Vada Kadha Kelu Magane
From Monkey Donkey · 2020
- Lyricist
- Sangeeth Ravindran
- Singer
- Anthony Daasan
- Music director
- Sooraj S Kurup
- Details
- Monkey Donkey2020
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| ………………… | |
| Male | |
| Vada kadha kelu maganae | Listen to the tale, my son |
| Nammai aalum intha panamae | This money that rules over us |
| Nitham motham nammai alaya vidum | Which makes us wander aimlessly every single day |
| Sani thaanae | Is truly an ill-omened curse |
| Male | |
| Otha roopa illae mamae | I don't even have a single rupee, uncle |
| Suthi suthi inga paren | Look all around here |
| Pithu pudichitu kiranga veikkum | It drives people crazy and makes them dizzy |
| Panam thaanae | It is money itself |
| Chorus | |
| Aama aama | Yes, yes |
| Male | |
| Niranja vayir ellam | The stomachs that are already full |
| Melum melum nirayuthunga | Keep getting filled even more |
| Kizhinja kantha thuni | The torn, tattered clothes |
| Melum melum kizhiyuthu | Get torn even further |
| Male | |
| Oorae mela aapu | A trap set over the whole town |
| Pala palanu jolikuthunga | Shining bright and glittery |
| Koora veettukulla | Inside the thatched hut |
| Velicham kooda iruttudhu | Even light turns into darkness |
| Male | |
| ………………………… | |
| Male | |
| Sottu sootah dhuttah paathu | Looking at money bit by bit |
| Mosam poi ninna | Left deceived and stranded |
| Kattu kattah notu kattu | Wads and wads of currency notes |
| Dimiki kuduthu nippaan | Will dodge and play trickery |
| Male | |
| Panamum pennum | Money and women |
| Othumai kannum | And the eye of unity |
| Pudikathaan nenachaalae | If you try to chase and catch them |
| Bulb aachu | You will end up getting tricked |
| Male | |
| Kaanu jaada | A wink of the eye |
| Dhuttu vaada | The scent of cash |
| Namukunnu ezhuthatha | What wasn't written for us |
| Vidhi aachu | Has become our destiny |
| Male | |
| Pasiyil… sollum.. | In hunger... told.. |
| Kathayil ellaam… | In all those stories... |
| Naam thaanae.. | Is it just us?.. |
| Rusiyil.. kaanum.. | In taste.. that is seen.. |
| Neram athu serum | The right time will arrive |
| Kaalam thaan | Time itself |
| Sirapu aagum | Will become magnificent |
| Male | |
| Vada kadha kelu maganae | Listen to the tale, my son |
| Nammai aalum intha panamae | This money that rules over us |
| Nitham motham nammai alaya vidum | Which makes us wander aimlessly every single day |
| Sani thaanae | Is truly an ill-omened curse |
| Male | |
| Definitely | Definitely |
| Male | |
| Otha roopa illae mamae | I don't even have a single rupee, uncle |
| Suthi suthi inga paren | Look all around here |
| Pithu pudichitu kiranga veikkum | It drives people crazy and makes them dizzy |
| Panam thaanae | It is money itself |
| Male | |
| Vote-uh potta kaasa vangi | Taking money distributed for votes |
| Payila pottu ninna | Stashing it in the pocket and standing |
| Male :Ahaan | Male: Aha |
| Male | |
| Sothu kaaga kaasa thaedi | Searching for cash for the sake of property |
| Alanju poi nippaan | Will wander around endlessly |
| Male :Ahaan | Male: Aha |
| Male | |
| Kaasu panam kannula kanom | Cash and money are nowhere in sight |
| Sethu thaan polaikum | Slogging to death just to make a living |
| Dhinam polapu aachu | Has become the daily life |
| Vaipilla sonnapula | Like being told there is no chance |
| Vepilla thinnapula | Like being forced to eat bitter neem leaves |
| Dhinam polappu aala | Daily life has become a struggle |
| Male | |
| Very bad | Very bad |
| Male | |
| Sottu sootah dhuttah paathu | Looking at money bit by bit |
| Mosam poi ninna | Left deceived and stranded |
| Kattu kattah notu kattu | Wads and wads of currency notes |
| Dimiki kuduthu nippaan | Will dodge and play trickery |
| Male | |
| Oh.. oh…..oh… oh…. | Oh.. oh…..oh… oh…. |
| Ah.. ah…..ah… ah……. | Ah.. ah…..ah… ah……. |
| Oh.. oh…..oh… oh…. | Oh.. oh…..oh… oh…. |
| Ah.. ah…..ah… ah……. | Ah.. ah…..ah… ah……. |
..........................
