Thodaadha
From ValliammaPeraandi Vol 01 · 2024
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Ye thottaalae theettu paduma | Hey, does touching cause pollution or untouchability? |
| Naanga thodadha porul yedhuva | Is there any object or resource that we haven't touched or built? |
| Male | |
| Thodatha thodatha | Don't touch, don't touch, |
| Thodatha ippa thodadha | Don't touch now, don't touch. |
| Varatha varatha | Don't come, don't come, |
| Varatha kitta varatha | Don't come near, don't come. |
| Male | |
| Thodatha thodatha | Don't touch, don't touch, |
| Thodatha ippa thodadha | Don't touch now, don't touch. |
| Varatha varatha | Don't come, don't come, |
| Varatha kitta varatha | Don't come near, don't come. |
| Male | |
| Ee erumbu inippula parakka | Flies and ants fly towards sweetness, |
| Eethara naan vayithula purakka | I was born destitute in poverty. |
| Sooriyan thaan sundeli maraikka | Can a small field mouse hide the blazing sun? |
| Soothiran naan santhathi mulukka | I am labeled a Shudra across my generations. |
| Male | |
| Ee erumbu inippula parakka | Flies and ants fly towards sweetness, |
| Eethara naan vayithula purakka | I was born destitute in poverty. |
| Sooriyan thaan sundeli maraikka | Can a small field mouse hide the blazing sun? |
| Soothiran naan santhathi mulukka | I am labeled a Shudra across my generations. |
| Male | |
| Iravum pagalum uzhaikkurom naanga | We toil day and night, |
| Oru naal maniya adikkiramae thaanga | Can you handle it when one day we ring the bell of revolution? |
| Iravum pagalum uzhaikkurom naanga | We toil day and night, |
| Oru naal maniya adikkiramae thaanga | Can you handle it when one day we ring the bell of revolution? |
| Male | |
| Adhu evanala | Because of whom was that? |
| Aduppu vandhadhae ivanala | The cooking hearth came into existence because of him. |
| Unakku uduppu vandhadhae ivanala | The clothes on your body came into existence because of him. |
| Male | |
| Adukkumaadiyum velutha aadaiyum | The multi-story buildings and clean white clothes, |
| Karutha maeniyum karaiyaala | Without a stain on dark bodies, |
| Thalamuraiyala | Across generations, |
| Kallu kadavul aanadhae avanale | The stone became a god only because of him. |
| Vadicha soru ava verva | The cooked rice you eat is her sweat, |
| Paduthu thoonga iva porva | The blanket you sleep under is her gift. |
| Male | |
| Humming …… | Humming... |
| Male | |
| Yenda karuvulaye | Hey, right from the womb itself, |
| Kadavula nerikkira kuravalayae | You strangle the throat that calls out to God! |
| Theruvula thudhikkira mudha muraiye | Rising up on the streets for the very first time, |
| Parambha padippula | In traditional ancestral learning, |
| Pazhangadha kalakkura | You mix outdated discrimination. |
| Kadavula sedhukkuna karangalaiyae | The hands that sculpted the deity out of stone, |
| Azhukkunnu odhukkura arakuraiye | You foolishly cast aside calling them dirty! |
| Nammalu thalamaiya kelu | Listen to the leadership of our people, |
| Thotta theettunnu suthura reelu | The spin about untouchability is just a fake narrative, |
| Pakka sharpu kathiri kolu | Like sharp scissors cutting through, |
| Vithaya kaatturadhu buddharu schoolu | The school of Buddha shows true wisdom and skill. |
| Male | |
| Note panni vechikkae | Take note of this, |
| Veppala kachikka | Chew on neem leaves for health, |
