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Naan Potta Savaal album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Silarai Thevai Ippo

From Naan Potta Savaal · 1980

Lyricist
Puratchi Dasan
Singers
Vani Jairam, P. Sailaja
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Naan Potta Savaal
Movie release year
1980
Lyrics added on
24 Jun 2022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Pudippada saatchi illai
Pokkiri unnodu vanthaalenna
Pudippada saatchi illai
Pokkiri unnodu vanthaalenna
Police-u kaiyilae maattaatha
Kaithiyae nindraalenna
Kottai kaattivittu poottai maattikkitta
Poli poiyanadiyo
Oottaipottu adhil nottai paaththa
Namma paattan poottanadiyo
Nanmaiyaa theemaiyaa ennikko
Nambikkai mosamaa thallikko
Kaasai vaangi vittu oosi podum
Ivan vesakkaaranadiyo
Kallai yaettrivittu nellai vaangum
Ivan mosakkaaranadiyo
Nanmaiyaa theemaiyaa ennikko
Nambikkai mosamaa thallikko
Nadappathu nalla neram
Raajaangam pannaatha sannaasiyo
Nadappathu nalla neram
Raajaangam pannaatha sannaasiyo
Naalthorum panaththilae neeraadum
Ragasiya killaadido
Aalai yaevi vitti vaalai
Thaavi thotta seemai saamiyadiyo
Aadal paadal adhil oodal koodal
Sugam thedum mamanadiyo
Sillarai thevai ippo
Thevai engal thevai
There is no proof to catch him,
so what if a rogue walks with you?
There is no proof to catch him,
so what if a rogue walks with you?
Slipping away from the hands of the police,
what if a wanted fugitive stands here?
He built a fortress and locked himself inside,
he is nothing but a liar and a fake, my girl!
Finding faults and poking holes in everything,
he acts like our tricky forefathers, my girl!
Think whether this is good or bad,
and if it breaks your trust, toss it aside!
He takes your money and pricks you with a needle,
he is just a hypocrite putting on a show, my girl!
He gives you stones and takes away your grain,
he is an absolute cheat, my girl!
Think whether this is good or bad,
and if it breaks your trust, toss it aside!
Lucky times are running now,
is he an ascetic who has no kingdom to rule?
Lucky times are running now,
is he an ascetic who has no kingdom to rule?
Bathing in heaps of money every single day,
he is a clever, secretive player!
He sics his thugs and swings his sword,
he acts like a mighty foreign lord, my girl!
With dancing and singing, lovers' spats and reunions,
he is a man seeking pleasure, my girl!
We need some money right now,
that is our need, truly our need!
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This energetic song from Naan Potta Savaal (1980) serves as a satirical commentary on social hypocrisy, deceptive rogues, and fake godmen. Through lively folk rhythm and colloquial expressions, the singers mock characters who masquerade as pious or respectable while exploiting others for wealth and pleasure. The lyrics advise listeners to carefully distinguish good from evil and to discard blind trust when betrayed.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Emonai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Kaasai vaangi vittu oosi podum / Kallai yaettrivittu nellai vaangum

Repetition of initial consonant and vowel sounds in consecutive lines, such as 'Kaasai' and 'Kallai'.

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Nanmaiyaa theemaiyaa ennikko / Nambikkai mosamaa thallikko

Matching second consonants across lines, seen in 'Nanmaiyaa' and 'Nambikkai'.

Refrain (Madakku)

Nanmaiyaa theemaiyaa ennikko / Nambikkai mosamaa thallikko

Repetition of moral advice lines emphasizing discernment between good and bad.

Satirical Metaphor

Thaavi thotta seemai saamiyadiyo

Describing a hypocrite as a 'seemai saamiyadiyo' (foreign godman) and 'vesakkaaranadiyo' (poisonous imposter).

Did you know?

Trivia

Naan Potta Savaal (1980) stars Rajinikanth and was directed by Puratchi Dasan, who uniquely acted as both director and primary lyricist for the film's songs under Ilaiyaraaja's musical composition.

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