Ushaaraiyaa
From Theertha Karaiyinile · 1987
- Lyricist
- Gangai Amaran
- Singers
- Ilayaraja, Gangai Amaran
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Theertha Karaiyinile1987
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Ushaaraiyaa ushaaru… | Be alert, oh brother, be alert! |
| Oranjaaram ushaaru… | Move to the side and be alert! |
| Male | |
| Ushaaraiyaa ushaaru | Be alert, oh brother, be alert! |
| Oranjaaram ushaaru | Move to the side and be alert! |
| Male | |
| Aa… ushaaraiyaa ushaaru | Ah... be alert, oh brother, be alert! |
| Oranjaaram ushaaru | Move to the side and be alert! |
| Male | |
| Aa… annan thambi akkaa maaman | Ah... brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, |
| Ooru pooraa ushaaru | The entire town, be alert! |
| Male | |
| Aa… annan thambi akkaa maaman | Ah... brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, |
| Ooru pooraa ushaaru | The entire town, be alert! |
| Male | |
| Buthi ketta ooru maathuradhu yaaru | Who is going to change this town that lost its senses? |
| Chorus | |
| Buthi ketta ooru maathuradhu yaaru | Who is going to change this town that lost its senses? |
| Male | |
| Aa… ushaaraiyaa ushaaru | Ah... be alert, oh brother, be alert! |
| Oranjaaram ushaaru | Move to the side and be alert! |
| Chorus | |
| Aa… annan thambi akkaa maaman | Ah... brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, |
| Ooru pooraa ushaaru | The entire town, be alert! |
| Male | |
| Aalaana pinnaalae | Once she comes of age, |
| Aththa maga ushaaru | Be alert around your maternal uncle's daughter! |
| Aththa maga valachu podum | To woo that maternal uncle's daughter, |
| Machaanellaam ushaaru | All the cousins/suitors are on alert! |
| Male | |
| Aalaana pinnaalae aththa maga | Once she comes of age, the maternal uncle's daughter... |
| Chorus :Ushaaru | Chorus: Be alert! |
| Male :Aththa maga valachu podum | Male: To woo that maternal uncle's daughter... |
| Machaanellaam | All the cousins/suitors... |
| Chorus :Ushaaru | Chorus: Be alert! |
| Male | |
| Enga ooru maariyammaa | Oh Goddess Mariyamma of our village, |
| Selaiya thaan kaanumammaa | Even your deity's saree goes missing! |
| Thangamuthu maariyammaa | Oh Mariyamma adorned with golden pearls, |
| Thaaliya thaan paathukkammaa | Watch over your mangalsutra (sacred marriage thread)! |
| Chorus | |
| Enga ooru maariyammaa | Oh Goddess Mariyamma of our village, |
| Male :Selaiya thaan kaanumammaa | Male: Even your deity's saree goes missing! |
| Chorus :Thangamuthu maariyammaa | Chorus: Oh Mariyamma adorned with golden pearls, |
| Male :Thaaliya thaan paathukkammaa | Male: Watch over your mangalsutra! |
| Male | |
| Kadukkan potta kaadhum ushaar | Ears wearing gold studs must be alert, |
| Kaappu potta kaiyum ushaar | Wrists wearing bangles must be alert, |
| Thavalai sombum ushaaru | Brass pots and water vessels must be kept safe, |
| Thalaivar annae varaaru | The local leader brother is arriving! |
| Male | |
| Ae ushaaraiyaa ushaaru | Hey, be alert, oh brother, be alert! |
| Oranjaaram ushaaru | Move to the side and be alert! |
| Chorus | |
| Ae ushaaraiyaa ushaaru | Hey, be alert, oh brother, be alert! |
| Oranjaaram ushaaru | Move to the side and be alert! |
| Male | |
| Aa… annan thambi akkaa maaman | Ah... brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, |
| Ooru pooraa ushaaru | The entire town, be alert! |
| Chorus | |
| Aa… annan thambi akkaa maaman | Ah... brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, |
