Police Mattum
From Thedi Vandha Raasa · 1995
- Lyricist
- Ilaiyaraja
- Singer
- S. N. Surendar
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Thedi Vandha Raasa1995
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Police mattum ena mattammaa | Is the police force alone inferior? |
| Naanga pokkaththu ponathoru koottammaa | We are a crowd that lost its direction. |
| Naan unmaiya sonnaa kastammaa | If I speak the truth, it causes trouble. |
| Adha oththukkondaalae yaedhum nashttammaa | If you accept it, is there any loss? |
| Male | |
| Police mattum ena mattammaa | Is the police force alone inferior? |
| Naanga pokkaththu ponathoru koottammaa | We are a crowd that lost its direction. |
| Naan unmaiya sonnaa kastammaa | If I speak the truth, it causes trouble. |
| Adha oththukkondaalae yaedhum nashttammaa | If you accept it, is there any loss? |
| Male | |
| Ada om manasum em manasum | Oh, your mind and my mind |
| Kettu kedakkuthu | Are ruined and corrupted |
| Ingu panaththa searkka ellorukkum | To accumulate money here, everyone |
| Aasai irukkuthu | Has a deep desire |
| Verum pagattu vaazhkkai | A mere showy superficial life |
| Padhavikkaaga alaiyum muttaa janangalukku | For foolish people who wander for power and status |
| Male | |
| Police mattum ena mattammaa | Is the police force alone inferior? |
| Naanga pokkaththu ponathoru koottammaa | We are a crowd that lost its direction. |
| Naan unmaiya sonnaa kastammaa | If I speak the truth, it causes trouble. |
| Adha oththukkondaalae yaedhum nashttammaa | If you accept it, is there any loss? |
| Male | |
| Kozhanthaigala nallaa padikka vaikka venumnnaa | If you want your children to study well, |
| Yaedho onnu vaangi adhukku lanjam kodukkirom | We buy something and give a bribe for it. |
| Valarantha pinnae maelae padikka poga venumnnaa | After growing up, if they need higher education, |
| Idam kidaikka college-la panaththa kodukkurom | To get a college seat, we give money. |
| Male | |
| Padippu mudinju veliya vanthaa velai paarkkanum | Once studies are done and they come out, they need a job, |
| Paazhum velai kidaikka naamum something kodukkanum | To get that wretched job, we must pay 'something'. |
| Velai kidaichchu kalyaanamum panna venumnnaa | After getting a job, if one wants to get married, |
| Thali kattim pondaattikitta something vaanganum | After tying the sacred thread, one expects 'something' from the wife. |
| Male | |
| Sirusulirunthu perusu aagi | From small childhood to growing old, |
| Kaadu pogi serum varaikkum | Until reaching the cremation ground, |
| Lanjam koduththu pazhakkiyathu neengathaanae | Aren't you the ones who normalized giving bribes? |
| Male | |
| Adhula police mattum ena mattammaa | In that system, why single out and blame the police alone? |
| Naanga pokkaththu ponathoru koottammaa | We are a crowd that lost its direction. |
| Naan unmaiya sonnaa kastammaa | If I speak the truth, it causes trouble. |
| Adha oththukkondaalae yaedhum nashttammaa | If you accept it, is there any loss? |
| Male | |
| Kottum paniyil mazhaiyil veyyilil traffic-la | In pouring snow, rain, and heat, amidst traffic, |
| Kaal kadukka nikkithu naangathaanae | Aren't we the ones standing until our legs ache? |
| Vettum kuththum nadakkum entha oorinilum | In any town where violence and stabbings occur, |
| Podhu janaththai kaakkurathum naangathaanae | Aren't we the ones who protect the general public? |
| Male | |
| Natta nadu raaththiriyil seththa ponaththa kaakka | In the dead of night, to guard a dead body, |
| Seththavanin sontha pantham irukkumaa | Will even the deceased's own relatives stay? |
| Kasttapattu kann muzhichchu eeya ootti kedakka | Working hard, staying awake, keeping flies away, |
| Anga irukkurathu engala thavira yaaramma | Who else is there besides us, lady? |
| Male | |
| Rajini vanthaalum angae kamalu vanthaalum | Even if Rajinikanth comes, or Kamal Haasan comes, |
| Manthiri vanthaalum magaraja vanthaalum | Even if a minister comes, or a emperor comes, |
