Rajaraja Chozhanthan
From Sahadevan Mahadevan · 1988
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Music director
- Shankar Ganesh
- Details
- Sahadevan Mahadevan1988
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Haan raja raja chozhanthaan pottu vachcha road-u idhu | Ah, this is the road laid down by King Raja Raja Chola himself. |
| Chozhan potta road-la pallavan bus oduthu | On the road laid by Chola, the Pallavan transport bus runs. |
| Mannar aatchii ingae maariththaanae pochchu | The rule of kings here has changed, hasn't it? |
| Manthiringa aatchi vanthu naalum aachchu | It has been many days since the rule of ministers arrived. |
| Aatchithaan maaridum road-u mattum maaridaathu | The regime changes, but the road alone never changes. |
| Male | |
| Raja raja chozhanthaan pottu vachcha road-u idhu | Ah, this is the road laid down by King Raja Raja Chola himself. |
| Chozhan potta road-la pallavan bus oduthu | On the road laid by Chola, the Pallavan transport bus runs. |
| Mannar aatchii ingae maariththaanae pochchu | The rule of kings here has changed, hasn't it? |
| Manthiringa aatchi vanthu naalum aachchu | It has been many days since the rule of ministers arrived. |
| Aatchithaan maaridum road-u mattum maaridaathu | The regime changes, but the road alone never changes. |
| Male | |
| Kalaingar silaiyai yaaru ingae odachchathu | Who vandalized the statue of Kalaignar here? |
| Male :Kurangu kaiyil poomaalai kedachchathu | Male: A flower garland ended up in the hands of a monkey! |
| Male :Namakkuththaanae aaga moththam kevalam | Male: Overall, it is a disgrace for us alone. |
| Male :Naanum neeyum therivichchu vittom kandanam | Male: You and I expressed our condemnation. |
| Male | |
| Yaezhaigal munnaeraththaan | For the poor people to make progress... |
| Yaedhaachchum vazhiyundaa kooru | Tell me, is there any way? |
| Male :Podaa po | Male: Get lost, man! |
| Male :Haan | Male: Ah! |
| Male :Ippa ingae | Male: Right now, here... |
| Male :Haan | Male: Ah! |
| Male :Poonaikku mani katta yaaru | Male: Who is going to bell the cat? |
| Male | |
| Nanum neeyum katchi thodangi nidhiyai saerkkalaam | You and I can start a political party and collect funds. |
| Male :Velai vetti kedaikkalannaa appo paarkkalam | Male: If we don't get any proper job, then we can see about that. |
| Male | |
| Raja raja chozhanthaan pottu vachcha road-u idhu | This is the road laid down by King Raja Raja Chola himself. |
| Chozhan potta road-la pallavan bus oduthu | On the road laid by Chola, the Pallavan transport bus runs. |
| Mannar aatchii ingae maariththaanae pochchu | The rule of kings here has changed, hasn't it? |
| Manthiringa aatchi vanthu naalum aachchu | It has been many days since the rule of ministers arrived. |
| Aatchithaan maaridum road-u mattum maaridaathu | The regime changes, but the road alone never changes. |
| Male | |
| Naattilulla katchingathaan eththanai | How many political parties are there in this country? |
| Male :Enni parkka kaiviralthaan paththala | Male: Fingers on our hands aren't enough to count them! |
| Male :Yaarukku entha chinnamunnu theriyala | Male: No one knows which symbol belongs to whom. |
| Male :Court-laththaan vazhakkirukku mudiyala | Male: There is a court case pending, it just won't end! |
| Male | |
| Yaen ingu orae katchi rendaaga moonaaga aachchu | Why did a single party here split into two and three? |