| Ooru pooraa ushaaru | The entire town, be alert! |
| Male | |
| Aa… buthi ketta ooru | Ah... a town that lost its senses, |
| Maathuradhu yaaru | Who will change it? |
| Chorus | |
| Aa… buthi ketta ooru | Ah... a town that lost its senses, |
| Maathuradhu yaaru | Who will change it? |
| Male | |
| Aa… ushaaraiyaa ushaaru | Ah... be alert, oh brother, be alert! |
| Oranjaaram ushaaru | Move to the side and be alert! |
| Chorus | |
| Aa… annan thambi akkaa maaman | Ah... brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, |
| Ooru pooraa ushaaru | The entire town, be alert! |
| Male | |
| Porulukkaaga sollum vaakku | Words spoken purely for money |
| Arulu vaakku aagaadhu | Can never be genuine divine prophecies! |
| Arulu vaakku solli | Claiming to give divine prophecies |
| Porula vaangum saami ushaaru | Beware of godmen who fleece your money! |
| Male | |
| Aehae porulukkaaga sollum vaakku | Hey, words spoken purely for money, |
| Arulu vaakkuChorus :Aagaadhu | Divine prophecies Chorus: Cannot be! |
| Male :Arulu vaakku solli | Male: Claiming to give divine prophecies |
| Porula vaangum saami | Godmen who fleece your money... |
| Chorus :Ushaaru | Chorus: Be alert! |
| Male | |
| Pallikkodam katti vechaan | They built a school building, |
| Vaathiyaaru illaiyadaa | But there is no teacher, my friend! |
| Thanni thotti katti vechaan | They constructed a water tank, |
| Thanniya thaan kaanomadaa | But no water can be seen in it, my friend! |
| Chorus | |
| Pallikkodam katti vechaan | They built a school building, |
| Male :Vaathiyaaru illaiyadaa | Male: But there is no teacher, my friend! |
| Chorus :Thanni thotti katti vechaan | Chorus: They constructed a water tank, |
| Male :Thanniya thaan kaanomadaa | Male: But no water can be seen in it, my friend! |
| Male | |
| Naalellaam vandhavanga | People who came across ages, |
| Naamellaam indhiyaru | We are all Indians, |
| Oorukkooru sandiyaru | Yet there are hooligans in every town, |
| Orumappaadu ushaaru | Beware, our national unity is at risk! |
| Male | |
| {Ushaaraiyaa | {Be alert, oh brother, |
| Male :Ushaaru | Male: Be alert! |
| Male :Oranjaaram | Male: Move to the side, |
| Male :Ushaaru } (2) | Male: Be alert!} (2) |
| Male | |
| Annan thambi akkaa maaman | Brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, |
| Ooru pooraa ushaaru | The entire town, be alert! |
| Male | |
| Aa… annan thambi akkaa maaman | Ah... brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, |
| Ooru pooraa ushaaru | The entire town, be alert! |
| Male | |
| Buthi ketta ooru | A town that lost its senses, |
| Maathuradhu yaaru | Who will change it? |
| Chorus | |
| Buthi ketta ooru | A town that lost its senses, |
| Maathuradhu yaaru | Who will change it? |
| Male | |
| Aa… ushaaraiyaa ushaaru | Ah... be alert, oh brother, be alert! |
| Oranjaaram ushaaru | Move to the side and be alert! |
| Chorus | |
| Aa… ushaaraiyaa ushaaru | Ah... be alert, oh brother, be alert! |
| Oranjaaram ushaaru | Move to the side and be alert! |
| Male | |
| Aa… annan thambi akkaa maaman | Ah... brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, |
| Ooru pooraa ushaaru | The entire town, be alert! |
| Chorus | |
| Aa… annan thambi akkaa maaman | Ah... brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, |
| Ooru pooraa ushaaru | The entire town, be alert! |
உஷாரையா உஷாரு...
ஓரஞ்சாரம் உஷாரு...
Be alert, oh brother, be alert!