வட கதை கேளு மகனே
நம்மை ஆளும் இந்த பணமே
நித்தம் மொத்தம் நம்மை அலைய விடும்
சனிதானே
Listen to the tale, my son
This money that rules over us
Which makes us wander aimlessly every single day
Is truly an ill-omened curse
ஒத்த ரூபா இல்லே மாமே
சுத்தி சுத்தி இங்க பாரேன்
பித்து புடிச்சிட்டு கிறங்க வைக்கும்
பணம் தானே
I don't even have a single rupee, uncle
Look all around here
It drives people crazy and makes them dizzy
It is money itself
ஆமா ஆமா
Yes, yes
நிறஞ்ச வயிறு எல்லாம்
மேலும் மேலு நிறையுதுங்க
கிழிஞ்ச கந்து துணி
மேலும் மேலும் கிழியுது
The stomachs that are already full
Keep getting filled even more
The torn, tattered clothes
Get torn even further
ஊரே மேல்லாப்பு
பள பளன்னு சொலிக்குதுங்க
கூர வீட்டுக்குள்ள
வெளிச்சம் கூட இருட்டுது
A trap set over the whole town
Shining bright and glittery
Inside the thatched hut
Even light turns into darkness
..................................
சொட்டு சொட்டா துட்ட பாத்து
மோசம் போயி நின்னா
கட்டு கட்டா நோட்டு கட்டு
டிமிக்கி குடுத்து நிப்பான்
Looking at money bit by bit
Left deceived and stranded
Wads and wads of currency notes
Will dodge and play trickery
ஆண்கள் :
சொட்டு சொட்டா துட்ட பாத்து
மோசம் போயி நின்னா
கட்டு கட்டா நோட்டு கட்டு
டிமிக்கி குடுத்து நிப்பான்
Money and women
And the eye of unity
If you try to chase and catch them
You will end up getting tricked
ஆண்கள் :
சொட்டு சொட்டா துட்ட பாத்து
மோசம் போயி நின்னா
கட்டு கட்டா நோட்டு கட்டு
டிமிக்கி குடுத்து நிப்பான்
A wink of the eye
The scent of cash
What wasn't written for us
Has become our destiny
பணமும் பெண்ணும்
ஒத்துமை காணும்
புடிகத்தான் நினைச்சாலே
பல்பாச்சு
In hunger... told..
In all those stories...
Is it just us?..
In taste.. that is seen..
