Pallavan Odura Pattanam
From Manaivi Ready · 1987
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- Malaysia Vasudevan
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Manaivi Ready1987
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| …………….. | ... |
| Male | |
| Pallavan odura pattanam thaanga | This is the city where Pallavan buses run, |
| Paaththaa rompa latchanam thaanga | If you look at it, it has a wonderful grandeur. |
| Pallavan odura pattanam thaanga | This is the city where Pallavan buses run, |
| Paaththaa rompa latchanam thaanga | If you look at it, it has a wonderful grandeur. |
| Male | |
| Koovam paayura bhoomi adhunga | It is the land where the Cooum river flows, |
| Kuththam sonnaa paavam varunga | Finding fault with it will bring sin upon you. |
| Male | |
| Eppothum beach-u kaaththuthaan | There is always a cool breeze from the beach, |
| Ennaalum aattam paattamthaan | Every day is filled with celebration and dance. |
| Yaeraalam maadi veeduthaan | There are plenty of multi-story buildings, |
| Engaeyum thaaru road-thaan | And paved tar roads everywhere. |
| Male | |
| Pallavan odura pattanam thaanga | This is the city where Pallavan buses run, |
| Paaththaa rompa latchanam thaanga | If you look at it, it has a wonderful grandeur. |
| Pattanam thaanga…..latchanam thaanga…. | The city indeed... and its grandeur indeed... |
| Mechchanum neenga | You ought to praise it! |
| Male | |
| Maangaa thengaa ingu velaiyuthu | Mangoes and coconuts grow in the countryside, |
| Market thedi angu varuguthu | And come to the city looking for a market. |
| Pattikkaattil velachchal kandathu | The produce grown in the rural villages, |
| Pattanam vanthaa viththu povuthu | Gets sold once it reaches the city. |
| Male | |
| Naangal ellaam vaangidavae | For us to buy all of those goods, |
| Neengalumthaan nenachchidanum | You must also extend your thought and kindness. |
| Neengalellaam nenaikkaatti | If all of you do not think of us, |
| Naangalumthaan thavichchidanum | We too will suffer and struggle. |
| Pattikkaaduthaan thaaya pondrathu | The countryside is like a mother, |
| Pattanangathaan seyap pondrathu | While the city is like her child. |
| Male | |
| Pallavan odura pattanam thaanga | This is the city where Pallavan buses run, |
| Paaththaa rompa latchanam thaanga | If you look at it, it has a wonderful grandeur. |
| Male | |
| Koovam paayura bhoomi adhunga | It is the land where the Cooum river flows, |
| Kuththam sonnaa paavam varunga | Finding fault with it will bring sin upon you. |
| Male | |
| Eppothum beach-u kaaththuthaan | There is always a cool breeze from the beach, |
| Ennaalum aattam paattamthaan | Every day is filled with celebration and dance. |
| Yaeraalam maadi veeduthaan | There are plenty of multi-story buildings, |
| Engaeyum thaaru road-thaan | And paved tar roads everywhere. |
| Male | |
| Pallavan odura pattanam thaanga | This is the city where Pallavan buses run, |
| Paaththaa rompa latchanam thaanga | If you look at it, it has a wonderful grandeur. |
| Pattanam thaanga…..latchanam thaanga…. | The city indeed... and its grandeur indeed... |
| Mechchanum neenga | You ought to praise it! |
| Male | |
| Annaa periyaar kamarajar-u | Anna, Periyar, and Kamarajar, |
| Onnaa vaazhntha ooruthaanunga | This is the city where they lived together in harmony. |
| Angae ippa nooru katchithaan | There may be a hundred political parties there today, |
| Aanaa onnaa vaazhum kaatchithaan | Yet people live together as one united sight. |
| Male | |
| Ennaalum pattanaththa yaelanamaai ennaathae | Never treat this city with disdain, |
| Neeyum kooda angae vanthu saenthidalaam annaaththae | Even you can come and join here, my elder brother. |
| Kettum koodaththaan pattanaththaiyae | They say that even if one ruins oneself, |
| Saeralaamunny solluvaangalae | One should ruin oneself by coming to the city. |
| Male | |
| Pallavan odura pattanam thaanga | This is the city where Pallavan buses run, |
| Paaththaa rompa latchanam thaanga | If you look at it, it has a wonderful grandeur. |
| Male | |
| Koovam paayura bhoomi adhunga | It is the land where the Cooum river flows, |
| Kuththam sonnaa paavam varunga | Finding fault with it will bring sin upon you. |
| Male | |
| Eppothum beach-u kaaththuthaan | There is always a cool breeze from the beach, |
| Ennaalum aattam paattamthaan | Every day is filled with celebration and dance. |
| Yaeraalam maadi veeduthaan | There are plenty of multi-story buildings, |
| Engaeyum thaaru road-thaan | And paved tar roads everywhere. |
| Male | |
| Pallavan odura pattanam thaanga | This is the city where Pallavan buses run, |
| Paaththaa rompa latchanam thaanga | If you look at it, it has a wonderful grandeur. |
| Pattanam thaanga…..latchanam thaanga…. | The city indeed... and its grandeur indeed... |
| Mechchanum neenga…..hei…. | You ought to praise it... Hey! |
....................
