Sethi Ketto Sethi Ketto
From Ethir Neechal (1968 Film) · 1968
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- Jamuna Rani, Y. Sorna, S. C. Krishnan
- Music director
- V. Kumar
- Details
- Ethir Neechal (1968 Film)1968
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Yelooo… | Yelo... |
| Male | |
| Sethi ketto sethi ketto | Did you hear the news, did you hear the news? |
| Chettan patriya sethi ketto | Did you hear the news about Chettan? |
| Aa…sethi ketto sethi ketto | Ah... did you hear the news, did you hear the news? |
| Chettan patriya sethi ketto | Did you hear the news about Chettan? |
| Male | |
| Madippadi maadhu poyi | Maadhu who lived under the stairs is gone, |
| Maadi veetu maadhu aayi | He has become Maadhu of the upstairs mansion! |
| Aa..sethi ketto sethi ketto | Ah... did you hear the news, did you hear the news? |
| Chettan patriya sethi ketto | Did you hear the news about Chettan? |
| Female | |
| Ashta lakshmiyum | All eight forms of Lakshmi |
| Nava nidhiyum | And the nine types of wealth |
| Ishtamaai unnidam | Gladly with you |
| Sernthathaiyaa | Have joined, sir! |
| Female | |
| Ashta lakshmiyum | All eight forms of Lakshmi |
| Nava nidhiyum | And the nine types of wealth |
| Ishtamaai unnidam | Gladly with you |
| Sernthathaiyaa | Have joined, sir! |
| Female | |
| Annappuuranii ennaippaaru nee..eee…. | Goddess Annapoorneshwari, look at me... |
| Annappuuranii ennaippaaru nee | Goddess Annapoorneshwari, look at me! |
| Kashtam yaavumae | All your hardships |
| Theernthathaiyaa..aa..aa | Have ended, sir! |
| Ayyaa..ayyaa…ayyayyaa…aa… | Sir... sir... oh sir... |
| Male | |
| Enthaa… sethi ketto | What... did you hear the news? |
| Sethi ketto sethi ketto | Did you hear the news, did you hear the news? |
| Chettan patriya sethi ketto | Did you hear the news about Chettan? |
| Male | |
| Madippadi maadhu poyi | Maadhu who lived under the stairs is gone, |
| Maadi veetu maadhu aayi | He has become Maadhu of the upstairs mansion! |
| Aa..sethi ketto sethi ketto | Ah... did you hear the news, did you hear the news? |
| Chettan patriya sethi ketto | Did you hear the news about Chettan? |
| Male | |
| Aa…sethi ketto sethi ketto | Ah... did you hear the news, did you hear the news? |
| Chettan patriya sethi ketto | Did you hear the news about Chettan? |
| Female | |
| Nerthu varai ninaichirunthen | What I thought until yesterday |
| Maarippochchi | Has completely changed! |
| Naan paarthavanga palapalappu | The shine of the people I saw |
| Erippochchi | Has increased immensely! |
| Female | |
| Aahaa…nerthu varai ninaichirunthen | Aahaa... what I thought until yesterday |
| Maarippochchi | Has completely changed! |
| Naan paarthavanga palapalappu | The shine of the people I saw |
| Erippochchi | Has increased immensely! |
| Female | |
| Kolaalampur kodisvaran | The billionaire of Kuala Lumpur's |
| kodi parakkuthadii.. | Flag is flying high, dear girl! |
| Kolaalampur kodisvaran | The billionaire of Kuala Lumpur's |
| kodi parakkuthadii.. | Flag is flying high, dear girl! |
| Antha kodi parakkura | In the place where that flag flies, |
