The Canteen
From Dear Comrade · 2019
- Lyricist
- Justin Prabhakaran
- Singer
- Nivas K. Prasanna
- Music director
- Justin Prabhakaran
- Details
- Dear Comrade2019
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| Chichakku chichaa | Chichakku chichaa |
| Chichakku chichaa | Chichakku chichaa |
| Chichakku chichaa | Chichakku chichaa |
| Chichakku chichaa | Chichakku chichaa |
| Chichakku chichakku chichakku chichaa | Chichakku chichakku chichakku chichaa |
| Chichakku chichakku chichakku chichaa | Chichakku chichakku chichakku chichaa |
| Male | |
| College canteenu | The college canteen, |
| Vanthenna | if you come here, |
| Pala paravaigal love-unda | many birds (couples) fall in love! |
| Chorus | |
| Chichakku chichakku | Chichakku chichakku |
| Chichakku chichaa | Chichakku chichaa |
| Chichakku chichakku | Chichakku chichakku |
| Chichakku chichaa | Chichakku chichaa |
| Male | |
| Teenage love-kku tea coffee | Serving tea and coffee for teenage love, |
| Thandhu thaan | after giving that, |
| Fan-ah podura idam da | it is the place where fans are switched on, mate! |
| Chorus | |
| Chichakku chichakku | Chichakku chichakku |
| Chichakku chichaa | Chichakku chichaa |
| Chichakku chichakku | Chichakku chichakku |
| Chichakku chichaa | Chichakku chichaa |
| Chorus | |
| Podu ..college canteenu | Play it... the college canteen, |
| Vanthenna | if you come here, |
| Pala paravaigal love-unda | many birds (couples) fall in love! |
| Chorus | |
| Teenage love-kku tea coffee | Serving tea and coffee for teenage love, |
| Thandhu thaan | after giving that, |
| Fan-ah podura idam da | it is the place where fans are switched on, mate! |
| Male | |
| Corne-u table-ula maama | At the corner table, mate, |
| Kannaala kadalai poduraan tharamaa | he flirts top-class with his eyes! |
| Chorus :Tharamaa…tharamaaa…tharamaa.. | Chorus: Top-class... top-class... top-class... |
| Male | |
| College-il arrear maama | Arrears in college, mate, |
| Love-la passaagi porainga maama | yet they pass with flying colors in love, mate! |
| Chorus | |
| Heiii….hoooo….. | Hey... Hoo... |
| Male | |
| Kumaru aala idhu vaayila pottuko | Kumar, pop this into your mouth! |
| Chorus :Kumaru aala idhu vaayila pottuko | Chorus: Kumar, pop this into your mouth! |
| Male :Aanaalum kumudha happy annaachi | Male: Even so, Kumudha is happy, elder brother! |
| Chorus :Aanaalum kumudha happy annaachi | Chorus: Even so, Kumudha is happy, elder brother! |
| Male :Naduvula eppovum oththa cool drink-u | Male: Always a single cool drink in the middle! |
| Chorus :Heyy heyy heyy heyyy | Chorus: Hey hey hey hey! |
| Male :Naduvula eppovum oththa cool drink-u | Male: Always a single cool drink in the middle! |
| Chorus :Goiyaala naan paadum paatta kelu da dei | Chorus: Hey guys, listen to the song I am singing! |
| Chorus | |
| Podu ..college canteenu | Play it... the college canteen, |
| Vanthenna | if you come here, |
| Pala paravaigal love-unda | many birds (couples) fall in love! |
| Chorus | |
| Teenage love-kku tea coffee | Serving tea and coffee for teenage love, |
| Thandhu thaan | after giving that, |
