Raatthirikku Boovaavukku Laatteri
From Koondukkili · 1954
- Lyricist
- Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Details
- Koondukkili1954
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Raamanae aandaalenna | What does it matter if Rama rules? |
| Raavanan aandaalenna | What does it matter if Ravana rules? |
| Raatthirikkae boovaavukkae lottery | Getting night food is like winning a lottery. |
| Vaazhkkai light eriya | For the light of life to keep glowing, |
| Panandhaanae battery | Money alone is the battery! |
| Male | |
| Raappagal alanjaalenna | What if you wander day and night? |
| Naai pola thirinjaalenna | What if you roam around like a dog? |
| Male | |
| Raamanae aandaalenna | What does it matter if Rama rules? |
| Raavanan aandaalenna | What does it matter if Ravana rules? |
| Raatthirikkae boovaavukkae lottery | Getting night food is like winning a lottery. |
| Vaazhkkai light eriya | For the light of life to keep glowing, |
| Panandhaanae battery | Money alone is the battery! |
| Male | |
| Maanathodu vaazhndhaalenna | What if one lives with honor? |
| Mariyaadhaiyaai irundhaal | If one lives respectfully, |
| Maanathodu vaazhndhaalenna | What if one lives with honor? |
| Mariyaadhaiyaai irundhaal enna | What if one lives respectfully? |
| Maadha kazhivilae naanayam pogudhu | Currency loses value by the end of the month. |
| Maadham muppadhum vaangiyum kattala | Even earning for thirty days, expenses cannot be met. |
| Male | |
| Panja kaalam vandhaalenna | What if times of famine arrive? |
| Pattiniyaa setthaalenna | What if one dies of starvation? |
| Panja kaalam vandhaalenna | What if times of famine arrive? |
| Pattiniyaa setthaalenna | What if one dies of starvation? |
| Baadhaam alvaa janghiri koottam | The rich crowd enjoying almond halwa and jangri, |
| Padaadobamaai vaazhndhidum | Living ostentatiously and luxuriously, |
| Naatilae | In this country, |
| Male | |
| Irumbu pettiyilae | In iron safe boxes, |
| Panathai vaikka | To keep money, |
| Idamae illaadha nerukkadi | There is a severe shortage of space! |
| Male | |
| Aamaamppaa | Yes, indeed! |
| Male | |
| Irumbu pettiyilae | In iron safe boxes, |
| Panathai vaikka | To keep money, |
| Idamae illaadha nerukkadi | There is a severe shortage of space! |
| Male | |
| Ilaippu kalaiappu | Without fatigue or exhaustion, |
| Illaadhu uzhaichu | Working hard relentlessly, |
| Kadanil kidandhaan adikkadi | He frequently remained trapped in debt. |
| Male | |
| Aamaamppaa | Yes, indeed! |
| Male | |
| Ilaippu kalaiappu | Without fatigue or exhaustion, |
| Illaadhu uzhaichu | Working hard relentlessly, |
| Kadanil kidandhaan adikkadi | He frequently remained trapped in debt. |
| Male | |
| Enakkum unakkum | For you and for me, |
| Sambalam vaangina | Once the salary is received, |
| Rendaam naalae nerukkadi | By the second day itself, there is a financial crisis! |
| Male | |
| Aang… | Ah... |
| Male | |
| Ezhettu pillai kuttigalodu | With seven or eight children, |
| Vaazha pirandhavan ennaa seivaan | What will a person born to live do? |
| Male | |
| Ettu naala alaiyaa alanjum | Even after wandering restlessly for eight days, |
| Rendanaa laabamum illaiyandro | Isn't there even a two-anna profit? |
| Ellaa maarkettum dallandro | Isn't every market dull? |
| Male | |
| Yaemi chaesari raamaa dappandhaa | What can be done, Rama? Money... |
| Yekkada poyindho | Where has it gone? |
| Male | |
| Ae…ae… ennaandi solvadhu | Hey... hey... what can I say? |
| Engaendu povadhu…uuu..uuu | Where can I go... |
| Male | |
| Ennaandi solvadhu | What can I say? |
| Engaendu povadhu | Where can I go? |
| Endha chaamiyum yenendu kekkalae | No god comes to ask why! |
| Ennaandi solvadhu | What can I say? |
| Engaendu povadhu | Where can I go? |
| Endha chaamiyum yenendu kekkalae | No god comes to ask why! |
| Kekkalae | No one asks! |
| Yenendu kekkalae | No one asks why! |
| Boovaa thindaanaa | Did he eat food, |
| Illaiyaandu paakkalae | Or not, no one bothered to look! |
| Boovaa thindaanaa | Did he eat food, |
| Illaiyaandu paakkalae | Or not, no one bothered to look! |
| Male | |
| Raappagal alanjaalenna | What if you wander day and night? |
| Male | |
| Naai pola thirinjaalenna | What if you roam around like a dog? |
| Male | |
| Paathaalum nadakkaadhu | Even if you try hard, it will not work out. |
| Panath thirudi pizhaichaalum nadakkaadhu | Even if you survive by stealing money, it will not work out. |
| Male | |
| Kaa kaa | Caw caw... |
| Male | |
| Kaa kaa kaakaa pudichum mudiyaadhu | Even flattering others endlessly will not help. |
| Male | |
| Daekkaa koduthavan nimindhu kittaan | The one who cheated stood up proudly, |
| Panathai thaedi koduthavan | The one who earned and gave money, |
| Paduthu kittaan | Fell down in suffering! |
| Male | |
| Kaakkaa pudichavan pozhaichi kittaan | The flatterer survived and prospered, |
| Namba kaalamellaamae paadu pattaalum | Even if we toil hard all our lifetime! |
மற்றும் வி. என் சுந்தரம்
What does it matter if Rama rules?