The right time will arrive
Time itself
Will become magnificent
கண்ணு சாட
துட்டு வாட
நமக்குன்னு எழுதாதா
விதி ஆச்சு
Listen to the tale, my son
This money that rules over us
Which makes us wander aimlessly every single day
Is truly an ill-omened curse
பசியில்.....சொல்லும்
கதையில் எல்லாம்
நாம்தானே
ருசியில் காணும்
நேரம் அது சேரும்
காலம்தான்
சிறப்பு ஆகும்
Definitely
வட கதை கேளு மகனே
நம்மை ஆளும் இந்த பணமே
நித்தம் மொத்தம் நம்மை அலைய விடும்
சனிதானே
I don't even have a single rupee, uncle
Look all around here
It drives people crazy and makes them dizzy
It is money itself
Definitely
Taking money distributed for votes
Stashing it in the pocket and standing
Male: Aha
ஒத்த ரூபா இல்லே மாமே
சுத்தி சுத்தி இங்க பாரேன்
பித்து புடிச்சிட்டு கிறங்க வைக்கும்
பணம் தானே
Searching for cash for the sake of property
Will wander around endlessly
Male: Aha
ஓட்டு போட்டா காச வங்கி
பையில போட்டு நின்னா
ஆஹான்
Cash and money are nowhere in sight
Slogging to death just to make a living
Has become the daily life
Like being told there is no chance
Like being forced to eat bitter neem leaves
Daily life has become a struggle
சோத்துக்காக காச தேடி
அலைஞ்சு போய் நிப்பன்
ஆஹான்
Very bad
ஆண்கள் :
ஓட்டு போட்டா காசு வங்கி
பையில போட்டு நின்னா
சோத்துக்காக காச தேடி
அலைஞ்சு போய் நிப்பன்
Looking at money bit by bit
Left deceived and stranded
Wads and wads of currency notes
Will dodge and play trickery
ஆண்கள் :
ஓட்டு போட்டா காசு வங்கி
பையில போட்டு நின்னா
சோத்துக்காக காச தேடி
அலைஞ்சு போய் நிப்பன்
Oh.. oh…..oh… oh….
Ah.. ah…..ah… ah…….
Oh.. oh…..oh… oh….
Ah.. ah…..ah… ah…….
காசு பணம் கண்ணுல காணோம்
செத்துதான் பொழைக்கும்
தினம் பொழப்பாச்சு
வாய்ப்பில்ல சொன்னாப்புல
வேப்பில தின்னாப்புல
தினம் பொழப்பு ஆள
வெரி பேட்
சொட்டு சொட்டா துட்ட பாத்து
மோசம் போயி நின்னா
கட்டு கட்டா நோட்டு கட்டு
டிமிக்கி குடுத்து நிப்பான்
ஆண்கள் :
சொட்டு சொட்டா துட்ட பாத்து
மோசம் போயி நின்னா
கட்டு கட்டா நோட்டு கட்டு
டிமிக்கி குடுத்து நிப்பான்
ஆண்கள் :
ஹேய் சொட்டு சொட்டா துட்ட பாத்து
மோசம் போயி நின்னா
கட்டு கட்டா நோட்டு கட்டு
டிமிக்கி குடுத்து நிப்பான்
ஓ.......ஓ.......ஓ.......ஓ.......
ஆ ஆ....ஆ......ஆ.....
ஓ.......ஓ.......ஓ.......ஓ.......
ஆ ஆ....ஆ......ஆ.....
…………………
Vada kadha kelu maganae
Listen to the tale, my son
Nammai aalum intha panamae
This money that rules over us
Nitham motham nammai alaya vidum
Which makes us wander aimlessly every single day
Sani thaanae
Is truly an ill-omened curse
Otha roopa illae mamae
I don't even have a single rupee, uncle
Suthi suthi inga paren
Look all around here
Pithu pudichitu kiranga veikkum
It drives people crazy and makes them dizzy
Panam thaanae
It is money itself
Aama aama
Yes, yes
Niranja vayir ellam
The stomachs that are already full
Melum melum nirayuthunga
Keep getting filled even more
Kizhinja kantha thuni
The torn, tattered clothes
Melum melum kizhiyuthu
Get torn even further
Oorae mela aapu
A trap set over the whole town
Pala palanu jolikuthunga
Shining bright and glittery
Koora veettukulla
Inside the thatched hut
Velicham kooda iruttudhu
Even light turns into darkness
…………………………
Sottu sootah dhuttah paathu
Looking at money bit by bit
Mosam poi ninna
Left deceived and stranded
Kattu kattah notu kattu
Wads and wads of currency notes
Dimiki kuduthu nippaan
Will dodge and play trickery
Panamum pennum
Money and women
Othumai kannum
And the eye of unity
Pudikathaan nenachaalae
If you try to chase and catch them
Bulb aachu
You will end up getting tricked
Kaanu jaada
A wink of the eye
Dhuttu vaada
The scent of cash
Namukunnu ezhuthatha
What wasn't written for us
Vidhi aachu
Has become our destiny
Pasiyil… sollum..
In hunger... told..