| Rotula veetula | On the streets, inside houses, |
| Kaatula maettula | In forests and on elevated hills, |
| Sothulaiyum enga moochu | Even in your food, our breath and labor are present, |
| Male | |
| Ini stop pannikka unga paechu | So stop your arrogant chatter now. |
| Thappatta parambara | We belong to the tradition of the Parai drum, |
| Naanga thatti ketkkura thalamura | We are the generation that questions injustice boldly! |
| Muppaattan podhumara | Is the shade of our ancestors enough for you? |
| Adha muttapayalae mulungira | You foolish fellow swallows it whole. |
| Male | |
| Nerungadha norungadha | Do not come near, do not break, |
| Neruppoda erangadhae | Do not enter with fire! |
| Pagutharivu irukkudhu | We possess rationalism, |
| Enakkoru thanikkadha irukkudhuyei | I have an untold, unique history of my own! |
| Male | |
| Therukkural mulakkudhu | Voices resound in street assemblies, |
| Kasadara thirukkural nilam idhu | This is the flawless land of Thirukkural, |
| Thunaiyena iyarkaiyae irukkudhu | Nature stands as our companion and ally. |
| Male | |
| En appan saarbaaga | On behalf of my father, |
| Enga aiyan saarbaaga | On behalf of our leader, |
| Enga annan saarbaaga | On behalf of our brother, |
| Enga akka saarbaaga | On behalf of our sister, |
| Enga makka saarbaaga | On behalf of our people, |
| Enga aathaa saarbaaga | On behalf of my mother, |
| Enga aaya saarbaaga | On behalf of my grandmother, |
| Enga aaya saarbaaga | On behalf of my grandmother, |
| Male | |
| Thodatha thodatha | Don't touch, don't touch, |
| Thodatha ippa thodadha | Don't touch now, don't touch. |
| Varatha varatha | Don't come, don't come, |
| Varatha kitta varatha | Don't come near, don't come. |
| Male | |
| Thodatha thodatha | Don't touch, don't touch, |
| Thodatha ippa thodadha | Don't touch now, don't touch. |
| Varatha varatha | Don't come, don't come, |
| Varatha kitta varatha | Don't come near, don't come. |
| Male | |
| Ye thottaalae theettu paduma | Hey, does touching cause pollution or untouchability? |
| Naanga thodadha porul yedhuva | Is there any object or resource that we haven't touched or built? |
| Paarthale paava dhosama | Does looking at us cause sin or ill omen? |
| Naanga pakkadha kaatchi yedhuva | Is there any sight or truth that we haven't witnessed? |
ஏ தொட்டாலே தீட்டு படுமா
நாங்க தொடாத பொருள் எதுவா
Hey, does touching cause pollution or untouchability?
Is there any object or resource that we haven't touched or built?
தொடாத தொடாத
தொடாத இப்ப தொடாத
வராத வராத
வராத கிட்ட வராத
Don't touch, don't touch,
Don't touch now, don't touch.
Don't come, don't come,
Don't come near, don't come.
தொடாத தொடாத
தொடாத இப்ப தொடாத
வராத வராத
வராத கிட்ட வராத
Don't touch, don't touch,
Don't touch now, don't touch.
Don't come, don't come,
Don't come near, don't come.
ஈ எறும்பு இனிப்புல பறக்க
ஈத்தற நான் வயித்துல புறக்க
சூரியன் தான் சுண்டெலி மறைக்க
சூத்திரன் நான் சந்ததி முழுக்க
Flies and ants fly towards sweetness,
I was born destitute in poverty.
Can a small field mouse hide the blazing sun?
I am labeled a Shudra across my generations.
ஈ எறும்பு இனிப்புல பறக்க
ஈத்தற நான் வயித்துல புறக்க
சூரியன் தான் சுண்டெலி மறைக்க
சூத்திரன் நான் சந்ததி முழுக்க
Flies and ants fly towards sweetness,
I was born destitute in poverty.
Can a small field mouse hide the blazing sun?
I am labeled a Shudra across my generations.
