Thannee Vandi
From Ulagam Pirandhadhu Enakkaga · 1990
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Music director
- R. D. Burman
- Details
- Ulagam Pirandhadhu Enakkaga1990
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Ada govinthaiyyaa paerai sonnaa | Ah, if you utter the name of Govindhaiyya |
| Kozhi kuttiyidum | Even hens will lay chicks directly |
| Kondaich seval ivarai kandaa | If the roosters with topknots see him |
| Kuninju muttaiyidum | They will bow down and lay eggs |
| Chennaiyila saithaappettai | Saidapet in Chennai |
| Selaththula sevvaappettai | Sevvaippettai in Salem |
| Maduraiyila aiyyan pettai | Aiyyanpettai in Madurai |
| Aththanaiyum aiyaa kottai | All of them are Sir's fortress |
| Angangae aiyaavukku aalirukkaaga | Because Sir has men everywhere |
| Govinthaiyaa kural koduththaa | If Govindhaiyya raises his voice |
| Kurukku pettai varum | The nearby street turns up |
| Ivaru visil adichchaa central rayil-lu | If he blows his whistle, the Central train |
| Eggmore-ru oodivarum yae….yae….yaehae | And the Eggmore train come running, yeah... yeah... yeah-hey |
| Male | |
| Thanni vandi thanni vandi | Water cart, water cart |
| Thanni vandi thanni vandi theruvil vanthaendaa | The water cart has arrived on the street, man |
| Naan paettaikkulla ellaarukkum marumagan thaandaa | I am the son-in-law to everyone in this neighborhood |
| Neppoliyan eppothumae kayiluruppaandaa daa daa daa | Napoleon will always be in hand, man man man |
| Aiyyaa yaaru | Who is this gentleman? |
| Chorus :Quarter govinthan sir-ru | Chorus: Sir Quarter Govinthan! |
| Male :Haa aiyyaa yaaru | Male: Ah, who is this gentleman? |
| Chorus :Quarter govinthan sir-ru | Chorus: Sir Quarter Govinthan! |
| Male | |
| Hoi maadikku vaera sattam saerikku vaera sattam | Hey, there is one law for the high-rise and another for the slums |
| Inimae adakkaathu yaetta thiruththipputtom | This won't happen anymore, we have corrected the rulebook |
| Chorus :Maadikku vaera sattam | Chorus: One law for the high-rise |
| Male :Ha | Male: Ha |
| Chorus :Saerikku vaera sattam | Chorus: Another law for the slums |
| Male :Ho | Male: Ho |
| Chorus :Inimae nadakkaathu | Chorus: It won't happen anymore |
| Male :Ha | Male: Ha |
| Chorus :Yaetta thiruththipputtom | Chorus: We have corrected the rulebook |
| Male | |
| Evandaa buththan ingae | Who here is a Buddha? |
| Evandaa suppan ingae | Who here is a nobody? |
| Velakka anaichchupputtaa | Once you switch off the lights |
| Evandaa raaman ingae | Who here is a virtuous Rama? |
| Chorus :Velakka anaichchupputtaa | Chorus: Once you switch off the lights |
| Evandaa raaman ingae | Who here is a virtuous Rama? |
| Male | |
| Periya manusan thirudipputta oo oo oo | When a big man steals, oh oh oh |
| Periya manusan thirudipputtaa kai thatturaanga | When a big man steals, they applaud |
| Chinna pasanga thirudipputtaa kaiya vetturaanga | When young poor kids steal, they chop off their hands |
| Aaraainju sonnaen paaru annan paeru kettu paaru | Look, I analyzed and said this; ask around for big brother's name |
| Aiyyaa yaaru | Who is this gentleman? |
| Chorus :Quarter govinthan sir-ru | Chorus: Sir Quarter Govinthan! |
| Male :Haa aiyyaa yaaru | Male: Ah, who is this gentleman? |
| Chorus :Quarter govinthan sir-ru | Chorus: Sir Quarter Govinthan! |
| Chorus | |
| ……………… | ... |
| Male :……………… | Male: ... |
| Male | |