| Male :Verenna | Male: What else? |
| Male :Haan | Male: Ah! |
| Male :Koththu saavi | Male: The key ring... |
| Male :Hmm | Male: Hmm... |
| Male :Porulaalar kai vittu pochchu | Male: ...went out of the treasurer's hand! |
| Male | |
| Naanum neeyum naatta thiruththa paattu padippomaa | Shall you and I sing songs to reform the nation? |
| Male :Naayil vaazha nimirththum vela nammaal mudiyumaa | Male: Can we ever succeed in straightening a dog's tail? |
| Male | |
| Haei raja raja chozhanthaan | Hey, King Raja Raja Chola... |
| Male :……………. | Male: ... |
| Male :Pottu vachcha road-u idhu | Male: This is the road laid down... |
| Male :Chozhan potta road-la pallavan bus oduthu | Male: On the road laid by Chola, the Pallavan transport bus runs. |
| Mannar aatchii ingae maariththaanae pochchu | The rule of kings here has changed, hasn't it? |
| Manthiringa aatchi vanthu naalum aachchu | Male: It has been many days since the rule of ministers arrived. |
| Both :Aatchithaan maaridum road-u mattum maaridaathu | Both: The regime changes, but the road alone never changes. |
ஹான் ராஜராஜ சோழன்தான் போட்டு வச்ச ரோடு இது
சோழன் போட்ட ரோட்டுல பல்லவன் பஸ் ஓடுது
மன்னர் ஆட்சி இங்கே மாறித்தானே போச்சு
மந்திரிங்க ஆட்சி வந்து நாளும் ஆச்சு
ஆட்சிதான் மாறிடும் ரோடு மட்டும் மாறிடாது
Ah, this is the road laid down by King Raja Raja Chola himself.
On the road laid by Chola, the Pallavan transport bus runs.
The rule of kings here has changed, hasn't it?
It has been many days since the rule of ministers arrived.
The regime changes, but the road alone never changes.
ராஜராஜ சோழன்தான் போட்டு வச்ச ரோடு இது
சோழன் போட்ட ரோட்டுல பல்லவன் பஸ் ஓடுது
மன்னர் ஆட்சி இங்கே மாறித்தானே போச்சு
மந்திரிங்க ஆட்சி வந்து நாளும் ஆச்சு
ஆட்சிதான் மாறிடும் ரோடு மட்டும் மாறிடாது
Ah, this is the road laid down by King Raja Raja Chola himself.
On the road laid by Chola, the Pallavan transport bus runs.
The rule of kings here has changed, hasn't it?
It has been many days since the rule of ministers arrived.
The regime changes, but the road alone never changes.
கலைஞர் சிலையை யாரு இங்கே ஒடச்சது
குரங்கு கையில் பூமாலை கெடச்சது
நமக்குத்தானே ஆக மொத்தம் கேவலம்
நானும் நீயும் தெரிவிச்சுவிட்டோம் கண்டனம்
Who vandalized the statue of Kalaignar here?
Male: A flower garland ended up in the hands of a monkey!
Male: Overall, it is a disgrace for us alone.
Male: You and I expressed our condemnation.
ஏழைகள் முன்னேறத்தான்
ஏதாச்சும் வழியுண்டா கூறு
போடா போ
ஹான்
இப்ப இங்கே
ஹான்
பூனைக்கு மணி கட்ட யாரு
For the poor people to make progress...
Tell me, is there any way?
Male: Get lost, man!
Male: Ah!
Male: Right now, here...
Male: Ah!
Male: Who is going to bell the cat?
நானும் நீயும் கட்சி தொடங்கி நிதியை சேர்க்கலாம்
வேலை வெட்டி கெடைக்கலன்னா அப்போ பார்க்கலாம்
You and I can start a political party and collect funds.
Male: If we don't get any proper job, then we can see about that.
ராஜராஜ சோழன்தான் போட்டு வச்ச ரோடு இது
சோழன் போட்ட ரோட்டுல பல்லவன் பஸ் ஓடுது
மன்னர் ஆட்சி இங்கே மாறித்தானே போச்சு
மந்திரிங்க ஆட்சி வந்து நாளும் ஆச்சு
ஆட்சிதான் மாறிடும் ரோடு மட்டும் மாறிடாது
This is the road laid down by King Raja Raja Chola himself.
On the road laid by Chola, the Pallavan transport bus runs.
The rule of kings here has changed, hasn't it?
It has been many days since the rule of ministers arrived.
The regime changes, but the road alone never changes.
