Patta Padippu
From Ganam Courtar Avargale · 1988
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Chorus
- Music director
- Devendran
- Details
- Ganam Courtar Avargale1988
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Patta padippu thevaiyillai | A formal degree is not required, |
| Ganam courtaar avargalae | O Honourable Court / Your Honour, |
| Satta padippil saaramillai | There is no true substance in studying law, |
| Ganam courtaar avargalae | O Honourable Court / Your Honour, |
| Male | |
| Patta padippu thevaiyillai | A formal degree is not required, |
| Ganam courtaar avargalae | O Honourable Court / Your Honour, |
| Satta padippil saaramillai | There is no true substance in studying law, |
| Ganam courtaar avargalae | O Honourable Court / Your Honour, |
| Male | |
| En nenjil poiyillai | There is no falsehood in my heart, |
| En sollil meiyillai | There is no truth in my spoken words, |
| En nenjil poiyillai | There is no falsehood in my heart, |
| En sollil meiyillai | There is no truth in my spoken words, |
| Mei sollaamal kollaamal theerppum illai | Without speaking the truth or taking lives, there can be no final verdict. |
| Male | |
| Patta padippu thevaiyillai | A formal degree is not required, |
| Ganam courtaar avargalae | O Honourable Court / Your Honour, |
| Satta padippil saaramillai | There is no true substance in studying law, |
| Ganam courtaar avargalae | O Honourable Court / Your Honour, |
| Male | |
| Vazhakkaadum podhu karuppaadai yaeno | Why wear a black gown while arguing a legal case? |
| Ezhuthaatha unmai iruloduthaano | Is unwritten truth consigned to darkness? |
| Sattam udaippavan sattam padaikkiraan | The one who breaks the law ends up creating the law, |
| Thadukka vazhiyillaiyo…. | Is there no way to prevent this? |
| Chorus :……………….. | Chorus vocalizations... |
| Male | |
| Needhipadhi solvathai sattasabai ketpathaa | Does the legislature listen to what the judge commands? |
| Sattasabai solvathai needhipadhi ketpadhaa | Or does the judge obey what the legislature decrees? |
| Ullapadi naattil intha needhimanram | As things stand in this nation, this court of law... |
| Needhiyai kaakkumae | ...shall truly protect justice! |
| Male | |
| Patta padippu thevaiyillai | A formal degree is not required, |
| Ganam courtaar avargalae | O Honourable Court / Your Honour, |
| Satta padippil saaramillai | There is no true substance in studying law, |
| Ganam courtaar avargalae | O Honourable Court / Your Honour, |
| Chorus | |
| ……………….. | Instrumental bridge... |
| Male | |
| Paalodu neerai saerththaalthaan kuttram | Diluting milk with water is considered a crime, |
| Neerodu paal saerththaalthaan ketkaathu sattam | Yet adding milk to water is ignored by the law, |
| Vidhi therinthavan sathi urigiraan | The one who knows the legal loopholes hatches conspiracies, |
| Thappiththu kolla paarkkiraan | And constantly seeks ways to escape punishment, |
| Chorus | |
| ……………….. | Vocal / Instrumental bridge... |
| Male | |
| Sattaththil ulla oottaiyai sagalarukkum kaattuven | I will show the legal loopholes to all the common people, |
| Ariyavittai paamaran avanai karaiyaettruvaen | I will uplift the ignorant common man from hardship, |
| Pazhaiya sattam pothum pothu | Burying old and outdated laws, |
| Yaezhai vaazh vidhigalai maattruvaen | I will reform the rules of life for the poor, |
| Male | |
| Ooh….Patta padippu thevaiyillai | Ooh... A formal degree is not required, |
| Ganam courtaar avargalae | O Honourable Court / Your Honour, |
| Satta padippil saaramillai | There is no true substance in studying law, |
| Ganam courtaar avargalae | O Honourable Court / Your Honour, |
| Male | |
| En nenjil poiyillai | There is no falsehood in my heart, |
| En sollil meiyillai | There is no truth in my spoken words, |
| En nenjil poiyillai | There is no falsehood in my heart, |
| En sollil meiyillai | There is no truth in my spoken words, |
| Mei sollaamal kollaamal theerppum illai… | Without speaking the truth or taking lives, there can be no final verdict... |
| Rapparappa rappaapppaa rapprappa rapppaappaa | Rapparappa rappaapppaa rapprappa rapppaappaa |
| Rapparappa rappaapppaa rapprappa rapppaappaa | Rapparappa rappaapppaa rapprappa rapppaappaa |
பட்டப் படிப்பு தேவையில்லை
கனம் கோர்ட்டார் அவர்களே
சட்டப் படிப்பில் சாரமில்லை
கனம் கோர்ட்டார் அவர்களே
A formal degree is not required,
O Honourable Court / Your Honour,
There is no true substance in studying law,
O Honourable Court / Your Honour,
பட்டப் படிப்பு தேவையில்லை
கனம் கோர்ட்டார் அவர்களே
சட்டப் படிப்பில் சாரமில்லை
கனம் கோர்ட்டார் அவர்களே
A formal degree is not required,
O Honourable Court / Your Honour,
There is no true substance in studying law,
O Honourable Court / Your Honour,
என் நெஞ்சில் பொய்யில்லை
என் சொல்லில் மெய்யில்லை
என் நெஞ்சில் பொய்யில்லை
என் சொல்லில் மெய்யில்லை
மெய் சொல்லாமல் கொள்ளாமல் தீர்ப்பும் இல்லை
There is no falsehood in my heart,
There is no truth in my spoken words,
There is no falsehood in my heart,
There is no truth in my spoken words,
Without speaking the truth or taking lives, there can be no final verdict.