| Oi padippu padikkavilla adhanaal kuraiyumilla | Hey, I didn't study, so I have no shortcoming |
| Panamum saerkkavillai adhanaal variyumilla | I didn't gather wealth, so I pay no taxes |
| Chorus :Padippu padikkavilla | Chorus: I didn't study |
| Male :Ha | Male: Ha |
| Chorus :Adhanaal kuraiyumilla | Chorus: So I have no shortcoming |
| Male :Ha | Male: Ha |
| Chorus :Panamum saerkkavillai | Chorus: Didn't gather wealth |
| Male :Ha | Male: Ha |
| Chorus :Adhanaal variyumilla | Chorus: So I pay no taxes |
| Male | |
| Madiyila kanamum illa | There is no heavy burden in my lap |
| Adhanaala payamum illa | Therefore, there is no fear at all |
| Paduththaa urakkam varum | When I lie down, sleep comes easily |
| Maaththirai thevai illa | No sleeping pills needed |
| Chorus :Paduththaa urakkam varum | Chorus: When I lie down, sleep comes easily |
| Maaththirai thevai illa | No sleeping pills needed |
| Male | |
| Kadavulukkum irukkuthadaa….aa….aa… | Even God has his own issues... |
| Kadavulukkum irukkuthadaa aayiram thollai | Even God has a thousand troubles, man |
| Ennaippola sudhanthiramaa kadavulum illa | Even God isn't as free as I am |
| Annanukku aayul nooru santhegaminnaa kaiya paaru | Big brother will live for a hundred years; if you doubt it, check his palm |
| Aiyyaa yaaru | Who is this gentleman? |
| Chorus :Quarter govinthan sir-ru | Chorus: Sir Quarter Govinthan! |
| Male :Hoi hoi aiyyaa yaaru | Male: Hoi hoi, who is this gentleman? |
| Chorus :Quarter govinthan sir-ru | Chorus: Sir Quarter Govinthan! |
| Male | |
| Thanni vandi thanni vandi | Water cart, water cart |
| Thanni vandi thanni vandi theruvil vanthaendaa | The water cart has arrived on the street, man |
| Naan paettaikkulla ellaarukkum marumagan thaandaa | I am the son-in-law to everyone in this neighborhood |
| Neppoliyan eppothumae kayiluruppaandaa daa daa daa | Napoleon will always be in hand, man man man |
| {Aiyyaa yaaru | Who is this gentleman? |
| Chorus :Quarter govinthan sir-ru | Chorus: Sir Quarter Govinthan! |
| Male :Haa aiyyaa yaaru | Male: Ah, who is this gentleman? |
| Chorus :Quarter govinthan sir-ru} (3) | Chorus: Sir Quarter Govinthan! (Repeated) |
அட கோவிந்தய்யா பேரைச் சொன்னா
கோழி குட்டியிடும்
கொண்டைச் சேவல் இவரை கண்டா
குனிஞ்சு முட்டையிடும்
சென்னையில சைதாப்பேட்டை
சேலத்துல செவ்வாப்பேட்டை
மதுரையில ஐய்யன்பேட்டை
அத்தனையும் ஐயா கோட்டை
அங்கங்கே ஐயாவுக்கு ஆளிருக்காக
கோவிந்தய்யா குரல் கொடுத்தா
குறுக்கு பேட்டை வரும்
இவரு விசில் அடிச்சா சென்டரல் ரயிலு
எக்மோரு ஓடிவரும் ஏ......ஏ.....ஏஹே.....
Ah, if you utter the name of Govindhaiyya
Even hens will lay chicks directly
If the roosters with topknots see him
They will bow down and lay eggs
Saidapet in Chennai
Sevvaippettai in Salem
Aiyyanpettai in Madurai
All of them are Sir's fortress
Because Sir has men everywhere
If Govindhaiyya raises his voice
The nearby street turns up
If he blows his whistle, the Central train
And the Eggmore train come running, yeah... yeah... yeah-hey
தண்ணி வண்டி தண்ணி வண்டி
தண்ணி வண்டி தண்ணி வண்டி தெருவில் வந்தேன்டா
நான் பேட்டைக்குள்ள எல்லாருக்கும் மருமகன் தான்டா
நெப்போலியன் எப்போதுமே கையிலுருப்பான்டா டா டா
ஐயா யாரு
குழு :
குவாட்டர் கோவிந்தன் சாரு
அடடடா ஐயா யாரு
குழு :
குவாட்டர் கோவிந்தன் சாரு
Water cart, water cart
The water cart has arrived on the street, man
I am the son-in-law to everyone in this neighborhood
Napoleon will always be in hand, man man man
Who is this gentleman?
Chorus: Sir Quarter Govinthan!