நாட்டிலுள்ள கட்சிங்கதான் எத்தனை
எண்ணிப் பார்க்க கைவிரல் தான் பத்தல
யாருக்கு எந்த சின்னமுன்னு தெரியல
கோர்ட்டுலத்தான் வழக்கிருக்கு முடியல
How many political parties are there in this country?
Male: Fingers on our hands aren't enough to count them!
Male: No one knows which symbol belongs to whom.
Male: There is a court case pending, it just won't end!
ஏன் இங்கு ஒரே கட்சி ரெண்டாக மூணாக ஆச்சு
வேறென்ன
ஹான்
கொத்து சாவி
ஹ்ம்ம்
பொருளாளர் கைவிட்டு போச்சு
Why did a single party here split into two and three?
Male: What else?
Male: Ah!
Male: The key ring...
Male: Hmm...
Male: ...went out of the treasurer's hand!
நானும் நீயும் நாட்ட திருத்த பாட்டு படிப்போமா
நாயின் வால நிமிர்த்தும் வேல நம்மால் முடியுமா
Shall you and I sing songs to reform the nation?
Male: Can we ever succeed in straightening a dog's tail?
ஹேய் ராஜராஜ சோழன்தான்
................
போட்டு வச்ச ரோடு இது
சோழன் போட்ட ரோட்டுல பல்லவன் பஸ் ஓடுது
மன்னர் ஆட்சி இங்கே மாறித்தானே போச்சு
மந்திரிங்க ஆட்சி வந்து நாளும் ஆச்சு
இருவர் :
ஆட்சிதான் மாறிடும் ரோடு மட்டும் மாறிடாது
Hey, King Raja Raja Chola...
Male: ...
Male: This is the road laid down...
Male: On the road laid by Chola, the Pallavan transport bus runs.
The rule of kings here has changed, hasn't it?
Male: It has been many days since the rule of ministers arrived.
Both: The regime changes, but the road alone never changes.
..........................
Haan raja raja chozhanthaan pottu vachcha road-u idhu
Ah, this is the road laid down by King Raja Raja Chola himself.
Chozhan potta road-la pallavan bus oduthu
On the road laid by Chola, the Pallavan transport bus runs.
Mannar aatchii ingae maariththaanae pochchu
The rule of kings here has changed, hasn't it?
Manthiringa aatchi vanthu naalum aachchu
It has been many days since the rule of ministers arrived.
Aatchithaan maaridum road-u mattum maaridaathu
The regime changes, but the road alone never changes.
Raja raja chozhanthaan pottu vachcha road-u idhu
Ah, this is the road laid down by King Raja Raja Chola himself.
Chozhan potta road-la pallavan bus oduthu
On the road laid by Chola, the Pallavan transport bus runs.
Mannar aatchii ingae maariththaanae pochchu
The rule of kings here has changed, hasn't it?
Manthiringa aatchi vanthu naalum aachchu
It has been many days since the rule of ministers arrived.
Aatchithaan maaridum road-u mattum maaridaathu
The regime changes, but the road alone never changes.
Kalaingar silaiyai yaaru ingae odachchathu
Who vandalized the statue of Kalaignar here?
Male :Kurangu kaiyil poomaalai kedachchathu
Male: A flower garland ended up in the hands of a monkey!
Male :Namakkuththaanae aaga moththam kevalam
Male: Overall, it is a disgrace for us alone.
Male :Naanum neeyum therivichchu vittom kandanam
Male: You and I expressed our condemnation.
Yaezhaigal munnaeraththaan
For the poor people to make progress...
Yaedhaachchum vazhiyundaa kooru
Tell me, is there any way?
Male :Podaa po
Male: Get lost, man!
Male :Haan
Male: Ah!
Male :Ippa ingae
Male: Right now, here...
Male :Haan
Male: Ah!
Male :Poonaikku mani katta yaaru
Male: Who is going to bell the cat?
Nanum neeyum katchi thodangi nidhiyai saerkkalaam
You and I can start a political party and collect funds.
Male :Velai vetti kedaikkalannaa appo paarkkalam
Male: If we don't get any proper job, then we can see about that.
