Varavu Ettana
From Bama Vijayam · 1967
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singers
- T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela, L. R. Eswari
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Bama Vijayam1967
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Varavu ettanaa | Income is eight annas |
| Selavu pathanaa | Expense is ten annas |
| Adhigam rendanaa | The excess spending is two annas |
| Kadaisiyil thundhanaa.. | In the end, it results in a deficit! |
| Chorus | |
| Varavu ettanaa | Income is eight annas |
| Selavu pathanaa | Expense is ten annas |
| Adhigam rendanaa | The excess spending is two annas |
| Kadaisiyil thundhanaa.. | In the end, it results in a deficit! |
| Thundhanaa thundhanaa..aaa | Deficit, deficit... ah |
| Male | |
| One two three four | One two three four |
| Five six seven eight hmm.. | Five six seven eight hmm.. |
| Chorus | |
| Varavu ettanaa | Income is eight annas |
| Selavu pathanaa | Expense is ten annas |
| Adhigam rendanaa | The excess spending is two annas |
| Kadaisiyil thundhanaa.. | In the end, it results in a deficit! |
| Thundhanaa thundhanaa..aaa | Deficit, deficit... ah |
| Chorus | |
| Thiraimaiku mele ninaipu vandhaal | If expectations exceed capability |
| Nimmadhi irukaadhu | There will be no peace of mind |
| Aiyaa nimmadhi irukaadhu | Sir, there will be no peace of mind |
| Alavuku mele aasai vandhaal | If desires exceed limits |
| Ulladhum nilaikaadhu | Even existing possessions will be lost |
| Amma ulladhum nilaikaadhu | Madam, even existing possessions will be lost |
| Female | |
| Vayasukumelae ulagathil ulla | For elderly people, good things in this world |
| Nalladhu pidikaadhu | Will no longer be appealing |
| Maama nalladhu pidikaadhu | Uncle, they will not like good things |
| Female Chorus :Vayasukumelae ulagathil ulla | Female Chorus: For elderly people, good things in this world |
| Nalladhu pidikaadhu | Will no longer be appealing |
| Maama nalladhu pidikaadhu | Uncle, they will not like good things |
| Male | |
| Vayasu pillaigal pudhusaa perusaa | When young children live lavishly and in new ways |
| Vaazhvadhu porukaadhu | The elders cannot tolerate it |
| Appa vaazhvadhu porukaadhu | Father, they cannot tolerate it |
| Male Chorus :Vayasu pillaigal pudhusaa perusaa | Male Chorus: When young children live lavishly and in new ways |
| Vaazhvadhu porukaadhu | The elders cannot tolerate it |
| Appa vaazhvadhu porukaadhu | Father, they cannot tolerate it |
| Male | |
| Vaadagai sobaa | A rented sofa |
| Male :Iruvadhu roobaa | Male: Costs twenty rupees |
| Male :Vilaiku vaanginaa | Male: If bought for ownership |
| Male :Muppadhe roobaa | Male: Costs thirty rupees |
| Chorus | |
| Vaadagai sobaa iruvadhu roobaa | A rented sofa costs twenty rupees |
| Vilaiku vaanginaa muppadhe roobaa | If bought for purchase, it is thirty rupees |
| Chorus | |
| Varavu ettanaa | Income is eight annas |
| Selavu pathanaa | Expense is ten annas |
| Adhigam rendanaa | The excess spending is two annas |
| Kadaisiyil thundhanaa.. | In the end, it results in a deficit! |
| Thundhanaa thundhanaa… | Deficit, deficit... |
| Male | |
| Adangaa manaivi adimai purushan | An unyielding wife and a subservient husband |
| Female | |
| Yaanaiyaipole ponaiyum thinaa | If a cat eats like an elephant |
| Jeeranamaagaadhu | It cannot digest it |
| Aiyaa jeeranamaagaadhu | Sir, it cannot digest it |
| Chorus :Yaanaiyaipolae ponaiyum thinaa | Chorus: If a cat eats like an elephant |
| Male | |
| Pachaikiligal parapadhai paarthaa | When seeing green parrots fly happily |
| Parundhuku pidikaadhu | The hawk will not like it |
| Appa parundhuku pidikaadhu | Father, the hawk will not like it |
| Male Chorus :Pachaikiligal parapadhai paarthaa | Male Chorus: When seeing green parrots fly happily |
| Parudhuku pidikaadhu | The hawk will not like it |
| Appa parundhuku pidikaadhu | Father, the hawk will not like it |
| Female | |
| Panathai paarthal gowravam enbadhu | When greed for money takes over, honor and dignity |
| Marundhukum irukaadhu | Will not exist even for namesake |
| Maama marundhukum irukaadhu | Uncle, will not exist even for namesake |