| Idathula thaan kudi irukkuthadi.. | Lies his home, my girl... |
| Manasu kudiyirukkuthadi….. | My heart resides right there... |
| Female | |
| Vaadhu suudhu theriyaatha | Naive and innocent, |
| Maadhu kannaa | Oh dear Maadhu! |
| Intha maadhu sonna vaarthaiyai | The words spoken by this woman, |
| Nee kelu kannaa | Please listen to them, my dear! |
| Female | |
| Vaadhu suudhu theriyaatha | Naive and innocent, |
| Maadhu kannaa | Oh dear Maadhu! |
| Intha maadhu sonna vaarthaiyai | The words spoken by this woman, |
| Nee kelu kannaa | Please listen to them, my dear! |
| Female | |
| Vanjchagargal ulagamidhu | This is a world of deceivers, |
| Maadhu kannaa | Oh dear Maadhu! |
| Vanjchagargal ulagamidhu | This is a world of deceivers, |
| Maadhu kannaa | Oh dear Maadhu! |
| Female | |
| Idhil ennai mattum | In this, me alone |
| Marakkathae maadhu kannaa | Do not forget, dear Maadhu! |
| Ennai mattum | Me alone |
| Marakkathae maadhu kannaa | Do not forget, dear Maadhu! |
| Female | |
| Thatteduthu vanthabodhu | When you came begging with a plate, |
| Maadhu kannaa.. | Oh dear Maadhu... |
| Thatheduthu vanthabodhu | When you came like an adopted child, |
| Maadhu kannaa.. | Oh dear Maadhu... |
| Female | |
| Annam thattaamal potta kaigal | The hands that served you food without hesitation |
| Idhu thaan kannaa | Are these hands, my dear! |
| Annam thattaamal potta kaigal | The hands that served you food without hesitation |
| Idhu thaan kannaa | Are these hands, my dear! |
| Male | |
| Aa…sethi ketto sethi ketto | Ah... did you hear the news, did you hear the news? |
| Chettan patriya sethi ketto | Did you hear the news about Chettan? |
| Male | |
| Madippadi maadhu poyi | Maadhu who lived under the stairs is gone, |
| Maadi veetu maadhu aayi | He has become Maadhu of the upstairs mansion! |
| Aa..sethi ketto sethi ketto | Ah... did you hear the news, did you hear the news? |
| Chettan patriya sethi ketto | Did you hear the news about Chettan? |
| Male | |
| Aa…sethi ketto sethi ketto | Ah... did you hear the news, did you hear the news? |
| Chettan patriya sethi ketto..ah | Did you hear the news about Chettan? |
ஏலோ
Yelo...
சேதி கேட்டோ சேதி
கேட்டோ சேட்டான் பற்றிய
சேதி கேட்டோ ஆ சேதி
கேட்டோ சேதி கேட்டோ
சேட்டான் பற்றிய சேதி
கேட்டோ
Did you hear the news, did you hear the news?
Did you hear the news about Chettan?
Ah... did you hear the news, did you hear the news?
Did you hear the news about Chettan?
மாடிப்படி மாது
போயி மாடி வீட்டு மாது
ஆயி ஆ சேதி கேட்டோ
சேதி கேட்டோ சேட்டான்
பற்றிய சேதி கேட்டோ
Maadhu who lived under the stairs is gone,
He has become Maadhu of the upstairs mansion!
Ah... did you hear the news, did you hear the news?
Did you hear the news about Chettan?
அஷ்ட லக்ஷ்மியும்
நவ நிதியும் இஷ்டமாய்
உன்னிடம் சேர்ந்ததையா
All eight forms of Lakshmi
And the nine types of wealth
Gladly with you
Have joined, sir!
அஷ்ட லக்ஷ்மியும்
நவ நிதியும் இஷ்டமாய்
உன்னிடம் சேர்ந்ததையா
All eight forms of Lakshmi
And the nine types of wealth
Gladly with you
Have joined, sir!
அன்ன பூரணி என்னை
பாரு நீ அன்ன பூரணி என்னை
பாரு நீ கஷ்டம் யாவுமே
தீர்ந்ததையா ஆ ஆ ஐயா
ஐயா அய்யயா ஆ
Goddess Annapoorneshwari, look at me...