Move to the side and be alert!
உஷாரையா உஷாரு
ஓரஞ்சாரம் உஷாரு
Be alert, oh brother, be alert!
Move to the side and be alert!
ஆ......உஷாரையா உஷாரு
ஓரஞ்சாரம் உஷாரு
Ah... be alert, oh brother, be alert!
Move to the side and be alert!
ஆ... அண்ணன் தம்பி அக்கா மாமன்
ஊரு பூரா உஷாரு
Ah... brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles,
The entire town, be alert!
ஆ... அண்ணன் தம்பி அக்கா மாமன்
ஊரு பூரா உஷாரு
Ah... brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles,
The entire town, be alert!
புத்தி கெட்ட ஊரு மாத்துறது யாரு
Who is going to change this town that lost its senses?
புத்தி கெட்ட ஊரு மாத்துறது யாரு
Who is going to change this town that lost its senses?
ஆ... உஷாரையா உஷாரு
ஓரஞ்சாரம் உஷாரு
Ah... be alert, oh brother, be alert!
Move to the side and be alert!
ஆ... அண்ணன் தம்பி அக்கா மாமன்
ஊரு பூரா உஷாரு
Ah... brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles,
The entire town, be alert!
ஆளான பின்னாலே அத்த மக
அத்த மக உஷாரு
அத்த மக வளச்சு போடும்
மச்சானெல்லாம் உஷாரு
Once she comes of age,
Be alert around your maternal uncle's daughter!
To woo that maternal uncle's daughter,
All the cousins/suitors are on alert!
ஆளான பின்னாலே அத்த மக
குழு :
உஷாரு
அத்த மக வளச்சு போடும்
மச்சானெல்லாம் ஆ
குழு :
உஷாரு
Once she comes of age, the maternal uncle's daughter...
Chorus: Be alert!
Male: To woo that maternal uncle's daughter...
All the cousins/suitors...
Chorus: Be alert!
எங்க ஊரு மாரியம்மா
சேலையத்தான் காணுமம்மா
தங்கமுத்து மாரியம்மா
தாலியத்தான் பாத்துக்கம்மா
Oh Goddess Mariyamma of our village,
Even your deity's saree goes missing!
Oh Mariyamma adorned with golden pearls,
Watch over your mangalsutra (sacred marriage thread)!
எங்க ஊரு மாரியம்மா
சேலையத்தான் காணமம்மா
குழு :
தங்கமுத்து மாரியம்மா
தாலியத்தான் பாத்துக்கம்மா
Oh Goddess Mariyamma of our village,
Male: Even your deity's saree goes missing!
Chorus: Oh Mariyamma adorned with golden pearls,
Male: Watch over your mangalsutra!
கடுக்கன் போட்ட காதும் உஷார்
காப்பு போட்ட கையும் உஷார்
தவலை சொம்பும் உஷாரு
தலைவரண்ணே வராரு
Ears wearing gold studs must be alert,
Wrists wearing bangles must be alert,
Brass pots and water vessels must be kept safe,
The local leader brother is arriving!
ஏ உஷாரையா உஷாரு
ஓரஞ்சாரம் உஷாரு
Hey, be alert, oh brother, be alert!
Move to the side and be alert!
ஏ உஷாரையா உஷாரு
ஓரஞ்சாரம் உஷாரு
Hey, be alert, oh brother, be alert!
Move to the side and be alert!
ஆ... அண்ணன் தம்பி அக்கா மாமன்
ஊரு பூரா உஷாரு
Ah... brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles,
The entire town, be alert!
ஆ... அண்ணன் தம்பி அக்கா மாமன்
ஊரு பூரா உஷாரு
Ah... brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles,
The entire town, be alert!
ஆ... புத்தி கெட்ட ஊரு
மாத்துறது யாரு
Ah... a town that lost its senses,
Who will change it?
புத்தி கெட்ட ஊரு
மாத்துறது யாரு
Ah... a town that lost its senses,
Who will change it?