...
பல்லவன் ஓடுற பட்டணம் தாங்க
பாத்தா ரொம்ப லட்சணம் தாங்க
பல்லவன் ஓடுற பட்டணம் தாங்க
பாத்தா ரொம்ப லட்சணம் தாங்க
This is the city where Pallavan buses run,
If you look at it, it has a wonderful grandeur.
This is the city where Pallavan buses run,
If you look at it, it has a wonderful grandeur.
கூவம் பாயுற பூமி அதுங்க
குத்தம் சொன்னா பாவம் வருங்க
It is the land where the Cooum river flows,
Finding fault with it will bring sin upon you.
எப்போதும் பீச்சு காத்துதான்
எந்நாளும் ஆட்டம் பாட்டம்தான்
ஏராளம் மாடி வீடுதான்
எங்கேயும் தாரு ரோடுதான்......
There is always a cool breeze from the beach,
Every day is filled with celebration and dance.
There are plenty of multi-story buildings,
And paved tar roads everywhere.
பல்லவன் ஓடுற பட்டணம் தாங்க
பாத்தா ரொம்ப லட்சணம் தாங்க
பட்டணம் தாங்க......லட்சணம் தாங்க.....
மெச்சனும் நீங்க.....
This is the city where Pallavan buses run,
If you look at it, it has a wonderful grandeur.
The city indeed... and its grandeur indeed...
You ought to praise it!
மாங்கா தேங்கா இங்கு வெளையுது
மார்க்கெட் தேடி அங்கு வருகுது
பட்டிக்காட்டில் வெளச்சல் கண்டது
பட்டணம் வந்தா வித்துப் போவுது
Mangoes and coconuts grow in the countryside,
And come to the city looking for a market.
The produce grown in the rural villages,
Gets sold once it reaches the city.
நாங்கள் எல்லாம் வாங்கிடவே
நீங்களும்தான் நெனச்சிடணும்
நீங்களெல்லாம் நெனைக்காட்டி
நாங்களும்தான் தவிச்சிடணும்
பட்டிக்காடுதான் தாயப் போன்றது
பட்டணங்கதான் சேயப் போன்றது...
For us to buy all of those goods,
You must also extend your thought and kindness.
If all of you do not think of us,
We too will suffer and struggle.
The countryside is like a mother,
While the city is like her child.
பல்லவன் ஓடுற பட்டணம் தாங்க
பாத்தா ரொம்ப லட்சணம் தாங்க
This is the city where Pallavan buses run,
If you look at it, it has a wonderful grandeur.
கூவம் பாயுற பூமி அதுங்க
குத்தம் சொன்னா பாவம் வருங்க
It is the land where the Cooum river flows,
Finding fault with it will bring sin upon you.
எப்போதும் பீச்சு காத்துதான்
எந்நாளும் ஆட்டம் பாட்டம்தான்
ஏராளம் மாடி வீடுதான்
எங்கேயும் தாரு ரோடுதான்......
There is always a cool breeze from the beach,
Every day is filled with celebration and dance.
There are plenty of multi-story buildings,
And paved tar roads everywhere.
பல்லவன் ஓடுற பட்டணம் தாங்க
பாத்தா ரொம்ப லட்சணம் தாங்க
பட்டணம் தாங்க......லட்சணம் தாங்க.....
மெச்சனும் நீங்க.....ஹேய் ஹே.....
This is the city where Pallavan buses run,
If you look at it, it has a wonderful grandeur.
The city indeed... and its grandeur indeed...
You ought to praise it!
