Sudupattadha
From Nala Damayanthi · 2003
- Lyricist
- Pradeep Govind
- Singer
- Kamal Haasan
- Music director
- Ramesh Vinayakam
- Details
- Nala Damayanthi2003
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Yaedhyedhoo pesi maattikonda | Talked aimlessly and got trapped, |
| En kannae mookkae kaadhae… | Oh my eyes, nose, and ears... |
| Vendaadha vambae….ae….ae…. | Unwanted trouble... |
| Male | |
| Stranded on the streets | Stranded on the streets, |
| Got to know where to go | Got to know where to go, |
| Don’t know what to do | Don't know what to do, |
| I don’t know what to know | I don't know what to know, |
| Broken in the dark | Broken in the dark, |
| I’m searching for the light | I'm searching for the light, |
| I don’t know what is wrong and | I don't know what is wrong and |
| I don’t know what is right | I don't know what is right. |
| Male | |
| Kadal thaandi vandhadhae oru thappu aanadhae | Crossing the ocean turned out to be a mistake, |
| Ada kappal yaeriyae ippo maanam poradhae | Ah, boarding the ship, now my honor is lost. |
| Ada unnai sollithaan oru kuththam illaiyae | Hey, it's not your fault at all, |
| Yaedhum indha oorilae oru suththam illayae | There is no cleanliness or order in this town! |
| Theendha mandanaa oru unmai sonnaayae | You thick-skulled fool, you spoke the truth, |
| Oru nanmai senjaayae nadu theruvil ninnaayae | You did a good deed and got left standing in the middle of the street. |
| Vaaiyai moodikko aarenna aanaalum | Keep your mouth shut, no matter what happens, |
| Ekkaedu kettaalum adhil mookkai neettaadhae | Whatever disaster strikes, don't poke your nose into it. |
| Male | |
| Vendaam saami ippo pattadhae podhum | No thanks, Lord, what I've suffered so far is enough! |
| Oru maadhiri irukku ooru dhaan | This town sure is strange. |
| Enakku puriyalae edhuvum theriyalae | I don't understand anything, I don't know anything. |
| Male | |
| Soodupattadha thotta satti suttadha | Did the pot burn you when you touched the hot stove? |
| Ini puththi solvadhai manam vittu vittadha | Has your mind now given up listening to intellect? |
| Vandha jollee ennavo adhai paaru pattarae | Focus on the work you came for, friend! |
| Oru samman illaamae yaen aajar aagurae | Why do you present yourself without a summons? |
| Kadal thaandi vandhadhae oru thappu aanadhae | Crossing the ocean turned out to be a mistake, |
| Ada kappal yaeriyae ippo maanam poradhae | Ah, boarding the ship, now my honor is lost. |
| Ada unnai sollithaan oru kuththam illaiyae | Hey, it's not your fault at all, |
| Yaedhum indha oorilae oru suththam illayae | There is no cleanliness or order in this town! |
| Male | |
| Veli naattu patchigal ellaam la lalai lai laila lai… | Do foreign birds all come... tra la la... |
| Visa-vai vaangindu vandhudha la lalai lai laila lai… | Bringing a visa with them? Tra la la... |
| Pala naattu maega koottamae la lalai lai laila lai… | Do clouds from many countries... tra la la... |
| Passport-ae kondundu vandhudha la lalai lai laila lai… | Bring a passport along? Tra la la... |
| Male | |
| Unnai mattum oru nottam pottaanae | But they eyed you specifically and took a long look, |
| Pala kaelvi kettaanae romba kodanchi paarthanae | Asked many questions and pried deeply into your business. |
| Enna seivai ingu vandhu naalaachu | What will you do? It's been days since you came here, |
| Manam nondhu noolaachu oru vasadu pol aachu | Your heart is distressed, weary, and reduced to foolishness. |
| Nee dhaan ippo manam maaripoyachu | You yourself have changed your mind now. |
| Oru paathiri serichu mudichadhum | Once a priest finishes smiling and blessing, |
| Siluvai maattinai sumandhu thavikkiraai | You carry the cross and struggle with the burden. |
| Male | |
| Soodupattadha thotta satti suttadha | Did the pot burn you when you touched the hot stove? |