ஆ... உஷாரையா உஷாரு
ஓரஞ்சாரம் உஷாரு
Ah... be alert, oh brother, be alert!
Move to the side and be alert!
ஆ... அண்ணன் தம்பி அக்கா மாமன்
ஊரு பூரா உஷாரு
Ah... brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles,
The entire town, be alert!
பொருளுக்காக சொல்லும் வாக்கு
அருளு வாக்கு ஆகாது
அருளு வாக்கு சொல்லி
பொருள வாங்கும் சாமி உஷாரு
Words spoken purely for money
Can never be genuine divine prophecies!
Claiming to give divine prophecies
Beware of godmen who fleece your money!
ஏஹே பொருளுக்காக
சொல்லும் வாக்கு அருளு வாக்கு
குழு :
ஆகாது
அருளு வாக்கு சொல்லி
பொருள வாங்கும் சாமி
குழு :
உஷாரு
Hey, words spoken purely for money,
Divine prophecies Chorus: Cannot be!
Male: Claiming to give divine prophecies
Godmen who fleece your money...
Chorus: Be alert!
பள்ளிக்கூடம் கட்டி வச்சான்
வாத்தியாரு இல்லையடா
தண்ணித் தொட்டி கட்டி வச்சான்
தண்ணியத்தான் காணோமடா
They built a school building,
But there is no teacher, my friend!
They constructed a water tank,
But no water can be seen in it, my friend!
பள்ளிக்கூடம் கட்டி வச்சான்
வாத்தியாரு இல்லையடா
குழு :
தண்ணித் தொட்டி கட்டி வச்சான்
தண்ணியத்தான் காணோமடா
They built a school building,
Male: But there is no teacher, my friend!
Chorus: They constructed a water tank,
Male: But no water can be seen in it, my friend!
நாளெல்லாம் வந்தவங்க
நாமெல்லாம் இந்தியரு
ஊருக்கொரு சண்டியரு
ஒருமப்பாட்டு உஷாரு
People who came across ages,
We are all Indians,
Yet there are hooligans in every town,
Beware, our national unity is at risk!
{உஷாரையா
உஷாரு
ஓரஞ்சாரம்
உஷாரு} (2)
{Be alert, oh brother,
Male: Be alert!
Male: Move to the side,
Male: Be alert!} (2)
அண்ணன் தம்பி அக்கா மாமன்
ஊரு பூரா உஷாரு
Brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles,
The entire town, be alert!
ஆ... அண்ணன் தம்பி அக்கா மாமன்
ஊரு பூரா உஷாரு
Ah... brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles,
The entire town, be alert!
புத்தி கெட்ட ஊரு
மாத்துறது யாரு
A town that lost its senses,
Who will change it?
புத்தி கெட்ட ஊரு
மாத்துறது யாரு
A town that lost its senses,
Who will change it?
ஆ... உஷாரையா உஷாரு
ஓரஞ்சாரம் உஷாரு
Ah... be alert, oh brother, be alert!
Move to the side and be alert!
ஆ... உஷாரையா உஷாரு
ஓரஞ்சாரம் உஷாரு
Ah... be alert, oh brother, be alert!
Move to the side and be alert!
ஆ... அண்ணன் தம்பி அக்கா மாமன்
ஊரு பூரா உஷாரு
Ah... brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles,
The entire town, be alert!
ஆ... அண்ணன் தம்பி அக்கா மாமன்
ஊரு பூரா உஷாரு
Ah... brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles,
The entire town, be alert!
Ushaaraiyaa ushaaru…
Be alert, oh brother, be alert!
Oranjaaram ushaaru…
Move to the side and be alert!
Ushaaraiyaa ushaaru
Be alert, oh brother, be alert!
Oranjaaram ushaaru
Move to the side and be alert!
Aa… ushaaraiyaa ushaaru
Ah... be alert, oh brother, be alert!
Oranjaaram ushaaru
Move to the side and be alert!
Aa… annan thambi akkaa maaman
Ah... brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles,
Ooru pooraa ushaaru
The entire town, be alert!