What does it matter if Ravana rules?
Getting night food is like winning a lottery.
For the light of life to keep glowing,
Money alone is the battery!
ராமனே ஆண்டாலென்ன
ராவணனே ஆண்டாலென்ன
ராத்திரிக்கே புவாவுக்கே லாட்டரி
வாழ்க்கை லைட் எரிய
பணந்தானே பேட்டரி.....
What if you wander day and night?
What if you roam around like a dog?
ராப்பகல் அலைஞ்சாலென்ன
நாய் போல தெரிஞ்சாலேன்னா
What does it matter if Rama rules?
What does it matter if Ravana rules?
Getting night food is like winning a lottery.
For the light of life to keep glowing,
Money alone is the battery!
ராமனே ஆண்டாலென்ன
ராவணனே ஆண்டாலென்ன
ராத்திரிக்கே புவாவுக்கே லாட்டரி
வாழ்க்கை லைட் எரிய
பணந்தானே பேட்டரி.....
What if one lives with honor?
If one lives respectfully,
What if one lives with honor?
What if one lives respectfully?
Currency loses value by the end of the month.
Even earning for thirty days, expenses cannot be met.
மனதோடு வாழ்ந்தாலேன்னா
மரியாதையாய் இருந்தால்
மனதோடு வாழ்ந்தாலேன்னா
மரியாதையாய் இருந்தால்
மாத கழுவிலே நாணயம் போகுது
மாதம் முப்பதும் வாங்கியும் கட்டல
What if times of famine arrive?
What if one dies of starvation?
What if times of famine arrive?
What if one dies of starvation?
The rich crowd enjoying almond halwa and jangri,
Living ostentatiously and luxuriously,
In this country,
ஆண்கள் :
ராத்திரிக்கே புவாவுக்கே லாட்டரி
வாழ்க்கை லைட் எரிய
பணந்தானே பேட்டரி.....
In iron safe boxes,
To keep money,
There is a severe shortage of space!
பஞ்சகாலம் வந்தாலென்ன
பட்டினியால் செத்தாலென்ன
பஞ்சகாலம் வந்தாலென்ன
பட்டினியால் செத்தாலென்ன
பாதாம் அல்வா ஜாங்கிரிக் கூட்டம்
படாடோடபமாய் வாழ்ந்திடும்
நாட்டிலே
Yes, indeed!
ஆண்கள் :
ராத்திரிக்கே புவாவுக்கே லாட்டரி
வாழ்க்கை லைட் எரிய
பணந்தானே பேட்டரி.....
In iron safe boxes,
To keep money,
There is a severe shortage of space!
இரும்புப் பெட்டியில்
பணத்தை வைக்க
இடமே இல்லாத நெருக்கடி
Without fatigue or exhaustion,
Working hard relentlessly,
He frequently remained trapped in debt.
ஆமாப்பா
Yes, indeed!
இரும்புப் பெட்டியில்
பணத்தை வைக்க
இடமே இல்லாத நெருக்கடி
Without fatigue or exhaustion,
Working hard relentlessly,
He frequently remained trapped in debt.
இளைப்பு கலைப்பு
இல்லாது உழைச்சு
கடனில் கிடந்தான் அடிக்கடி
For you and for me,
Once the salary is received,
By the second day itself, there is a financial crisis!
ஆமாப்பா
Ah...
இளைப்பு கலைப்பு
இல்லாது உழைச்சு
கடனில் கிடந்தான் அடிக்கடி
With seven or eight children,
What will a person born to live do?
எனக்கும் உனக்கும்
சம்பளம் வாங்கின
ரெண்டாம் நாளே நெருக்கடி
Even after wandering restlessly for eight days,
Isn't there even a two-anna profit?