| Ivanga usurukkellaam | For all of their lives, |
| Paththiramaana uththiravaatham yaaru naangathaanae | Who provides a safe guarantee? Isn't it us? |
| Male | |
| Antha police mattum ena mattammaa | Why look down on that police force alone? |
| Naanga pokkaththu ponathoru koottammaa | We are a crowd that lost its direction. |
| Male | |
| Tiruppathikku poyi tharisanamum venumnnaa | If you go to Tirupati and want a quick divine vision, |
| Kandippaaga yaedho naama koduththu vaikkirom | We definitely pay something extra to get it. |
| Thiruttu payala pidichchu oru thandanai kodukka venumnnaa | If a thief is caught and needs to be punished, |
| Adhukku naama kattaayamaa yaedho kodukkurom | For that too, we compulsorily give something extra. |
| Male | |
| Arasu aluvalugaththil yaedho kaariyamaaganum | If some work needs to get done in a government office, |
| Ada angae ponaa ellorukkum something kodukkanum | Oh, if you go there, you have to give 'something' to everyone. |
| Avasaramaa poganumnnaa auto pudikkanum | If you need to travel urgently and catch an auto-rickshaw, |
| Ada adhukkum meter mela pottu something kodukkanum | Oh, even for that, they charge over the meter and ask for 'something'. |
| Male | |
| Rayil-u ticket-u theater ticket-u | Train tickets, theater tickets, |
| MLA ticket-u MP ticket-u | MLA election tickets, MP election tickets, |
| Engum edhilum iruppathellaam lanjamthaan | Everywhere and in everything, bribery is all that exists. |
| Male | |
| Police mattum ena mattammaa | Is the police force alone inferior? |
| Naanga pokkaththu ponathoru koottammaa | We are a crowd that lost its direction. |
| Naan unmaiya sonnaa kastammaa | If I speak the truth, it causes trouble. |
| Adha oththukkondaalae yaedhum nashttammaa | If you accept it, is there any loss? |
| Male | |
| Ada om manasum em manasum | Oh, your mind and my mind |
| Kettu kedakkuthu | Are ruined and corrupted |
| Ingu panaththa searkka ellorukkum | To accumulate money here, everyone |
| Aasai irukkuthu | Has a deep desire |
| Verum pagattu vaazhkkai | A mere showy superficial life |
| Padhavikkaaga alaiyum muttaa janangalukku | For foolish people who wander for power and status |
| Male | |
| Police mattum ena mattammaa | Is the police force alone inferior? |
| Naanga pokkaththu ponathoru koottammaa | We are a crowd that lost its direction. |
| Naan unmaiya sonnaa kastammaa | If I speak the truth, it causes trouble. |
| Adha oththukkondaalae yaedhum nashttammaa | If you accept it, is there any loss? |
போலீஸ் மட்டும் என மட்டம்மா
நாங்க போக்கத்து போனதொரு கூட்டம்மா
நான் உண்மைய சொன்னா கஷ்ட்டமா
அத ஒத்துக்கொண்டாலே ஏதும் நஷ்ட்டம்மா
Is the police force alone inferior?
We are a crowd that lost its direction.
If I speak the truth, it causes trouble.
If you accept it, is there any loss?
போலீஸ் மட்டும் என மட்டம்மா
நாங்க போக்கத்து போனதொரு கூட்டம்மா
நான் உண்மைய சொன்னா கஷ்ட்டமா
அத ஒத்துக்கொண்டாலே ஏதும் நஷ்ட்டம்மா
Is the police force alone inferior?
We are a crowd that lost its direction.
If I speak the truth, it causes trouble.
If you accept it, is there any loss?
அட ஒம் மனசும் எம் மனசும்
கெட்டு கெடக்குது
இங்கு பணத்த சேர்க்க எல்லோருக்கும்
ஆசை இருக்குது
வெறும் பகட்டு வாழ்க்கை
பதவிக்காக அலையும் முட்டா ஜனங்களுக்கு
Oh, your mind and my mind
Are ruined and corrupted
To accumulate money here, everyone
Has a deep desire
A mere showy superficial life
For foolish people who wander for power and status
போலீஸ் மட்டும் என மட்டம்மா
நாங்க போக்கத்து போனதொரு கூட்டம்மா
நான் உண்மைய சொன்னா கஷ்ட்டமா
அத ஒத்துக்கொண்டாலே ஏதும் நஷ்ட்டம்மா
Is the police force alone inferior?
We are a crowd that lost its direction.
If I speak the truth, it causes trouble.
If you accept it, is there any loss?
கொழந்தைகள நல்லா படிக்க வைக்க வேணும்ன்னா
ஏதோ ஒன்னு வாங்கி அதுக்கு லஞ்சம் கொடுக்கிறோம்
வளர்ந்த பின்னே மேலே படிக்க போக வேணும்ன்னா
இடம் கிடைக்க காலேஜில பணத்த கொடுக்குறோம்
If you want your children to study well,
We buy something and give a bribe for it.
