Pathodu Onnu Seruthu
From Oppantham · 1983
- Lyricist
- Gangai Amaran
- Singer
- Malaysia Vasudevan
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Oppantham1983
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Ae… pathoda onnu saerudhu | Hey... one joins the ten (another person joins the crowd) |
| Indha pattanathula aathaadi onnu koodudhu | Oh my, one more gathers in this big city! |
| Ae… pathoda onnu saerudhu | Hey... one joins the ten |
| Indha pattanathula aathaadi onnu koodudhu | Oh my, one more gathers in this big city! |
| Pathinaaru vayasu thaan paathaalum pudhusu thaan | She is just sixteen years old, yet everything looks brand new to her |
| Bathiramaa koodu saerumo | Will she reach her destination safely? |
| Paadhaiyilae maari pogumo | Or will she go astray along the way? |
| Male | |
| Pathoda onnu saerudhu | One joins the ten |
| Indha pattanathula aathaadi onnu koodudhu | Oh my, one more gathers in this big city! |
| Male | |
| Arisi paruppu velai ellaam | The prices of rice and pulses |
| Yaeri pochu theriyumaa | Have soared sky-high, do you know? |
| Maangaa thaengaa velai ellaam | The prices of mangoes and coconuts |
| Marathu maela nikkudhammaa | Are sitting atop the trees (sky high)! |
| Male | |
| Pozhudhu pularum munnaalae | Before the break of dawn |
| Nee poyi nikkanum queue vilae | You have to go and stand in a queue |
| Adichu pudichu ninnaa thaan | Only if you jostle and fight |
| Edamum kidaikkum bus lae | Will you even get a seat on the bus! |
| Ammammaa ennamma paarammaa kaelammaa | Oh dear, what is it, look dear, listen dear |
| Aei… nee pattanatha therinjukkommaa | Hey... understand the reality of this city, dear! |
| Male | |
| Pathoda onnu saerudhu | One joins the ten |
| Indha pattanathula aathaadi onnu koodudhu | Oh my, one more gathers in this big city! |
| Male | |
| Koovam nadhi oramaa | Along the banks of the Cooum river |
| Veedirukku venumaa | There is a house, do you want it? |
| Koranjadhu thaan vaadaga | The rent is very minimal |
| Nooru roobaa thaanammaa | It is just one hundred rupees, madam! |
| Male | |
| Kazhudhap pulla thoongaadhu | A child/donkey cannot sleep there |
| Mootta kadi thaangaadhu | The bedbug bites are unbearable! |
| Kadhavu jannal poottaadhu | The doors and windows won't lock |
| Poottikkitta therakkaadhu | And if locked, they won't open! |
| Thangammaa chellammaa sollammaa mangammaa | Dear Thangamma, Chellamma, tell me Mangamma |
| Aei… pattanatha paakka venumaa | Hey... do you want to see the city? |
| Male | |
| Pathoda onnu saerudhu | One joins the ten |
| Indha pattanathula aathaadi onnu koodudhu | Oh my, one more gathers in this big city! |
| Male | |
| Lallaa lallae lalala lallae | Lallaa lallae lalala lallae |
| Lallaa lallae lalala lallae lallaa lallaa laa | Lallaa lallae lalala lallae lallaa lallaa laa |
| Male | |
| Keezhum melum walla post ah | Up and down at a movie wall poster |
| Oru kazhudha paakkudhu | A donkey is staring intently |
| Heroine paeru enna | "What is the heroine's name?" |
| Maru kazhudha kekkudhu | Another donkey asks! |
| Male | |
| Akkam pakkam thirumbudhu | It turns around looking side to side |
| Arugil poyi nikkudhu | Goes and stands right next to it |
| Aasaiyodu kanaikkudhu | Brays with full affection |
| Aiyo mutham kodukkudhu | Oh my, it gives it a kiss! |
| Thangammaa chellammaa sollammaa mangammaa | Dear Thangamma, Chellamma, tell me Mangamma |
| Aei… pattanatha paakka venumaa | Hey... do you want to see the city? |
| Male | |
| Pathoda onnu saerudhu | One joins the ten |
| Indha pattanathula aathaadi onnu koodudhu | Oh my, one more gathers in this big city! |
| Pathinaaru vayasu thaan paathaalum pudhusu thaan | She is just sixteen years old, yet everything looks brand new to her |
| Bathiramaa koodu saerumo | Will she reach her destination safely? |
| Paadhaiyilae maari pogumo | Or will she go astray along the way? |
| Male | |
| Pathoda onnu saerudhu | One joins the ten |
| Indha pattanathula aathaadi onnu koodudhu | Oh my, one more gathers in this big city! |
ஏ.......பத்தோட ஒன்னு சேருது
இந்த பட்டணத்துல ஆத்தாடி ஒண்ணு கூடுது
ஏ.....பத்தோட ஒன்னு சேருது
இந்த பட்டணத்துல ஆத்தாடி ஒண்ணு கூடுது
பதினாறு வயசுதான் பாத்தாலும் புதுசுதான்
பத்திரமா கூடு சேருமோ
பாதையிலே மாறிப் போகுமோ
Hey... one joins the ten (another person joins the crowd)
Oh my, one more gathers in this big city!