Goddess Annapoorneshwari, look at me!
All your hardships
Have ended, sir!
Sir... sir... oh sir...
எந்த சேதி கேட்டோ
சேதி கேட்டோ சேதி கேட்டோ
சேட்டான் பற்றிய சேதி
கேட்டோ
What... did you hear the news?
Did you hear the news, did you hear the news?
Did you hear the news about Chettan?
மாடிப்படி மாது போயி
மாடி வீட்டு மாது ஆயி ஆ சேதி
கேட்டோ சேதி கேட்டோ
சேட்டான் பற்றிய சேதி
கேட்டோ
Maadhu who lived under the stairs is gone,
He has become Maadhu of the upstairs mansion!
Ah... did you hear the news, did you hear the news?
Did you hear the news about Chettan?
ஆ சேதி கேட்டோ
சேதி கேட்டோ சேட்டான்
பற்றிய சேதி கேட்டோ
Ah... did you hear the news, did you hear the news?
Did you hear the news about Chettan?
நேத்து வரை
நினைச்சிருந்தேன் மாறி
போச்சி நான் பார்த்தவங்க
பளபளப்பு ஏறி போச்சி
What I thought until yesterday
Has completely changed!
The shine of the people I saw
Has increased immensely!
ஆஹா நேத்து வரை
நினைச்சிருந்தேன் மாறி போச்சி
நான் பார்த்தவங்க பளபளப்பு
ஏறி போச்சி
Aahaa... what I thought until yesterday
Has completely changed!
The shine of the people I saw
Has increased immensely!
கோலாலம்பூர் கோடிஸ்வரன்
கொடி பறக்குதடி கோலாலம்பூர்
கோடிஸ்வரன் கொடி பறக்குதடி
அந்த கொடி பறக்குற இடத்துல
தான் குடி இருக்குதடி மனசு குடி
இருக்குதடி
The billionaire of Kuala Lumpur's
Flag is flying high, dear girl!
The billionaire of Kuala Lumpur's
Flag is flying high, dear girl!
In the place where that flag flies,
Lies his home, my girl...
My heart resides right there...
வாது சூது தெரியாத
மாது கண்ணா இந்த மாது
சொன்ன வார்த்தையை நீ
கேளு கண்ணா
Naive and innocent,
Oh dear Maadhu!
The words spoken by this woman,
Please listen to them, my dear!
வாது சூது தெரியாத
மாது கண்ணா இந்த மாது
சொன்ன வார்த்தையை நீ
கேளு கண்ணா
Naive and innocent,
Oh dear Maadhu!
The words spoken by this woman,
Please listen to them, my dear!
வஞ்சகர்கள் உலகமிது
மாது கண்ணா வஞ்சகர்கள்
உலகமிது மாது கண்ணா
This is a world of deceivers,
Oh dear Maadhu!
This is a world of deceivers,
Oh dear Maadhu!
இதில் என்னை
மட்டும் மறக்காதே மாது
கண்ணா என்னை மட்டும்
மறக்காதே மாது கண்ணா
In this, me alone
Do not forget, dear Maadhu!
Me alone
Do not forget, dear Maadhu!
தட்டெடுத்து
வந்தபோது மாது கண்ணா
தத்தெடுத்து வந்தபோது
மாது கண்ணா
When you came begging with a plate,
Oh dear Maadhu...
When you came like an adopted child,
Oh dear Maadhu...
அன்னம் தட்டாமல்
போட்ட கைகள் இது தான்
கண்ணா அன்னம் தட்டாமல்
போட்ட கைகள் இது தான் கண்ணா
The hands that served you food without hesitation
Are these hands, my dear!
The hands that served you food without hesitation
Are these hands, my dear!
ஆ சேதி கேட்டோ
சேதி கேட்டோ சேட்டான்
பற்றிய சேதி கேட்டோ
Ah... did you hear the news, did you hear the news?
Did you hear the news about Chettan?
