Thottathula Paathi Katti
From Velaikaran · 1987
- Lyricist
- Mu. Metha
- Singers
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Saibaba
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Velaikaran1987
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Yenguthae manam inba naalilae.. | The heart yearns on joyful days.. |
| Thoonguthae janam intha raavilae | People sleep during this night |
| Thaanguthae gunam bodhai vaazhvilae | Human nature endures in an intoxicated life |
| Yenguthae thinam paadum paadalai | It yearns daily for the song being sung |
| Male | |
| Yenguthae manam | The heart yearns |
| Thoonguthae janam | People sleep |
| Thaanguthae kunam | Human nature endures |
| Yenguthae thinam | Every day it yearns |
| Hahha..thinam.. | Haha.. every day.. |
| Female | |
| Thinam thinam oru koottam | Every day a crowd gathers |
| Mayilgalin nadamaattam | Peacocks dance around |
| Malargalum thalaiyaattum | Flowers nod their heads |
| Iravugal arangetram | Nights stage their debut |
| Female | |
| Kanavugal valarum | Dreams grow |
| Kavithaigal malarum | Poems blossom |
| Idhu thaan nam thottam | This is our garden |
| Hey..hae..kanavugal valarum | Hey.. hae.. dreams grow |
| Kavithaigal malarum | Poems blossom |
| Idhu thaan nam thottam | This is our garden |
| Idhu thaan nam thottam …thottam | This is our garden... garden |
| Male | |
| Thannanaana thanthanannaa | Thannanaana thanthanannaa |
| Thannanaana thanthanannaa… | Thannanaana thanthanannaa… |
| Male | |
| Thottaththula paathi katti | I have made a plot in the garden |
| Paathirukken paathirukken | I have seen, I have seen |
| Thottaththula paathi katti | I have made a plot in the garden |
| Paathirukken paathirukken | I have seen, I have seen |
| Male | |
| {Sothukulla paathiya kattura | {Making divisions even within rice |
| Pattanam pattanamae | Oh city, urban city! |
| Konjam kettiyaaga illaatti | If you are not a bit strong-willed |
| Manasu kettidum kettidumae..} (2) | The mind will get ruined, yes ruined..} (2) |
| Male | |
| Thottaththula paathi katti | I have made a plot in the garden |
| Paathirukken paathirukken | I have seen, I have seen |
| Thottaththula paathi katti | I have made a plot in the garden |
| Paathirukken paathirukken | I have seen, I have seen |
| Chorus | |
| Lallaa lalaaaa | Lallaa lalaaaa |
| Lallaa lalaaaa | Lallaa lalaaaa |
| Lallaa lalaaaa | Lallaa lalaaaa |
| Lalalalalala..lalalalalala.. | Lalalalalala..lalalalalala.. |
| Male | |
| {Singaaramaa ooru idhu | {This is a beautiful city |
| Chennaiyinnu peru | Named Chennai |
| Oorai suththi oduthaiiyaa | Running all around the city, oh sir |
| Koovam aaru} (2) | Is the Cooum river} (2) |
| Male | |
| Thottaalum kai manakkum | Touching it makes hands fragrant |
| Thotta idam poo manakkum | Where it touches, flowers smell sweet |
| Koovamunnu peru sonnaa | Just uttering the name Cooum |
| Sonnavanga vaai manakkum | Makes the speaker's mouth sweet-smelling |
| Male | |
| Thottaththula paathi katti | I have made a plot in the garden |
| Paathirukken paathirukken | I have seen, I have seen |
| Thottaththula paathi katti | I have made a plot in the garden |
| Paathirukken paathirukken | I have seen, I have seen |
| Male | |
| {Sothukulla paathiya kattura | {Making divisions even within rice |
