Thapellam Thape Illai
From Naan · 2012
- Lyricist
- Asmin
- Music director
- Vijay Antony
- Details
- Naan2012
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Thappellam thappae illai | All mistakes are not mistakes, |
| Sari yellaam sariyae illai | All right things are not right. |
| Thappai nee sariyaai seithaal | If you do a wrong thing correctly, |
| Thappu illai thappu ilai | It is not wrong, it is not wrong. |
| Male | |
| Open the doors | Open the doors, |
| Let me show you something | Let me show you something. |
| You gotto call me | You got to call me, |
| My name is salim | My name is Salim. |
| Everyday that i keep hunting | Everyday that I keep hunting, |
| Let me go on | Let me go on, |
| Let me go strong.. | Let me go strong.. |
| Male | |
| Gaandhiyum Buddhanum thapputhaan | Even Gandhi and Buddha corrected themselves |
| Senji thirundhinal | Only after making mistakes. |
| Move it move it always | Move it move it always, |
| Everyday i keep living | Everyday I keep living. |
| I will be fine | I will be fine, |
| Until someone in the future finds me | Until someone in the future finds me, |
| I will be fine | I will be fine. |
| Male | |
| Thappellam thappae illai | All mistakes are not mistakes, |
| Sari yellaam sariyae illai | All right things are not right. |
| Thappai nee sariyaai seithaal | If you do a wrong thing correctly, |
| Thappu illai thappu ilai | It is not wrong, it is not wrong. |
| Male | |
| Open the doors | Open the doors, |
| Let me show you something | Let me show you something. |
| You gotto call me | You got to call me, |
| My name is salim | My name is Salim. |
| Everyday that i keep hunting | Everyday that I keep hunting, |
| Let me go on | Let me go on, |
| Let me go strong.. | Let me go strong.. |
| Chorus | |
| ……………………… | |
| Male | |
| Paambil visham ullathendru | Knowing that a snake possesses venom, |
| Thooram thalli anji nirpaan | Man stands far away in fear. |
| Pavam andha aadugalai | Yet those innocent goats, |
| Ulayil vaipaan | He puts into the cooking pot. |
| Male | |
| Nyayangalai pesum podhu | When someone speaks of righteousness, |
| Kholaiena thalli vaipaan | He pushes them aside calling them a coward. |
| Kaiyil kaththi ullavanai | Yet the person holding a knife in hand, |
| Thalivan yenbaan | He hails as a leader. |
| Male | |
| Eppodhu poigal nee solvaayo | Whenever you speak lies, |
| Appodhu unnai pol | The world praises you, |
| Ulaghil yaar enbaar | Asking who else is like you. |
| Eppodhu unmai nee solvaayo | Whenever you speak the truth, |
| Appodhu unnaipol | The world mocks you, |
| Yemaali yaar enbaar | Asking who else is a fool like you. |
| Male | |
| Thappellam thappae illai | All mistakes are not mistakes, |
| Sari yellaam sariyae illai | All right things are not right. |
| Thappai nee sariyaai seithaal | If you do a wrong thing correctly, |
| Thappu illai thappu ilai | It is not wrong, it is not wrong. |
| Male | |
| Vazhkai oru poraatam thaan | Life is indeed a battle, |
| Vazhvae oru viyabaram thaan | Life itself is indeed a transaction. |
| Kile neeyum vilundhuvittaal | If you fall down below, |
| Pullum sirikkum | Even the blade of grass will laugh at you. |
| Male | |
| Pogum dhisai yaavum unnai | Every direction you turn to, |
| Poda ena solli solli | Tells you to get lost. |
| Yemaatrangal naalum unthan | Daily disappointments, |
| Nenjai kilikum | Will tear your heart apart. |
| Male | |
| Boomithaan | The earth itself, |