மாடிப்படி மாது
போயி மாடி வீட்டு மாது
ஆயி ஆ சேதி கேட்டோ
சேதி கேட்டோ சேட்டான்
பற்றிய சேதி கேட்டோ
Maadhu who lived under the stairs is gone,
He has become Maadhu of the upstairs mansion!
Ah... did you hear the news, did you hear the news?
Did you hear the news about Chettan?
ஆ சேதி கேட்டோ
சேதி கேட்டோ சேட்டான்
பற்றிய சேதி கேட்டோ ஓ
Ah... did you hear the news, did you hear the news?
Did you hear the news about Chettan?
Yelooo…
Yelo...
Sethi ketto sethi ketto
Did you hear the news, did you hear the news?
Chettan patriya sethi ketto
Did you hear the news about Chettan?
Aa…sethi ketto sethi ketto
Ah... did you hear the news, did you hear the news?
Chettan patriya sethi ketto
Did you hear the news about Chettan?
Madippadi maadhu poyi
Maadhu who lived under the stairs is gone,
Maadi veetu maadhu aayi
He has become Maadhu of the upstairs mansion!
Aa..sethi ketto sethi ketto
Ah... did you hear the news, did you hear the news?
Chettan patriya sethi ketto
Did you hear the news about Chettan?
Ashta lakshmiyum
All eight forms of Lakshmi
Nava nidhiyum
And the nine types of wealth
Ishtamaai unnidam
Gladly with you
Sernthathaiyaa
Have joined, sir!
Ashta lakshmiyum
All eight forms of Lakshmi
Nava nidhiyum
And the nine types of wealth
Ishtamaai unnidam
Gladly with you
Sernthathaiyaa
Have joined, sir!
Annappuuranii ennaippaaru nee..eee….
Goddess Annapoorneshwari, look at me...
Annappuuranii ennaippaaru nee
Goddess Annapoorneshwari, look at me!
Kashtam yaavumae
All your hardships
Theernthathaiyaa..aa..aa
Have ended, sir!
Ayyaa..ayyaa…ayyayyaa…aa…
Sir... sir... oh sir...
Enthaa… sethi ketto
What... did you hear the news?
Sethi ketto sethi ketto
Did you hear the news, did you hear the news?
Chettan patriya sethi ketto
Did you hear the news about Chettan?
Madippadi maadhu poyi
Maadhu who lived under the stairs is gone,
Maadi veetu maadhu aayi
He has become Maadhu of the upstairs mansion!
Aa..sethi ketto sethi ketto
Ah... did you hear the news, did you hear the news?
Chettan patriya sethi ketto
Did you hear the news about Chettan?
Aa…sethi ketto sethi ketto
Ah... did you hear the news, did you hear the news?
Chettan patriya sethi ketto
Did you hear the news about Chettan?
Nerthu varai ninaichirunthen
What I thought until yesterday
Maarippochchi
Has completely changed!
Naan paarthavanga palapalappu
The shine of the people I saw
Erippochchi
Has increased immensely!
Aahaa…nerthu varai ninaichirunthen
Aahaa... what I thought until yesterday
Maarippochchi
Has completely changed!
Naan paarthavanga palapalappu
The shine of the people I saw
Erippochchi
Has increased immensely!
Kolaalampur kodisvaran
The billionaire of Kuala Lumpur's
kodi parakkuthadii..
Flag is flying high, dear girl!
Kolaalampur kodisvaran
The billionaire of Kuala Lumpur's
kodi parakkuthadii..
Flag is flying high, dear girl!
Antha kodi parakkura
In the place where that flag flies,
Idathula thaan kudi irukkuthadi..
Lies his home, my girl...
Manasu kudiyirukkuthadi…..
My heart resides right there...
Vaadhu suudhu theriyaatha
Naive and innocent,
Maadhu kannaa
Oh dear Maadhu!
Intha maadhu sonna vaarthaiyai
The words spoken by this woman,
Nee kelu kannaa
Please listen to them, my dear!