இரவும் பகலும் உழைக்குறோம நாங்க
ஒரு நாள் மணிய அடிக்கிறமே தாங்க
இரவும் பகலும் உழைக்குறோம நாங்க
ஒரு நாள் மணிய அடிக்கிறமே தாங்க
We toil day and night,
Can you handle it when one day we ring the bell of revolution?
We toil day and night,
Can you handle it when one day we ring the bell of revolution?
அது எவனால
அடுப்பு வந்ததே இவானால
உனக்கு உடுப்பு வந்ததே இவானால
Because of whom was that?
The cooking hearth came into existence because of him.
The clothes on your body came into existence because of him.
அடுக்குமாடியும் வெளுத்த ஆடையும்
கருத்த மேனியின் கரையால
தலமுறையால
The multi-story buildings and clean white clothes,
Without a stain on dark bodies,
Across generations,
The stone became a god only because of him.
The cooked rice you eat is her sweat,
The blanket you sleep under is her gift.
கல்லு கடவுள் ஆனதே அவனாலே
வடிச்ச சோறு அவ வேர்வ
படுத்து தூங்க இவ போர்வ
Humming...
.......................
Hey, right from the womb itself,
You strangle the throat that calls out to God!
Rising up on the streets for the very first time,
In traditional ancestral learning,
You mix outdated discrimination.
The hands that sculpted the deity out of stone,
You foolishly cast aside calling them dirty!
Listen to the leadership of our people,
The spin about untouchability is just a fake narrative,
Like sharp scissors cutting through,
The school of Buddha shows true wisdom and skill.
ஏன்டா கருவுலயே
கடவுள நெறிக்கிற குரவளயே
தெருவுல துதிக்கிற முத முறையே
பரம்ப படிப்புல
பழங்கத கலக்குற
கடவுள செதுக்குன கரங்களையே
அழுக்குனு ஒதுக்குற அறகுறையே
நம்மாளு தலமைய கேளு
தொட்டா தீட்டுன்னு சுத்துற ரீலுக்
பக்கா ஷார்ப்பு கத்திரி கோலு
வித்தய காட்டுறது புத்தரு ஸ்கூல
Take note of this,
Chew on neem leaves for health,
On the streets, inside houses,
In forests and on elevated hills,
Even in your food, our breath and labor are present,
நோட் பண்ணி வச்சிக்கே
வேப்பல கச்சிக்கே
ரோட்டுல வீட்டுல
காட்டுல மேட்டுல
சோத்துலயும் எங்க மூச்சு
So stop your arrogant chatter now.
We belong to the tradition of the Parai drum,
We are the generation that questions injustice boldly!
Is the shade of our ancestors enough for you?
You foolish fellow swallows it whole.
இனி ஸ்டாப் பண்ணிக்கே உங்க பேச்ச
தப்பட்ட பரம்பர நாங்க தட்டி கேட்குற தலமுறை
முப்பாட்டன் பொதுமறை
அத முட்டாப்பயலே முழுங்கிற
Do not come near, do not break,
Do not enter with fire!
We possess rationalism,
I have an untold, unique history of my own!
நெருங்காத நொருங்காத
நெருப்போட இறங்காதே
பகுத்தறிவு இருக்குது
என்கொரு தனிக்கத இருக்குது
Voices resound in street assemblies,
This is the flawless land of Thirukkural,
Nature stands as our companion and ally.
ஏய் தெருக்குரல் முழக்குது
கசடற திருக்குறள் நிலம் இது
துணையென இயற்கையே இருக்குது
On behalf of my father,
On behalf of our leader,
On behalf of our brother,
On behalf of our sister,
On behalf of our people,
On behalf of my mother,
On behalf of my grandmother,
On behalf of my grandmother,
என் அப்பன் சார்பாக
எங்க அய்யன் சார்பாக
எங்க அண்ணன் சார்பாக
என் அக்கா சார்பாக
என் மக்கா சார்பாக
என் ஆத்தா சார்பாக
என் ஆயா சார்பாக
என் ஆயா சார்பாக
Don't touch, don't touch,
Don't touch now, don't touch.
