Pattathu Rajavum
From Meenava Nanban · 1977
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Meenava Nanban1977
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Pattathu raajaavum pattaala sippaayum | The crowned king and the soldier in the army |
| Ondraana kaalam idhu | This is an era where both become equal |
| En maamanaarae vazhi maarinaalae | Oh father-in-law, if you stray from the right path |
| Unga mariyaadhai ennaavadhu | What will happen to your respect? |
| Male | |
| Pattathu raajaavum pattaala sippaayum | The crowned king and the soldier in the army |
| Ondraana kaalam idhu | This is an era where both become equal |
| En maamanaarae vazhi maarinaalae | Oh father-in-law, if you stray from the right path |
| Unga mariyaadhai ennaavadhu | What will happen to your respect? |
| Male | |
| Ezhai endru illaadha jaadhi | Who created this caste called the poor? |
| Yaaraalae undaanadhu | Who brought it into existence? |
| Sila kozhai gumbal thaan vaazha vaendi | Just so a few cowardly groups could thrive |
| Baedhangal kondaadudhu | They celebrate these social divisions |
| Male | |
| Ezhai endru illaadha jaadhi | Who created this caste called the poor? |
| Yaaraalae undaanadhu | Who brought it into existence? |
| Sila kozhai gumbal thaan vaazha vaendi | Just so a few cowardly groups could thrive |
| Baedhangal kondaadudhu | They celebrate these social divisions |
| Komagan pon magal kaevalam meenavan | The royal princess loved a mere fisherman like me |
| Enaiyaen kaadhalithaal | Why did she fall in love with me? |
| Boomiyil yaavarum orinam thaan enum | Because she supported the justice that |
| Needhiyai aadharithaal | All people on earth belong to one human race |
| Needhiyai aadharithaal | She supported that justice |
| Male | |
| Pattathu raajaavum pattaala sippaayum | The crowned king and the soldier in the army |
| Ondraana kaalam idhu | This is an era where both become equal |
| En maamanaarae vazhi maarinaalae | Oh father-in-law, if you stray from the right path |
| Unga mariyaadhai ennaavadhu | What will happen to your respect? |
| Male | |
| Maamaa unga munnaettram engal | Uncle, your progress came from |
| Kanneeril thaan vandhadhu | Our very tears |
| Ada raamaa unmai sonnaalae kobam | Oh God, why do you get angry at me |
| En maelae yaen vandhadhu | When I speak the truth? |
| Male | |
| Maamaa unga munnaettram engal | Uncle, your progress came from |
| Kanneeril thaan vandhadhu | Our very tears |
| Ada raamaa unmai sonnaalae kobam | Oh God, why do you get angry at me |
| En maelae yaen vandhadhu | When I speak the truth? |
| Nee konda naanayam poottiya veettukkul | The money you hold is locked inside a house |
| Siraiyaai irukkudhaiyaa | Trapped like a prisoner, sir! |
| Naan konda naanayam naakkilum nenjilum | The honesty I hold is on my tongue and in my heart |
| Niraivaai irukkudhaiyaa | Abundantly present, sir! |
| Niraivaai irukkudhaiyaa | Abundantly present, sir! |
| Male | |
| Pattathu raajaavum pattaala sippaayum | The crowned king and the soldier in the army |
| Ondraana kaalam idhu | This is an era where both become equal |
| En maamanaarae vazhi maarinaalae | Oh father-in-law, if you stray from the right path |
| Unga mariyaadhai ennaavadhu | What will happen to your respect? |
| Male | |
| Kottai katti kondaattam potta | What happened to the crowds that built forts |
