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Lyrics & meaning

Vaada Vaada En Raasa

From Therkathi Kallan · 1988

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
Ilayaraja, Chorus
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Therkathi Kallan1988

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Vaadaa vaadaa en raasaaCome, come, my king
Chinna raasaa thangamagan raasaaLittle king, golden son, my king
Enga therkaththi kallan magan raasaaOur southern thief's son, my king
Male
Kallannu peru vachchaalumEven if you are named a thief
Chorus :Nee kallan illaiChorus: You are not a thief
Male :Kallam un manasila illaiMale: There is no deceit in your heart
Chorus :Ada illai illaiChorus: Oh no, not at all
Male
Haei Kallannu peru vachchaalumHey, even if you are named a thief
Chorus :Nee kallan illaiChorus: You are not a thief
Male :Kallam un manasila illaiMale: There is no deceit in your heart
Chorus :Ada illai illaiChorus: Oh no, not at all
Male
Vaadaa vaadaa en raasaaCome, come, my king
Chinna raasaa thangamagan raasaaLittle king, golden son, my king
Chorus :Enga therkaththi kallan magan raasaaChorus: Our southern thief's son, my king
Male
Karuppaaga irunthaalumEven if you are dark-complexioned
Un manasu karuppu illaiYour heart is not dark
Male
Muradaga irunthaalumEven if you act rugged
Munkobam vanthaalumEven if short temper comes to you
Uravaa irunthae neeyum usura koduppaeAs a true loved one, you would even give up your life
Male
Kuttunaa kunipavan illaiYou are not someone who bows down when hit
Chorus :Ada kallaa kallaaChorus: Oh thief, thief!
Male :Kuniya kuniya kutturavan illaiMale: You are not one who hits someone who keeps bowing
Chorus :Ada kallaa kallaaChorus: Oh thief, thief!
Male
Niminthaa niminthathuthaandaaOnce upright, you stand tall with pride
Chorus :Ada kallaa kallaaChorus: Oh thief, thief!
Male :Nenaichchaa nenaichathu thaandaaWhatever you set your mind to, you accomplish
Chorus :Ada kallaa kallaaChorus: Oh thief, thief!
Male
Veettukku veeduFor house after house
Chorus :VaasappadiChorus: The doorstep
Male :Unakku ellamMale: To you, everything
Chorus :AththupadiChorus: Is thoroughly known by heart
Male :Oorum perumMale: So that the town and people
Chorus :MechchumpadiChorus: Praise you in unison
Male :Kottaiyilae yaeththu un kodiMale: Hoist your flag atop the fort
Chorus :……………..Chorus: (Vocalizing)
Male
Vaadaa vaadaa en raasaaCome, come, my king
Chinna raasaa thangamagan raasaaLittle king, golden son, my king
Chorus :Enga therkaththi kallan magan raasaaChorus: Our southern thief's son, my king
Male
Mannaellaam ponnaagumAll the soil turns into gold
Un kaiyum pattaalaeIf your hand touches it
Athuthaan endrum unthan raasi raasiThat indeed is always your luck, your luck
Male
Mullellaam PoovaagaAll thorns turn into flowers
Kallellaam KaniyaagaAll stones turn into sweet fruits
Kallan peyarai ezhuthi vaasi vaasiWrite the thief's name and read it, read it
Male
Samanja pengalukellaaFor all young eligible women
Chorus :Un perai kettaaChorus: If they hear your name
Male :Kalyaana aasai undaagumMale: A desire for marriage will arise
Chorus :Ada kallaa kallaaChorus: Oh thief, thief!
Male
Thoongura somberikellaamFor all sleeping lazy people
Chorus :Un perai kettaaChorus: If they hear your name
Male :Vaengaiyin veeram undaagumMale: The valor of a tiger will awaken
Chorus :Ada kallaa kallaaChorus: Oh thief, thief!
Male
Kaattukku singamThe lion of the jungle
Chorus :Raajaa naanChorus: I am the king
Male :Naattukku raasaaMale: The king of this land
Chorus :NeethaandaaChorus: Is only you!
Male :Katchigal ellaamMale: All political parties
Chorus :YaetrukollumChorus: Will accept
Male :Therkaththi kallan neethaandaaMale: You are indeed the southern thief!
Chorus :………………..Chorus: (Vocalizing)
Male
Vaadaa vaadaa en raasaaCome, come, my king
Chinna raasaa thangamagan raasaaLittle king, golden son, my king
Chorus :Enga therkaththi kallan magan raasaaChorus: Our southern thief's son, my king
Male
Kallannu peru vachchaalumEven if you are named a thief
Chorus :Nee kallan illaiChorus: You are not a thief
Male :Kallam un manasila illaiMale: There is no deceit in your heart
Chorus :Ada illai illaiChorus: Oh no, not at all
Male
Kallannu peru vachchaalumEven if you are named a thief
Chorus :Nee kallan illaiChorus: You are not a thief
Male :Kallam un manasila illaiMale: There is no deceit in your heart
Chorus :Ada illai illaiChorus: Oh no, not at all
Male
Vaadaa vaadaa en raasaaCome, come, my king
Chinna raasaa thangamagan raasaaLittle king, golden son, my king
Chorus :Enga therkaththi kallan magan raasaaChorus: Our southern thief's son, my king

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Vaadaa vaadaa en raasaa' from 'Therkathi Kallan' (1988) is an energetic hero-praise track celebrating the noble character and brave nature of the protagonist. Despite bearing the title or reputation of a 'kallan' (thief), the song emphasizes that he possesses no malice or deceit ('kallam') in his heart. Instead, he is portrayed as a golden-hearted, righteous protector who stands up against oppression and earns the deep love and admiration of his townspeople.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Slepukkozhul / Pun (Wordplay)

Kallannu peru vachchaalum / Nee kallan illai / Kallam un manasila illai

Plays on the homonyms/roots of 'Kallan' (thief/caste name) and 'Kallam' (deceit/guile), contrasting nominal identity with inner purity.

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Karuppaaga irunthaalum / Muradaga irunthaalum

Rhyming of the second consonant sound 'ru'/'ra' in adjacent lines.

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navortchi)

Mannaellaam ponnaagum / Mullellaam Poovaaga / Kallellaam Kaniyaaga

Exaggerating the protagonist's touch turning soil to gold and stones to fruit to emphasize his auspicious touch and greatness.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Therkathi Kallan' (1988) stars Vijayakanth and Radhika in lead roles. The film's soundtrack was composed by Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics penned by Gangai Amaran, highlighting rural southern Tamil Nadu culture and folklore heroics.

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