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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vaada Machchan Vaada

From Andru Kanda Mugam · 1968

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, A. L. Ragavan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Andru Kanda Mugam1968

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Vaada machaanCome on, my pal
Male :Vaada machaan vaada vaasa machaan vaadaCome on pal, come on, sweet pal come on
Yedaa modaa ndhan jambam ennidam palikumadaWill your clumsy boastfulness work against me?
Vaada machaan vaadaCome on pal, come on
Yedaa modaa ndhan jambam ennidam palikumadaWill your clumsy boastfulness work against me?
Vaada machaan vaadaCome on pal, come on
Male
Aasai mattum perusa irundha adhirstam varumadaWill luck favor you just because your desires are big?
Hoo hoo …aaa…hoHoo hoo ...aaa...ho
Male
Meesai mattum perusa irundha veeram varumaadaWill bravery come just because your mustache is big?
Aa..haa…haa..hooAa..haa...haa..hoo
Male
Aasai mattum perusa irundha adhirstam varumadaWill luck favor you just because your desires are big?
Male
Meesai mattum perusa irundha veeram varumaadaWill bravery come just because your mustache is big?
Male
Kaasukkaaga kaariyam senjaa karunai varumaadaIf you work solely for money, will compassion ever arise?
Verum kaasukkaaga kaariyam senjaa karunai varumaadaIf you act merely for money, will compassion ever arise?
Male
Kaikughaiyaa sandai poda theriyum undoodaaDo you know how to fight fist-to-fist against me?
Male
Yendaa doiHey pal!
Male :Yendaa doiHey pal!
Male :Yendaa doi doiiHey pal!
Male :Vaada machaan vaadaCome on pal, come on
Male
Yedaa modaa ndhan jambam ennidam palikumadaWill your clumsy boastfulness work against me?
Daa daa daaDaa daa daa
Vaada machaan vaadaCome on pal, come on
Male
Thandanaiyil thappiya thirudan tharaniyil undoodaaIs there any thief in the world who has permanently escaped punishment?
Adaa adaa adaaAdaa adaa adaa
Male
Thappipona thirudanai kooda dharmam vidumodaa deiEven if a thief escapes law, will righteousness ever let him off, hey?
Male
Thandanaiyil thappiya thirudan tharaniyil undoodaaIs there any thief in the world who has permanently escaped punishment?
Adaa adaa adaaAdaa adaa adaa
Male
Thappipona thirudanai kooda dharmam vidumodaaEven if a thief escapes law, will righteousness ever let him off?
Male
Anadm pugazhum kollaiyan kooda agappattu kolvaandaEven a famous burglar will eventually get caught!
Adaa adaa adaaAdaa adaa adaa
Male
Avanae appadiyaanal neeyenna appan maganoodaaIf even he gets caught, who do you think you are, a king's privileged son?
Male :PodaaGo away!
Male
Vaada machaan vaadaCome on pal, come on
Male :Bayapadamaa vaadaCome without fear
Male :Yedaa modaa ndhan jambam ennidam palikumadaWill your clumsy boastfulness work against me?
Both :Vaada machaan vaadaCome on pal, come on
Male
Sondha buthi irundha nalla sothukku vazhiyunduIf you use your own wisdom, there is a pathway to real wealth
Hoo hoo hoo o oHoo hoo hoo o o
Male
Indha budhi irundha angae kambi kadhavunduIf you hold this evil mindset, prison iron bars await you there
Ohoo ohoo hoo hooOhoo ohoo hoo hoo
Male
Sondha buthi irundha nalla sothukku vazhiyunduIf you use your own wisdom, there is a pathway to real wealth
Male
Indha budhi irundha angae kambi kadhavunduIf you hold this evil mindset, prison iron bars await you there
Male
Amma irundha avalai kaelu paasam ennendruIf your mother is around, ask her what genuine love and affection mean
Unga amma irundha avalai kaelu paasam ennendruIf your mother is around, ask her what genuine love and affection mean
Male
Aduthavan sollai kaettu kettavan aayiram perunduThere are thousands of people who were ruined by blindly following others' advice
Male
Yendaa doiHey pal!
Male :Yendaa doiHey pal!
Male :Yendaa doi doii doii doii doiiHey pal!
Male
Vaada machaan vaadaCome on pal, come on
Male :Bayapadamaa vaadaCome without fear
Male :Yedaa modaa ndhan jambam ennidam palikumadaWill your clumsy boastfulness work against me?
Both :Vaada machaan vaadaCome on pal, come on

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Vaada Machaan' from 'Andru Kanda Mugam' (1968) is a lively, folk-flavored duet that blends playfulness with moral warnings. Set as a friendly confrontation or duel of wits, the lyrics by Kannadasan caution against arrogance, crime, and blindly following wicked advice. The song highlights that true courage is not measured by outward physical traits like a big mustache, nor is prosperity gained through mere greed or dishonesty. Through rhythmic folk phrasing, the singers present high-impact moral truths: karma eventually catches up with thieves and lawbreakers, and greed devoid of ethics leads straight to prison. Kannadasan highlights the value of independent wisdom, filial respect, and moral integrity over cheap bravado and money-driven actions.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Emoni / Ethirukai (Rhyme & Contrast)

Aasai mattum perusa irundha... / Meesai mattum perusa irundha...

Kannadasan contrasts 'Aasai' (Desire) and 'Meesai' (Mustache) in parallel structures to mock superficial vanity.

Ethirukai (Second letter rhyming)

Thandanaiyil thappiya thirudan tharaniyil undoodaa / Thappipona thirudanai kooda...

Repetition of the 'nd' sound in second syllables of 'Thandanaiyil' and 'Thappipona' creates rhythmic flow across lines.

Contrast / Antithesis

Sondha buthi irundha nalla sothukku vazhiyundu / Indha budhi irundha angae kambi kadhavundu

Contrasting 'Sondha buthi' (one's own intellect leading to wealth) against 'Indha budhi' (wicked intellect leading to prison bars).

Rhetorical Questioning

Meesai mattum perusa irundha veeram varumaada

Using provocative questions to challenge the adversary's morals and false confidence.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Andru Kanda Mugam' (1968), directed by G. Ramakrishnan, featured music by the legendary 'Mellisai Mannar' K. V. Mahadevan. This song stands out as a rare, energetic folk duet featuring T. M. Soundarajan alongside A. L. Ragavan, showcasing competitive vocal banter filled with street-smart Tamil idioms crafted by Kannadasan.

Keep listening

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