| Ini puththi solvadhai manam vittu vittadha | Has your mind now given up listening to intellect? |
| Vandha jollee ennavo adhai paaru pattarae | Focus on the work you came for, friend! |
| Oru samman illaamae yaen aajar aagurae | Why do you present yourself without a summons? |
| Kadal thaandi vandhadhae oru thappu aanadhae | Crossing the ocean turned out to be a mistake, |
| Ada kappal yaeriyae ippo maanam poradhae | Ah, boarding the ship, now my honor is lost. |
| Ada unnai sollithaan oru kuththam illaiyae | Hey, it's not your fault at all, |
| Yaedhum indha oorilae oru suththam illayae | There is no cleanliness or order in this town! |
| Male | |
| Beach oram kaathu vaangaraa la lalai lai laila lai… | Enjoying the breeze at the beach... tra la la... |
| Penn aann sun bath vaangaraa la lalai lai laila lai… | Men and women taking sun baths... tra la la... |
| Ellaamae thirandha maeni dhaan ya yayai yai yayai yai… | Everything is completely exposed... |
| Saridhaan nee pirandha maeni dhaan ya yayai yai yayai yai… | Yes, just as you were when you were born! |
| Nammooril dhaan idhai maraichu vappamo | Back in our town, we would cover this up, |
| Yedha moodi vappamo adha thirandhu poduraalae | Whatever we cover up, they lay exposed here! |
| Aanaalum dhaan eve teasing kidaiyaadhu | But still, there is no eve teasing here, |
| Silmishamum kidaiyadhu senchaa elumbu vaeraadhu | No mischief either; if anyone does, bones will break! |
| Aann penn baedham ingu neengi poyachu | Gender inequality has been removed here. |
| Namma oorilae oruthi oruvanai | In our town, for a woman to make a man |
| Kanavan aakida tharanum dhatchanai | Her husband, she has to pay a dowry. |
| Male | |
| Soodupattadha thotta satti suttadha | Did the pot burn you when you touched the hot stove? |
| Ini puththi solvadhai manam vittu vittadha | Has your mind now given up listening to intellect? |
| Vandha jollee ennavo adhai paaru pattarae | Focus on the work you came for, friend! |
| Oru samman illaamae yaen aajar aagurae | Why do you present yourself without a summons? |
| Kadal thaandi vandhadhae oru thappu aanadhae | Crossing the ocean turned out to be a mistake, |
| Ada kappal yaeriyae ippo maanam poradhae | Ah, boarding the ship, now my honor is lost. |
| Ada unnai sollithaan oru kuththam illaiyae | Hey, it's not your fault at all, |
| Yaedhum indha oorilae oru suththam illayae | There is no cleanliness or order in this town! |
ஏதேதோ பேசி மாட்டிகொண்டா
என் கண்ணே மூக்கே காதே...ஏ....ஏ...
வேண்டாத வம்பே....ஏ....ஏ....
Talked aimlessly and got trapped,
Oh my eyes, nose, and ears...
Unwanted trouble...
Stranded on the streets
Got to know where to go
Don’t know what to do
I don’t know what to know
Broken in the dark
I’m searching for the light
I don’t know what is wrong and
I don’t know what is right
Stranded on the streets,
Got to know where to go,
Don't know what to do,
I don't know what to know,
Broken in the dark,
I'm searching for the light,
I don't know what is wrong and
I don't know what is right.
கடல் தாண்டி வந்ததே ஒரு தப்பு ஆனதே
அட கப்பல் ஏறியே இப்போ மானம் போறதே
அட உன்னை சொல்லித்தான் ஒரு குத்தம் இல்லையே
ஏதும் இந்த ஊரிலே ஒரு சுத்தம் இல்லையே
தீந்த மந்த்தனா ஒரு உண்மை சொன்னாயே
ஒரு நன்மை சென்ஜாயே நாடு தெருவில் நின்னாயே
வாயை மூடிக்கோ ஆறேன்ன ஆனாலும்
எக்கேடு கெட்டாலும் அதில் மூக்கை நீட்டாதே
Crossing the ocean turned out to be a mistake,
Ah, boarding the ship, now my honor is lost.
Hey, it's not your fault at all,
There is no cleanliness or order in this town!
You thick-skulled fool, you spoke the truth,
You did a good deed and got left standing in the middle of the street.
Keep your mouth shut, no matter what happens,
Whatever disaster strikes, don't poke your nose into it.
வேண்டாம் சாமி இப்போ பட்டதே போதும்
ஒரு மாதிரி இருக்கு ஊருதான்
எனக்கு புரியலே எதுவும் தெரியலே
No thanks, Lord, what I've suffered so far is enough!
This town sure is strange.
I don't understand anything, I don't know anything.