அண்ணா பெரியார் காமராஜரு
ஒண்ணா வாழ்ந்த ஊரு தானுங்க
அங்கே இப்ப நூறு கட்சிதான்
ஆனா ஒண்ணா வாழும் காட்சிதான்
Anna, Periyar, and Kamarajar,
This is the city where they lived together in harmony.
There may be a hundred political parties there today,
Yet people live together as one united sight.
எந்நாளும் பட்டணத்த ஏளனமாய் எண்ணாதே
நீயும் கூட அங்கே வந்து சேந்திடலாம் அண்ணாத்தே
கெட்டும் கூடத்தான் பட்டணத்தையே
சேரலாமுன்னு சொல்லுவாங்களே......
Never treat this city with disdain,
Even you can come and join here, my elder brother.
They say that even if one ruins oneself,
One should ruin oneself by coming to the city.
பல்லவன் ஓடுற பட்டணம் தாங்க
பாத்தா ரொம்ப லட்சணம் தாங்க
This is the city where Pallavan buses run,
If you look at it, it has a wonderful grandeur.
கூவம் பாயுற பூமி அதுங்க
குத்தம் சொன்னா பாவம் வருங்க
It is the land where the Cooum river flows,
Finding fault with it will bring sin upon you.
எப்போதும் பீச்சு காத்துதான்
எந்நாளும் ஆட்டம் பாட்டம்தான்
ஏராளம் மாடி வீடுதான்
எங்கேயும் தாரு ரோடுதான்......
There is always a cool breeze from the beach,
Every day is filled with celebration and dance.
There are plenty of multi-story buildings,
And paved tar roads everywhere.
பல்லவன் ஓடுற பட்டணம் தாங்க
பாத்தா ரொம்ப லட்சணம் தாங்க
பட்டணம் தாங்க......லட்சணம் தாங்க.....
மெச்சனும் நீங்க.....ஹேய்......
This is the city where Pallavan buses run,
If you look at it, it has a wonderful grandeur.
The city indeed... and its grandeur indeed...
You ought to praise it... Hey!
……………..
...
Pallavan odura pattanam thaanga
This is the city where Pallavan buses run,
Paaththaa rompa latchanam thaanga
If you look at it, it has a wonderful grandeur.
Pallavan odura pattanam thaanga
This is the city where Pallavan buses run,
Paaththaa rompa latchanam thaanga
If you look at it, it has a wonderful grandeur.
Koovam paayura bhoomi adhunga
It is the land where the Cooum river flows,
Kuththam sonnaa paavam varunga
Finding fault with it will bring sin upon you.
Eppothum beach-u kaaththuthaan
There is always a cool breeze from the beach,
Ennaalum aattam paattamthaan
Every day is filled with celebration and dance.
Yaeraalam maadi veeduthaan
There are plenty of multi-story buildings,
Engaeyum thaaru road-thaan
And paved tar roads everywhere.
Pallavan odura pattanam thaanga
This is the city where Pallavan buses run,
Paaththaa rompa latchanam thaanga
If you look at it, it has a wonderful grandeur.
Pattanam thaanga…..latchanam thaanga….
The city indeed... and its grandeur indeed...
Mechchanum neenga
You ought to praise it!
Maangaa thengaa ingu velaiyuthu
Mangoes and coconuts grow in the countryside,
Market thedi angu varuguthu
And come to the city looking for a market.
Pattikkaattil velachchal kandathu
The produce grown in the rural villages,
Pattanam vanthaa viththu povuthu
Gets sold once it reaches the city.
Naangal ellaam vaangidavae
For us to buy all of those goods,
Neengalumthaan nenachchidanum
You must also extend your thought and kindness.
Neengalellaam nenaikkaatti
If all of you do not think of us,
Naangalumthaan thavichchidanum
We too will suffer and struggle.
Pattikkaaduthaan thaaya pondrathu
The countryside is like a mother,
Pattanangathaan seyap pondrathu
While the city is like her child.
Pallavan odura pattanam thaanga
This is the city where Pallavan buses run,
Paaththaa rompa latchanam thaanga
If you look at it, it has a wonderful grandeur.
Koovam paayura bhoomi adhunga
It is the land where the Cooum river flows,
Kuththam sonnaa paavam varunga
Finding fault with it will bring sin upon you.
Eppothum beach-u kaaththuthaan
There is always a cool breeze from the beach,
Ennaalum aattam paattamthaan
Every day is filled with celebration and dance.
