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Isaimozhi
Manaivi Ready album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Pallavan Odura Pattanam

From Manaivi Ready · 1987

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
Malaysia Vasudevan
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Manaivi Ready
Movie release year
1987
Lyrics added on
20 Apr 2022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
……………..
Pallavan odura pattanam thaanga
Paaththaa rompa latchanam thaanga
Pallavan odura pattanam thaanga
Paaththaa rompa latchanam thaanga
Koovam paayura bhoomi adhunga
Kuththam sonnaa paavam varunga
Eppothum beach-u kaaththuthaan
Ennaalum aattam paattamthaan
Yaeraalam maadi veeduthaan
Engaeyum thaaru road-thaan
Pallavan odura pattanam thaanga
Paaththaa rompa latchanam thaanga
Pattanam thaanga…..latchanam thaanga….
Mechchanum neenga
Maangaa thengaa ingu velaiyuthu
Market thedi angu varuguthu
Pattikkaattil velachchal kandathu
Pattanam vanthaa viththu povuthu
Naangal ellaam vaangidavae
Neengalumthaan nenachchidanum
Neengalellaam nenaikkaatti
Naangalumthaan thavichchidanum
Pattikkaaduthaan thaaya pondrathu
Pattanangathaan seyap pondrathu
Pallavan odura pattanam thaanga
Paaththaa rompa latchanam thaanga
Koovam paayura bhoomi adhunga
Kuththam sonnaa paavam varunga
Eppothum beach-u kaaththuthaan
Ennaalum aattam paattamthaan
Yaeraalam maadi veeduthaan
Engaeyum thaaru road-thaan
Pallavan odura pattanam thaanga
Paaththaa rompa latchanam thaanga
Pattanam thaanga…..latchanam thaanga….
Mechchanum neenga
Annaa periyaar kamarajar-u
Onnaa vaazhntha ooruthaanunga
Angae ippa nooru katchithaan
Aanaa onnaa vaazhum kaatchithaan
Ennaalum pattanaththa yaelanamaai ennaathae
Neeyum kooda angae vanthu saenthidalaam annaaththae
Kettum koodaththaan pattanaththaiyae
Saeralaamunny solluvaangalae
Pallavan odura pattanam thaanga
Paaththaa rompa latchanam thaanga
Koovam paayura bhoomi adhunga
Kuththam sonnaa paavam varunga
Eppothum beach-u kaaththuthaan
Ennaalum aattam paattamthaan
Yaeraalam maadi veeduthaan
Engaeyum thaaru road-thaan
Pallavan odura pattanam thaanga
Paaththaa rompa latchanam thaanga
Pattanam thaanga…..latchanam thaanga….
Mechchanum neenga…..hei….
...
This is the city where Pallavan buses run!
To look at it, it's truly charming!
This is the city where Pallavan buses run!
To look at it, it's truly charming!
It's the land through which the Cooum river flows,
and it's a sin to speak ill of it!
There is always a cool breeze from the beach,
and singing and dancing every single day!
Countless multistory buildings everywhere,
and smooth tar roads all around...
This is the city where Pallavan buses run!
To look at it, it's truly charming!
It's our city... it's full of charm...
You ought to appreciate it...
Mangoes and coconuts grow here in the village,
and travel over there looking for a market!
Whatever is harvested in the countryside
gets sold once it arrives in the city!
For all of us to buy it there,
you must choose to send it our way;
if you don't think of us,
we would surely be left suffering!
The countryside is just like a mother,
and the city is like her child...
This is the city where Pallavan buses run!
To look at it, it's truly charming!
It's the land through which the Cooum river flows,
and it's a sin to speak ill of it!
There is always a cool breeze from the beach,
and singing and dancing every single day!
Countless multistory buildings everywhere,
and smooth tar roads all around...
This is the city where Pallavan buses run!
To look at it, it's truly charming!
It's our city... it's full of charm...
You ought to appreciate it... hey hey...
Anna, Periyar, and Kamarajar,
this is the city where they all lived as one!
There may be a hundred political parties now,
yet people still live together in harmony!
Never look down upon the city with scorn;
even you might end up moving there, brother!
Even if you lose everything in life,
they say you can always survive in the city...
This is the city where Pallavan buses run!
To look at it, it's truly charming!
It's the land through which the Cooum river flows,
and it's a sin to speak ill of it!
There is always a cool breeze from the beach,
and singing and dancing every single day!
Countless multistory buildings everywhere,
and smooth tar roads all around...
This is the city where Pallavan buses run!
To look at it, it's truly charming!
It's our city... it's full of charm...
You ought to appreciate it... hey...
Chorus
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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.

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