| Koottangal ennaanadhu | And celebrated in grand arrogance? |
| Pala ottai vandhu thanneeril moozhgum | They became like leaky boats |
| Odangal polaanadhu | Sinking deep into the water |
| Male | |
| Kottai katti kondaattam potta | What happened to the crowds that built forts |
| Koottangal ennaanadhu | And celebrated in grand arrogance? |
| Pala ottai vandhu thanneeril moozhgum | They became like leaky boats |
| Odangal polaanadhu | Sinking deep into the water |
| Yaetriya yaeniyai thootriya paerukku | For those who defame the ladder that raised them high |
| Adhu thaan paadamaiyaa | That is the ultimate lesson, sir! |
| Naan enna solvadhu naattinil nadappadhai | What can I say? Just witness |
| Kan kondu paarumaiyaa | What happens in this country with your own eyes, sir! |
| Kan kondu paarumaiyaa | Witness with your own eyes, sir! |
| Male | |
| Pattathu raajaavum pattaala sippaayum | The crowned king and the soldier in the army |
| Ondraana kaalam idhu | This is an era where both become equal |
| En maamanaarae vazhi maarinaalae | Oh father-in-law, if you stray from the right path |
| Unga mariyaadhai ennaavadhu | What will happen to your respect? |
| Lakshmansruthi.com | Source text metadata attribution |
பட்டத்து ராஜாவும் பட்டாள சிப்பாயும்
ஒன்றான காலம் இது
என் மாமனாரே வழி மாறினாலே
உங்க மரியாதை என்னாவது
The crowned king and the soldier in the army
This is an era where both become equal
Oh father-in-law, if you stray from the right path
What will happen to your respect?
பட்டத்து ராஜாவும் பட்டாள சிப்பாயும்
ஒன்றான காலம் இது
என் மாமனாரே வழி மாறினாலே
உங்க மரியாதை என்னாவது
The crowned king and the soldier in the army
This is an era where both become equal
Oh father-in-law, if you stray from the right path
What will happen to your respect?
ஏழை என்ற இல்லாத ஜாதி
யாராலே உண்டானது
சில கோழை கும்பல்தான் வாழவேண்டி
பேதங்கள் கொண்டாடுது
Who created this caste called the poor?
Who brought it into existence?
Just so a few cowardly groups could thrive
They celebrate these social divisions
ஏழை என்ற இல்லாத ஜாதி
யாராலே உண்டானது
சில கோழை கும்பல்தான் வாழவேண்டி
பேதங்கள் கொண்டாடுது
கோமகன் பொன் மகள் கேவலம் மீனவன்
எனையே காதலித்தாள்
பூமியில் யாவரும் ஓரினம்தான் எனும்
நீதியை ஆதரித்தாள்
நீதியை ஆதரித்தாள்
Who created this caste called the poor?
Who brought it into existence?
Just so a few cowardly groups could thrive
They celebrate these social divisions
The royal princess loved a mere fisherman like me
Why did she fall in love with me?
Because she supported the justice that
All people on earth belong to one human race
She supported that justice
பட்டத்து ராஜாவும் பட்டாள சிப்பாயும்
ஒன்றான காலம் இது
என் மாமனாரே வழி மாறினாலே
உங்க மரியாதை என்னாவது
The crowned king and the soldier in the army
This is an era where both become equal
Oh father-in-law, if you stray from the right path
What will happen to your respect?
மாமா உங்க முன்னேற்றம் எங்கள்
கண்ணீரில்தான் வந்தது
அட ராமா உண்மை சொன்னாலே கோபம்
என் மேலே ஏன் வந்தது
Uncle, your progress came from
Our very tears
Oh God, why do you get angry at me
When I speak the truth?
மாமா உங்க முன்னேற்றம் எங்கள்
கண்ணீரில்தான் வந்தது
அட ராமா உண்மை சொன்னாலே கோபம்
என் மேலே ஏன் வந்தது
நீ கொண்ட நாணயம் பூட்டிய வீட்டுக்குள்
சிறையாய் இருக்குதய்யா
நான் கொண்ட நாணயம் நாக்கிலும் நெஞ்சிலும்
நிறைவாய் இருக்குதையா
நிறைவாய் இருக்குதையா
Uncle, your progress came from
Our very tears
Oh God, why do you get angry at me
When I speak the truth?
