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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Pocketla Paathu Kasu

From Nethiyadi · 1988

Lyricist
Maari
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Chorus
Music director
R. Pandiarajan
Movie name
Nethiyadi
Movie release year
1988
Lyrics added on
18 Apr 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Pocket-la paththu kaasu illaennaa
Intha paasam nesam ellaam illeenga
Pocket-la paththu kaasu illaennaa
Intha paasam nesam ellaam illeenga
Naanum neeyum onnu pandha paasam onnu
Sonnathu suththa poiyyunga
Idha purinjukka therunju nadanthukka
Pocket-la paththu kaasu illaennaa
Intha paasam nesam ellaam illeenga
Soththu saeththaakka sontham varum
Jaadhi pedhamthaan paranthu pogum
Thangam vellinnu saeththupputtaa
Thaguthi paakkaama paaraattuththaan
Panamthaan ellam panamthaan
Chorus :Aamam aamaam
Male :Nejanthaan idhu nejanjthaan
Male :Correct-tu
Male :Ellaam therunjikittu kaasa vittuputtu
Paaduraen thanni poduraen
Aaduraen thallaaduraen
Pocket-la paththu kaasu illaennaa
Intha paasam nesam ellaam illeenga
Naanum neeyum onnu pandha paasam onnu
Sonnathu suththa poiyyunga
Idha purinjukka therunju nadanthukka…aamaam
Kozhi adichchaakkaa koodiduaan
Koraiyya sonnaakkaa odiduvaan….aamaam
Kashtappadumpothu kannil pattaa
Kandum kaanaama marainjiduvaan
Nampaathae yaaraiyum nampaathae
Chorus :Aamaam aamam
Male :Nambittu pinnaala vembaathae
Male :Nambaathae
Male :Enga veettulaeyum unga veettulaeyum
Nadakkuthu intha mattaer-ru
Nalla kavaninga illa danger
Pocket-la paththu kaasu illaennaa
Intha paasam nesam ellaam illeenga
Pocket-la paththu kaasu illaennaa
Intha paasam nesam ellaam illeenga
Naanum neeyum onnu pandha paasam onnu
Sonnathu suththa poiyyunga
Idha purinjukka therunju nadanthukka…aamaam
Pocket-la paththu kaasu illaennaa
Intha paasam nesam ellaam illeenga….
If you don't have even ten paise in your pocket,
All this love and affection will simply vanish!
If you don't have even ten paise in your pocket,
All this love and affection will simply vanish!
Saying 'you and I are one, and our bond is true'—
Is a complete lie, my friend!
Understand this and act wisely.
If you don't have even ten paise in your pocket,
All this love and affection will simply vanish!
If you gather wealth, relatives will come running.
All caste differences will just fly away.
If you pile up gold and silver,
People will praise you without judging your merit.
It is all money! Only money matters!
Chorus: Yes, yes!
Male: That's the truth, this is the plain truth!
Male: Exactly!
Male: Knowing all this, yet giving up on money,
I sing and I drink,
I dance and I stumble around!
If you don't have even ten paise in your pocket,
All this love and affection will simply vanish!
Saying 'you and I are one, and our bond is true'—
Is a complete lie, my friend!
Understand this and act wisely... yes!
If you butcher a chicken for a feast, crowds will gather.
If you share your troubles, they will run away... yes!
If they spot you when you're struggling,
They'll pretend not to notice and sneak away!
Don't trust anyone, don't trust them!
Chorus: Yes, yes!
Male: Don't trust blindly and suffer in bitterness later!
Male: Don't trust them!
Male: In my house, and in your house too,
This very thing keeps happening!
Pay close attention, or you're in danger!
If you don't have even ten paise in your pocket,
All this love and affection will simply vanish!
If you don't have even ten paise in your pocket,
All this love and affection will simply vanish!
Saying 'you and I are one, and our bond is true'—
Is a complete lie, my friend!
Understand this and act wisely... yes!
If you don't have even ten paise in your pocket,
All this love and affection will simply vanish...
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song from the film Nethiyadi (1988) is a humorous yet hard-hitting commentary on materialism and human nature. It explores how personal relationships, social respect, and familial affection are largely dictated by wealth. When a person is penniless, even close friends and family abandon them, but when wealth is accumulated, social barriers like caste fade away and praise comes unconditionally.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monaai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Naanum neeyum onnu pandha paasam onnu

Repetition of initial consonant sounds across words in the line creates rhythm.

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Soththu saeththaakka sontham varum / Jaadhi pedhamthaan paranthu pogum

Matching of second consonants in adjacent lines creating phonetic harmony.

Irony and Social Satire

Kozhi adichchaakkaa koodiduaan / Koraiyya sonnaakkaa odiduvaan

Highlights the hypocrisy of society where superficial benefits attract fair-weather friends who disappear during hardship.

Did you know?

Trivia

Nethiyadi (1988) was directed by Pandiarajan, who also played the lead role and composed the soundtrack for the film, marking a rare instance of an actor-director turning full-fledged music director.

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