After growing up, if they need higher education,
To get a college seat, we give money.
படிப்பு முடிஞ்சு வெளிய வந்தா வேலை பார்க்கணும்
பாழும் வேலை கிடைக்க நாமும் சம்திங் கொடுக்கணும்
வேலை கிடைச்சு கல்யாணமும் பண்ண வேணும்ன்னா
தாலி கட்டும் பொண்டாட்டிகிட்ட சம்திங் வாங்கணும்
Once studies are done and they come out, they need a job,
To get that wretched job, we must pay 'something'.
After getting a job, if one wants to get married,
After tying the sacred thread, one expects 'something' from the wife.
சிறுசுலிருந்து பெருசு ஆகி
காடு போகி சேரும் வரைக்கும்
லஞ்சம் கொடுத்து பழக்கியது நீங்கதானே
From small childhood to growing old,
Until reaching the cremation ground,
Aren't you the ones who normalized giving bribes?
அதுல போலீஸ் மட்டும் என மட்டம்மா
நாங்க போக்கத்து போனதொரு கூட்டம்மா
நான் உண்மைய சொன்னா கஷ்ட்டமா
அத ஒத்துக்கொண்டாலே ஏதும் நஷ்ட்டம்மா
In that system, why single out and blame the police alone?
We are a crowd that lost its direction.
If I speak the truth, it causes trouble.
If you accept it, is there any loss?
கொட்டும் பனியில் மழையில் வெய்யிலில் ட்ராபிக்கில
கால் கடுக்க நிக்கிறது நாங்கதானே
வெட்டும் குத்தும் நடக்கும் எந்த ஊரினிலும்
பொது ஜனத்தை காக்குறதும் நாங்கதானே
In pouring snow, rain, and heat, amidst traffic,
Aren't we the ones standing until our legs ache?
In any town where violence and stabbings occur,
Aren't we the ones who protect the general public?
நட்ட நடு ராத்திரியில் செத்த பொணத்த காக்க
செத்தவனின் சொந்த பந்தம் இருக்குமா
கஷ்ட்டப்பட்டு கண் முழிச்சு ஈய ஓட்டி கெடக்க
அங்க இருக்குறது எங்கள தவிர யாரம்மா
In the dead of night, to guard a dead body,
Will even the deceased's own relatives stay?
Working hard, staying awake, keeping flies away,
Who else is there besides us, lady?
ரஜினி வந்தாலும் அங்கே கமலு வந்தாலும்
மந்திரி வந்தாலும் மகாராஜா வந்தாலும்
இவங்க உசுருக்கெல்லாம்
பத்திரமான உத்திரவாதம் யாரு நாங்கதானே
Even if Rajinikanth comes, or Kamal Haasan comes,
Even if a minister comes, or a emperor comes,
For all of their lives,
Who provides a safe guarantee? Isn't it us?
அந்த போலீஸ் மட்டும் என மட்டம்மா
நாங்க போக்கத்து போனதொரு கூட்டம்மா
Why look down on that police force alone?
We are a crowd that lost its direction.
திருப்பதிக்கு போயி தரிசனமும் வேணும்ன்னா
கண்டிப்பாக ஏதோ நாம கொடுத்து வைக்கிறோம்
திருட்டு பயல பிடிச்சு ஒரு தண்டனை கொடுக்க வேணும்ன்னா
அதுக்கு நாம கட்டாயமா ஏதோ கொடுக்குறோம்
If you go to Tirupati and want a quick divine vision,
We definitely pay something extra to get it.
If a thief is caught and needs to be punished,
For that too, we compulsorily give something extra.
அரசு அலுவலகத்தில் ஏதோ காரியமாகனும்
அட அங்கே போனா எல்லோருக்கும் சம்திங் கொடுக்கணும்
அவசரமா போகணும்ன்னா ஆட்டோ புடிக்கணும்
அட அதுக்கும் மீட்டர் மேல போட்டு சம்திங் கொடுக்கணும்
If some work needs to get done in a government office,
Oh, if you go there, you have to give 'something' to everyone.
If you need to travel urgently and catch an auto-rickshaw,
Oh, even for that, they charge over the meter and ask for 'something'.
ரயிலு டிக்கெட்டு தியேட்டர் டிக்கெட்டு
எம் எல் ஏ டிக்கெட்டு எம் பி டிக்கெட்டு
எங்கும் எதிலும் இருப்பதெல்லாம் லஞ்சம்தானே
Train tickets, theater tickets,
MLA election tickets, MP election tickets,
Everywhere and in everything, bribery is all that exists.
