harmless, inexperienced youth, while 'Mattakathi' (blunt dagger) symbolizes hardened, ruthless street hustlers.

Iyaibu (Rhyme Scheme)

College-ah maranthachae / Moola thelivaachae / Pudhu route-u potachae / Thug-ah aayachae

Consecutive lines end with the sound '-achae', creating a fast-paced rhythmic flow characteristic of Tamil rap/gaana.

Hyperbole / Idiom

Mookku mela finger vaikka

'Mookku mela finger vaikka' is a Tamil idiom meaning to stun or amaze someone beyond belief.

Imagery

Thoguruma kokku maakku / Currency note-u karandhaachi

'Kokku' (heron) catching fish serves as an image for opportunists preying on naive parents and students for admission money.

Did you know?

Trivia

The track features lyrics and vocal contributions from prominent Tamil indie artist and lyricist Arivu, alongside director-lyricist Arunraja Kamaraj and composer G. V. Prakash Kumar. The movie 'Selfie' centers heavily around the corrupt underground engineering college admission racket in Tamil Nadu, and this song functions as the thematic anthem for the scam brokers portrayed in the film.

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