Male: Ah, who is this gentleman?
Chorus: Sir Quarter Govinthan!
ஹே தண்ணி வண்டி தண்ணி வண்டி தெருவில் வந்தேன்டா
நான் பேட்டைக்குள்ள் எல்லாருக்கும் மருமகன்தான்டா
நெப்போலியன் எப்போதுமே கையிலுருப்பான்டா
ஐயா யாரு
குழு :
குவாட்டர் கோவிந்தன் சாரு
ஹா ஐயா யாரு
குழு :
குவாட்டர் கோவிந்தன் சாரு
Hey, there is one law for the high-rise and another for the slums
This won't happen anymore, we have corrected the rulebook
Chorus: One law for the high-rise
Male: Ha
Chorus: Another law for the slums
Male: Ho
Chorus: It won't happen anymore
Male: Ha
Chorus: We have corrected the rulebook
ஹோய் மாடிக்கு வேற சட்டம் சேரிக்கு வேற சட்டம்
இனிமே நடக்காது ஏட்ட திருத்திப்புட்டோம்
குழு :
மாடிக்கு வேற சட்டம்
ஹ
குழு :
சேரிக்கு வேற சட்டம்
ஹோ
குழு :
இனிமே நடக்காது
ஹ
குழு :
ஏட்ட திருத்திப்புட்டோம்
Who here is a Buddha?
Who here is a nobody?
Once you switch off the lights
Who here is a virtuous Rama?
Chorus: Once you switch off the lights
Who here is a virtuous Rama?
எவன்டா புத்தன் இங்கே
எவன்டா சுப்பன் இங்கே
வெளக்கே அணைச்சுபுட்டா
எவன்டா ராமன் இங்கே
குழு :
வெளக்கே அணைச்சுபுட்டா
எவன்டா ராமன் இங்கே
When a big man steals, oh oh oh
When a big man steals, they applaud
When young poor kids steal, they chop off their hands
Look, I analyzed and said this; ask around for big brother's name
Who is this gentleman?
Chorus: Sir Quarter Govinthan!
Male: Ah, who is this gentleman?
Chorus: Sir Quarter Govinthan!
பெரிய மனுசன் திருடிப்புட்டா ஓஓஓஒ
பெரிய மனுசன் திருடிப்புட்டா கை தட்டுறாங்க
சின்ன பசங்க திருடிப்புட்டா கைய வெட்டுறாங்க
ஆராய்ஞ்சு சொன்னேன் பாரு அண்ணன் பேரு கேட்டு பாரு
ஐயா யாரு
குழு :
குவாட்டர் கோவிந்தன் சாரு
ஐயா யாரு
குழு :
குவாட்டர் கோவிந்தன் சாரு
...
Male: ...
.........................
.......................
Hey, I didn't study, so I have no shortcoming
I didn't gather wealth, so I pay no taxes
Chorus: I didn't study
Male: Ha
Chorus: So I have no shortcoming
Male: Ha
Chorus: Didn't gather wealth
Male: Ha
Chorus: So I pay no taxes
ஓய் படிப்பு படிக்கவில்ல அதனால் குறையுமில்ல
பணமும் சேர்க்கவில்லை அதனால் வரியுமில்ல
குழு :
படிப்பு படிக்கவில்ல
ஹ
குழு :
அதனால் குறையுமில்ல
ஹ
குழு :
பணமும் சேர்க்கவில்லை
ஹ
குழு :
அதனால் வரியுமில்ல
There is no heavy burden in my lap
Therefore, there is no fear at all
When I lie down, sleep comes easily
No sleeping pills needed
Chorus: When I lie down, sleep comes easily
No sleeping pills needed
மடியில கணமும் இல்ல
அதனால பயமும் இல்ல
படுத்தா உறக்கம் வரும்
மாத்திரை தேவையில்ல
குழு :
படுத்தா உறக்கம் வரும்
மாத்திரை தேவையில்ல
Even God has his own issues...
Even God has a thousand troubles, man
Even God isn't as free as I am
Big brother will live for a hundred years; if you doubt it, check his palm
Who is this gentleman?
Chorus: Sir Quarter Govinthan!
Male: Hoi hoi, who is this gentleman?
Chorus: Sir Quarter Govinthan!
கடவுளுக்கும் இருக்குதடா......ஆ.....ஆ.....
