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Lyrics & meaning

Uchchi Veyil Roadula

From Haridas (2013 Film) · 2013

Lyricist
Annamalai
Singer
Prabhu Pandala
Music director
Vijay Antony
Details
Haridas (2013 Film)2013

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Neranja manasu unakkuthaandi mahamaai…ee….You have a full heart, O Mahamaai...
Unne nenachuputta keduthelellam sugamaai….Thinking of you turns all hardship into comfort...
Maraigalum ithai sullumadi mahamaai…Even the Vedas say this, O Mahamaai...
Kannil thottiyang kulam theriyuthadi mahamaai…The lotus pond is visible in your eyes, O Mahamaai...
Male
Uchi veyil roadulaOn the road in the scorching noon sun,
Nanga karuvaada kaayirom….police….We dry up like dried fish... police...
Thoppikkula verivailaIn the sweat inside the cap,
Thopaaraiya nanaiyurom….police….We get soaked to our bellies... police...
Male
Inna vazhkkai vazhuromWhat a life we are living!
Innathukku vazhuromWhy are we even living it?
Intha police kara vazhkaikkula ponaOnce you enter this policeman's life,
Vandi vandiya kottuthuthada kaana….Sufferings pour out in cartloads...
Male
Collegela students yellamAll the college students,
Kalleduthu adikkiranThrow stones at us.
Ada bus day-nnu train day-nnuOh, celebrating Bus Day and Train Day,
Oorvalama nadathuranThey conduct processions.
Male
Manthiringa varangannuSaying ministers are coming,
Kaakka vachu kolluranThey make us wait and kill us with fatigue.
Ada rowdy kooda engala paathuEven a rowdy looks at us
Mamannu solluranAnd calls us 'Uncle' mockingly.
Male
Aalung katchi aalaThe ruling party person,
Adjust panni ponomWe have to adjust and let go.
Edhir katchi aalaThe opposition party person,
ulla thooki podanumWe have to lock up inside.
Yellarukkum sangamEveryone has a union
Vachirikkaan ingaFormed for them here,
Yengalukku mattumBut for us alone,
Oodhuraanga sanga….They blow the final conch...
Male
Uchi veyil roadulaOn the road in the scorching noon sun,
Nanga karuvaada kaayirom….police….We dry up like dried fish... police...
Male
Policekaran thoppathanOnly the belly of a policeman
Un kannukku theriyuthuIs visible to your eyes.
Nanga padum kashtamellamAll the hardships we suffer,
Yarukkudaa puriyuthuWho really understands them?
Male
Thirudan kooda vazhuranaeEven a thief lives,
Sogamathan jailulaThough sadly, inside the jail.
Intha police karan pozhappu mattumBut this policeman's life,
Manda kaaiyuthu veliyilaBakes our brains out in the open!
Male
Day and night dutyDay and night duty,
Thittura pondattiWife scolding at home,
Kudumpa pulla kuttiFamily and kids
Muzhikkuthada mattiAre left staring helplessly!
Policennu sonnaIf you say someone is a policeman,
Peru romba perusuThe name carries huge prestige,
Masa kadisi aanaBut come the end of the month,
Without-tu en purse….My wallet is completely empty...
Male
Uchi veyil roadulaOn the road in the scorching noon sun,
Nanga karuvaada kaayirom….police….We dry up like dried fish... police...
Thoppikkula verivailaIn the sweat inside the cap,
Thopaaraiya nanaiyurom….police….We get soaked to our bellies... police...
Male
Inna vazhkkai vazhuromWhat a life we are living!
Innathukku vazhuromWhy are we even living it?
Enga thupakkiyil thunguthada thotta…The bullet sleeps inside our gun...
Thirudan kooda kaatturane tatta…..While even the thief waves us goodbye!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song from the movie Haridas (2013) humorously yet poignantly portrays the everyday struggles, hardships, and unglamorous reality of low-ranking police officers in Tamil Nadu. Through satirical folk lyrics, it contrasts society's superficial perception of police officers—often judged by their belly size or perceived privileges—with the harsh conditions they endure, including endless duties under the scorching sun, political pressure, lack of a labor union, and poor financial security. It highlights how officers are caught between public hostility, administrative demands, and family neglect, often feeling powerless despite their uniform. The song balances comic folk expressions with empathetic realism, giving voice to the unsung challenges faced by police personnel in their daily lives.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor / Simile

Nanga karuvaada kaayirom….police….

Comparing police officers standing continuously in the scorching hot sun to drying salted fish (karuvaadu).

Ethirai / Rhyme (Anaphora)

Inna vazhkkai vazhurom / Innathukku vazhurom

Repetition of the initial word 'Inna' across consecutive lines to emphasize frustration and helplessness.

Irony / Satire

Thirudan kooda vazhuranae Sogamathan jailula / Intha police karan pozhappu mattum Manda kaaiyuthu veliyila

Sarcastic contrast pointing out that even a criminal in jail has shelter, while the officer guarding public safety bakes in the open heat.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song was composed by Vijay Antony for the 2013 Tamil drama film Haridas, directed by G. N. R. Kumaravelan. Written by lyricist Annamalai, the track gained popular acclaim for its humorous yet empathetic depiction of the routine grievances and demanding work life of police constables.

Keep listening

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