Hey... one joins the ten
Oh my, one more gathers in this big city!
She is just sixteen years old, yet everything looks brand new to her
Will she reach her destination safely?
Or will she go astray along the way?
பத்தோட ஒன்னு சேருது
இந்த பட்டணத்துல ஆத்தாடி ஒண்ணு கூடுது
One joins the ten
Oh my, one more gathers in this big city!
அரிசி பருப்பு வெலை எல்லாம்
ஏறிப் போச்சு தெரியுமா
மாங்கா தேங்கா வெலை எல்லாம்
மரத்து மேல நிக்குதம்மா
The prices of rice and pulses
Have soared sky-high, do you know?
The prices of mangoes and coconuts
Are sitting atop the trees (sky high)!
பொழுது புலரும் முன்னாலே
நீ போயி நிக்கணும் க்யூவிலே
அடிச்சு புடிச்சு நின்னாத்தான்
எடமும் கிடைக்கும் பஸ்ஸுலே
அம்மம்மா என்னம்மா பாரம்மா கேளம்மா
ஏய்... நீ பட்டணத்த தெரிஞ்சுக்கோமா
Before the break of dawn
You have to go and stand in a queue
Only if you jostle and fight
Will you even get a seat on the bus!
Oh dear, what is it, look dear, listen dear
Hey... understand the reality of this city, dear!
பத்தோட ஒன்னு சேருது
இந்த பட்டணத்துல ஆத்தாடி ஒண்ணு கூடுது
One joins the ten
Oh my, one more gathers in this big city!
கூவம் நதி ஓரமா
வீடிருக்கு வேணுமா
கொறஞ்சதுதான் வாடகை
நூறு ரூபா தானம்மா
Along the banks of the Cooum river
There is a house, do you want it?
The rent is very minimal
It is just one hundred rupees, madam!
கழுத புள்ள தூங்காது
மூட்ட கடி தாங்காது
கதவு ஜன்னல் பூட்டாது
பூட்டிக்கிட்டா தெறக்காது
தங்கம்மா செல்லம்மா சொல்லம்மா மங்கம்மா
ஏய்... பட்டணத்த பாக்க வேணுமா
A child/donkey cannot sleep there
The bedbug bites are unbearable!
The doors and windows won't lock
And if locked, they won't open!
Dear Thangamma, Chellamma, tell me Mangamma
Hey... do you want to see the city?
பத்தோட ஒன்னு சேருது
இந்த பட்டணத்துல ஆத்தாடி ஒண்ணு கூடுது
One joins the ten
Oh my, one more gathers in this big city!
லல்லா லல்லே லலல லல்லே
லல்லா லல்லே லலல லல்லே லல்லா லல்லா லா
Lallaa lallae lalala lallae
Lallaa lallae lalala lallae lallaa lallaa laa
கீழும் மேலும் வால் போஸ்ட
ஒரு கழுத பாக்குது
ஹீரோயினு பேரு என்ன
மறு கழுத கேக்குது
Up and down at a movie wall poster
A donkey is staring intently
"What is the heroine's name?"
Another donkey asks!
அக்கம் பக்கம் திரும்புது
அருகில் போயி நிக்குது
ஆசையோடு கனைக்குது
அய்யோ முத்தம் கொடுக்குது
தங்கம்மா செல்லம்மா சொல்லம்மா மங்கம்மா
ஏய்... பட்டணத்த பாக்க வேணுமா
It turns around looking side to side
Goes and stands right next to it
Brays with full affection
Oh my, it gives it a kiss!
Dear Thangamma, Chellamma, tell me Mangamma
Hey... do you want to see the city?
பத்தோட ஒன்னு சேருது
இந்த பட்டணத்துல ஆத்தாடி ஒண்ணு கூடுது
பதினாறு வயசுதான் பாத்தாலும் புதுசுதான்
பத்திரமா கூடு சேருமோ
பாதையிலே மாறிப் போகுமோ
One joins the ten
Oh my, one more gathers in this big city!
She is just sixteen years old, yet everything looks brand new to her
Will she reach her destination safely?
Or will she go astray along the way?
பத்தோட ஒன்னு சேருது
இந்த பட்டணத்துல ஆத்தாடி ஒண்ணு கூடுது
One joins the ten
Oh my, one more gathers in this big city!
Ae… pathoda onnu saerudhu
Hey... one joins the ten (another person joins the crowd)
Indha pattanathula aathaadi onnu koodudhu
Oh my, one more gathers in this big city!
Ae… pathoda onnu saerudhu
Hey... one joins the ten
Indha pattanathula aathaadi onnu koodudhu
Oh my, one more gathers in this big city!
Pathinaaru vayasu thaan paathaalum pudhusu thaan
She is just sixteen years old, yet everything looks brand new to her
Bathiramaa koodu saerumo
Will she reach her destination safely?
Paadhaiyilae maari pogumo
Or will she go astray along the way?