கடவுளுக்கும் இருக்குதடா ஆயிரம் தொல்லை
என்னைப்போல சுதந்திரமா கடவுளூம் இல்ல
அண்ணனுக்கு ஆயுள் நூறு சந்தேகமின்னா கைய பாரு
ஐயா யாரு
குழு :
குவாட்டர் கோவிந்தன் சாரு
ஹோய் ஹோய் ஐயா யாரு
குழு :
குவாட்டர் கோவிந்தன் சாரு
Water cart, water cart
The water cart has arrived on the street, man
I am the son-in-law to everyone in this neighborhood
Napoleon will always be in hand, man man man
Who is this gentleman?
Chorus: Sir Quarter Govinthan!
Male: Ah, who is this gentleman?
Chorus: Sir Quarter Govinthan! (Repeated)
தண்ணி வண்டி தண்ணி வண்டி
தண்ணி வண்டி தண்ணி வண்டி தெருவில் வந்தேன்டா
நான் பேட்டைக்குள்ள எல்லாருக்கும் மருமகன் தான்டா
நெப்போலியன் எப்போதுமே கையிலுருப்பான்டா டா டா
{ஐயா யாரு
குழு :
குவாட்டர் கோவிந்தன் சாரு
அடடடா ஐயா யாரு
குழு :
குவாட்டர் கோவிந்தன் சாரு} (3)
Ada govinthaiyyaa paerai sonnaa
Ah, if you utter the name of Govindhaiyya
Kozhi kuttiyidum
Even hens will lay chicks directly
Kondaich seval ivarai kandaa
If the roosters with topknots see him
Kuninju muttaiyidum
They will bow down and lay eggs
Chennaiyila saithaappettai
Saidapet in Chennai
Selaththula sevvaappettai
Sevvaippettai in Salem
Maduraiyila aiyyan pettai
Aiyyanpettai in Madurai
Aththanaiyum aiyaa kottai
All of them are Sir's fortress
Angangae aiyaavukku aalirukkaaga
Because Sir has men everywhere
Govinthaiyaa kural koduththaa
If Govindhaiyya raises his voice
Kurukku pettai varum
The nearby street turns up
Ivaru visil adichchaa central rayil-lu
If he blows his whistle, the Central train
Eggmore-ru oodivarum yae….yae….yaehae
And the Eggmore train come running, yeah... yeah... yeah-hey
Thanni vandi thanni vandi
Water cart, water cart
Thanni vandi thanni vandi theruvil vanthaendaa
The water cart has arrived on the street, man
Naan paettaikkulla ellaarukkum marumagan thaandaa
I am the son-in-law to everyone in this neighborhood
Neppoliyan eppothumae kayiluruppaandaa daa daa daa
Napoleon will always be in hand, man man man
Aiyyaa yaaru
Who is this gentleman?
Chorus :Quarter govinthan sir-ru
Chorus: Sir Quarter Govinthan!
Male :Haa aiyyaa yaaru
Male: Ah, who is this gentleman?
Chorus :Quarter govinthan sir-ru
Chorus: Sir Quarter Govinthan!
Hoi maadikku vaera sattam saerikku vaera sattam
Hey, there is one law for the high-rise and another for the slums
Inimae adakkaathu yaetta thiruththipputtom
This won't happen anymore, we have corrected the rulebook
Chorus :Maadikku vaera sattam
Chorus: One law for the high-rise
Male :Ha
Male: Ha
Chorus :Saerikku vaera sattam
Chorus: Another law for the slums
Male :Ho
Male: Ho
Chorus :Inimae nadakkaathu
Chorus: It won't happen anymore
Male :Ha
Male: Ha
Chorus :Yaetta thiruththipputtom
Chorus: We have corrected the rulebook
Evandaa buththan ingae
Who here is a Buddha?
Evandaa suppan ingae
Who here is a nobody?
Velakka anaichchupputtaa
Once you switch off the lights
Evandaa raaman ingae
Who here is a virtuous Rama?
Chorus :Velakka anaichchupputtaa
Chorus: Once you switch off the lights
Evandaa raaman ingae
Who here is a virtuous Rama?
Periya manusan thirudipputta oo oo oo
When a big man steals, oh oh oh
Periya manusan thirudipputtaa kai thatturaanga
When a big man steals, they applaud
Chinna pasanga thirudipputtaa kaiya vetturaanga
When young poor kids steal, they chop off their hands
Aaraainju sonnaen paaru annan paeru kettu paaru
Look, I analyzed and said this; ask around for big brother's name
Aiyyaa yaaru
Who is this gentleman?
