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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Podunna Podanum

From Engal Thaikulame Varuga · 1986

Lyricist
Chidambaranathan
Singer
B. S. Sasirekha
Music director
Chandrabose
Details
Engal Thaikulame Varuga1986

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
{Haei thanthananaaHaei thanthananaa
Hoi thanthannaHoi thanthanna
Hoi thanthanna thanthaanaa} (2)Hoi thanthanna thanthaanaa (x2)
Female
Podunnaa podanum neengaIf you give money, you must give it to us
Naanga munthi virichchaalaeWhen we spread out the end of our saree
Podunnaa podanum neengaIf you give money, you must give it to us
Naanga munthi virichchaalaeWhen we spread out the end of our saree
Munnae vanthu sirichchaalaeWhen we come forward with a smile
Female
Pandigai naalithuthaangaToday is a festive day
Naanga voottukku vooduthaan ketpomWe will ask from house to house
Pandigai naalithuthaangaToday is a festive day
Naanga voottukku vooduthaan ketpomWe will ask from house to house
Yaaru vallalu ingaethaan paappomLet us see who the philanthropist is here
Female
Podunnaa…..thuttuDrop it... the money
Podunnaa podanum neengaIf you give money, you must give it to us
Naanga munthi virichchaalaeWhen we spread out the end of our saree
Munnae vanthu sirichchaalae…hei..When we come forward with a smile... hei...
Chorus
………………...
Female
Ullooru MLA neengaYou are the local MLA
Ada ungalaal aanatha thaangaGive whatever you can afford
Katchiyai maaththunga neengaChange your political party
Intha nottaiyum maaththiyae thaangaChange this currency note and give it to us
Female
Yaezhai sanam kettaakka illaiyinnu poreengaWhen poor people ask, you walk away saying you have nothing
Koottaniyaa pinnaadi vote-tu ketkka vaareengaLater you come asking for votes as part of a coalition
Annaatchi nillunga yaedhaachchum podunga ippoBrother, stop and drop something for us now
Female
Ada thaiyyara thaiyyara thaiyyara thaiyyara…….Ada thaiyyara thaiyyara thaiyyara thaiyyara...
Female
Podunnaa…..thuttuDrop it... the money
Podunnaa podanum neengaIf you give money, you must give it to us
Naanga munthi virichchaalaeWhen we spread out the end of our saree
Munnae vanthu sirichchaalae…hei..When we come forward with a smile... hei...
Female
………………....
Chorus
……………….....
Female
Sangunni naayarae vanakkamGreetings, Sangunni Nair
Konjam sillara podanum namakkumYou must drop some loose change for us too
Kodikkilengil enthu seiyumWhat can be done if you do not have millions?
Kodikkilengil tea-yaththaan aaththura neengaIf you do not have millions, you are just brewing tea
Chummaa eeyaththaan oottuveengaYou just feed us mere excuses
Female
Kanjaththanam pannaakkaa ippadiyae nippeengaIf you act stingy, you will stay stuck like this
Nalla manam undaanaal paththu kada vappeengaIf you have a generous heart, you will open ten shops
Annaatchi nillunga yaedhaachchum podunga ippoBrother, stop and drop something for us now
Female
Ada thaiyyara thaiyyara thaiyyara thaiyyara…….Ada thaiyyara thaiyyara thaiyyara thaiyyara...
Chorus
……………….....
Female
Kattiya ponjaathi irukkaWhile having a wedded wife at home
Neenga kandatha meyurathethukkuWhy do you go wandering after whatever you see?
Kuppaththu rajave neegaYou are the king of the slum
Puththi eppaththaan thirunthuveengaWhen will you ever reform your mindset?
Female
Thaaikulaththa kandaalae paai virikka ennaathaeDo not think of spreading a mat whenever you see womanhood
Thuttugala vachchikkittu thappugala pannaathaeDo not commit sins while hoarding money
Annaatchi nillunga yaedhaachchum podunga ippoBrother, stop and drop something for us now
Female
Ada thaiyyara thaiyyara thaiyyara thaiyyara…….Ada thaiyyara thaiyyara thaiyyara thaiyyara...
Female
Podunnaa podanum neengaIf you give money, you must give it to us
Naanga munthi virichchaalaeWhen we spread out the end of our saree
Munnae vanthu sirichchaalaeWhen we come forward with a smile
Pandigai naalithuthaangaToday is a festive day
Naanga voottukku vooduthaan ketpomWe will ask from house to house
Yaaru vallalu ingaethaan paappomLet us see who the philanthropist is here
Female
Podunnaa…..thuttuDrop it... the money
Podunnaa kaasu podunnaa podanum neengaDrop money, if you give, you must give
Naanga munthi virichchaalaeWhen we spread out the end of our saree
Munnae vanthu sirichchaalae…hei..When we come forward with a smile... hei...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This lively folk song from 'Engal Thaikulame Varuga' depicts a traditional door-to-door festive performance where singers ask for alms and contributions from various local characters in the village. Using humor, rhythm, and sharp wit, the singers interact with prominent community figures to demand donations for the festival.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Satire and Irony

Yaezhai sanam kettaakka illaiyinnu poreenga / Koottaniyaa pinnaadi vote-tu ketkka vaareenga

The lyrics use playful satire to expose local hypocrisy, calling out a politician who ignores the poor until election time, a shopkeeper who acts miserly, and a local man with questionable moral habits.

Folk Refrain and Rhythm (Thandana Beats)

Haei thanthananaa / Hoi thanthanna

The song opens and bridges with rhythmic rhythmic folk chants ('thanthananaa', 'thaiyyara') characteristic of Tamil street theatre and festive begging songs.

Ethirai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Podunnaa podanum neenga / Naanga munthi virichchaalae

A traditional Tamil poetic device where second letters in consecutive lines rhyme to create a pleasant oral cadence.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by lyricist Chidambaranathan for the 1986 film 'Engal Thaikulame Varuga', the track employs authentic Tamil street-folk narrative styles to deliver social commentary wrapped in festive celebration.

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