Aa… annan thambi akkaa maaman
Ah... brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles,
Ooru pooraa ushaaru
The entire town, be alert!
Buthi ketta ooru maathuradhu yaaru
Who is going to change this town that lost its senses?
Buthi ketta ooru maathuradhu yaaru
Who is going to change this town that lost its senses?
Aa… ushaaraiyaa ushaaru
Ah... be alert, oh brother, be alert!
Oranjaaram ushaaru
Move to the side and be alert!
Aa… annan thambi akkaa maaman
Ah... brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles,
Ooru pooraa ushaaru
The entire town, be alert!
Aalaana pinnaalae
Once she comes of age,
Aththa maga ushaaru
Be alert around your maternal uncle's daughter!
Aththa maga valachu podum
To woo that maternal uncle's daughter,
Machaanellaam ushaaru
All the cousins/suitors are on alert!
Aalaana pinnaalae aththa maga
Once she comes of age, the maternal uncle's daughter...
Chorus :Ushaaru
Chorus: Be alert!
Male :Aththa maga valachu podum
Male: To woo that maternal uncle's daughter...
Machaanellaam
All the cousins/suitors...
Chorus :Ushaaru
Chorus: Be alert!
Enga ooru maariyammaa
Oh Goddess Mariyamma of our village,
Selaiya thaan kaanumammaa
Even your deity's saree goes missing!
Thangamuthu maariyammaa
Oh Mariyamma adorned with golden pearls,
Thaaliya thaan paathukkammaa
Watch over your mangalsutra (sacred marriage thread)!
Enga ooru maariyammaa
Oh Goddess Mariyamma of our village,
Male :Selaiya thaan kaanumammaa
Male: Even your deity's saree goes missing!
Chorus :Thangamuthu maariyammaa
Chorus: Oh Mariyamma adorned with golden pearls,
Male :Thaaliya thaan paathukkammaa
Male: Watch over your mangalsutra!
Kadukkan potta kaadhum ushaar
Ears wearing gold studs must be alert,
Kaappu potta kaiyum ushaar
Wrists wearing bangles must be alert,
Thavalai sombum ushaaru
Brass pots and water vessels must be kept safe,
Thalaivar annae varaaru
The local leader brother is arriving!
Ae ushaaraiyaa ushaaru
Hey, be alert, oh brother, be alert!
Oranjaaram ushaaru
Move to the side and be alert!
Ae ushaaraiyaa ushaaru
Hey, be alert, oh brother, be alert!
Oranjaaram ushaaru
Move to the side and be alert!
Aa… annan thambi akkaa maaman
Ah... brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles,
Ooru pooraa ushaaru
The entire town, be alert!
Aa… annan thambi akkaa maaman
Ah... brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles,
Ooru pooraa ushaaru
The entire town, be alert!
Aa… buthi ketta ooru
Ah... a town that lost its senses,
Maathuradhu yaaru
Who will change it?
Aa… buthi ketta ooru
Ah... a town that lost its senses,
Maathuradhu yaaru
Who will change it?
Aa… ushaaraiyaa ushaaru
Ah... be alert, oh brother, be alert!
Oranjaaram ushaaru
Move to the side and be alert!
Aa… annan thambi akkaa maaman
Ah... brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles,
Ooru pooraa ushaaru
The entire town, be alert!
Porulukkaaga sollum vaakku
Words spoken purely for money
Arulu vaakku aagaadhu
Can never be genuine divine prophecies!
Arulu vaakku solli
Claiming to give divine prophecies
Porula vaangum saami ushaaru
Beware of godmen who fleece your money!
Aehae porulukkaaga sollum vaakku
Hey, words spoken purely for money,
Arulu vaakkuChorus :Aagaadhu
Divine prophecies Chorus: Cannot be!
Male :Arulu vaakku solli
Male: Claiming to give divine prophecies
Porula vaangum saami
Godmen who fleece your money...
Chorus :Ushaaru
Chorus: Be alert!