Don't come, don't come,
Don't come near, don't come.
தொடாத தொடாத
தொடாத இப்ப தொடாத
வராத வராத
வராத கிட்ட வராத
Don't touch, don't touch,
Don't touch now, don't touch.
Don't come, don't come,
Don't come near, don't come.
தொடாத தொடாத
தொடாத இப்ப தொடாத
வராத வராத
வராத கிட்ட வராத
Hey, does touching cause pollution or untouchability?
Is there any object or resource that we haven't touched or built?
Does looking at us cause sin or ill omen?
Is there any sight or truth that we haven't witnessed?
ஏ தொட்டாலே தீட்டு படுமா
நாங்க தொடாத பொருள் எதுவா
பாத்தாலே பாவ தோஷமா
நாங்க பாக்காத காட்சி எதுவா
Ye thottaalae theettu paduma
Hey, does touching cause pollution or untouchability?
Naanga thodadha porul yedhuva
Is there any object or resource that we haven't touched or built?
Thodatha thodatha
Don't touch, don't touch,
Thodatha ippa thodadha
Don't touch now, don't touch.
Varatha varatha
Don't come, don't come,
Varatha kitta varatha
Don't come near, don't come.
Thodatha thodatha
Don't touch, don't touch,
Thodatha ippa thodadha
Don't touch now, don't touch.
Varatha varatha
Don't come, don't come,
Varatha kitta varatha
Don't come near, don't come.
Ee erumbu inippula parakka
Flies and ants fly towards sweetness,
Eethara naan vayithula purakka
I was born destitute in poverty.
Sooriyan thaan sundeli maraikka
Can a small field mouse hide the blazing sun?
Soothiran naan santhathi mulukka
I am labeled a Shudra across my generations.
Ee erumbu inippula parakka
Flies and ants fly towards sweetness,
Eethara naan vayithula purakka
I was born destitute in poverty.
Sooriyan thaan sundeli maraikka
Can a small field mouse hide the blazing sun?
Soothiran naan santhathi mulukka
I am labeled a Shudra across my generations.
Iravum pagalum uzhaikkurom naanga
We toil day and night,
Oru naal maniya adikkiramae thaanga
Can you handle it when one day we ring the bell of revolution?
Iravum pagalum uzhaikkurom naanga
We toil day and night,
Oru naal maniya adikkiramae thaanga
Can you handle it when one day we ring the bell of revolution?
Adhu evanala
Because of whom was that?
Aduppu vandhadhae ivanala
The cooking hearth came into existence because of him.
Unakku uduppu vandhadhae ivanala
The clothes on your body came into existence because of him.
Adukkumaadiyum velutha aadaiyum
The multi-story buildings and clean white clothes,
Karutha maeniyum karaiyaala
Without a stain on dark bodies,
Thalamuraiyala
Across generations,
Kallu kadavul aanadhae avanale
The stone became a god only because of him.
Vadicha soru ava verva
The cooked rice you eat is her sweat,
Paduthu thoonga iva porva
The blanket you sleep under is her gift.
Humming ……
Humming...
Yenda karuvulaye
Hey, right from the womb itself,
Kadavula nerikkira kuravalayae
You strangle the throat that calls out to God!
Theruvula thudhikkira mudha muraiye
Rising up on the streets for the very first time,
Parambha padippula
In traditional ancestral learning,
Pazhangadha kalakkura
You mix outdated discrimination.
Kadavula sedhukkuna karangalaiyae
The hands that sculpted the deity out of stone,
Azhukkunnu odhukkura arakuraiye
You foolishly cast aside calling them dirty!
Nammalu thalamaiya kelu
Listen to the leadership of our people,
Thotta theettunnu suthura reelu
The spin about untouchability is just a fake narrative,
Pakka sharpu kathiri kolu
Like sharp scissors cutting through,
Vithaya kaatturadhu buddharu schoolu
The school of Buddha shows true wisdom and skill.