| Fan-ah podura idam da | it is the place where fans are switched on, mate! |
| Chorus | |
| Thom thom tharikitta | Thom thom tharikitta |
| Thom thom tharikitta | Thom thom tharikitta |
| Thom thom tharikitta thaam | Thom thom tharikitta thaam |
| Male | |
| Indha ponnu kitta jakkradha maama | Be careful with this girl, mate! |
| Chorus :Indha ponnu kitta jakkradha maama | Chorus: Be careful with this girl, mate! |
| Male :Semma pairu thaan ok da maama | Male: They are a fantastic pair, okay mate! |
| Chorus :Semma pairu thaan ok da maama | Chorus: They are a fantastic pair, okay mate! |
| Male | |
| Oru nimisham | Just a minute, |
| Male | |
| Azhagaana alukaatchi | a beautiful view! |
| Idhu enna sollu | Tell me, what is this? |
| Unakku onnunaa ivana keluma | If anything happens to you, ask him, girl! |
| Chorus | |
| Podu ..college canteenu | Play it... the college canteen, |
| Vanthenna | if you come here, |
| Pala paravaigal love-unda | many birds (couples) fall in love! |
| Chorus | |
| Teenage love-kku tea coffee | Serving tea and coffee for teenage love, |
| Thandhu thaan | after giving that, |
| Fan-ah podura idam da | it is the place where fans are switched on, mate! |
| Chorus | |
| College-uu….whistling….. | College... [whistling] |
சிச்சக்கு சிச்சா
சிச்சக்கு சிச்சா
சிச்சக்கு சிச்சா
சிச்சக்கு சிச்சா
சிச்சக்கு சிச்சக்கு சிச்சக்கு சிச்சா
சிச்சக்கு சிச்சக்கு சிச்சக்கு சிச்சா
Chichakku chichaa
Chichakku chichaa
Chichakku chichaa
Chichakku chichaa
Chichakku chichakku chichakku chichaa
Chichakku chichakku chichakku chichaa
காலேஜ் கேண்டீனு
வந்தென்னா
பல பறவைகள் லவ்வுண்டா
The college canteen,
if you come here,
many birds (couples) fall in love!
சிச்சக்கு சிச்சக்கு
சிச்சக்கு சிச்சா
சிச்சக்கு சிச்சக்கு
சிச்சக்கு சிச்சா
Chichakku chichakku
Chichakku chichaa
Chichakku chichakku
Chichakku chichaa
டீனேஜ் லவ்க்கு டீ காபி
தந்துதான்
Fan-ன்ன போடுற இடம்டா
Serving tea and coffee for teenage love,
after giving that,
it is the place where fans are switched on, mate!
சிச்சக்கு சிச்சக்கு
சிச்சக்கு சிச்சா
சிச்சக்கு சிச்சக்கு
சிச்சக்கு சிச்சா
Chichakku chichakku
Chichakku chichaa
Chichakku chichakku
Chichakku chichaa
விசில் :
...........................
Play it... the college canteen,
if you come here,
many birds (couples) fall in love!
போடு.....காலேஜ் கேண்டீனு
வந்தென்னா
பல பறவைகள் லவ்வுண்டா
Serving tea and coffee for teenage love,
after giving that,
it is the place where fans are switched on, mate!
டீனேஜ் லவ்க்கு டீ காபி
தந்துதான்
Fan-ன்ன போடுற இடம்டா
At the corner table, mate,
he flirts top-class with his eyes!
Chorus: Top-class... top-class... top-class...
கார்னர் டேபிள்ல மாமா
கண்ணால கடலை போடுறான் தரமா
குழு :
தரமா......தரமா.....தரமா.....
Arrears in college, mate,
yet they pass with flying colors in love, mate!
காலேஜில் அர்ரியர் மாமா
லவ்ல பாசாகி போறாய்ங்க மாமா
Hey... Hoo...
ஹேய்ய்.....ஹோ......
Kumar, pop this into your mouth!
Chorus: Kumar, pop this into your mouth!
Male: Even so, Kumudha is happy, elder brother!
Chorus: Even so, Kumudha is happy, elder brother!
Male: Always a single cool drink in the middle!
Chorus: Hey hey hey hey!
Male: Always a single cool drink in the middle!
Chorus: Hey guys, listen to the song I am singing!