Vaadhu suudhu theriyaatha
Naive and innocent,
Maadhu kannaa
Oh dear Maadhu!
Intha maadhu sonna vaarthaiyai
The words spoken by this woman,
Nee kelu kannaa
Please listen to them, my dear!
Vanjchagargal ulagamidhu
This is a world of deceivers,
Maadhu kannaa
Oh dear Maadhu!
Vanjchagargal ulagamidhu
This is a world of deceivers,
Maadhu kannaa
Oh dear Maadhu!
Idhil ennai mattum
In this, me alone
Marakkathae maadhu kannaa
Do not forget, dear Maadhu!
Ennai mattum
Me alone
Marakkathae maadhu kannaa
Do not forget, dear Maadhu!
Thatteduthu vanthabodhu
When you came begging with a plate,
Maadhu kannaa..
Oh dear Maadhu...
Thatheduthu vanthabodhu
When you came like an adopted child,
Maadhu kannaa..
Oh dear Maadhu...
Annam thattaamal potta kaigal
The hands that served you food without hesitation
Idhu thaan kannaa
Are these hands, my dear!
Annam thattaamal potta kaigal
The hands that served you food without hesitation
Idhu thaan kannaa
Are these hands, my dear!
Aa…sethi ketto sethi ketto
Ah... did you hear the news, did you hear the news?
Chettan patriya sethi ketto
Did you hear the news about Chettan?
Madippadi maadhu poyi
Maadhu who lived under the stairs is gone,
Maadi veetu maadhu aayi
He has become Maadhu of the upstairs mansion!
Aa..sethi ketto sethi ketto
Ah... did you hear the news, did you hear the news?
Chettan patriya sethi ketto
Did you hear the news about Chettan?
Aa…sethi ketto sethi ketto
Ah... did you hear the news, did you hear the news?
Chettan patriya sethi ketto..ah
Did you hear the news about Chettan?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This lighthearted and celebratory song from 'Ethir Neechal' (1968) marks the dramatic turn of fortune for the protagonist Maadhu, an impoverished student who previously lived under the staircase ('Madippadi Maadhu'). After his fortunes suddenly flip and he achieves wealth and respect, the residents of the mansion and neighborhood sing in joy, playfully teasing and praising his rise to become 'Maadi Veetu Maadhu'. The song blends playful Malayalam-infused Tamil phrasing ('Sethi ketto', 'Chettan') to suit the character background of Nair and his family. Various characters remind Maadhu of his humble origins while urging him not to forget those who stood by him when he was poor, celebrating his success while offering gentle life advice about navigating a cunning world.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Wordplay / Pun (Shlesha)
“Madippadi maadhu poyi / Maadi veetu maadhu aayi”
Contrast between 'Madippadi' (under the stairs) and 'Maadi veetu' (upstairs mansion), playing on the hero's name Maadhu.
Emonai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Ashta lakshmiyum / Nava nidhiyum”
Repetition of the second sound 'shta' / 'va' across paired lines.
Polyptoton / Homonymic Repetition
“Maadhu kannaa / Intha maadhu sonna vaarthaiyai”
Using 'Maadhu' referring to the hero's name in one line and 'Maadhu' (woman) in the next.
Metaphor
“Ashta lakshmiyum / Nava nidhiyum / Ishtamaai unnidam / Sernthathaiyaa”
Referring to all forms of wealth and fortune descending upon Maadhu as Ashta Lakshmi and Nava Nidhi.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Ethir Neechal' was directed by K. Balachander based on his hit stage play. The music was composed by V. Kumar, with lyrics by Vaali. The song uses a fusion of Malayalam dialect phrases ('Sethi ketto', 'Chettan') reflecting the characters residing in the multi-tenant 'chawl' setup of the story.
Keep listening
More from Ethir Neechal (1968 Film)
Ethir Neechal (1968 Film)
Ethir Neechal (1968 Film)
Ethir Neechal (1968 Film)