| Kaasukku valaatum | Wags its tail for money, |
| Poigalai thaalaatum | Lulls lies to sleep, |
| Unmaiku theemootum | And sets fire to the truth. |
| Male | |
| Yekkangal | May longings |
| Indrodu pogattum | End today, |
| Santhosam koodattum | May happiness abound, |
| Saabangal odattum | May curses run away. |
| Male | |
| Thappellam thappae illai | All mistakes are not mistakes, |
| Sari yellaam sariyae illai | All right things are not right. |
| Thappai nee sariyaai seithaal | If you do a wrong thing correctly, |
| Thappu illai thappu ilai | It is not wrong, it is not wrong. |
| Male | |
| Open the doors | Open the doors, |
| Let me show you something | Let me show you something. |
| You gotto call me | You got to call me, |
| My name is salim | My name is Salim. |
| Everyday that i keep hunting | Everyday that I keep hunting, |
| Let me go on | Let me go on, |
| Let me go strong.. | Let me go strong.. |
| Male | |
| Gaandhiyum Buddhanum thapputhaan | Even Gandhi and Buddha corrected themselves |
| Senji thirundhinal | Only after making mistakes. |
| Move it move it always | Move it move it always, |
| Everyday i keep living | Everyday I keep living. |
| I will be fine | I will be fine, |
| Until someone in the future finds me | Until someone in the future finds me, |
| I will be fine | I will be fine. |
தப்பெல்லாம் தப்பே
இல்லை சாியெல்லாம் சாியே
இல்லை தப்பை நீ சாியாய்
செய்தால் தப்பு இல்லை தப்பு இல்லை
All mistakes are not mistakes,
All right things are not right.
If you do a wrong thing correctly,
It is not wrong, it is not wrong.
.....................................
Open the doors,
Let me show you something.
You got to call me,
My name is Salim.
Everyday that I keep hunting,
Let me go on,
Let me go strong..
காந்தியும் புத்தனும்
தப்புத்தான் செஞ்சி திருந்தினால்
மூவ் இட் மூவ் இட் ஆல்வேஸ்
எவ்ரிடே ஐ கீப் லிவ்விங் ஐ வில்
பி பைன் அன்டில் சம்ஒன் இன் தி
ஃபியூச்சா் பைன்ட்ஸ் மீ ஐ வில்
பி பைன்
Even Gandhi and Buddha corrected themselves
Only after making mistakes.
Move it move it always,
Everyday I keep living.
I will be fine,
Until someone in the future finds me,
I will be fine.
தப்பெல்லாம் தப்பே
இல்லை சாியெல்லாம் சாியே
இல்லை தப்பை நீ சாியாய்
செய்தால் தப்பு இல்லை தப்பு இல்லை
All mistakes are not mistakes,
All right things are not right.
If you do a wrong thing correctly,
It is not wrong, it is not wrong.
.....................................
Open the doors,
Let me show you something.
You got to call me,
My name is Salim.
Everyday that I keep hunting,
Let me go on,
Let me go strong..
.....................................
பாம்பில் விஷம்
உள்ளதென்று தூரம் தள்ளி
அஞ்சி நிற்பான் பாவம் அந்த
ஆடுகளை உலையில் வைப்பான்
Knowing that a snake possesses venom,
Man stands far away in fear.
Yet those innocent goats,
He puts into the cooking pot.
நியாயங்களை பேசும்
போது கோழை என தள்ளி
வைப்பான் கையில் கத்தி
உள்ளவனை தலைவன் என்பான்
When someone speaks of righteousness,
He pushes them aside calling them a coward.
Yet the person holding a knife in hand,
He hails as a leader.
எப்போது பொய்கள்
நீ சொல்வாயோ அப்போது
உன்னைப் போல் உலகில்
யாா் என்பாா் எப்போது
உண்மை நீ சொல்வாயோ
அப்போது உன்னைப் போல்
ஏமாளி யாா் என்பாா்
Whenever you speak lies,
The world praises you,
Asking who else is like you.
Whenever you speak the truth,
The world mocks you,
Asking who else is a fool like you.
தப்பெல்லாம் தப்பே
இல்லை சாியெல்லாம் சாியே
இல்லை தப்பை நீ சாியாய்
செய்தால் தப்பு இல்லை தப்பு இல்லை
All mistakes are not mistakes,
All right things are not right.