Kathayil ellaam…
In all those stories...
Naam thaanae..
Is it just us?..
Rusiyil.. kaanum..
In taste.. that is seen..
Neram athu serum
The right time will arrive
Kaalam thaan
Time itself
Sirapu aagum
Will become magnificent
Vada kadha kelu maganae
Listen to the tale, my son
Nammai aalum intha panamae
This money that rules over us
Nitham motham nammai alaya vidum
Which makes us wander aimlessly every single day
Sani thaanae
Is truly an ill-omened curse
Definitely
Definitely
Otha roopa illae mamae
I don't even have a single rupee, uncle
Suthi suthi inga paren
Look all around here
Pithu pudichitu kiranga veikkum
It drives people crazy and makes them dizzy
Panam thaanae
It is money itself
Vote-uh potta kaasa vangi
Taking money distributed for votes
Payila pottu ninna
Stashing it in the pocket and standing
Male :Ahaan
Male: Aha
Sothu kaaga kaasa thaedi
Searching for cash for the sake of property
Alanju poi nippaan
Will wander around endlessly
Male :Ahaan
Male: Aha
Kaasu panam kannula kanom
Cash and money are nowhere in sight
Sethu thaan polaikum
Slogging to death just to make a living
Dhinam polapu aachu
Has become the daily life
Vaipilla sonnapula
Like being told there is no chance
Vepilla thinnapula
Like being forced to eat bitter neem leaves
Dhinam polappu aala
Daily life has become a struggle
Very bad
Very bad
Sottu sootah dhuttah paathu
Looking at money bit by bit
Mosam poi ninna
Left deceived and stranded
Kattu kattah notu kattu
Wads and wads of currency notes
Dimiki kuduthu nippaan
Will dodge and play trickery
Oh.. oh…..oh… oh….
Oh.. oh…..oh… oh….
Ah.. ah…..ah… ah…….
Ah.. ah…..ah… ah…….
Oh.. oh…..oh… oh….
Oh.. oh…..oh… oh….
Ah.. ah…..ah… ah…….
Ah.. ah…..ah… ah…….
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Vada Kadha Kelu Maganae' from 'Monkey Donkey' is a sharp, satirical commentary on the destructive power of money in modern society and the widening divide between the rich and the poor. The lyrics lament how money acts as a puppet master driving people mad, forcing the poor into relentless daily struggles while the rich continue to accumulate wealth effortlessly. It addresses systemic issues such as cash-for-votes, political corruption, greed for property, and the hopeless plight of the underprivileged whose basic survival feels like eating bitter neem leaves. Despite the somber theme of poverty and deceit, the song carries a gritty, rhythmic Gaana tone with colloquial Chennai Tamil slang. It balances philosophical cynicism about fate ('Vidhi') with an underlying flicker of hope that time will eventually bring better days for those who endure.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Ethukai (Second Letter Rhyming)
“Niranja vayir ellam / Kizhinja kantha thuni”
The second consonant 'ri' matches in 'Niranja' and 'Kizhinja'.
Iyaibu (End Rhyme)
“Melum melum nirayuthunga / Pala palanu jolikuthunga”
The ending suffix '-uthunga' rhymes across lines 12 and 16.
Adukkuthodar (Repetitive Words for Emphasis)
“Melum melum nirayuthunga”
Words like 'Melum melum' (more and more) and 'Suthi suthi' (around and around) are repeated to heighten the intensity.
Monae (First Letter Alliteration)
“Sottu sootah dhuttah paathu”
Alliteration of the initial consonant 'S' in 'Sottu sootah'.
Paradox / Hyperbole
“Velicham kooda iruttudhu”
The expression 'Even light turns into darkness inside a thatched hut' uses paradox to highlight extreme poverty.
Did you know?
Trivia
Written by lyricist Sangeeth Ravindran, the song utilizes local Chennai street slang (e.g., 'Aapu', 'Dimiki', 'Bulb aachu') combined with English urbanisms like 'Definitely' and 'Very bad' to bring a humorous yet realistic bite to its socio-political commentary.
Keep listening
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