Raja raja chozhanthaan pottu vachcha road-u idhu
This is the road laid down by King Raja Raja Chola himself.
Chozhan potta road-la pallavan bus oduthu
On the road laid by Chola, the Pallavan transport bus runs.
Mannar aatchii ingae maariththaanae pochchu
The rule of kings here has changed, hasn't it?
Manthiringa aatchi vanthu naalum aachchu
It has been many days since the rule of ministers arrived.
Aatchithaan maaridum road-u mattum maaridaathu
The regime changes, but the road alone never changes.
Naattilulla katchingathaan eththanai
How many political parties are there in this country?
Male :Enni parkka kaiviralthaan paththala
Male: Fingers on our hands aren't enough to count them!
Male :Yaarukku entha chinnamunnu theriyala
Male: No one knows which symbol belongs to whom.
Male :Court-laththaan vazhakkirukku mudiyala
Male: There is a court case pending, it just won't end!
Yaen ingu orae katchi rendaaga moonaaga aachchu
Why did a single party here split into two and three?
Male :Verenna
Male: What else?
Male :Haan
Male: Ah!
Male :Koththu saavi
Male: The key ring...
Male :Hmm
Male: Hmm...
Male :Porulaalar kai vittu pochchu
Male: ...went out of the treasurer's hand!
Naanum neeyum naatta thiruththa paattu padippomaa
Shall you and I sing songs to reform the nation?
Male :Naayil vaazha nimirththum vela nammaal mudiyumaa
Male: Can we ever succeed in straightening a dog's tail?
Haei raja raja chozhanthaan
Hey, King Raja Raja Chola...
Male :…………….
Male: ...
Male :Pottu vachcha road-u idhu
Male: This is the road laid down...
Male :Chozhan potta road-la pallavan bus oduthu
Male: On the road laid by Chola, the Pallavan transport bus runs.
Mannar aatchii ingae maariththaanae pochchu
The rule of kings here has changed, hasn't it?
Manthiringa aatchi vanthu naalum aachchu
Male: It has been many days since the rule of ministers arrived.
Both :Aatchithaan maaridum road-u mattum maaridaathu
Both: The regime changes, but the road alone never changes.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song from the film 'Sahadevan Mahadevan' (1988) is a political and social satire written by Vaali. Through witty dialogue and sharp observations, the characters commentary on the state of society, political splits, public infrastructure, and political corruption. The central hook metaphorically contrasts the historical Chola kingdom with the modern Pallavan Transport Corporation buses, observing that while rulers change from ancient kings to modern democratic ministers, fundamental public infrastructure remains static. The song further satirizes political factionalism, party splitting over treasury funds, meaningless public condemnations, and the futility of common citizens trying to reform society, humorously comparing social reform to attempting to straighten a dog's tail.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Wordplay / Historical Allusion
“Chozhan potta road-la pallavan bus oduthu”
Clever play on historical Tamil dynasties (Cholas and Pallavas) used in a modern context where 'Pallavan' refers to Chennai's state public transport buses running on roads historically associated with ancient kings.
Proverb / Idiom
“Male :Kurangu kaiyil poomaalai kedachchathu”
Uses the popular Tamil proverb 'Kurangu kaiyil poomaalai' (a garland in a monkey's hand) to denote valuable things being ruined by foolish people.
Proverb / Idiom
“Male :Poonaikku mani katta yaaru”
Uses the universal idiom 'Poonaikku mani katta' (Who will bell the cat) to convey the difficulty of initiating a dangerous or practical action.
Metaphor / Analogy
“Male :Naayil vaazha nimirththum vela nammaal mudiyumaa”
Compares trying to reform corrupt society to straightening a dog's tail, emphasizing complete futility.
Did you know?
Trivia
The line 'Chozhan potta road-la pallavan bus oduthu' references Pallavan Transport Corporation (PTC), which was the official name of the public bus service in Chennai during the 1970s and 1980s. Vaali famously used political and social topicals of the late 1980s, including party splits following the demise of major leaders in Tamil Nadu during that period.
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