Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Periyar Kuthu

From Periyar Kuthu STR Song · 2018

Lyricist
Madhan Karky
Singers
STR, Chorus
Music director
Ramesh Thamilmani
Movie name
Periyar Kuthu STR Song
Movie release year
2018
Lyrics added on
21 Oct 2018

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Rocket yeri
Vaazhkka pogurappa
Saakkadaikkulla
Mungaadha ve
Saadhichavan
Saadhi ennavunnu
Google-la poyi
Thedaadha ve
Naan oru vaartha sonna
Un madhamae gaaliyinna
Un madhatha mootta katti
Thookki yeri ve
Edhuththu pesa moola illa
Unakku vera vela illa
Kannukkulla yen indha
Veri veri veri veri veri
Aazhainga vaazhanum
Ezhainga saaganum
Poaraali nasunganum
Vekkaththa maanaththa
Roshaththa kooda nee
Aadhaaril inaikkanum
Maanaththoda kodi peru
Sandai poda ninna
Naan avangaloda porula thaan
Jeyichuduven kanna
Maanam illa nee ellaam
Sandaiyinnu ninnaa
Naan mookka moodi
Verappakkam poyiduven kanna
Ada voottukku thalaivanum
Nottukku thondanum
Kai yendhi thaan nikkanum
Aatchiya pudichida
Thaaviyum kooviyum
Balti thaan adikkanum
Kezhavan silaiya
Udaikkum kazhudha
Enna senju kizhikkum
Andha pazhaiya
Neruppa thiruppi kelappi
Kuzhambi ninnu muzhikkum
Unmaiyaana naayi
Adhu nandriyoda kedakkum
Ada vesham pottu vandha naayi
Maanangettu kulaikkum
Unmaiyaana naayi
Adhu nandriyoda kedakkum
Ada vesham pottu vandha naayi
Maanangettu kulaikkum
Enna raasaa…aa..
{Vowvowow vowvowow
Vowvowow vowvowow
Vowvowow vowvowow
Vow vow vow vow} (2)
When boarding a rocket
and life is zooming ahead,
into the sewer,
don't dive in, man!
To check what caste
an achiever belongs to,
going onto Google,
don't search, man!
If I speak a single word
and your religion crumbles,
bundle up your religion
and toss it away, man!
You lack the brains to speak with reason,
you have nothing better to do,
why in your eyes
is there this frenzy, frenzy, frenzy, frenzy, frenzy?
The powerful should thrive,
the poor should die,
the rebel must be crushed,
shame and self-respect,
and even your dignity,
you must link them all to Aadhaar (national ID card)!
If ten million people with self-respect
stand up to fight,
I will fight for the cause and win,
my friend!
But if shameless folks like you
stand up to brawl,
I will pinch my nose
and walk the other way, my friend!
Look, the head of the house
and the party worker chasing cash,
both must stand with outstretched hands!
Just to capture power,
jumping sides and howling out loud,
they must turn somersaults!
The statue of the old man (Periyar),
the donkey that breaks it,
what can it ever accomplish?
Stirring up that old
fire once again,
it will just stand dazed and bewildered!
A loyal dog
will lie down with gratitude,
but a dog wearing a mask
will bark shamelessly!
A loyal dog
will lie down with gratitude,
but a dog wearing a mask
will bark shamelessly!
What happened, my king?
{Bow-wow-wow, bow-wow-wow,
bow-wow-wow, bow-wow-wow,
bow-wow-wow, bow-wow-wow,
bow, wow, bow, wow} (x2)
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Chorus

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

'Periyar Kuthu' is a sharp socio-political satire written by Madhan Karky and composed/sung by Silambarasan TR (STR) celebrating the egalitarian principles of social reformer Periyar E. V. Ramasamy. The song calls out modern social evils such as caste prejudice (searching for an achiever's caste on Google), religious fragility, oppressive governance, political opportunism, and acts of vandalism against progressive icons like Periyar. Through hard-hitting folk/kuthu rhythms and unapologetic lyrics, the song urges people to rise above bigotry and retain true human dignity rather than acting out of blind hatred.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor & Allegory

“Kezhavan silaiya Udaikkum kazhudha Enna senju kizhikkum... Unmaiyaana naayi Adhu nandriyoda kedakkum... Ada vesham pottu vandha naayi Maanangettu kulaikkum...”

Poetic device

“Kezhavan silaiya / Udaikkum kazhudha”

The lyricist uses animals like 'kazhudha' (donkey) and 'vesham pottu vandha naayi' (disguised dog) as metaphors for bigoted vandals and hypocritical politicians, contrasting them with true loyalists.

Satire & Irony

“Vekkaththa maanaththa Roshaththa kooda nee Aadhaaril inaikkanum”

Poetic device

“Vekkaththa maanaththa Roshaththa kooda nee Aadhaaril inaikkanum”

Uses contemporary political references (linking Aadhaar) as an ironic commentary on state surveillance and loss of personal pride/freedom.

Epanalepsis / Epizeuxis (Repetition)

“Kannukkulla yen indha Veri veri veri veri veri”

Poetic device

“Kannukkulla yen indha Veri veri veri veri veri”

Repetition of the word 'veri' (rage/madness) emphasizes the unchecked, irrational fanaticism prevalent in society.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Periyar Kuthu' was released in 2018 as a standalone single, featuring music and vocal performance by Silambarasan (STR) with lyrics by Madhan Karky. The song was created to pay homage to Periyar E. V. Ramasamy's ideals of rationalism, anti-casteism, and social justice, especially responding to contemporary political events in Tamil Nadu involving vandalization of Periyar statues.

Keep listening

Songs with a similar feeling

Yezhai Jathi Kozhai Jathi Illai1993
Ezhai JaathiSocial JusticeRebellion
Ada Rajangam Un Athigaram1982
Oorukku Oru PillaiSocial JusticeRebellion
Ennachu Namma Desam1992
Thaali Kattiya RaasaSocial JusticeRebellion
Varungaalam Engaladhu2019
Naadodigal – 2Social JusticeDefiant
Hey Onna Rendaa1981
Kanni TheevuSocial JusticeRebellion
Saadhi Saadhi2024
Vaa PagandayaSocial JusticeRebellion

Spot an issue?

Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.