சூடுபட்டதா தொட்ட சட்டி சுட்டதா
இனி புத்தி சொல்வதை மனம் விட்டு விட்டதா
வந்த ஜாலி என்னவோ அதை பாரு பட்டரே
ஒரு சம்மன் இல்லமே ஏன் ஆஜர் ஆகுறே
கடல் தாண்டி வந்ததே ஒரு தப்பு ஆனதே
அட கப்பல் ஏறியே இப்போ மானம் போறதே
அட உன்னை சொல்லித்தான் ஒரு குத்தம் இல்லையே
ஏதும் இந்த ஊரிலே ஒரு சுத்தம் இல்லையே
Did the pot burn you when you touched the hot stove?
Has your mind now given up listening to intellect?
Focus on the work you came for, friend!
Why do you present yourself without a summons?
Crossing the ocean turned out to be a mistake,
Ah, boarding the ship, now my honor is lost.
Hey, it's not your fault at all,
There is no cleanliness or order in this town!
வெளி நாட்டு பட்சிகள் எல்லாம்
ல லலை லை லைல்ல லை
விசா வை வாங்கிட்டு வந்துதா
ல லலை லை லைல்ல லை
பல நாட்டு மேக கூட்டமே
ல லலை லை லைல்ல லை
பாஸ்போர்ட்டை கொண்டுண்டு வந்துதா
ல லலை லை லைல்ல லை
Do foreign birds all come... tra la la...
Bringing a visa with them? Tra la la...
Do clouds from many countries... tra la la...
Bring a passport along? Tra la la...
உன்னை மட்டும் ஒரு நோட்டம் போட்டானே
பல கேள்வி கேட்டானே ரொம்ப கொடஞ்சி பார்த்தானே
என்னை செய்வாய் இங்கு வந்து நாளாச்சு
மனம் நொந்து நூலாச்சி ஒரு வசடு போல் ஆச்சு
நீதான் இப்போ மனம் மாறி போயாச்சு
ஒரு பாதிரி தெரிச்சு முடிச்சதும்
சிலவை மாட்டினாய் சுமந்து தவிக்கிறாய்
But they eyed you specifically and took a long look,
Asked many questions and pried deeply into your business.
What will you do? It's been days since you came here,
Your heart is distressed, weary, and reduced to foolishness.
You yourself have changed your mind now.
Once a priest finishes smiling and blessing,
You carry the cross and struggle with the burden.
சூடுபட்டதா தொட்ட சட்டி சுட்டதா
இனி புத்தி சொல்வதை மனம் விட்டு விட்டதா
வந்த ஜாலி என்னவோ அதை பாரு பட்டரே
ஒரு சம்மன் இல்லமே ஏன் ஆஜர் ஆகுறே
கடல் தாண்டி வந்ததே ஒரு தப்பு ஆனதே
அட கப்பல் ஏறியே இப்போ மானம் போறதே
அட உன்னை சொல்லித்தான் ஒரு குத்தம் இல்லையே
ஏதும் இந்த ஊரிலே ஒரு சுத்தம் இல்லையே
Did the pot burn you when you touched the hot stove?
Has your mind now given up listening to intellect?
Focus on the work you came for, friend!
Why do you present yourself without a summons?
Crossing the ocean turned out to be a mistake,
Ah, boarding the ship, now my honor is lost.
Hey, it's not your fault at all,
There is no cleanliness or order in this town!
பீச் ஓரம் காத்து வாங்கறா
ல லலை லை லைல லை
பெண் ஆண் சன் பாத் வாங்கறா
ல லலை லை லைல லை
எல்லாமே திறந்தமேனிதான்
யா யை யை யை யை....
சரிதான் நீ பிறந்த மேனிதான்
யா யை யை யை யை....
Enjoying the breeze at the beach... tra la la...
Men and women taking sun baths... tra la la...
Everything is completely exposed...
Yes, just as you were when you were born!
Back in our town, we would cover this up,
Whatever we cover up, they lay exposed here!
But still, there is no eve teasing here,
No mischief either; if anyone does, bones will break!
Gender inequality has been removed here.
In our town, for a woman to make a man
Her husband, she has to pay a dowry.
நம்மூரில்தான் இதை மறைச்சு வப்பமோ
எத மூடி வப்பமோ அத திறந்து போடுறாளே
ஆனாலும்தான் ஈவிடீசிங் கிடையாது
சில்மிஷமும் கிடையாது செஞ்சா எலும்பு வேறது
ஆண் பெண் பேதம் இங்கு நீங்கி போயாச்சு
நம்ம ஊரிலே ஒருத்தி ஒருவனை
கணவன் ஆகிட தரனும் தட்சணை
Did the pot burn you when you touched the hot stove?