| Pattanam pattanamae | Oh city, urban city! |
| Konjam kettiyaaga illaatti | If you are not a bit strong-willed |
| Manasu kettidum kettidumae..} (2) | The mind will get ruined, yes ruined..} (2) |
| Male | |
| Thottaththula paathi katti | I have made a plot in the garden |
| Paathirukken paathirukken | I have seen, I have seen |
| Thottaththula paathi katti | I have made a plot in the garden |
| Paathirukken paathirukken | I have seen, I have seen |
| Chorus | |
| Turuturu turuturu tututruuu | Turuturu turuturu tututruuu |
| Turuturu turuturu tututruuu | Turuturu turuturu tututruuu |
| Tururtu turutu tutu ruu ruu | Tururtu turutu tutu ruu ruu |
| Tururtu turutu tutu ruu ruu | Tururtu turutu tutu ruu ruu |
| Male | |
| {Kalloorikku ponaa | {When she went to college |
| Kanni ponnu meenaa | The young girl Meena |
| Kallooriya padichadhula | From studying at college |
| Karbam aanaa} (2) | She became pregnant} (2) |
| Male | |
| Katchigalum vaangi ingae | Political parties bought land here |
| Kattidangal vachirukku | And erected big buildings |
| Kastappadum ezhaikkellaam | For all the struggling poor people |
| Kattaantharai thaan irukku | Only bare ground remains |
| Male | |
| Kalyaana mandapangal | Wedding halls are built |
| Katti vaichu kaathirukku | And stand waiting |
| Kaigalilae kaasu illa | With no money in hand |
| Kanni ponnu mooththirukku | Young women are aging unmarried |
| Male | |
| Innamum kadhaiya sollattumaa | Shall I tell more of the story? |
| Kuppaiya koodaiyil allattumaa | Shall I scoop up garbage in a basket? |
| Innamum kadhaiya sollattumaa | Shall I tell more of the story? |
| Kuppaiya koodaiyil allattumaa | Shall I scoop up garbage in a basket? |
| Male | |
| Solvathu onnu seivadhu onnu | Saying one thing and doing another |
| Pattanam kaigalai suttathannae | The city life burnt its own hands, didn't it? |
| Male | |
| Thottaththula paathi katti | I have made a plot in the garden |
| Paathirukken paathirukken | I have seen, I have seen |
| Thottaththula paathi katti | I have made a plot in the garden |
| Paathirukken paathirukken | I have seen, I have seen |
| Male | |
| {Sothukulla paathiya kattura | {Making divisions even within rice |
| Pattanam pattanamae | Oh city, urban city! |
| Konjam kettiyaaga illaatti | If you are not a bit strong-willed |
| Manasu kettidum kettidumae..} (2) | The mind will get ruined, yes ruined..} (2) |
| Male | |
| {Thannanaana thannana thannana | {Thannanaana thannana thannana |
| Thannana thannananaa.. | Thannana thannananaa.. |
| Thannaa thannanaana thannana | Thannaa thannanaana thannana |
| Thannana thannana thannana naa..} | Thannana thannana thannana naa..} |
| Chorus | |
| {Lallalaala lallala lallala | {Lallalaala lallala lallala |
| Lallala lallala ye… | Lallala lallala ye… |
| Lallalaala lallala | Lallalaala lallala |
| Lallala lallala lallala laa…} (2) | Lallala lallala lallala laa…} (2) |
| Chorus | |
| Lallalaala laalalallaa..he.. | Lallalaala laalalallaa..he.. |
| Lallalaala laalalallaa..he.. | Lallalaala laalalallaa..he.. |
| Lallalaala laalalallaa.. | Lallalaala laalalallaa.. |
| Lallalaala laalalallaa.. | Lallalaala laalalallaa.. |
ஏங்குதே மனம் இன்ப
நாளிலே தூங்குதே ஜனம்
இந்த ராவிலே தாங்குதே
குணம் போதை வாழ்விலே
ஏங்குதே தினம் பாடும்
பாடலை
The heart yearns on joyful days..
