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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Patta Padippu

From Ganam Courtar Avargale · 1988

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Chorus
Music director
Devendran
Movie name
Ganam Courtar Avargale
Movie release year
1988
Lyrics added on
6 Mar 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Patta padippu thevaiyillai
Ganam courtaar avargalae
Satta padippil saaramillai
Ganam courtaar avargalae
Patta padippu thevaiyillai
Ganam courtaar avargalae
Satta padippil saaramillai
Ganam courtaar avargalae
En nenjil poiyillai
En sollil meiyillai
En nenjil poiyillai
En sollil meiyillai
Mei sollaamal kollaamal theerppum illai
Patta padippu thevaiyillai
Ganam courtaar avargalae
Satta padippil saaramillai
Ganam courtaar avargalae
Vazhakkaadum podhu karuppaadai yaeno
Ezhuthaatha unmai iruloduthaano
Sattam udaippavan sattam padaikkiraan
Thadukka vazhiyillaiyo….
Chorus :………………..
Needhipadhi solvathai sattasabai ketpathaa
Sattasabai solvathai needhipadhi ketpadhaa
Ullapadi naattil intha needhimanram
Needhiyai kaakkumae
Patta padippu thevaiyillai
Ganam courtaar avargalae
Satta padippil saaramillai
Ganam courtaar avargalae
………………..
Paalodu neerai saerththaalthaan kuttram
Neerodu paal saerththaalthaan ketkaathu sattam
Vidhi therinthavan sathi urigiraan
Thappiththu kolla paarkkiraan
………………..
Sattaththil ulla oottaiyai sagalarukkum kaattuven
Ariyavittai paamaran avanai karaiyaettruvaen
Pazhaiya sattam pothum pothu
Yaezhai vaazh vidhigalai maattruvaen
Ooh….Patta padippu thevaiyillai
Ganam courtaar avargalae
Satta padippil saaramillai
Ganam courtaar avargalae
En nenjil poiyillai
En sollil meiyillai
En nenjil poiyillai
En sollil meiyillai
Mei sollaamal kollaamal theerppum illai…
Rapparappa rappaapppaa rapprappa rapppaappaa
Rapparappa rappaapppaa rapprappa rapppaappaa
No college degree is needed,
Your Honour!
There is no substance in studying law,
Your Honour!
No college degree is needed,
Your Honour!
There is no substance in studying law,
Your Honour!
There is no lie in my heart,
there is no truth in my words,
There is no lie in my heart,
there is no truth in my words,
and without speaking the truth, no verdict can be passed!
No college degree is needed,
Your Honour!
There is no substance in studying law,
Your Honour!
Why wear black robes while arguing a case?
Does the unwritten truth live only in the dark?
The one who breaks the law makes the law,
is there no way to stop it?...
Chorus: ...
Does the legislature listen to what the judge says?
Does the judge listen to what the legislature says?
Truly, in this country, this court of law
will protect justice!
No college degree is needed,
Your Honour!
There is no substance in studying law,
Your Honour!
...
It is a crime only when water is mixed into milk,
yet the law asks no questions when milk is mixed into water!
The one who knows the law schemes a conspiracy,
and looks for a way to escape!
...
I will show everyone the loopholes in the law,
and I will uplift the ignorant, common man!
Enough of these old laws, enough,
I will change the rules of the poor man's life!
Oh... no college degree is needed,
Your Honour!
There is no substance in studying law,
Your Honour!
There is no lie in my heart,
there is no truth in my words,
There is no lie in my heart,
there is no truth in my words,
and without speaking the truth, no verdict can be passed...
Rapparappa rappaappa rabrappa rappaappa
Rapparappa rappaappa rabrappa rappaappa
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Chorus
Male
Chorus
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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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