Has your mind now given up listening to intellect?
Focus on the work you came for, friend!
Why do you present yourself without a summons?
Crossing the ocean turned out to be a mistake,
Ah, boarding the ship, now my honor is lost.
Hey, it's not your fault at all,
There is no cleanliness or order in this town!
சூடுபட்டதா தொட்ட சட்டி சுட்டதா
இனி புத்தி சொல்வதை மனம் விட்டு விட்டதா
வந்த ஜாலி என்னவோ அதை பாரு பட்டரே
ஒரு சம்மன் இல்லமே ஏன் ஆஜர் ஆகுறே
கடல் தாண்டி வந்ததே ஒரு தப்பு ஆனதே
அட கப்பல் ஏறியே இப்போ மானம் போறதே
அட உன்னை சொல்லித்தான் ஒரு குத்தம் இல்லையே
ஏதும் இந்த ஊரிலே ஒரு சுத்தம் இல்லையே
Yaedhyedhoo pesi maattikonda
Talked aimlessly and got trapped,
En kannae mookkae kaadhae…
Oh my eyes, nose, and ears...
Vendaadha vambae….ae….ae….
Unwanted trouble...
Stranded on the streets
Stranded on the streets,
Got to know where to go
Got to know where to go,
Don’t know what to do
Don't know what to do,
I don’t know what to know
I don't know what to know,
Broken in the dark
Broken in the dark,
I’m searching for the light
I'm searching for the light,
I don’t know what is wrong and
I don't know what is wrong and
I don’t know what is right
I don't know what is right.
Kadal thaandi vandhadhae oru thappu aanadhae
Crossing the ocean turned out to be a mistake,
Ada kappal yaeriyae ippo maanam poradhae
Ah, boarding the ship, now my honor is lost.
Ada unnai sollithaan oru kuththam illaiyae
Hey, it's not your fault at all,
Yaedhum indha oorilae oru suththam illayae
There is no cleanliness or order in this town!
Theendha mandanaa oru unmai sonnaayae
You thick-skulled fool, you spoke the truth,
Oru nanmai senjaayae nadu theruvil ninnaayae
You did a good deed and got left standing in the middle of the street.
Vaaiyai moodikko aarenna aanaalum
Keep your mouth shut, no matter what happens,
Ekkaedu kettaalum adhil mookkai neettaadhae
Whatever disaster strikes, don't poke your nose into it.
Vendaam saami ippo pattadhae podhum
No thanks, Lord, what I've suffered so far is enough!
Oru maadhiri irukku ooru dhaan
This town sure is strange.
Enakku puriyalae edhuvum theriyalae
I don't understand anything, I don't know anything.
Soodupattadha thotta satti suttadha
Did the pot burn you when you touched the hot stove?
Ini puththi solvadhai manam vittu vittadha
Has your mind now given up listening to intellect?
Vandha jollee ennavo adhai paaru pattarae
Focus on the work you came for, friend!
Oru samman illaamae yaen aajar aagurae
Why do you present yourself without a summons?
Kadal thaandi vandhadhae oru thappu aanadhae
Crossing the ocean turned out to be a mistake,
Ada kappal yaeriyae ippo maanam poradhae
Ah, boarding the ship, now my honor is lost.
Ada unnai sollithaan oru kuththam illaiyae
Hey, it's not your fault at all,
Yaedhum indha oorilae oru suththam illayae
There is no cleanliness or order in this town!
Veli naattu patchigal ellaam la lalai lai laila lai…
Do foreign birds all come... tra la la...
Visa-vai vaangindu vandhudha la lalai lai laila lai…
Bringing a visa with them? Tra la la...
Pala naattu maega koottamae la lalai lai laila lai…
Do clouds from many countries... tra la la...
Passport-ae kondundu vandhudha la lalai lai laila lai…
Bring a passport along? Tra la la...
Unnai mattum oru nottam pottaanae
But they eyed you specifically and took a long look,
Pala kaelvi kettaanae romba kodanchi paarthanae
Asked many questions and pried deeply into your business.
Enna seivai ingu vandhu naalaachu
What will you do? It's been days since you came here,
Manam nondhu noolaachu oru vasadu pol aachu
Your heart is distressed, weary, and reduced to foolishness.
