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Lyrics & meaning

Slum Anthem – ATTI

From Kodiyil Oruvan · 2021

Lyricist
Super Subu
Singers
Nivas K. Prasanna, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Vijay Antony, Premgi Amaren
Music director
Nivas K. Prasanna
Movie name
Kodiyil Oruvan
Movie release year
2021
Lyrics added on
2 Jun 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Atti fulla lit aachu
Citykkulla fit aachu
Ketta koottam trip aachu
Thatti ketta flip aachu
Paththikkichu
Atti fulla lit aachu
Citykkulla fit aachu
Patti thotti hip aachu
Katti potta slip aachu
Padchavan sketchu hit aachu
Morchavan gang-u veth-aachi
Pudcha kotta geth aachi
Tha ini koluthura vediyellaam
Pala thappaattam nippattum
Nee erakkura idiyellaam
Ara porattam undakkum
Tha ini koluthura vediyellaam
Pala thappaattam nippattum
Nee erakkura idiyellaam
Ara porattam undakkum
Nee yaaru ?….
Goppana goppanu appana paathavan
Kombannu sonnavan kombellaam odchavan
Vambunnu vandhadhum solli adichavan da
Nee yaaru ?…
Slum-nu sirchavan gammunu pothikka
Dham katti nerikki nambuna makkalla
Gummnnu yethittu jammunnu ninnavan da
Nee yaaru ?..
Nee yaaru ?…
Atti fullah lit aachu
Citykkulla fit aachu
Ketta koottam trip aachu
Thatti ketta flip aachu
Come on put your hands in the air
And then wave them here to there
Come on
Ah put your shades and your blazer
Drink up all night naatu sarakku
Move your base to the left
And then move it to your right
Move your bum up and down
And then shake it all night all night
Move your base to the left
And then move it to your right
Move your bum up and down
And then shake it all night all night long
Pori thattichunna
Thiri paththichunna
Kuri sikkichunna
Nari thappikkuma
Hey hey thada pottanungo
Vada suttanungo
Namma onnanadhum
Vittu essaagi ponango
Naanunnum neeyunnum
Murkinnu ninnana ka
Naayam kedachirumaa
Naamellam team-u-nnu
Game aada kathukka
Naalikki nammoda kodi parakkanum dei
Dei…venaam dei
Nammaanda dei vachikkadhae
Yevanachum doulatha sound-u vutta
Avnaanda hip hop-u beat box-u
Locking-u popping-u bboy-u
Boxing-u styling-u painting-u
Kabaddi graffitti
Foot ball-u food truck-u carrom board-u
Gaana aattatha kaattinu vaa
Nee yaaru ?..
All :Goppana goppanu appana paathavan
Kombannu sonnavan kombellaam odchavan
Vambunnu vandhadhum solli adichavan da
Nee yaaru ?..
Nee yaaru ?…
Who are you ?….
Ha ha ha…
Hee hee hee…
Hoo hoo hoo..
The whole hangout spot is lit
It fits right into the city
The wicked crowd got tripped up
When questioned, they flipped out
It caught fire!
The whole hangout spot is lit
It fits right into the city
Every nook and corner turned hip
Whatever was tied down slipped free
The educated man's plan hit the mark
The gang that glared became totally useless
The corner we took over earned pure swag
From now on, all the firecrackers bursting
Will put an end to all the crooked games
All the thunderbolts you strike with
Will ignite a fight for what is right
From now on, all the firecrackers bursting
Will put an end to all the crooked games
All the thunderbolts you strike with
Will ignite a fight for what is right
Who are you?...
I have faced arrogant bosses and their fathers too
I have broken the horns of those who thought they were invincible
When trouble came looking, I gave fair warning and struck them down!
Who are you?...
Making those who mocked the slum shut their mouths in silence
Gathering strength and lifting the people who trusted me
I raised them up high and stood tall with pride!
Who are you?..
Who are you?...
The whole hangout spot is lit
It fits right into the city
The wicked crowd got tripped up
When questioned, they flipped out
Come on, put your hands in the air
And then wave them from here to there
Come on
Put on your shades and your blazer
Drink up local liquor all night
Move your base to the left
And then move it to your right
Move your bum up and down
And then shake it all night, all night
Move your base to the left
And then move it to your right
Move your bum up and down
And then shake it all night, all night long
If a spark strikes
If the fuse catches fire
If the target is locked
Can the sly fox ever escape?
Hey hey, they set up roadblocks
They cooked up false stories
The moment we all united
They backed off and ran away!
If we argue about 'you' and 'me'
And stand around with stubborn pride
Will we ever get justice?
Knowing that we are all one team
Learn to play the game together
Tomorrow, our flag has to fly high, man!
Hey... don't do it, man
Don't mess around with us
If anyone struts around showing off their clout
Bring out hip-hop and beatboxing in front of him
Locking, popping, and b-boying
Boxing, styling, and painting
Kabaddi and graffiti
Football, food trucks, and carrom boards
Show them the Gaana street dance and come on!
Who are you?..
All: I have faced arrogant bosses and their fathers too
I have broken the horns of those who thought they were invincible
When trouble came looking, I gave fair warning and struck them down!
Who are you?..
Who are you?...
Who are you?....
Ha ha ha...
Hee hee hee...
Hoo hoo hoo..
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

'Nee Yaaru' (Nee Yaaru / Slum Anthem) from the movie 'Kodiyil Oruvan' is a high-energy youth celebration song celebrating urban street culture, mass empowerment, and unity among the working-class community. The lyrics mix local North Chennai Tamil slang (Chennai Bhashai) with modern hip-hop references, serving as an anthem of resilience and identity for underrepresented youth.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Rhyme (Edhugai / Monai)

Atti fulla lit aachu / Citykkulla fit aachu / Ketta koottam trip aachu / Thatti ketta flip aachu

Extensive use of rhyming loanwords ending with '-aachu' (lit aachu, fit aachu, trip aachu, flip aachu) to create an energetic fast-paced rhythm.

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

Kombannu sonnavan kombellaam odchavan

'Kombu' (horns) is used as a metaphor for arrogance and pride, where breaking horns means humbling arrogant oppressors.

Rhetorical Question

Pori thattichunna / Thiri paththichunna / Kuri sikkichunna / Nari thappikkuma

Asking 'Nari thappikkuma' (Can the fox escape?) to emphasize that oppressors or cunning enemies cannot escape once targeted by the united community.

Anaphora / Repetition

Nee yaaru ?… / Nee yaaru ?…

Repetition of the central questioning hook 'Nee yaaru?' to build hero elevation and identity questioning.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is composed by Nivas K. Prasanna and features vocals by film director Gautham Vasudev Menon, actor Vijay Antony, composer Premji Amaren, alongside the music director himself. The song heavily incorporates Chennai street culture elements alongside hip-hop lifestyle art forms like graffiti, beatboxing, b-boying, and street dance.

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