| Female Chorus :Panathai paarthal gowravam enbadhu | Female Chorus: When greed for money takes over, honor and dignity |
| Marundhukum irukaadhu | Will not exist even for namesake |
| Maama marundhukum irukaadhu | Uncle, will not exist even for namesake |
| Male | |
| Thangasangili iraval vaagunaa | If a borrowed gold chain |
| Thavari pochunaa | Gets misplaced or lost |
| Thagidathandhanaa | It turns into total chaotic trouble |
| Male | |
| Ho ho ho | Ho ho ho |
| Appa haan haan haan | Father haan haan haan |
| Male | |
| Baamavijayam krishnanukaaga | Bama Vijayam (the arrival of Satyabhama) was for Lord Krishna |
| Inge edhukaaga | Why is it occurring here? |
| Chorus :Baamavijayam krishnanukaaga | Chorus: Bama Vijayam was for Lord Krishna |
| Ingae edhukaaga | Why is it occurring here? |
| Amma ingae edhukaaga | Madam, why is it occurring here? |
| Male | |
| Maadhargal ellaam kannigalaaga | If all women wish to remain maidens forever |
| Maranam adhukaaga | Then human death would be the only outcome |
| Appa maranam adhukaaga | Father, death would be the outcome |
| Female | |
| Kannigalaaga vaazhanum endraal | If women want to live as maidens forever |
| Pillaigal edhukaaga | Then why give birth to children? |
| Aiyaa pillaigal edhukaaga | Sir, why have children? |
| Male | |
| Kaadhal seidha paavathukaaga | For the sin of having fallen in love |
| Verae edhukaaga | Why else? |
| Appa verae edhukaaga | Father, why else? |
| Male | |
| Pataal theriyum pazhasum pudhusum | Only upon suffering consequences will old and new truths be realized |
| Kettaal theriyum kelviyum badhilum | Only upon asking will questions and answers be understood |
| Chorus | |
| Varavu ettanaa | Income is eight annas |
| Selavu pathanaa | Expense is ten annas |
| Adhigam rendanaa | The excess spending is two annas |
| Kadaisiyil thundhanaa.. | In the end, it results in a deficit! |
| Thundhanaa thundhanaa…aa | Deficit, deficit... ah |
வரவு எட்டணா
செலவு பத்தணா
அதிகம் ரெண்டனா
கடைசியில்
துந்தனா துந்தனா துந்தனா
Income is eight annas
Expense is ten annas
The excess spending is two annas
In the end, it results in a deficit!
வரவு எட்டணா
செலவு பத்தணா
அதிகம் ரெண்டனா
கடைசியில்
துந்தனா துந்தனா துந்தனா
Income is eight annas
Expense is ten annas
The excess spending is two annas
In the end, it results in a deficit!
Deficit, deficit... ah
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 ம்...
One two three four
Five six seven eight hmm..
வரவு எட்டணா
செலவு பத்தணா
அதிகம் ரெண்டனா
கடைசியில்
துந்தனா துந்தனா துந்தனா
Income is eight annas
Expense is ten annas
The excess spending is two annas
In the end, it results in a deficit!
Deficit, deficit... ah
நிலைமைக்கு மேலே
நினைப்பு வந்தால்
நிம்மதி இருக்காது
அய்யா நிம்மதி இருக்காது
அளவுக்கு மேலே
ஆசையும் வந்தால்
உள்ளதும் நிலைக்காது
அம்மா உள்ளதும் நிலைக்காது
If expectations exceed capability
There will be no peace of mind
Sir, there will be no peace of mind
If desires exceed limits
Even existing possessions will be lost
Madam, even existing possessions will be lost
வயசுக்கு மேலே உலகத்தில் உள்ள
நல்லது பிடிக்காது
மாமா நல்லது பிடிக்காது
For elderly people, good things in this world
Will no longer be appealing
Uncle, they will not like good things
Female Chorus: For elderly people, good things in this world
Will no longer be appealing
Uncle, they will not like good things
பெண்கள் :
வயசுக்கு மேலே உலகத்தில் உள்ள
நல்லது பிடிக்காது
மாமா நல்லது பிடிக்காது
When young children live lavishly and in new ways
The elders cannot tolerate it
Father, they cannot tolerate it
Male Chorus: When young children live lavishly and in new ways
The elders cannot tolerate it
Father, they cannot tolerate it
வயசு பிள்ளைகள் புதுசா பெருசா
வாழ்வது பொறுக்காது
அப்பா வாழ்வது பொறுக்காது
A rented sofa
Male: Costs twenty rupees
Male: If bought for ownership
Male: Costs thirty rupees
ஆண்கள் :
வயசு பிள்ளைகள் புதுசா பெருசா
வாழ்வது பொறுக்காது
அப்பா வாழ்வது பொறுக்காது
A rented sofa costs twenty rupees
If bought for purchase, it is thirty rupees
வாடகை சோபா
20 ருபாய்
விலைக்கு வாங்கினா
30 தே ரூபா
Income is eight annas
Expense is ten annas
The excess spending is two annas
In the end, it results in a deficit!