எங்க போலீஸ் மட்டும் என மட்டம்மா
நாங்க போக்கத்து போனதொரு கூட்டம்மா
நான் உண்மைய சொன்னா கஷ்ட்டமா
அத ஒத்துக்கொண்டாலே ஏதும் நஷ்ட்டம்மா
Is the police force alone inferior?
We are a crowd that lost its direction.
If I speak the truth, it causes trouble.
If you accept it, is there any loss?
அட ஒம் மனசும் எம் மனசும்
கெட்டு கெடக்குது
இங்கு பணத்த சேர்க்க எல்லோருக்கும்
ஆசை இருக்குது
வெறும் பகட்டு வாழ்க்கை
பதவிக்காக அலையும் முட்டா ஜனங்களுக்கு
Oh, your mind and my mind
Are ruined and corrupted
To accumulate money here, everyone
Has a deep desire
A mere showy superficial life
For foolish people who wander for power and status
போலீஸ் மட்டும் என மட்டம்மா
நாங்க போக்கத்து போனதொரு கூட்டம்மா
நான் உண்மைய சொன்னா கஷ்ட்டமா
அத ஒத்துக்கொண்டாலே ஏதும் நஷ்ட்டம்மா
Is the police force alone inferior?
We are a crowd that lost its direction.
If I speak the truth, it causes trouble.
If you accept it, is there any loss?
Police mattum ena mattammaa
Is the police force alone inferior?
Naanga pokkaththu ponathoru koottammaa
We are a crowd that lost its direction.
Naan unmaiya sonnaa kastammaa
If I speak the truth, it causes trouble.
Adha oththukkondaalae yaedhum nashttammaa
If you accept it, is there any loss?
Police mattum ena mattammaa
Is the police force alone inferior?
Naanga pokkaththu ponathoru koottammaa
We are a crowd that lost its direction.
Naan unmaiya sonnaa kastammaa
If I speak the truth, it causes trouble.
Adha oththukkondaalae yaedhum nashttammaa
If you accept it, is there any loss?
Ada om manasum em manasum
Oh, your mind and my mind
Kettu kedakkuthu
Are ruined and corrupted
Ingu panaththa searkka ellorukkum
To accumulate money here, everyone
Aasai irukkuthu
Has a deep desire
Verum pagattu vaazhkkai
A mere showy superficial life
Padhavikkaaga alaiyum muttaa janangalukku
For foolish people who wander for power and status
Police mattum ena mattammaa
Is the police force alone inferior?
Naanga pokkaththu ponathoru koottammaa
We are a crowd that lost its direction.
Naan unmaiya sonnaa kastammaa
If I speak the truth, it causes trouble.
Adha oththukkondaalae yaedhum nashttammaa
If you accept it, is there any loss?
Kozhanthaigala nallaa padikka vaikka venumnnaa
If you want your children to study well,
Yaedho onnu vaangi adhukku lanjam kodukkirom
We buy something and give a bribe for it.
Valarantha pinnae maelae padikka poga venumnnaa
After growing up, if they need higher education,
Idam kidaikka college-la panaththa kodukkurom
To get a college seat, we give money.
Padippu mudinju veliya vanthaa velai paarkkanum
Once studies are done and they come out, they need a job,
Paazhum velai kidaikka naamum something kodukkanum
To get that wretched job, we must pay 'something'.
Velai kidaichchu kalyaanamum panna venumnnaa
After getting a job, if one wants to get married,
Thali kattim pondaattikitta something vaanganum
After tying the sacred thread, one expects 'something' from the wife.
Sirusulirunthu perusu aagi
From small childhood to growing old,
Kaadu pogi serum varaikkum
Until reaching the cremation ground,
Lanjam koduththu pazhakkiyathu neengathaanae
Aren't you the ones who normalized giving bribes?
Adhula police mattum ena mattammaa
In that system, why single out and blame the police alone?
Naanga pokkaththu ponathoru koottammaa
We are a crowd that lost its direction.
Naan unmaiya sonnaa kastammaa
If I speak the truth, it causes trouble.
Adha oththukkondaalae yaedhum nashttammaa
If you accept it, is there any loss?
Kottum paniyil mazhaiyil veyyilil traffic-la
In pouring snow, rain, and heat, amidst traffic,
Kaal kadukka nikkithu naangathaanae
Aren't we the ones standing until our legs ache?