People sleep during this night
Human nature endures in an intoxicated life
It yearns daily for the song being sung
ஏங்குதே மனம்
தூங்குதே ஜனம் தாங்குதே
குணம் ஏங்குதே தினம்
ஹாஹா தினம்
The heart yearns
People sleep
Human nature endures
Every day it yearns
Haha.. every day..
தினம் தினம் ஒரு
கூட்டம் மயில்களின்
நடமாட்டம் மலர்களும்
தலையாட்டும் இரவுகள்
அரங்கேற்றம்
Every day a crowd gathers
Peacocks dance around
Flowers nod their heads
Nights stage their debut
கனவுகள் வளரும்
கவிதைகள் மலரும் இது
தான் நம் தோட்டம் ஹே
ஹே கனவுகள் வளரும்
கவிதைகள் மலரும் இது
தான் நம் தோட்டம் இது
தான் நம் தோட்டம் தோட்டம்
Dreams grow
Poems blossom
This is our garden
Hey.. hae.. dreams grow
Poems blossom
This is our garden
This is our garden... garden
தன்னனான தந்தான்னா
தன்னனான தந்தான்னா
Thannanaana thanthanannaa
Thannanaana thanthanannaa…
தோட்டத்துல பாத்தி
கட்டி பாத்திருக்கேன்
பாத்திருக்கேன் தோட்டத்துல
பாத்தி கட்டி பாத்திருக்கேன்
பாத்திருக்கேன்
I have made a plot in the garden
I have seen, I have seen
I have made a plot in the garden
I have seen, I have seen
{ சோத்துக்குள்ள
பாத்திய கட்டுற பட்டணம்
பட்டணமே கொஞ்சம்
கெட்டியாக இல்லாட்டி
மனசு கெட்டிடும்
கெட்டிடுமே } (2)
{Making divisions even within rice
Oh city, urban city!
If you are not a bit strong-willed
The mind will get ruined, yes ruined..} (2)
தோட்டத்துல பாத்தி
கட்டி பாத்திருக்கேன்
பாத்திருக்கேன் தோட்டத்துல
பாத்தி கட்டி பாத்திருக்கேன்
பாத்திருக்கேன்
I have made a plot in the garden
I have seen, I have seen
I have made a plot in the garden
I have seen, I have seen
லல்லா லாலா
லல்லா லாலா லல்லா
லாலா லலலலலல
லலலலலல
Lallaa lalaaaa
Lallaa lalaaaa
Lallaa lalaaaa
Lalalalalala..lalalalalala..
{ சிங்காரமா ஊரு
இது சென்னையினு பேரு
ஊரை சுத்தி ஓடுதய்யா
கூவம் ஆறு } (2)
{This is a beautiful city
Named Chennai
Running all around the city, oh sir
Is the Cooum river} (2)
தொட்டாலும் கை
மணக்கும் தொட்ட இடம் பூ
மணக்கும் கூவமுன்னு பேரு
சொன்னா சொன்னவங்க
வாய் மணக்கும்
Touching it makes hands fragrant
Where it touches, flowers smell sweet
Just uttering the name Cooum
Makes the speaker's mouth sweet-smelling
தோட்டத்துல பாத்தி
கட்டி பாத்திருக்கேன்
பாத்திருக்கேன் தோட்டத்துல
பாத்தி கட்டி பாத்திருக்கேன்
பாத்திருக்கேன்
I have made a plot in the garden
I have seen, I have seen
I have made a plot in the garden
I have seen, I have seen
{ சோத்துக்குள்ள பாத்திய
கட்டுற பட்டணம் பட்டணமே
கொஞ்சம் கெட்டியாக இல்லாட்டி
மனசு கெட்டிடும் கெட்டிடுமே } (2)
{Making divisions even within rice
Oh city, urban city!