The money you hold is locked inside a house
Trapped like a prisoner, sir!
The honesty I hold is on my tongue and in my heart
Abundantly present, sir!
Abundantly present, sir!
பட்டத்து ராஜாவும் பட்டாள சிப்பாயும்
ஒன்றான காலம் இது
என் மாமனாரே வழி மாறினாலே
உங்க மரியாதை என்னாவது
The crowned king and the soldier in the army
This is an era where both become equal
Oh father-in-law, if you stray from the right path
What will happen to your respect?
கோட்டை கட்டி கொண்டாட்டம் போட்ட
கூட்டங்கள் என்னானது
பல ஓட்டை வந்து தண்ணீரில் மூழ்கும்
ஓடங்கள் போலானது
What happened to the crowds that built forts
And celebrated in grand arrogance?
They became like leaky boats
Sinking deep into the water
கோட்டை கட்டி கொண்டாட்டம் போட்ட
கூட்டங்கள் என்னானது
பல ஓட்டை வந்து தண்ணீரில் மூழ்கும்
ஓடங்கள் போலானது
ஏற்றிய ஏணியை தூற்றிய பேருக்கு
அதுதான் பாடமையா
நான் என்ன சொல்வது நாட்டினில் நடப்பதை
கண் கொண்டு பாருமையா
கண் கொண்டு பாருமையா
What happened to the crowds that built forts
And celebrated in grand arrogance?
They became like leaky boats
Sinking deep into the water
For those who defame the ladder that raised them high
That is the ultimate lesson, sir!
What can I say? Just witness
What happens in this country with your own eyes, sir!
Witness with your own eyes, sir!
பட்டத்து ராஜாவும் பட்டாள சிப்பாயும்
ஒன்றான காலம் இது
என் மாமனாரே வழி மாறினாலே
உங்க மரியாதை என்னாவது
The crowned king and the soldier in the army
This is an era where both become equal
Oh father-in-law, if you stray from the right path
What will happen to your respect?
Source text metadata attribution
Pattathu raajaavum pattaala sippaayum
The crowned king and the soldier in the army
Ondraana kaalam idhu
This is an era where both become equal
En maamanaarae vazhi maarinaalae
Oh father-in-law, if you stray from the right path
Unga mariyaadhai ennaavadhu
What will happen to your respect?
Pattathu raajaavum pattaala sippaayum
The crowned king and the soldier in the army
Ondraana kaalam idhu
This is an era where both become equal
En maamanaarae vazhi maarinaalae
Oh father-in-law, if you stray from the right path
Unga mariyaadhai ennaavadhu
What will happen to your respect?
Ezhai endru illaadha jaadhi
Who created this caste called the poor?
Yaaraalae undaanadhu
Who brought it into existence?
Sila kozhai gumbal thaan vaazha vaendi
Just so a few cowardly groups could thrive
Baedhangal kondaadudhu
They celebrate these social divisions
Ezhai endru illaadha jaadhi
Who created this caste called the poor?
Yaaraalae undaanadhu
Who brought it into existence?
Sila kozhai gumbal thaan vaazha vaendi
Just so a few cowardly groups could thrive
Baedhangal kondaadudhu
They celebrate these social divisions
Komagan pon magal kaevalam meenavan
The royal princess loved a mere fisherman like me
Enaiyaen kaadhalithaal
Why did she fall in love with me?
Boomiyil yaavarum orinam thaan enum
Because she supported the justice that
Needhiyai aadharithaal
All people on earth belong to one human race
Needhiyai aadharithaal
She supported that justice
Pattathu raajaavum pattaala sippaayum
The crowned king and the soldier in the army
Ondraana kaalam idhu
This is an era where both become equal
En maamanaarae vazhi maarinaalae
Oh father-in-law, if you stray from the right path
Unga mariyaadhai ennaavadhu
What will happen to your respect?