Vettum kuththum nadakkum entha oorinilum
In any town where violence and stabbings occur,
Podhu janaththai kaakkurathum naangathaanae
Aren't we the ones who protect the general public?
Natta nadu raaththiriyil seththa ponaththa kaakka
In the dead of night, to guard a dead body,
Seththavanin sontha pantham irukkumaa
Will even the deceased's own relatives stay?
Kasttapattu kann muzhichchu eeya ootti kedakka
Working hard, staying awake, keeping flies away,
Anga irukkurathu engala thavira yaaramma
Who else is there besides us, lady?
Rajini vanthaalum angae kamalu vanthaalum
Even if Rajinikanth comes, or Kamal Haasan comes,
Manthiri vanthaalum magaraja vanthaalum
Even if a minister comes, or a emperor comes,
Ivanga usurukkellaam
For all of their lives,
Paththiramaana uththiravaatham yaaru naangathaanae
Who provides a safe guarantee? Isn't it us?
Antha police mattum ena mattammaa
Why look down on that police force alone?
Naanga pokkaththu ponathoru koottammaa
We are a crowd that lost its direction.
Tiruppathikku poyi tharisanamum venumnnaa
If you go to Tirupati and want a quick divine vision,
Kandippaaga yaedho naama koduththu vaikkirom
We definitely pay something extra to get it.
Thiruttu payala pidichchu oru thandanai kodukka venumnnaa
If a thief is caught and needs to be punished,
Adhukku naama kattaayamaa yaedho kodukkurom
For that too, we compulsorily give something extra.
Arasu aluvalugaththil yaedho kaariyamaaganum
If some work needs to get done in a government office,
Ada angae ponaa ellorukkum something kodukkanum
Oh, if you go there, you have to give 'something' to everyone.
Avasaramaa poganumnnaa auto pudikkanum
If you need to travel urgently and catch an auto-rickshaw,
Ada adhukkum meter mela pottu something kodukkanum
Oh, even for that, they charge over the meter and ask for 'something'.
Rayil-u ticket-u theater ticket-u
Train tickets, theater tickets,
MLA ticket-u MP ticket-u
MLA election tickets, MP election tickets,
Engum edhilum iruppathellaam lanjamthaan
Everywhere and in everything, bribery is all that exists.
Police mattum ena mattammaa
Is the police force alone inferior?
Naanga pokkaththu ponathoru koottammaa
We are a crowd that lost its direction.
Naan unmaiya sonnaa kastammaa
If I speak the truth, it causes trouble.
Adha oththukkondaalae yaedhum nashttammaa
If you accept it, is there any loss?
Ada om manasum em manasum
Oh, your mind and my mind
Kettu kedakkuthu
Are ruined and corrupted
Ingu panaththa searkka ellorukkum
To accumulate money here, everyone
Aasai irukkuthu
Has a deep desire
Verum pagattu vaazhkkai
A mere showy superficial life
Padhavikkaaga alaiyum muttaa janangalukku
For foolish people who wander for power and status
Police mattum ena mattammaa
Is the police force alone inferior?
Naanga pokkaththu ponathoru koottammaa
We are a crowd that lost its direction.
Naan unmaiya sonnaa kastammaa
If I speak the truth, it causes trouble.
Adha oththukkondaalae yaedhum nashttammaa
If you accept it, is there any loss?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Police mattum ena mattammaa' is a satirical commentary on systemic corruption and societal hypocrisy in India, delivered from the perspective of police officers. It argues that society unfairly singles out police officers as corrupt while ordinary citizens routinely participate in bribery across all walks of life—from securing school admissions, college seats, and jobs, to getting temple darshans, auto rides, and political tickets.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Rhyme / Monorhyme (Asoi/Edupugkal)
“Police mattum ena mattammaa / Naanga pokkaththu ponathoru koottammaa”
The chorus lines end with rhyming suffixes (-mmaa) creating a rhythmic, conversational cadence ('mattammaa', 'koottammaa', 'kastammaa', 'nashttammaa').
Euphemism / Satire
“Paazhum velai kidaikka naamum something kodukkanum”
The term 'something' is repeatedly used as a conversational Tamil slang euphemism for bribes ('lanjam').
Pop Culture Reference / Hyperbole
“Rajini vanthaalum angae kamalu vanthaalum / Manthiri vanthaalum magaraja vanthaalum”
Refers to major film stars (Rajini, Kamal) and dignitaries to highlight that police protection is indispensable regardless of status.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song features lyrics written by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja himself, highlighting his keen sense of social commentary and folk rhythm in Tamil cinema during the 1990s.
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