If you are not a bit strong-willed
The mind will get ruined, yes ruined..} (2)
தோட்டத்துல பாத்தி
கட்டி பாத்திருக்கேன்
பாத்திருக்கேன் தோட்டத்துல
பாத்தி கட்டி பாத்திருக்கேன்
பாத்திருக்கேன்
I have made a plot in the garden
I have seen, I have seen
I have made a plot in the garden
I have seen, I have seen
டுறுடுறு டுறுடுறு
டுடுடுறு டுறுடுறு டுறுடுறு
டுடுடுறு டுறுடு டுறுடு டுடு
ரூ ரூ டுறுடு டுறுடு டுடு
ரூ ரூ
Turuturu turuturu tututruuu
Turuturu turuturu tututruuu
Tururtu turutu tutu ruu ruu
Tururtu turutu tutu ruu ruu
{ கல்லூரிக்கு போனா
கன்னி பொண்ணு மீனா
கல்லூரிய படிச்சதுல
கர்ப்பம் ஆனா } (2)
{When she went to college
The young girl Meena
From studying at college
She became pregnant} (2)
காட்சிகளும் வாங்கி
இங்கே கட்டிடங்கள் வச்சிருக்கு
கஷ்ட படும் ஏழைக்கெல்லாம்
கட்டாந்தரை தான் இருக்கு
Political parties bought land here
And erected big buildings
For all the struggling poor people
Only bare ground remains
கல்யாண மண்டபங்கள்
கட்டி வச்சு காத்திருக்கு கைகளிலே
காசு இல்ல கன்னி பொண்ணு
மூத்திருக்கு
Wedding halls are built
And stand waiting
With no money in hand
Young women are aging unmarried
இன்னமும் கதைய
சொல்லட்டுமா குப்பைய
கூடையில் அள்ளட்டுமா
இன்னமும் கதைய
சொல்லட்டுமா குப்பைய
கூடையில் அள்ளட்டுமா
Shall I tell more of the story?
Shall I scoop up garbage in a basket?
Shall I tell more of the story?
Shall I scoop up garbage in a basket?
சொல்வது ஒன்னு
செய்வது ஒன்னு பட்டணம்
கைகளை சுட்டதானே
Saying one thing and doing another
The city life burnt its own hands, didn't it?
தோட்டத்துல பாத்தி
கட்டி பாத்திருக்கேன்
பாத்திருக்கேன் தோட்டத்துல
பாத்தி கட்டி பாத்திருக்கேன்
பாத்திருக்கேன்
I have made a plot in the garden
I have seen, I have seen
I have made a plot in the garden
I have seen, I have seen
{ சோத்துக்குள்ள பாத்திய
கட்டுற பட்டணம் பட்டணமே
கொஞ்சம் கெட்டியாக இல்லாட்டி
மனசு கெட்டிடும் கெட்டிடுமே } (2)
{Making divisions even within rice
Oh city, urban city!
If you are not a bit strong-willed
The mind will get ruined, yes ruined..} (2)
தன்னனான தன்னான
தன்னான தன்னான தன்னனானா
தன்னா தன்னனான தன்னான
தன்னான தன்னான தன்னனானா
{Thannanaana thannana thannana
Thannana thannananaa..
Thannaa thannanaana thannana
Thannana thannana thannana naa..}
{ லல்லலால லல்லல
லல்லல லல்லல லல்லல
யே லல்லலால லல்லல
லல்லல லல்லல லல்லல
லா } (2)
{Lallalaala lallala lallala
Lallala lallala ye…
Lallalaala lallala
Lallala lallala lallala laa…} (2)
லல்லலால லாலாலல்லா
ஹே லல்லலால லாலாலல்லா
ஹே லல்லலால லாலாலல்லா
லல்லலால லாலாலல்லா
Lallalaala laalalallaa..he..
Lallalaala laalalallaa..he..
Lallalaala laalalallaa..
Lallalaala laalalallaa..
Yenguthae manam inba naalilae..
The heart yearns on joyful days..