Deficit, deficit...
வாடகை சோபா
20 ரூபா
விலைக்கு வாங்கினா
30 தே ரூபா
An unyielding wife and a subservient husband
வரவு எட்டணா
செலவு பத்தணா
அதிகம் ரெண்டனா
கடைசியில்
துந்தனா துந்தனா துந்தனா
If a cat eats like an elephant
It cannot digest it
Sir, it cannot digest it
Chorus: If a cat eats like an elephant
அடங்கா மனைவி
அடிமை புருஷன்
குடும்பத்துக்காகாது
When seeing green parrots fly happily
The hawk will not like it
Father, the hawk will not like it
Male Chorus: When seeing green parrots fly happily
The hawk will not like it
Father, the hawk will not like it
அடங்கா மனைவி
அடிமை புருஷன்
குடும்பத்துக்காகாது
அய்யா குடும்பத்துக்காகாது
When greed for money takes over, honor and dignity
Will not exist even for namesake
Uncle, will not exist even for namesake
Female Chorus: When greed for money takes over, honor and dignity
Will not exist even for namesake
Uncle, will not exist even for namesake
யானையை போலே பூனையும் தின்னா
ஜீரணமாகாது
அய்யா ஜீரணமாகாது
If a borrowed gold chain
Gets misplaced or lost
It turns into total chaotic trouble
யானையை போலே பூனையும் தின்னா
ஜீரணமாகாது
அய்யா ஜீரணமாகாது
Ho ho ho
Father haan haan haan
பச்சை கிளிகள் பறப்பதை பார்த்தால்
பருந்துக்கு பிடிக்காது
அப்பா பருந்துக்கு பிடிக்காது
Bama Vijayam (the arrival of Satyabhama) was for Lord Krishna
Why is it occurring here?
Chorus: Bama Vijayam was for Lord Krishna
Why is it occurring here?
Madam, why is it occurring here?
ஆண்கள் :
பச்சை கிளிகள் பறப்பதை பார்த்தால்
பருந்துக்கு பிடிக்காது
அப்பா பருந்துக்கு பிடிக்காது
If all women wish to remain maidens forever
Then human death would be the only outcome
Father, death would be the outcome
பணத்தை பார்த்தால் கௌரவம் என்பது
மருந்துக்கும் இருக்காது
மாமா மருந்துக்கும் இருக்காது
If women want to live as maidens forever
Then why give birth to children?
Sir, why have children?
பெண்கள் :
பணத்தை பார்த்தால் கௌரவம் என்பது
மருந்துக்கும் இருக்காது
மாமா மருந்துக்கும் இருக்காது
For the sin of having fallen in love
Why else?
Father, why else?
தங்க சங்கிலி இரவல் வாங்கினா
தவறி போச்சுன்னாதகிட தந்தன
Only upon suffering consequences will old and new truths be realized
Only upon asking will questions and answers be understood
பெண்கள் :
ஹோ ஹோ ஹோ மாமா
ஹே ஹே ஹே
Income is eight annas
Expense is ten annas
The excess spending is two annas
In the end, it results in a deficit!