குமாரு ஆளா இது வாயில போட்டுக்கோ
குழு :
குமாரு ஆளா இது வாயில போட்டுக்கோ
ஆனாலும் குமுதா ஹேப்பி அண்ணாச்சி
குழு :
ஆனாலும் குமுதா ஹேப்பி அண்ணாச்சி
நடுவுல எப்பவும் ஒத்த கூல் டிரிங்கு
குழு :
ஹேய் ஹேய் ஹேய் ஹேய்ய்
நடுவுல எப்பவும் ஒத்த கூல் டிரிங்கு
குழு :
கொய்யால நான் பாடும் பாட்ட கேளுடா டேய்
Play it... the college canteen,
if you come here,
many birds (couples) fall in love!
போடு.....காலேஜ் கேண்டீனு
வந்தென்னா
பல பறவைகள் லவ்வுண்டா
Serving tea and coffee for teenage love,
after giving that,
it is the place where fans are switched on, mate!
டீனேஜ் லவ்க்கு டீ காபி
தந்துதான்
Fan-ன்ன போடுற இடம்டா
Thom thom tharikitta
Thom thom tharikitta
Thom thom tharikitta thaam
தோம் தோம் தரிகிட்ட
தோம் தோம் தரிகிட்ட
தோம் தோம் தரிகிட்ட தாம்
Be careful with this girl, mate!
Chorus: Be careful with this girl, mate!
Male: They are a fantastic pair, okay mate!
Chorus: They are a fantastic pair, okay mate!
இந்த பொண்ணுகிட்ட ஜாக்கிரதை மாமா
குழு :
இந்த பொண்ணுகிட்ட ஜாக்கிரதை மாமா
செம்ம pair-ருதான் ஓகேடா மாமா
குழு :
செம்ம pair-ருதான் ஓகேடா மாமா
Just a minute,
ஒரு நிமிஷம்
அழகான அழுகாச்சி
இது என்ன சொல்லு
உனக்கு ஒன்னுனா இவன கேளுமா
a beautiful view!
Tell me, what is this?
If anything happens to you, ask him, girl!
போடு.....காலேஜ் கேண்டீனு
வந்தென்னா
பல பறவைகள் லவ்வுண்டா
Play it... the college canteen,
if you come here,
many birds (couples) fall in love!
டீனேஜ் லவ்க்கு டீ காபி
தந்துதான்
Fan-ன்ன போடுற இடம்டா
Serving tea and coffee for teenage love,
after giving that,
it is the place where fans are switched on, mate!
காலேஜு....
College... [whistling]
விசில் :
....................
Chichakku chichaa
Chichakku chichaa
Chichakku chichaa
Chichakku chichaa
Chichakku chichaa
Chichakku chichaa
Chichakku chichaa
Chichakku chichaa
Chichakku chichakku chichakku chichaa
Chichakku chichakku chichakku chichaa
Chichakku chichakku chichakku chichaa
Chichakku chichakku chichakku chichaa
College canteenu
The college canteen,
Vanthenna
if you come here,
Pala paravaigal love-unda
many birds (couples) fall in love!
Chichakku chichakku
Chichakku chichakku
Chichakku chichaa
Chichakku chichaa
Chichakku chichakku
Chichakku chichakku
Chichakku chichaa
Chichakku chichaa
Teenage love-kku tea coffee
Serving tea and coffee for teenage love,
Thandhu thaan
after giving that,
Fan-ah podura idam da
it is the place where fans are switched on, mate!
Chichakku chichakku
Chichakku chichakku
Chichakku chichaa
Chichakku chichaa
Chichakku chichakku
Chichakku chichakku
Chichakku chichaa
Chichakku chichaa
Podu ..college canteenu
Play it... the college canteen,
Vanthenna
if you come here,
Pala paravaigal love-unda
many birds (couples) fall in love!
Teenage love-kku tea coffee
Serving tea and coffee for teenage love,
Thandhu thaan
after giving that,
Fan-ah podura idam da
it is the place where fans are switched on, mate!