Thoonguthae janam intha raavilae
People sleep during this night
Thaanguthae gunam bodhai vaazhvilae
Human nature endures in an intoxicated life
Yenguthae thinam paadum paadalai
It yearns daily for the song being sung
Yenguthae manam
The heart yearns
Thoonguthae janam
People sleep
Thaanguthae kunam
Human nature endures
Yenguthae thinam
Every day it yearns
Hahha..thinam..
Haha.. every day..
Thinam thinam oru koottam
Every day a crowd gathers
Mayilgalin nadamaattam
Peacocks dance around
Malargalum thalaiyaattum
Flowers nod their heads
Iravugal arangetram
Nights stage their debut
Kanavugal valarum
Dreams grow
Kavithaigal malarum
Poems blossom
Idhu thaan nam thottam
This is our garden
Hey..hae..kanavugal valarum
Hey.. hae.. dreams grow
Kavithaigal malarum
Poems blossom
Idhu thaan nam thottam
This is our garden
Idhu thaan nam thottam …thottam
This is our garden... garden
Thannanaana thanthanannaa
Thannanaana thanthanannaa
Thannanaana thanthanannaa…
Thannanaana thanthanannaa…
Thottaththula paathi katti
I have made a plot in the garden
Paathirukken paathirukken
I have seen, I have seen
Thottaththula paathi katti
I have made a plot in the garden
Paathirukken paathirukken
I have seen, I have seen
{Sothukulla paathiya kattura
{Making divisions even within rice
Pattanam pattanamae
Oh city, urban city!
Konjam kettiyaaga illaatti
If you are not a bit strong-willed
Manasu kettidum kettidumae..} (2)
The mind will get ruined, yes ruined..} (2)
Thottaththula paathi katti
I have made a plot in the garden
Paathirukken paathirukken
I have seen, I have seen
Thottaththula paathi katti
I have made a plot in the garden
Paathirukken paathirukken
I have seen, I have seen
Lallaa lalaaaa
Lallaa lalaaaa
Lallaa lalaaaa
Lallaa lalaaaa
Lallaa lalaaaa
Lallaa lalaaaa
Lalalalalala..lalalalalala..
Lalalalalala..lalalalalala..
{Singaaramaa ooru idhu
{This is a beautiful city
Chennaiyinnu peru
Named Chennai
Oorai suththi oduthaiiyaa
Running all around the city, oh sir
Koovam aaru} (2)
Is the Cooum river} (2)
Thottaalum kai manakkum
Touching it makes hands fragrant
Thotta idam poo manakkum
Where it touches, flowers smell sweet
Koovamunnu peru sonnaa
Just uttering the name Cooum
Sonnavanga vaai manakkum
Makes the speaker's mouth sweet-smelling
Thottaththula paathi katti
I have made a plot in the garden
Paathirukken paathirukken
I have seen, I have seen
Thottaththula paathi katti
I have made a plot in the garden
Paathirukken paathirukken
I have seen, I have seen
{Sothukulla paathiya kattura
{Making divisions even within rice
Pattanam pattanamae
Oh city, urban city!
Konjam kettiyaaga illaatti
If you are not a bit strong-willed
Manasu kettidum kettidumae..} (2)
The mind will get ruined, yes ruined..} (2)
Thottaththula paathi katti
I have made a plot in the garden
Paathirukken paathirukken
I have seen, I have seen
Thottaththula paathi katti
I have made a plot in the garden
Paathirukken paathirukken
I have seen, I have seen
Turuturu turuturu tututruuu
Turuturu turuturu tututruuu
Turuturu turuturu tututruuu
Turuturu turuturu tututruuu
Tururtu turutu tutu ruu ruu
Tururtu turutu tutu ruu ruu
Tururtu turutu tutu ruu ruu
Tururtu turutu tutu ruu ruu
{Kalloorikku ponaa
{When she went to college
Kanni ponnu meenaa
The young girl Meena
Kallooriya padichadhula
From studying at college
Karbam aanaa} (2)
She became pregnant} (2)
Katchigalum vaangi ingae
Political parties bought land here
Kattidangal vachirukku
And erected big buildings
Kastappadum ezhaikkellaam
For all the struggling poor people
Kattaantharai thaan irukku
Only bare ground remains
Kalyaana mandapangal
Wedding halls are built
Katti vaichu kaathirukku
And stand waiting
Kaigalilae kaasu illa
With no money in hand
Kanni ponnu mooththirukku
Young women are aging unmarried
Innamum kadhaiya sollattumaa
Shall I tell more of the story?