If you do a wrong thing correctly,
It is not wrong, it is not wrong.
.....................................
Life is indeed a battle,
Life itself is indeed a transaction.
If you fall down below,
Even the blade of grass will laugh at you.
வாழ்க்கை ஒரு
போராட்டம் தான் வாழ்வே
ஒரு வியாபாரம் தான்
கீழே நீயும் விழுந்துவிட்டால்
புல்லும் சிாிக்கும்
Every direction you turn to,
Tells you to get lost.
Daily disappointments,
Will tear your heart apart.
போகும் திசை
யாவும் உன்னை போடா
என சொல்லி சொல்லி
ஏமாற்றங்கள் நாளும்
உந்தன் நெஞ்சை கிழிக்கும்
The earth itself,
Wags its tail for money,
Lulls lies to sleep,
And sets fire to the truth.
பூமி தான் காசுக்கு
வாலாட்டும் பொய்களை
தாலாட்டும் உண்மைக்கு
தீ மூட்டும்
May longings
End today,
May happiness abound,
May curses run away.
ஏக்கங்கள் இன்றோடு
போகட்டும் சந்தோஷம்
கூடட்டும் சாபங்கள் ஓடட்டும்
All mistakes are not mistakes,
All right things are not right.
If you do a wrong thing correctly,
It is not wrong, it is not wrong.
தப்பெல்லாம் தப்பே
இல்லை சாியெல்லாம் சாியே
இல்லை தப்பை நீ சாியாய்
செய்தால் தப்பு இல்லை தப்பு இல்லை
Open the doors,
Let me show you something.
You got to call me,
My name is Salim.
Everyday that I keep hunting,
Let me go on,
Let me go strong..
.....................................
Even Gandhi and Buddha corrected themselves
Only after making mistakes.
Move it move it always,
Everyday I keep living.
I will be fine,
Until someone in the future finds me,
I will be fine.
காந்தியும் புத்தனும்
தப்புத்தான் செஞ்சி திருந்தினால்
மூவ் இட் மூவ் இட் ஆல்வேஸ்
எவ்ரிடே ஐ கீப் லிவ்விங் ஐ வில்
பி பைன் அன்டில் சம்ஒன் இன் தி
ஃபியூச்சா் பைன்ட்ஸ் மீ ஐ வில்
பி பைன்
Thappellam thappae illai
All mistakes are not mistakes,
Sari yellaam sariyae illai
All right things are not right.
Thappai nee sariyaai seithaal
If you do a wrong thing correctly,
Thappu illai thappu ilai
It is not wrong, it is not wrong.
Open the doors
Open the doors,
Let me show you something
Let me show you something.
You gotto call me
You got to call me,
My name is salim
My name is Salim.
Everyday that i keep hunting
Everyday that I keep hunting,
Let me go on
Let me go on,
Let me go strong..
Let me go strong..
Gaandhiyum Buddhanum thapputhaan
Even Gandhi and Buddha corrected themselves
Senji thirundhinal
Only after making mistakes.
Move it move it always
Move it move it always,
Everyday i keep living
Everyday I keep living.
I will be fine
I will be fine,
Until someone in the future finds me
Until someone in the future finds me,
I will be fine
I will be fine.
Thappellam thappae illai
All mistakes are not mistakes,
Sari yellaam sariyae illai
All right things are not right.
Thappai nee sariyaai seithaal
If you do a wrong thing correctly,
Thappu illai thappu ilai
It is not wrong, it is not wrong.
Open the doors
Open the doors,
Let me show you something
Let me show you something.
You gotto call me
You got to call me,
My name is salim
My name is Salim.
Everyday that i keep hunting
Everyday that I keep hunting,
Let me go on
Let me go on,
Let me go strong..
Let me go strong..
………………………
Paambil visham ullathendru
Knowing that a snake possesses venom,
Thooram thalli anji nirpaan
Man stands far away in fear.