Maamaa unga munnaettram engal
Uncle, your progress came from
Kanneeril thaan vandhadhu
Our very tears
Ada raamaa unmai sonnaalae kobam
Oh God, why do you get angry at me
En maelae yaen vandhadhu
When I speak the truth?
Maamaa unga munnaettram engal
Uncle, your progress came from
Kanneeril thaan vandhadhu
Our very tears
Ada raamaa unmai sonnaalae kobam
Oh God, why do you get angry at me
En maelae yaen vandhadhu
When I speak the truth?
Nee konda naanayam poottiya veettukkul
The money you hold is locked inside a house
Siraiyaai irukkudhaiyaa
Trapped like a prisoner, sir!
Naan konda naanayam naakkilum nenjilum
The honesty I hold is on my tongue and in my heart
Niraivaai irukkudhaiyaa
Abundantly present, sir!
Niraivaai irukkudhaiyaa
Abundantly present, sir!
Pattathu raajaavum pattaala sippaayum
The crowned king and the soldier in the army
Ondraana kaalam idhu
This is an era where both become equal
En maamanaarae vazhi maarinaalae
Oh father-in-law, if you stray from the right path
Unga mariyaadhai ennaavadhu
What will happen to your respect?
Kottai katti kondaattam potta
What happened to the crowds that built forts
Koottangal ennaanadhu
And celebrated in grand arrogance?
Pala ottai vandhu thanneeril moozhgum
They became like leaky boats
Odangal polaanadhu
Sinking deep into the water
Kottai katti kondaattam potta
What happened to the crowds that built forts
Koottangal ennaanadhu
And celebrated in grand arrogance?
Pala ottai vandhu thanneeril moozhgum
They became like leaky boats
Odangal polaanadhu
Sinking deep into the water
Yaetriya yaeniyai thootriya paerukku
For those who defame the ladder that raised them high
Adhu thaan paadamaiyaa
That is the ultimate lesson, sir!
Naan enna solvadhu naattinil nadappadhai
What can I say? Just witness
Kan kondu paarumaiyaa
What happens in this country with your own eyes, sir!
Kan kondu paarumaiyaa
Witness with your own eyes, sir!
Pattathu raajaavum pattaala sippaayum
The crowned king and the soldier in the army
Ondraana kaalam idhu
This is an era where both become equal
En maamanaarae vazhi maarinaalae
Oh father-in-law, if you stray from the right path
Unga mariyaadhai ennaavadhu
What will happen to your respect?
Lakshmansruthi.com
Source text metadata attribution
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Pattathu Raajaavum is a powerful socio-political song from the 1977 Tamil movie Meenava Nanban. Sung from the perspective of a working-class hero, the song preaches egalitarianism, declaring that the era of social inequality between kings and commoners is over. Addressing his wealthy prospective father-in-law, the protagonist warns him against class arrogance and exploitation, reminding him that wealth built on the tears of the poor is temporary and dishonorable.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Pattathu raajaavum pattaala sippaayum”
Repetition of the initial 'Pa' sound in consecutive words creating rhythm.
Slaedhai / Double Entendre (Wordplay)
“Nee konda naanayam poottiya veettukkul... Naan konda naanayam naakkilum nenjilum”
The word 'Naanayam' is cleverly used with a double meaning: currency/wealth (locked up by the rich man) versus integrity/honesty (held proudly by the poor man).
Upamai (Simile)
“Pala ottai vandhu thanneeril moozhgum odangal polaanadhu”
Comparing arrogant, oppressive rulers to boats full of holes sinking under water.
Did you know?
Trivia
Although listed with unknown credits in the prompt text, the song was composed by M. S. Viswanathan, written by Vaali, and sung by T. M. Soundararajan for M. G. Ramachandran (MGR). Released in 1977—the year MGR became the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu—the song served as a major political anthem communicating his party's egalitarian philosophy.
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