Pathoda onnu saerudhu
One joins the ten
Indha pattanathula aathaadi onnu koodudhu
Oh my, one more gathers in this big city!
Arisi paruppu velai ellaam
The prices of rice and pulses
Yaeri pochu theriyumaa
Have soared sky-high, do you know?
Maangaa thaengaa velai ellaam
The prices of mangoes and coconuts
Marathu maela nikkudhammaa
Are sitting atop the trees (sky high)!
Pozhudhu pularum munnaalae
Before the break of dawn
Nee poyi nikkanum queue vilae
You have to go and stand in a queue
Adichu pudichu ninnaa thaan
Only if you jostle and fight
Edamum kidaikkum bus lae
Will you even get a seat on the bus!
Ammammaa ennamma paarammaa kaelammaa
Oh dear, what is it, look dear, listen dear
Aei… nee pattanatha therinjukkommaa
Hey... understand the reality of this city, dear!
Pathoda onnu saerudhu
One joins the ten
Indha pattanathula aathaadi onnu koodudhu
Oh my, one more gathers in this big city!
Koovam nadhi oramaa
Along the banks of the Cooum river
Veedirukku venumaa
There is a house, do you want it?
Koranjadhu thaan vaadaga
The rent is very minimal
Nooru roobaa thaanammaa
It is just one hundred rupees, madam!
Kazhudhap pulla thoongaadhu
A child/donkey cannot sleep there
Mootta kadi thaangaadhu
The bedbug bites are unbearable!
Kadhavu jannal poottaadhu
The doors and windows won't lock
Poottikkitta therakkaadhu
And if locked, they won't open!
Thangammaa chellammaa sollammaa mangammaa
Dear Thangamma, Chellamma, tell me Mangamma
Aei… pattanatha paakka venumaa
Hey... do you want to see the city?
Pathoda onnu saerudhu
One joins the ten
Indha pattanathula aathaadi onnu koodudhu
Oh my, one more gathers in this big city!
Lallaa lallae lalala lallae
Lallaa lallae lalala lallae
Lallaa lallae lalala lallae lallaa lallaa laa
Lallaa lallae lalala lallae lallaa lallaa laa
Keezhum melum walla post ah
Up and down at a movie wall poster
Oru kazhudha paakkudhu
A donkey is staring intently
Heroine paeru enna
"What is the heroine's name?"
Maru kazhudha kekkudhu
Another donkey asks!
Akkam pakkam thirumbudhu
It turns around looking side to side
Arugil poyi nikkudhu
Goes and stands right next to it
Aasaiyodu kanaikkudhu
Brays with full affection
Aiyo mutham kodukkudhu
Oh my, it gives it a kiss!
Thangammaa chellammaa sollammaa mangammaa
Dear Thangamma, Chellamma, tell me Mangamma
Aei… pattanatha paakka venumaa
Hey... do you want to see the city?
Pathoda onnu saerudhu
One joins the ten
Indha pattanathula aathaadi onnu koodudhu
Oh my, one more gathers in this big city!
Pathinaaru vayasu thaan paathaalum pudhusu thaan
She is just sixteen years old, yet everything looks brand new to her
Bathiramaa koodu saerumo
Will she reach her destination safely?
Paadhaiyilae maari pogumo
Or will she go astray along the way?
Pathoda onnu saerudhu
One joins the ten
Indha pattanathula aathaadi onnu koodudhu
Oh my, one more gathers in this big city!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Pathoda Onnu Saerudhu from the 1983 film Oppantham, written by lyricist Gangai Amaran, is a satirical folk song depicting rural-to-urban migration in Chennai (Madras). The track frames a naive 16-year-old arrival as just another statistic adding to the city's growing population, questioning whether she will survive or lose her way amidst urban chaos. Through witty imagery, the song critiques everyday middle-class struggles of the 1980s—including runaway inflation on essential groceries, dawn queues, chaotic public transportation, squalid housing near the Cooum river infested with bedbugs, and the pervasive cinema culture where even donkeys stare at movie posters. It delivers a humorous yet practical reality check about city living.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Pathinaaru vayasu thaan paathaalum pudhusu thaan”
Repetition of the initial 'P' sound across words creates a rhythmic hook.
Iyaibu (End Rhyme)
“Kazhudhap pulla thoongaadhu / Mootta kadi thaangaadhu / Kadhavu jannal poottaadhu / Poottikkitta therakkaadhu”
Four consecutive lines end with the '-aadhu' suffix, creating a swift, comical cadence.
Hyperbole & Metaphor
“Marathu maela nikkudhammaa”
Exaggerating high food prices by saying they are literally 'standing on top of the trees'.
Personification & Satire
“Heroine paeru enna / Maru kazhudha kekkudhu”
Donkeys are personified as movie-goers conversing about heroines and kissing posters, satirizing modern cinema obsession.
Did you know?
Trivia
Penned by Gangai Amaran, the lyric offers a vivid socio-historical snapshot of 1980s Chennai (Madras), lightheartedly highlighting urban inflation, bus commuting struggles, and low-cost housing dilemmas along the Cooum river.
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