Isn't every market dull?
ஆங்......
What can be done, Rama? Money...
Where has it gone?
ஏழெட்டுப் பிள்ளைக் குட்டிகளோடு
வாழப் பிறந்தவள் என்னா செய்வான்
Hey... hey... what can I say?
Where can I go...
ஆண்கள் :
ராத்திரிக்கே புவாவுக்கே லாட்டரி
வாழ்க்கை லைட் எரிய
பணந்தானே பேட்டரி.....
What can I say?
Where can I go?
No god comes to ask why!
What can I say?
Where can I go?
No god comes to ask why!
No one asks!
No one asks why!
Did he eat food,
Or not, no one bothered to look!
Did he eat food,
Or not, no one bothered to look!
எட்டு நாளா அலையா அலைஞ்சும்
ரெண்டனா லாபமும் இல்லையன்றோ
எல்லா மார்கெட்டும் டல்லன்றோ
What if you wander day and night?
ஏமி சேசரி ராமா டப்பந்தா
எக்கட போயிந்தோ
What if you roam around like a dog?
ஏ.....ஏ....என்னாடி சொல்வது
எங்கேண்டு போவது.......ஊஉ......ஊஊ
Even if you try hard, it will not work out.
Even if you survive by stealing money, it will not work out.
ஆண் குழு :
ஆஹா......ஹா....வாரே வா
Caw caw...
என்னான்டி சொல்வது
எங்கேண்டு போவது
எந்த சாமியும் என்னெண்டு கேக்கலே
என்னான்டி சொல்வது
எங்கேண்டு போவது
எந்த சாமியும் என்னெண்டு கேக்கலே
கேக்கலே
என்னெண்டு கேக்கலே
பூவா திண்டனா
இல்லையாண்டு பாக்கல
பூவா திண்டனா
இல்லையாண்டு பாக்கல
Even flattering others endlessly will not help.
ராப்பகல் அலைஞ்சாலென்ன
The one who cheated stood up proudly,
The one who earned and gave money,
Fell down in suffering!
ஆண் குழு :
ஆமாம்
The flatterer survived and prospered,
Even if we toil hard all our lifetime!
நாய் போல தெரிஞ்சாலேன்னா
பாத்தாலும் நடக்காது
பணத் திருடி பிழைச்சாலும் நடக்காது
கா கா
கா கா காக்கா புடிச்சும் முடியாது
டேக்கா கொடுத்தவன் நிமிர்ந்துகிட்டான்
பணத்தை தேடிக் கொடுத்தவன்
படுத்துக்கிட்டான்
காக்கா புடிச்சவன் பொழைச்சிகிட்டான்
நம்ப காலமெல்லாமே பாடுபட்டாலும்
ஆண்கள் :
ராத்திரிக்கே புவாவுக்கே லாட்டரி
வாழ்க்கை லைட் எரிய
பணந்தானே பேட்டரி.....
Raamanae aandaalenna
What does it matter if Rama rules?
Raavanan aandaalenna
What does it matter if Ravana rules?
Raatthirikkae boovaavukkae lottery
Getting night food is like winning a lottery.
Vaazhkkai light eriya
For the light of life to keep glowing,
Panandhaanae battery
Money alone is the battery!
Raappagal alanjaalenna
What if you wander day and night?
Naai pola thirinjaalenna
What if you roam around like a dog?
Raamanae aandaalenna
What does it matter if Rama rules?
Raavanan aandaalenna
What does it matter if Ravana rules?
Raatthirikkae boovaavukkae lottery
Getting night food is like winning a lottery.
Vaazhkkai light eriya
For the light of life to keep glowing,
Panandhaanae battery
Money alone is the battery!
Maanathodu vaazhndhaalenna
What if one lives with honor?
Mariyaadhaiyaai irundhaal
If one lives respectfully,
Maanathodu vaazhndhaalenna
What if one lives with honor?
Mariyaadhaiyaai irundhaal enna
What if one lives respectfully?
Maadha kazhivilae naanayam pogudhu
Currency loses value by the end of the month.
Maadham muppadhum vaangiyum kattala
Even earning for thirty days, expenses cannot be met.
Panja kaalam vandhaalenna
What if times of famine arrive?
Pattiniyaa setthaalenna
What if one dies of starvation?
Panja kaalam vandhaalenna
What if times of famine arrive?
Pattiniyaa setthaalenna
What if one dies of starvation?
Baadhaam alvaa janghiri koottam
The rich crowd enjoying almond halwa and jangri,
Padaadobamaai vaazhndhidum
Living ostentatiously and luxuriously,
Naatilae
In this country,
Irumbu pettiyilae
In iron safe boxes,
Panathai vaikka
To keep money,
Idamae illaadha nerukkadi
There is a severe shortage of space!