Nee dhaan ippo manam maaripoyachu
You yourself have changed your mind now.
Oru paathiri serichu mudichadhum
Once a priest finishes smiling and blessing,
Siluvai maattinai sumandhu thavikkiraai
You carry the cross and struggle with the burden.
Soodupattadha thotta satti suttadha
Did the pot burn you when you touched the hot stove?
Ini puththi solvadhai manam vittu vittadha
Has your mind now given up listening to intellect?
Vandha jollee ennavo adhai paaru pattarae
Focus on the work you came for, friend!
Oru samman illaamae yaen aajar aagurae
Why do you present yourself without a summons?
Kadal thaandi vandhadhae oru thappu aanadhae
Crossing the ocean turned out to be a mistake,
Ada kappal yaeriyae ippo maanam poradhae
Ah, boarding the ship, now my honor is lost.
Ada unnai sollithaan oru kuththam illaiyae
Hey, it's not your fault at all,
Yaedhum indha oorilae oru suththam illayae
There is no cleanliness or order in this town!
Beach oram kaathu vaangaraa la lalai lai laila lai…
Enjoying the breeze at the beach... tra la la...
Penn aann sun bath vaangaraa la lalai lai laila lai…
Men and women taking sun baths... tra la la...
Ellaamae thirandha maeni dhaan ya yayai yai yayai yai…
Everything is completely exposed...
Saridhaan nee pirandha maeni dhaan ya yayai yai yayai yai…
Yes, just as you were when you were born!
Nammooril dhaan idhai maraichu vappamo
Back in our town, we would cover this up,
Yedha moodi vappamo adha thirandhu poduraalae
Whatever we cover up, they lay exposed here!
Aanaalum dhaan eve teasing kidaiyaadhu
But still, there is no eve teasing here,
Silmishamum kidaiyadhu senchaa elumbu vaeraadhu
No mischief either; if anyone does, bones will break!
Aann penn baedham ingu neengi poyachu
Gender inequality has been removed here.
Namma oorilae oruthi oruvanai
In our town, for a woman to make a man
Kanavan aakida tharanum dhatchanai
Her husband, she has to pay a dowry.
Soodupattadha thotta satti suttadha
Did the pot burn you when you touched the hot stove?
Ini puththi solvadhai manam vittu vittadha
Has your mind now given up listening to intellect?
Vandha jollee ennavo adhai paaru pattarae
Focus on the work you came for, friend!
Oru samman illaamae yaen aajar aagurae
Why do you present yourself without a summons?
Kadal thaandi vandhadhae oru thappu aanadhae
Crossing the ocean turned out to be a mistake,
Ada kappal yaeriyae ippo maanam poradhae
Ah, boarding the ship, now my honor is lost.
Ada unnai sollithaan oru kuththam illaiyae
Hey, it's not your fault at all,
Yaedhum indha oorilae oru suththam illayae
There is no cleanliness or order in this town!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This humorous and reflective track captures the culture shock and predicament of an innocent traditional South Indian cook (Ramji, played by R. Madhavan) who travels to Australia and finds himself stranded on foreign streets. He struggles with language barriers, visa regulations, and the sheer disorientation of surviving in a western country without proper documentation or guidance. The lyrics contrast Western social norms—such as public sunbathing, individual freedom, and strict law enforcement—with traditional Indian customs, while lightheartedly mocking the protagonist's tendency to get into trouble by meddling in matters that do not concern him.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
End Rhyme (Iyaibo)
“Kadal thaandi vandhadhae oru thappu aanadhae”
Lines ending in matching sound syllables like 'aanadhae', 'poradhae', and 'illaiyae' create a rhythmic and catchy cadence throughout the chorus.
Metaphor
“Siluvai maattinai sumandhu thavikkiraai”
The line compares carrying heavy burdens and personal troubles to carrying a cross, symbolizing suffering for one's choices.
Idiomatic Expressions & Rhetorical Questions
“Veli naattu patchigal ellaam... Visa-vai vaangindu vandhudha”
Uses nature metaphors (birds and clouds needing visas/passports) rhetorically to highlight the artificiality of human borders.
Did you know?
Trivia
Nala Damayanthi (2003) was written and produced by Kamal Haasan. The storyline is heavily inspired by the 1990 Peter Weir film 'Green Card'. The soundtrack was composed by Ramesh Vinayakam, and this particular song seamlessly blends Tamil folk commentary with English lyrics to portray the protagonist's displacement in Melbourne.
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