பட்டப் படிப்பு தேவையில்லை
கனம் கோர்ட்டார் அவர்களே
சட்டப் படிப்பில் சாரமில்லை
கனம் கோர்ட்டார் அவர்களே
A formal degree is not required,
O Honourable Court / Your Honour,
There is no true substance in studying law,
O Honourable Court / Your Honour,
வழக்காடும்போது கறுப்பாடை ஏனோ
எழுதாத உண்மை இருளோடுதானோ
சட்டம் உடைப்பவன் சட்டம் படைக்கிறான்
தடுக்க வழியில்லையோ.....
குழு :
..............................
Why wear a black gown while arguing a legal case?
Is unwritten truth consigned to darkness?
The one who breaks the law ends up creating the law,
Is there no way to prevent this?
Chorus vocalizations...
நீதிபதி சொல்வதை சட்டசபை கேட்பதா
சட்டசபை சொல்வதை நீதிபதி கேட்பதா
உள்ளபடி நாட்டில் இந்த நீதிமன்றம்
நீதியை காக்குமே
Does the legislature listen to what the judge commands?
Or does the judge obey what the legislature decrees?
As things stand in this nation, this court of law...
...shall truly protect justice!
பட்டப் படிப்பு தேவையில்லை
கனம் கோர்ட்டார் அவர்களே
சட்டப் படிப்பில் சாரமில்லை
கனம் கோர்ட்டார் அவர்களே....
A formal degree is not required,
O Honourable Court / Your Honour,
There is no true substance in studying law,
O Honourable Court / Your Honour,
..............................
Instrumental bridge...
பாலோடு நீரை சேர்த்தால்தான் குற்றம்
நீரோடு பால் சேர்த்தால் கேட்காது சட்டம்
விதி தெரிந்தவன் சதி புரிகிறான்
தப்பித்துக் கொள்ளப் பார்க்கிறான்...
Diluting milk with water is considered a crime,
Yet adding milk to water is ignored by the law,
The one who knows the legal loopholes hatches conspiracies,
And constantly seeks ways to escape punishment,
..............................
Vocal / Instrumental bridge...
சட்டத்தில் உள்ள ஓட்டையை சகலருக்கும் காட்டுவேன்
அறியவில்லை பாமரன் அவனை கரையேற்றுவேன்
பழைய சட்டம் போதும் போதும்
ஏழை வாழ விதிகளை மாற்றுவேன்
I will show the legal loopholes to all the common people,
I will uplift the ignorant common man from hardship,
Burying old and outdated laws,
I will reform the rules of life for the poor,
ஓஹ்......பட்டப் படிப்பு தேவையில்லை
கனம் கோர்ட்டார் அவர்களே
சட்டப் படிப்பில் சாரமில்லை
கனம் கோர்ட்டார் அவர்களே
Ooh... A formal degree is not required,
O Honourable Court / Your Honour,
There is no true substance in studying law,
O Honourable Court / Your Honour,
என் நெஞ்சில் பொய்யில்லை
என் சொல்லில் மெய்யில்லை
என் நெஞ்சில் பொய்யில்லை
என் சொல்லில் மெய்யில்லை
மெய் சொல்லாமல் கொள்ளாமல் தீர்ப்பும் இல்லை.....
ரப்பரப்ப ரப்பாப்ப்பா ரப்பரப்ப ரப்பாப்ப்பா.....
ரப்பரப்ப ரப்பாப்ப்பா ரப்பரப்ப ரப்பாப்ப்பா.........
There is no falsehood in my heart,
There is no truth in my spoken words,
There is no falsehood in my heart,
There is no truth in my spoken words,
Without speaking the truth or taking lives, there can be no final verdict...
Rapparappa rappaapppaa rapprappa rapppaappaa
Rapparappa rappaapppaa rapprappa rapppaappaa
Patta padippu thevaiyillai
A formal degree is not required,
Ganam courtaar avargalae
O Honourable Court / Your Honour,
Satta padippil saaramillai
There is no true substance in studying law,
Ganam courtaar avargalae
O Honourable Court / Your Honour,
Patta padippu thevaiyillai
A formal degree is not required,
Ganam courtaar avargalae
O Honourable Court / Your Honour,
Satta padippil saaramillai
There is no true substance in studying law,
Ganam courtaar avargalae
O Honourable Court / Your Honour,
En nenjil poiyillai
There is no falsehood in my heart,
En sollil meiyillai
There is no truth in my spoken words,
En nenjil poiyillai
There is no falsehood in my heart,
En sollil meiyillai
There is no truth in my spoken words,
Mei sollaamal kollaamal theerppum illai
Without speaking the truth or taking lives, there can be no final verdict.