Yaeraalam maadi veeduthaan
There are plenty of multi-story buildings,
Engaeyum thaaru road-thaan
And paved tar roads everywhere.
Pallavan odura pattanam thaanga
This is the city where Pallavan buses run,
Paaththaa rompa latchanam thaanga
If you look at it, it has a wonderful grandeur.
Pattanam thaanga…..latchanam thaanga….
The city indeed... and its grandeur indeed...
Mechchanum neenga
You ought to praise it!
Annaa periyaar kamarajar-u
Anna, Periyar, and Kamarajar,
Onnaa vaazhntha ooruthaanunga
This is the city where they lived together in harmony.
Angae ippa nooru katchithaan
There may be a hundred political parties there today,
Aanaa onnaa vaazhum kaatchithaan
Yet people live together as one united sight.
Ennaalum pattanaththa yaelanamaai ennaathae
Never treat this city with disdain,
Neeyum kooda angae vanthu saenthidalaam annaaththae
Even you can come and join here, my elder brother.
Kettum koodaththaan pattanaththaiyae
They say that even if one ruins oneself,
Saeralaamunny solluvaangalae
One should ruin oneself by coming to the city.
Pallavan odura pattanam thaanga
This is the city where Pallavan buses run,
Paaththaa rompa latchanam thaanga
If you look at it, it has a wonderful grandeur.
Koovam paayura bhoomi adhunga
It is the land where the Cooum river flows,
Kuththam sonnaa paavam varunga
Finding fault with it will bring sin upon you.
Eppothum beach-u kaaththuthaan
There is always a cool breeze from the beach,
Ennaalum aattam paattamthaan
Every day is filled with celebration and dance.
Yaeraalam maadi veeduthaan
There are plenty of multi-story buildings,
Engaeyum thaaru road-thaan
And paved tar roads everywhere.
Pallavan odura pattanam thaanga
This is the city where Pallavan buses run,
Paaththaa rompa latchanam thaanga
If you look at it, it has a wonderful grandeur.
Pattanam thaanga…..latchanam thaanga….
The city indeed... and its grandeur indeed...
Mechchanum neenga…..hei….
You ought to praise it... Hey!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Pallavan Odura Pattanam' from the 1987 film 'Manaivi Ready' is a lively tribute to the city of Madras (now Chennai). Lyricist Vaali captures the essence of urban life in Madras through iconic landmarks and characteristics, such as the famous Pallavan Transport Corporation buses, the Cooum river, the Marina beach breeze, and tar roads lined with tall buildings. He highlights the interdependence between rural villages (the mother) and the urban city (the child), emphasizing how farm produce finds its marketplace and value in the city. Furthermore, the song pays respect to historical socio-political leaders like C. N. Annadurai (Anna), Periyar E. V. Ramasamy, and K. Kamaraj, celebrating the spirit of unity in diversity despite political differences. By referencing the classic Tamil proverb 'Kettum Pattanathai Seer' (Even if ruined, let it be in the city), the track underscores Chennai's welcoming nature as a city of opportunities for anyone seeking to build a life.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Pattikkaaduthaan thaaya pondrathu / Pattanangathaan seyap pondrathu”
Compares rural villages to a mother and the city to a child, illustrating their inseparable, nurturing bond.
Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Pallavan odura pattanam thaanga / Paaththaa rompa latchanam thaanga”
Repetition of initial consonant and vowel sounds 'Pa' in consecutive lines for rhythmic flow.
Iyaibu (End Rhyme)
“Eppothum beach-u kaaththuthaan / Ennaalum aattam paattamthaan”
Matching end sounds ('thaan') in consecutive lines adding catchy musicality.
Proverb Allusion (Pazhamozhi)
“Kettum koodaththaan pattanaththaiyae / Saeralaamunny solluvaangalae”
Directly invokes the famous Tamil adage 'Kettum Pattanam Seer' indicating that Madras offers livelihood even in adversity.
Did you know?
Trivia
The 'Pallavan Transport Corporation' (PTC) was the official public bus transit service in Chennai (then Madras) established in 1972, which became synonymous with public commuting in the city during the 1970s and 1980s before being renamed to MTC. Lyricist Vaali expertly infused everyday street-level realities of Madras life into this upbeat melody rendered by Malaysia Vasudevan for Ilayaraja.
Keep listening
More from Manaivi Ready
Manaivi Ready
Manaivi Ready
Manaivi Ready
Manaivi Ready