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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vaa Vaa Centralu

From E · 2006

Lyricist
Lyricist Not Known
Singer
Puliyanthoppu Pazhani
Music director
Srikanth Deva
Details
E2006

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
{Vaa vaa vaa vaa{Come, come, come, come
Centralu jailayum kanden} (2)I saw the Central Jail as well} (2)
Male
Aalu kaati nanban oruvanaalaBecause of a friend who betrayed me
Dei Aalu kaati nanban oruvanaalaHey, because of a friend who turned informer
Male
{Naan jailayum kanden{I saw the jail as well
Mana varuthamum patten} (2)And felt sorrow in my heart} (2)
Male
Vaa vaa vaa vaaCome, come, come, come
Centralu jailayum kandenI saw the Central Jail as well
Male
{Anna mudhal{From Anna
Kalaignar vandhathalaeTo Kalaignar having come here,
Namba ayya koodaSince our leader too
Vanthu ponathaalae} (2)Came and stayed here} (2)
Male
{Naan aarudhal konden{I found comfort
Mana varuthamum patten} (2)Yet felt sorrow in my heart} (2)
Male
Hei vaa vaaHey come, come
Hei vaa vaaHey come, come
HeiHey
Vaa vaa vaa vaaCome, come, come, come
Centralu jailayum kandenI saw the Central Jail as well
Male
Jailu warden peruThe jail warden's name
VelungoIs Velu
Avar vidha vidhamaIn various different ways,
Kaaturaaru stylungoHe shows off his style
Male
Hei pazhakanji jabbaeHey old rice water beat
Male
Jailu warden peruThe jail warden's name
VelungoIs Velu
Avar vidha vidhamaIn various different ways,
Kaaturaaru stylungoHe shows off his style
Male
{Ennai seekaa tharango{They give soap powder
Kulikka solli varango} (2)And ask us to take a bath} (2)
Male
{Kulikadha minorukku{For the spoiled brat who refuses to bathe,
Latti charge tharango} (2)They give a lathi charge} (2)
Male
Hei vaa vaaHey come, come
Hei vaa vaaHey come, come
{Vaa vaa vaa vaa{Come, come, come, come
Centralu jailayum kanden} (2)I saw the Central Jail as well} (2)
Male
Aalu kaati nanban oruvanaalaBecause of a friend who betrayed me
Dei Aalu kaati nanban oruvanaalaHey, because of a friend who turned informer
Male
{Naan jailayum kanden{I saw the jail as well
Mana varuthamum patten} (2)And felt sorrow in my heart} (2)
Male
Vaa vaa vaa vaaCome, come, come, come
Centralu jailayum kandenI saw the Central Jail as well
Naan jailayum kandenI saw the jail as well
Naan jailayum kandenn….I saw the jail as well....

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song depicts the life and reflections of an inmate inside Chennai Central Jail. Betrayed by a close friend who turned informer, the protagonist finds himself incarcerated and heavy-hearted. However, he draws solace from the historical fact that prominent political leaders like C. N. Annadurai (Anna) and M. Karunanidhi (Kalaignar) were also imprisoned in the same jail. The song blends humor with prison reality, lightheartedly describing the stylish prison warden Velu, the daily routine of receiving bathing supplies, and the hilarious consequence of getting a 'lathi charge' for refusing to take a bath. Through its catchy rhythmic beat, the song captures both the sorrow of betrayal and the ironic humor of surviving prison life.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Adukku Thodar (Repetition)

Vaa vaa vaa vaa

Repetition of the word 'Vaa' sequentially to build rhythm and urgency.

Iyaibu (Rhyming Suffixes)

Avar vidha vidhama / Kaaturaaru stylungo

Use of stylized Chennai dialect rhyming endings like '-ngo' (Velungo, stylungo, tharango, varango) typical of folk Gaana songs.

Edugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Naan jailayum kanden / Mana varuthamum patten

Matching of the second consonant sound 'na' across lines ('Naan' / 'Mana').

Did you know?

Trivia

This is a popular traditional Chennai prison folk song (Gaana). It references real historical political detentions in Chennai Central Jail, including Tamil Nadu Chief Ministers C. N. Annadurai (Anna) and M. Karunanidhi (Kalaignar), who were jailed during various political demonstrations.

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