Kuppaiya koodaiyil allattumaa
Shall I scoop up garbage in a basket?
Innamum kadhaiya sollattumaa
Shall I tell more of the story?
Kuppaiya koodaiyil allattumaa
Shall I scoop up garbage in a basket?
Solvathu onnu seivadhu onnu
Saying one thing and doing another
Pattanam kaigalai suttathannae
The city life burnt its own hands, didn't it?
Thottaththula paathi katti
I have made a plot in the garden
Paathirukken paathirukken
I have seen, I have seen
Thottaththula paathi katti
I have made a plot in the garden
Paathirukken paathirukken
I have seen, I have seen
{Sothukulla paathiya kattura
{Making divisions even within rice
Pattanam pattanamae
Oh city, urban city!
Konjam kettiyaaga illaatti
If you are not a bit strong-willed
Manasu kettidum kettidumae..} (2)
The mind will get ruined, yes ruined..} (2)
{Thannanaana thannana thannana
{Thannanaana thannana thannana
Thannana thannananaa..
Thannana thannananaa..
Thannaa thannanaana thannana
Thannaa thannanaana thannana
Thannana thannana thannana naa..}
Thannana thannana thannana naa..}
{Lallalaala lallala lallala
{Lallalaala lallala lallala
Lallala lallala ye…
Lallala lallala ye…
Lallalaala lallala
Lallalaala lallala
Lallala lallala lallala laa…} (2)
Lallala lallala lallala laa…} (2)
Lallalaala laalalallaa..he..
Lallalaala laalalallaa..he..
Lallalaala laalalallaa..he..
Lallalaala laalalallaa..he..
Lallalaala laalalallaa..
Lallalaala laalalallaa..
Lallalaala laalalallaa..
Lallalaala laalalallaa..
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song from the movie 'Velaikaran' (1987) presents a biting social satire on urban city life, specifically targeting Chennai (Madras). Written by poet Mu. Metha and set to music by Ilaiyaraaja, the protagonist uses humorous and sarcastic observations to expose the harsh realities hidden behind the city's glossy facade. Through contrasting imagery—such as sarcastically praising the polluted Cooum river as fragrant, pointing out empty wedding halls while poor girls age unmarried, and criticizing political exploitation—the song highlights the disparity between promises and reality. It serves as a warning that without mental resilience and moral strength, city life will corrupt and ruin an individual.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Irony / Satire (நகைச்சுவை இகழ்ச்சி)
“Koovamunnu peru sonnaa / Sonnavanga vaai manakkum”
The lyrics sarcastically praise the foul-smelling Cooum river as sweet-smelling to mock the city's decay.
Monai / Initial Rhyme (மோனை)
“Kanavugal valarum / Kavithaigal malarum”
Repetition of initial consonant/vowel sounds in adjacent or corresponding words ('Kanavugal' and 'Kavithaigal').
Edhugai / Second Letter Rhyme (எதுகை)
“Thottaththula paathi katti / Pattanam pattanamae”
Matching second letters ('tt' sound in Thottaththula and Pattanam).
Did you know?
Trivia
The song is from the 1987 hit movie 'Velaikaran' starring Rajinikanth, directed by S. P. Muthuraman. The music was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, and the lyrics were penned by renowned Tamil poet Mu. Metha. The song features Rajinikanth delivering social commentary with his signature energetic screen presence.
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