Pallikkodam katti vechaan
They built a school building,
Vaathiyaaru illaiyadaa
But there is no teacher, my friend!
Thanni thotti katti vechaan
They constructed a water tank,
Thanniya thaan kaanomadaa
But no water can be seen in it, my friend!
Pallikkodam katti vechaan
They built a school building,
Male :Vaathiyaaru illaiyadaa
Male: But there is no teacher, my friend!
Chorus :Thanni thotti katti vechaan
Chorus: They constructed a water tank,
Male :Thanniya thaan kaanomadaa
Male: But no water can be seen in it, my friend!
Naalellaam vandhavanga
People who came across ages,
Naamellaam indhiyaru
We are all Indians,
Oorukkooru sandiyaru
Yet there are hooligans in every town,
Orumappaadu ushaaru
Beware, our national unity is at risk!
{Ushaaraiyaa
{Be alert, oh brother,
Male :Ushaaru
Male: Be alert!
Male :Oranjaaram
Male: Move to the side,
Male :Ushaaru } (2)
Male: Be alert!} (2)
Annan thambi akkaa maaman
Brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles,
Ooru pooraa ushaaru
The entire town, be alert!
Aa… annan thambi akkaa maaman
Ah... brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles,
Ooru pooraa ushaaru
The entire town, be alert!
Buthi ketta ooru
A town that lost its senses,
Maathuradhu yaaru
Who will change it?
Buthi ketta ooru
A town that lost its senses,
Maathuradhu yaaru
Who will change it?
Aa… ushaaraiyaa ushaaru
Ah... be alert, oh brother, be alert!
Oranjaaram ushaaru
Move to the side and be alert!
Aa… ushaaraiyaa ushaaru
Ah... be alert, oh brother, be alert!
Oranjaaram ushaaru
Move to the side and be alert!
Aa… annan thambi akkaa maaman
Ah... brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles,
Ooru pooraa ushaaru
The entire town, be alert!
Aa… annan thambi akkaa maaman
Ah... brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles,
Ooru pooraa ushaaru
The entire town, be alert!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song is a satirical social commentary written by Gangai Amaran for the 1987 film 'Theertha Karaiyinile'. It serves as a humorous yet sharp warning to villagers and common people to remain vigilant ('ushaar') against various societal ploys, hypocrisies, and systemic flaws. The narrator cautions everyone from family members to whole villages to guard their belongings, money, and values against corrupt politicians, fraudulent godmen, and social dysfunction. Throughout the track, the lyricist highlights everyday absurdities—such as government infrastructure built without functionality (schools without teachers, water tanks without water), theft occurring right inside temple sanctums, and greedy individuals profiting off superstitious beliefs. The song uses catchy folk rhythms and lively refrains to deliver an engaging yet thought-provoking message about national integrity, civic awareness, and social reform.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Pallikkodam katti vechaan / Thanni thotti katti vechaan”
Matching second consonants across consecutive lines, such as 'Ushaaraiyaa' / 'Oranjaaram' (sh/r patterns) and 'Pallikkodam' / 'Thanni thotti' (ll/nn matching sound structural patterns in folk song phrasing).
Anaaphora / Repetition (Sol Pinvaru Nilaiyani)
“Ushaaraiyaa ushaaru / Oranjaaram ushaaru”
The word 'ushaaru' (be alert/vigilant) is repeatedly emphasized at the end of lines across the entire song to reinforce the central theme of alertness.
Irony and Satire
“Thanni thotti katti vechaan / Thanniya thaan kaanomadaa”
The lyrics use sharp satire to expose civic neglect and corruption (e.g., building a school with no teacher, a tank with no water, or theft occurring in a temple).
Did you know?
Trivia
Gangai Amaran, who penned the lyrics for 'Theertha Karaiyinile' starring Prabhu, frequently incorporated rural folk idioms and social satire into his songs, blending comedic refrains with potent political and social awareness messages typical of late 1980s Tamil cinema culture.
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