Note panni vechikkae
Take note of this,
Veppala kachikka
Chew on neem leaves for health,
Rotula veetula
On the streets, inside houses,
Kaatula maettula
In forests and on elevated hills,
Sothulaiyum enga moochu
Even in your food, our breath and labor are present,
Ini stop pannikka unga paechu
So stop your arrogant chatter now.
Thappatta parambara
We belong to the tradition of the Parai drum,
Naanga thatti ketkkura thalamura
We are the generation that questions injustice boldly!
Muppaattan podhumara
Is the shade of our ancestors enough for you?
Adha muttapayalae mulungira
You foolish fellow swallows it whole.
Nerungadha norungadha
Do not come near, do not break,
Neruppoda erangadhae
Do not enter with fire!
Pagutharivu irukkudhu
We possess rationalism,
Enakkoru thanikkadha irukkudhuyei
I have an untold, unique history of my own!
Therukkural mulakkudhu
Voices resound in street assemblies,
Kasadara thirukkural nilam idhu
This is the flawless land of Thirukkural,
Thunaiyena iyarkaiyae irukkudhu
Nature stands as our companion and ally.
En appan saarbaaga
On behalf of my father,
Enga aiyan saarbaaga
On behalf of our leader,
Enga annan saarbaaga
On behalf of our brother,
Enga akka saarbaaga
On behalf of our sister,
Enga makka saarbaaga
On behalf of our people,
Enga aathaa saarbaaga
On behalf of my mother,
Enga aaya saarbaaga
On behalf of my grandmother,
Enga aaya saarbaaga
On behalf of my grandmother,
Thodatha thodatha
Don't touch, don't touch,
Thodatha ippa thodadha
Don't touch now, don't touch.
Varatha varatha
Don't come, don't come,
Varatha kitta varatha
Don't come near, don't come.
Thodatha thodatha
Don't touch, don't touch,
Thodatha ippa thodadha
Don't touch now, don't touch.
Varatha varatha
Don't come, don't come,
Varatha kitta varatha
Don't come near, don't come.
Ye thottaalae theettu paduma
Hey, does touching cause pollution or untouchability?
Naanga thodadha porul yedhuva
Is there any object or resource that we haven't touched or built?
Paarthale paava dhosama
Does looking at us cause sin or ill omen?
Naanga pakkadha kaatchi yedhuva
Is there any sight or truth that we haven't witnessed?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Thodatha is a powerful anti-caste hip-hop anthem written, composed, and performed by Arivu as part of his ValliammaPeraandi Vol 01 project. The track directly confronts the absurd history of untouchability, caste segregation, and labor exploitation in South Asia. Arivu subverts the oppressive elite chant of 'Thodatha' (Don't touch) by pointing out that working-class and oppressed Dalit communities have literally built society from the ground up—from constructing houses, weaving garments, and farming food to sculpting sacred idols in temples.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Rhetorical Question (Ethirmurai)
“Ye thottaalae theettu paduma / Naanga thodadha porul yedhuva”
Challenges the absurd logic of caste purity by asking what resource or structure was built without working-class labor.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Sooriyan thaan sundeli maraikka”
Compares oppressors trying to erase the contribution of working classes to a tiny mouse attempting to hide the giant sun.
Edhugai & Rhyme
“Thappatta parambara / Naanga thatti ketkkura thalamura”
Uses strong Tamil rhyming schemes (parambara / thalamura) to create a sharp, rhythmic hip-hop flow asserting political awareness.
Did you know?
Trivia
Arivu titled this musical project 'ValliammaPeraandi' (Grandson of Valliammal) as a homage to his grandmother, Valliammal, an unlettered tea-plantation worker whose oral folk songs, struggles, and wisdom heavily inspired Arivu's social consciousness and songwriting.
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