Chorus :Quarter govinthan sir-ru
Chorus: Sir Quarter Govinthan!
Male :Haa aiyyaa yaaru
Male: Ah, who is this gentleman?
Chorus :Quarter govinthan sir-ru
Chorus: Sir Quarter Govinthan!
………………
...
Male :………………
Male: ...
Oi padippu padikkavilla adhanaal kuraiyumilla
Hey, I didn't study, so I have no shortcoming
Panamum saerkkavillai adhanaal variyumilla
I didn't gather wealth, so I pay no taxes
Chorus :Padippu padikkavilla
Chorus: I didn't study
Male :Ha
Male: Ha
Chorus :Adhanaal kuraiyumilla
Chorus: So I have no shortcoming
Male :Ha
Male: Ha
Chorus :Panamum saerkkavillai
Chorus: Didn't gather wealth
Male :Ha
Male: Ha
Chorus :Adhanaal variyumilla
Chorus: So I pay no taxes
Madiyila kanamum illa
There is no heavy burden in my lap
Adhanaala payamum illa
Therefore, there is no fear at all
Paduththaa urakkam varum
When I lie down, sleep comes easily
Maaththirai thevai illa
No sleeping pills needed
Chorus :Paduththaa urakkam varum
Chorus: When I lie down, sleep comes easily
Maaththirai thevai illa
No sleeping pills needed
Kadavulukkum irukkuthadaa….aa….aa…
Even God has his own issues...
Kadavulukkum irukkuthadaa aayiram thollai
Even God has a thousand troubles, man
Ennaippola sudhanthiramaa kadavulum illa
Even God isn't as free as I am
Annanukku aayul nooru santhegaminnaa kaiya paaru
Big brother will live for a hundred years; if you doubt it, check his palm
Aiyyaa yaaru
Who is this gentleman?
Chorus :Quarter govinthan sir-ru
Chorus: Sir Quarter Govinthan!
Male :Hoi hoi aiyyaa yaaru
Male: Hoi hoi, who is this gentleman?
Chorus :Quarter govinthan sir-ru
Chorus: Sir Quarter Govinthan!
Thanni vandi thanni vandi
Water cart, water cart
Thanni vandi thanni vandi theruvil vanthaendaa
The water cart has arrived on the street, man
Naan paettaikkulla ellaarukkum marumagan thaandaa
I am the son-in-law to everyone in this neighborhood
Neppoliyan eppothumae kayiluruppaandaa daa daa daa
Napoleon will always be in hand, man man man
{Aiyyaa yaaru
Who is this gentleman?
Chorus :Quarter govinthan sir-ru
Chorus: Sir Quarter Govinthan!
Male :Haa aiyyaa yaaru
Male: Ah, who is this gentleman?
Chorus :Quarter govinthan sir-ru} (3)
Chorus: Sir Quarter Govinthan! (Repeated)
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This energetic folk song celebrates the local Robin Hood-like character, Quarter Govinthan (also referred to as Napoleon / Thanni Vandi). Through playful exaggeration and satire, the song establishes his dominant reputation across various towns in Tamil Nadu and his fearless, carefree lifestyle.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)
“Chennaiyila saithaappettai”
Matching second consonants across lines like Chennaiyila / Selaththula / Maduraiyila.
Hyperbole (Exaggeration)
“Kondaich seval ivarai kandaa / Kuninju muttaiyidum”
Exaggerated humorous claim that roosters lay eggs and trains run towards his whistle.
Social Satire / Irony
“Periya manusan thirudipputtaa kai thatturaanga / Chinna pasanga thirudipputtaa kaiya vetturaanga”
Highlighting societal hypocrisy where crimes by rich people are cheered while poor youths face severe punishment.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song is from the 1990 Tamil movie 'Ulagam Pirandhadhu Enakkaga' starring Sathyaraj in a double role. The lyrics were penned by Vairamuthu and feature classic late-80s/early-90s Gana/folk humor elements.
Keep listening
More from Ulagam Pirandhadhu Enakkaga
Ulagam Pirandhadhu Enakkaga
Ulagam Pirandhadhu Enakkaga
Ulagam Pirandhadhu Enakkaga
Ulagam Pirandhadhu Enakkaga
Ulagam Pirandhadhu Enakkaga