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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Sethi Ketto Sethi Ketto

From Ethir Neechal (1968 Film) · 1968

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Jamuna Rani, Y. Sorna, S. C. Krishnan
Music director
V. Kumar
Movie name
Ethir Neechal (1968 Film)
Movie release year
1968
Lyrics added on
2 Aug 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Yelooo…
Sethi ketto sethi ketto
Chettan patriya sethi ketto
Aa…sethi ketto sethi ketto
Chettan patriya sethi ketto
Madippadi maadhu poyi
Maadi veetu maadhu aayi
Aa..sethi ketto sethi ketto
Chettan patriya sethi ketto
Ashta lakshmiyum
Nava nidhiyum
Ishtamaai unnidam
Sernthathaiyaa
Ashta lakshmiyum
Nava nidhiyum
Ishtamaai unnidam
Sernthathaiyaa
Annappuuranii ennaippaaru nee..eee….
Annappuuranii ennaippaaru nee
Kashtam yaavumae
Theernthathaiyaa..aa..aa
Ayyaa..ayyaa…ayyayyaa…aa…
Enthaa… sethi ketto
Sethi ketto sethi ketto
Chettan patriya sethi ketto
Madippadi maadhu poyi
Maadi veetu maadhu aayi
Aa..sethi ketto sethi ketto
Chettan patriya sethi ketto
Aa…sethi ketto sethi ketto
Chettan patriya sethi ketto
Nerthu varai ninaichirunthen
Maarippochchi
Naan paarthavanga palapalappu
Erippochchi
Aahaa…nerthu varai ninaichirunthen
Maarippochchi
Naan paarthavanga palapalappu
Erippochchi
Kolaalampur kodisvaran
kodi parakkuthadii..
Kolaalampur kodisvaran
kodi parakkuthadii..
Antha kodi parakkura
Idathula thaan kudi irukkuthadi..
Manasu kudiyirukkuthadi…..
Vaadhu suudhu theriyaatha
Maadhu kannaa
Intha maadhu sonna vaarthaiyai
Nee kelu kannaa
Vaadhu suudhu theriyaatha
Maadhu kannaa
Intha maadhu sonna vaarthaiyai
Nee kelu kannaa
Vanjchagargal ulagamidhu
Maadhu kannaa
Vanjchagargal ulagamidhu
Maadhu kannaa
Idhil ennai mattum
Marakkathae maadhu kannaa
Ennai mattum
Marakkathae maadhu kannaa
Thatteduthu vanthabodhu
Maadhu kannaa..
Thatheduthu vanthabodhu
Maadhu kannaa..
Annam thattaamal potta kaigal
Idhu thaan kannaa
Annam thattaamal potta kaigal
Idhu thaan kannaa
Aa…sethi ketto sethi ketto
Chettan patriya sethi ketto
Madippadi maadhu poyi
Maadi veetu maadhu aayi
Aa..sethi ketto sethi ketto
Chettan patriya sethi ketto
Aa…sethi ketto sethi ketto
Chettan patriya sethi ketto..ah
Hey-y-y-y...
Did you hear the news? Did you hear the news?
Did you hear the news about our brother?
Ah, did you hear the news? Did you hear the news?
Did you hear the news about our brother?
The under-the-stairs Madhu is gone,
And he has become the mansion-living Madhu!
Ah, did you hear the news? Did you hear the news?
Did you hear the news about our brother?
All eight forms of fortune
And the nine great treasures
Have gladly come
To be yours!
All eight forms of fortune
And the nine great treasures
Have gladly come
To be yours!
Look at me, your Annapoorani (giver of food)...
Look at me, your Annapoorani,
All your hardships
Have finally ended!
Sir... oh sir... oh my goodness!
What's this... did you hear the news?
Did you hear the news? Did you hear the news?
Did you hear the news about our brother?
The under-the-stairs Madhu is gone,
And he has become the mansion-living Madhu!
Ah, did you hear the news? Did you hear the news?
Did you hear the news about our brother?
Ah, did you hear the news? Did you hear the news?
Did you hear the news about our brother?
What I believed until yesterday
Has completely changed!
The shine of the man I knew
Has shot right up!
Aha... what I believed until yesterday
Has completely changed!
The shine of the man I knew
Has shot right up!
The millionaire of Kuala Lumpur—
His flag is flying high, girl!
The millionaire of Kuala Lumpur—
His flag is flying high, girl!
And right where that flag flies,
A heart has settled down!
Yes, my heart has made its home there!
Knowing no deceit or trickery,
Oh dearest Madhu,
Listen to the words this woman says,
Please listen, my dear!
Knowing no deceit or trickery,
Oh dearest Madhu,
Listen to the words this woman says,
Please listen, my dear!
This world is full of cheats,
Oh dearest Madhu,
This world is full of cheats,
Oh dearest Madhu,
In this world, just
Don't forget me, dear Madhu!
Just me,
Don't forget me, dear Madhu!
When you came with an empty plate,
Oh dear Madhu...
When you came needing shelter,
Oh dear Madhu...
These hands fed you without turning you away,
These were the very hands, my dear!
These hands fed you without turning you away,
These were the very hands, my dear!
Ah, did you hear the news? Did you hear the news?
Did you hear the news about our brother?
The under-the-stairs Madhu is gone,
And he has become the mansion-living Madhu!
Ah, did you hear the news? Did you hear the news?
Did you hear the news about our brother?
Ah, did you hear the news? Did you hear the news?
Did you hear the news about our brother? Ah!
Male
Male
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Female
Female
Female
Male
Male
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Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
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Female
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Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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

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From the same album

More songs from Ethir Neechal (1968 Film)

View album
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