Pavam andha aadugalai
Yet those innocent goats,
Ulayil vaipaan
He puts into the cooking pot.
Nyayangalai pesum podhu
When someone speaks of righteousness,
Kholaiena thalli vaipaan
He pushes them aside calling them a coward.
Kaiyil kaththi ullavanai
Yet the person holding a knife in hand,
Thalivan yenbaan
He hails as a leader.
Eppodhu poigal nee solvaayo
Whenever you speak lies,
Appodhu unnai pol
The world praises you,
Ulaghil yaar enbaar
Asking who else is like you.
Eppodhu unmai nee solvaayo
Whenever you speak the truth,
Appodhu unnaipol
The world mocks you,
Yemaali yaar enbaar
Asking who else is a fool like you.
Thappellam thappae illai
All mistakes are not mistakes,
Sari yellaam sariyae illai
All right things are not right.
Thappai nee sariyaai seithaal
If you do a wrong thing correctly,
Thappu illai thappu ilai
It is not wrong, it is not wrong.
Vazhkai oru poraatam thaan
Life is indeed a battle,
Vazhvae oru viyabaram thaan
Life itself is indeed a transaction.
Kile neeyum vilundhuvittaal
If you fall down below,
Pullum sirikkum
Even the blade of grass will laugh at you.
Pogum dhisai yaavum unnai
Every direction you turn to,
Poda ena solli solli
Tells you to get lost.
Yemaatrangal naalum unthan
Daily disappointments,
Nenjai kilikum
Will tear your heart apart.
Boomithaan
The earth itself,
Kaasukku valaatum
Wags its tail for money,
Poigalai thaalaatum
Lulls lies to sleep,
Unmaiku theemootum
And sets fire to the truth.
Yekkangal
May longings
Indrodu pogattum
End today,
Santhosam koodattum
May happiness abound,
Saabangal odattum
May curses run away.
Thappellam thappae illai
All mistakes are not mistakes,
Sari yellaam sariyae illai
All right things are not right.
Thappai nee sariyaai seithaal
If you do a wrong thing correctly,
Thappu illai thappu ilai
It is not wrong, it is not wrong.
Open the doors
Open the doors,
Let me show you something
Let me show you something.
You gotto call me
You got to call me,
My name is salim
My name is Salim.
Everyday that i keep hunting
Everyday that I keep hunting,
Let me go on
Let me go on,
Let me go strong..
Let me go strong..
Gaandhiyum Buddhanum thapputhaan
Even Gandhi and Buddha corrected themselves
Senji thirundhinal
Only after making mistakes.
Move it move it always
Move it move it always,
Everyday i keep living
Everyday I keep living.
I will be fine
I will be fine,
Until someone in the future finds me
Until someone in the future finds me,
I will be fine
I will be fine.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Thappellam Thappae Illai' serves as a cynical and philosophical reflection on moral ambiguity and societal hypocrisy. It posits that righteousness and wrongdoing are relative concepts defined by execution and perception rather than inherent virtue. The lyrics expose how society fears power, praises deceitful individuals, and ridicules honest people, treating life as a ruthless marketplace where money dictates respect.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Paradox
“Thappellam thappae illai / Sari yellaam sariyae illai”
The phrase contradicts conventional morality to highlight a pragmatic worldview where flawless execution redefines wrong as right.
Social Irony
“Kaiyil kaththi ullavanai thalivan yenbaan”
Highlights societal double standards where dangerous tyrants are revered while peacemakers are discarded.
Personification
“Kaasukku valaatum / Poigalai thaalaatum / Unmaiku theemootum”
Attributes human behaviors (wagging tail like a dog, lulling, setting fire) to the earth and concepts.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Thappellam Thappae Illai' is the signature track from the 2012 Tamil crime thriller 'Naan', which marked composer Vijay Antony's debut as a lead actor. The character's assumed identity in the movie, 'Salim', is directly referenced in the song's English rap lyrics, and the movie's sequel was subsequently titled 'Salim' (2014).
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