Patta padippu thevaiyillai
A formal degree is not required,
Ganam courtaar avargalae
O Honourable Court / Your Honour,
Satta padippil saaramillai
There is no true substance in studying law,
Ganam courtaar avargalae
O Honourable Court / Your Honour,
Vazhakkaadum podhu karuppaadai yaeno
Why wear a black gown while arguing a legal case?
Ezhuthaatha unmai iruloduthaano
Is unwritten truth consigned to darkness?
Sattam udaippavan sattam padaikkiraan
The one who breaks the law ends up creating the law,
Thadukka vazhiyillaiyo….
Is there no way to prevent this?
Chorus :………………..
Chorus vocalizations...
Needhipadhi solvathai sattasabai ketpathaa
Does the legislature listen to what the judge commands?
Sattasabai solvathai needhipadhi ketpadhaa
Or does the judge obey what the legislature decrees?
Ullapadi naattil intha needhimanram
As things stand in this nation, this court of law...
Needhiyai kaakkumae
...shall truly protect justice!
Patta padippu thevaiyillai
A formal degree is not required,
Ganam courtaar avargalae
O Honourable Court / Your Honour,
Satta padippil saaramillai
There is no true substance in studying law,
Ganam courtaar avargalae
O Honourable Court / Your Honour,
………………..
Instrumental bridge...
Paalodu neerai saerththaalthaan kuttram
Diluting milk with water is considered a crime,
Neerodu paal saerththaalthaan ketkaathu sattam
Yet adding milk to water is ignored by the law,
Vidhi therinthavan sathi urigiraan
The one who knows the legal loopholes hatches conspiracies,
Thappiththu kolla paarkkiraan
And constantly seeks ways to escape punishment,
………………..
Vocal / Instrumental bridge...
Sattaththil ulla oottaiyai sagalarukkum kaattuven
I will show the legal loopholes to all the common people,
Ariyavittai paamaran avanai karaiyaettruvaen
I will uplift the ignorant common man from hardship,
Pazhaiya sattam pothum pothu
Burying old and outdated laws,
Yaezhai vaazh vidhigalai maattruvaen
I will reform the rules of life for the poor,
Ooh….Patta padippu thevaiyillai
Ooh... A formal degree is not required,
Ganam courtaar avargalae
O Honourable Court / Your Honour,
Satta padippil saaramillai
There is no true substance in studying law,
Ganam courtaar avargalae
O Honourable Court / Your Honour,
En nenjil poiyillai
There is no falsehood in my heart,
En sollil meiyillai
There is no truth in my spoken words,
En nenjil poiyillai
There is no falsehood in my heart,
En sollil meiyillai
There is no truth in my spoken words,
Mei sollaamal kollaamal theerppum illai…
Without speaking the truth or taking lives, there can be no final verdict...
Rapparappa rappaapppaa rapprappa rapppaappaa
Rapparappa rappaapppaa rapprappa rapppaappaa
Rapparappa rappaapppaa rapprappa rapppaappaa
Rapparappa rappaapppaa rapprappa rapppaappaa
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This courtroom-centered song delivers a scathing critique of the formal legal system, arguing that legal qualifications and procedural formalities often lack moral substance. Addressing 'Ganam Courtaar' (the Honourable Court), the speaker contrasts technical legalities with genuine truth and morality. He points out systemic absurdities—such as how those who manipulate or break laws end up shaping them, and how technicalities allow the guilty to escape while the poor suffer. With strong social conviction, the protagonist vows to expose legal loopholes, empower the common man, and challenge outdated rules. Through clever paradoxes and sharp satire, the lyricist emphasizes that true justice should serve humanity and equity rather than empty traditions, dark robes, and technical jugglery.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Patta padippu thevaiyillai / Satta padippil saaramillai”
Matching second consonants across lines ('Patta' and 'Satta'), creating rhythmic legal rhetoric.
Moonaai (Initial Alliteration)
“Patta padippu thevaiyillai”
Repetition of initial consonant sounds ('Pa' sound) in 'Patta padippu'.
Metaphor & Antithesis (Ethir-inai)
“Paalodu neerai saerththaalthaan kuttram / Neerodu paal saerththaalthaan ketkaathu sattam”
Contrasting two subtle perspectives on mixing milk and water to illustrate double standards in legal interpretation.
Rhetorical Question (Vinaa)
“Vazhakkaadum podhu karuppaadai yaeno”
Questioning the symbolic black coat worn in court to highlight hidden truths.
Did you know?
Trivia
Written by lyricist Vairamuthu, this courtroom drama song highlights systemic legal loopholes with sharp satirical punchlines. The imagery of 'black gowns' and 'loopholes' remains a iconic Tamil cinematic trope for legal reform.
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