Corne-u table-ula maama
At the corner table, mate,
Kannaala kadalai poduraan tharamaa
he flirts top-class with his eyes!
Chorus :Tharamaa…tharamaaa…tharamaa..
Chorus: Top-class... top-class... top-class...
College-il arrear maama
Arrears in college, mate,
Love-la passaagi porainga maama
yet they pass with flying colors in love, mate!
Heiii….hoooo…..
Hey... Hoo...
Kumaru aala idhu vaayila pottuko
Kumar, pop this into your mouth!
Chorus :Kumaru aala idhu vaayila pottuko
Chorus: Kumar, pop this into your mouth!
Male :Aanaalum kumudha happy annaachi
Male: Even so, Kumudha is happy, elder brother!
Chorus :Aanaalum kumudha happy annaachi
Chorus: Even so, Kumudha is happy, elder brother!
Male :Naduvula eppovum oththa cool drink-u
Male: Always a single cool drink in the middle!
Chorus :Heyy heyy heyy heyyy
Chorus: Hey hey hey hey!
Male :Naduvula eppovum oththa cool drink-u
Male: Always a single cool drink in the middle!
Chorus :Goiyaala naan paadum paatta kelu da dei
Chorus: Hey guys, listen to the song I am singing!
Podu ..college canteenu
Play it... the college canteen,
Vanthenna
if you come here,
Pala paravaigal love-unda
many birds (couples) fall in love!
Teenage love-kku tea coffee
Serving tea and coffee for teenage love,
Thandhu thaan
after giving that,
Fan-ah podura idam da
it is the place where fans are switched on, mate!
Thom thom tharikitta
Thom thom tharikitta
Thom thom tharikitta
Thom thom tharikitta
Thom thom tharikitta thaam
Thom thom tharikitta thaam
Indha ponnu kitta jakkradha maama
Be careful with this girl, mate!
Chorus :Indha ponnu kitta jakkradha maama
Chorus: Be careful with this girl, mate!
Male :Semma pairu thaan ok da maama
Male: They are a fantastic pair, okay mate!
Chorus :Semma pairu thaan ok da maama
Chorus: They are a fantastic pair, okay mate!
Oru nimisham
Just a minute,
Azhagaana alukaatchi
a beautiful view!
Idhu enna sollu
Tell me, what is this?
Unakku onnunaa ivana keluma
If anything happens to you, ask him, girl!
Podu ..college canteenu
Play it... the college canteen,
Vanthenna
if you come here,
Pala paravaigal love-unda
many birds (couples) fall in love!
Teenage love-kku tea coffee
Serving tea and coffee for teenage love,
Thandhu thaan
after giving that,
Fan-ah podura idam da
it is the place where fans are switched on, mate!
College-uu….whistling…..
College... [whistling]
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song is a joyful celebration of college life, specifically centered around the college canteen as the ultimate hangout spot. It portrays the canteen as an energetic hub where students gather over tea, coffee, and cool drinks, flirt in corner tables, and experience teenage romance.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor / Slang
“Kannaala kadalai poduraan tharamaa”
'Kadalai poduraan' literally translates to 'shelling peanuts', but colloquially means flirting or engaged in playful romantic talk.
Metaphor
“Pala paravaigal love-unda”
'Pala paravaigal' (many birds) is used metaphorically to represent young, free-spirited college students and romantic couples.
Pop Culture Allusion
“Aanaalum kumudha happy annaachi”
'Kumudha happy annaachi' is a reference to a widely popular Tamil cinema dialogue/meme phrase representing satisfaction despite chaos.
Solkattu / Rhythm Syllables
“Chichakku chichakku chichakku chichaa”
Rhythmic vocal percussions ('Chichakku chichaa' and 'Thom thom tharikitta') used to set an energetic, upbeat tempo.
Did you know?
Trivia
While the metadata lists Justin Prabhakaran as the lyricist, he is actually the film's music composer who scored the soundtrack for 'Dear Comrade' across all south Indian languages. The song features popular pop-culture slang and captures the quintessential multi-language college canteen vibe.
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