Aamaamppaa
Yes, indeed!
Irumbu pettiyilae
In iron safe boxes,
Panathai vaikka
To keep money,
Idamae illaadha nerukkadi
There is a severe shortage of space!
Ilaippu kalaiappu
Without fatigue or exhaustion,
Illaadhu uzhaichu
Working hard relentlessly,
Kadanil kidandhaan adikkadi
He frequently remained trapped in debt.
Aamaamppaa
Yes, indeed!
Ilaippu kalaiappu
Without fatigue or exhaustion,
Illaadhu uzhaichu
Working hard relentlessly,
Kadanil kidandhaan adikkadi
He frequently remained trapped in debt.
Enakkum unakkum
For you and for me,
Sambalam vaangina
Once the salary is received,
Rendaam naalae nerukkadi
By the second day itself, there is a financial crisis!
Aang…
Ah...
Ezhettu pillai kuttigalodu
With seven or eight children,
Vaazha pirandhavan ennaa seivaan
What will a person born to live do?
Ettu naala alaiyaa alanjum
Even after wandering restlessly for eight days,
Rendanaa laabamum illaiyandro
Isn't there even a two-anna profit?
Ellaa maarkettum dallandro
Isn't every market dull?
Yaemi chaesari raamaa dappandhaa
What can be done, Rama? Money...
Yekkada poyindho
Where has it gone?
Ae…ae… ennaandi solvadhu
Hey... hey... what can I say?
Engaendu povadhu…uuu..uuu
Where can I go...
Ennaandi solvadhu
What can I say?
Engaendu povadhu
Where can I go?
Endha chaamiyum yenendu kekkalae
No god comes to ask why!
Ennaandi solvadhu
What can I say?
Engaendu povadhu
Where can I go?
Endha chaamiyum yenendu kekkalae
No god comes to ask why!
Kekkalae
No one asks!
Yenendu kekkalae
No one asks why!
Boovaa thindaanaa
Did he eat food,
Illaiyaandu paakkalae
Or not, no one bothered to look!
Boovaa thindaanaa
Did he eat food,
Illaiyaandu paakkalae
Or not, no one bothered to look!
Raappagal alanjaalenna
What if you wander day and night?
Naai pola thirinjaalenna
What if you roam around like a dog?
Paathaalum nadakkaadhu
Even if you try hard, it will not work out.
Panath thirudi pizhaichaalum nadakkaadhu
Even if you survive by stealing money, it will not work out.
Kaa kaa
Caw caw...
Kaa kaa kaakaa pudichum mudiyaadhu
Even flattering others endlessly will not help.
Daekkaa koduthavan nimindhu kittaan
The one who cheated stood up proudly,
Panathai thaedi koduthavan
The one who earned and gave money,
Paduthu kittaan
Fell down in suffering!
Kaakkaa pudichavan pozhaichi kittaan
The flatterer survived and prospered,
Namba kaalamellaamae paadu pattaalum
Even if we toil hard all our lifetime!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This satirical and socio-politically sharp song from 'Koondukkili' highlights the severe economic hardships, poverty, and wealth inequality faced by the working class. It argues that political leadership changes ('whether Rama rules or Ravana rules') bring no real relief to the common man, for whom securing basic daily meals remains an uncertain gamble. Modern metaphors like comparing money to a battery that powers life's light highlight how essential income is, while contrasting the rich hoarding money in iron safes with the poor falling deeper into debt on the second day after receiving their meager wages. The lyrics lament the systemic injustice where honest labor leads to ruin, while deceivers, flatterers, and corrupt individuals thrive. The song captures the anguish of a helpless family man unable to feed his children despite working relentlessly, expressing despair over divine and social indifference to the plight of the poor.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor
“Vaazhkkai light eriya / Panandhaanae battery”
Compares life to an electric light and money to the battery required to power it.
Simile
“Naai pola thirinjaalenna”
Compares the desperate, aimless wandering of a impoverished man to that of a street dog.
Contrast / Antithesis
“Irumbu pettiyilae panathai vaikka idamae illaadha nerukkadi vs Kadanil kidandhaan adikkadi”
Contrasts the rich having no space in iron safes to store money with the poor man falling into debt despite relentless hard work.
Onomatopoeia / Idiom
“Kaa kaa kaakaa pudichum mudiyaadhu”
Uses 'kaa kaa pudichu' (imitating a crow's call) as a colloquial idiom for sycophancy/flattery.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Koondukkili' (1954) is a landmark film in Tamil cinema history as it is the only movie where the two iconic legends of Tamil cinema, M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) and Sivaji Ganesan, acted together as co-stars.
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