Deficit, deficit... ah
ஆண்கள் :
ஹோ ஹோ ஹோ அப்பா
ஹே ஹே ஹே
பாமா விஜயம் கிருஷ்ணனுக்காக
இங்கே எதுக்காக
பாமா விஜயம் கிருஷ்ணனுக்காக
இங்கே எதுக்காக
அய்யா இங்கே எதுக்காக
மாதர்கள் எல்லாம் கன்னியராக
மாறனும் அதுக்காக
அப்பா வேறே எதுக்காக
கன்னியராக மாறனுமென்றால்
பிள்ளைகள் எதற்காக
அய்யா பிள்ளைகள் எதற்காக
காதல் செய்த பாவத்துக்காக
வேறே எதுக்காக
அப்பா வேறே எதுக்காக
பட்டால் தெரியும்
பழசும் புதுசும்
கேட்டால் தெரியும்
கேள்வியும் பதிலும்
வரவு எட்டணா
செலவு பத்தணா
அதிகம் ரெண்டனா
கடைசியில்
துந்தனா துந்தனா துந்தனா
ஆண் மற்றும் குழு :
வரவு எட்டணா
செலவு பத்தணா
அதிகம் ரெண்டனா
கடைசியில்
துந்தனா துந்தனா துந்தனா
Varavu ettanaa
Income is eight annas
Selavu pathanaa
Expense is ten annas
Adhigam rendanaa
The excess spending is two annas
Kadaisiyil thundhanaa..
In the end, it results in a deficit!
Varavu ettanaa
Income is eight annas
Selavu pathanaa
Expense is ten annas
Adhigam rendanaa
The excess spending is two annas
Kadaisiyil thundhanaa..
In the end, it results in a deficit!
Thundhanaa thundhanaa..aaa
Deficit, deficit... ah
One two three four
One two three four
Five six seven eight hmm..
Five six seven eight hmm..
Varavu ettanaa
Income is eight annas
Selavu pathanaa
Expense is ten annas
Adhigam rendanaa
The excess spending is two annas
Kadaisiyil thundhanaa..
In the end, it results in a deficit!
Thundhanaa thundhanaa..aaa
Deficit, deficit... ah
Thiraimaiku mele ninaipu vandhaal
If expectations exceed capability
Nimmadhi irukaadhu
There will be no peace of mind
Aiyaa nimmadhi irukaadhu
Sir, there will be no peace of mind
Alavuku mele aasai vandhaal
If desires exceed limits
Ulladhum nilaikaadhu
Even existing possessions will be lost
Amma ulladhum nilaikaadhu
Madam, even existing possessions will be lost
Vayasukumelae ulagathil ulla
For elderly people, good things in this world
Nalladhu pidikaadhu
Will no longer be appealing
Maama nalladhu pidikaadhu
Uncle, they will not like good things
Female Chorus :Vayasukumelae ulagathil ulla
Female Chorus: For elderly people, good things in this world
Nalladhu pidikaadhu
Will no longer be appealing
Maama nalladhu pidikaadhu
Uncle, they will not like good things
Vayasu pillaigal pudhusaa perusaa
When young children live lavishly and in new ways
Vaazhvadhu porukaadhu
The elders cannot tolerate it
Appa vaazhvadhu porukaadhu
Father, they cannot tolerate it
Male Chorus :Vayasu pillaigal pudhusaa perusaa
Male Chorus: When young children live lavishly and in new ways
Vaazhvadhu porukaadhu
The elders cannot tolerate it
Appa vaazhvadhu porukaadhu
Father, they cannot tolerate it
Vaadagai sobaa
A rented sofa
Male :Iruvadhu roobaa
Male: Costs twenty rupees
Male :Vilaiku vaanginaa
Male: If bought for ownership
Male :Muppadhe roobaa
Male: Costs thirty rupees
Vaadagai sobaa iruvadhu roobaa
A rented sofa costs twenty rupees
Vilaiku vaanginaa muppadhe roobaa
If bought for purchase, it is thirty rupees
Varavu ettanaa
Income is eight annas
Selavu pathanaa
Expense is ten annas
Adhigam rendanaa
The excess spending is two annas
Kadaisiyil thundhanaa..
In the end, it results in a deficit!
Thundhanaa thundhanaa…
Deficit, deficit...
Adangaa manaivi adimai purushan
An unyielding wife and a subservient husband
Yaanaiyaipole ponaiyum thinaa
If a cat eats like an elephant
Jeeranamaagaadhu
It cannot digest it
Aiyaa jeeranamaagaadhu
Sir, it cannot digest it
Chorus :Yaanaiyaipolae ponaiyum thinaa
Chorus: If a cat eats like an elephant
Pachaikiligal parapadhai paarthaa
When seeing green parrots fly happily
Parundhuku pidikaadhu
The hawk will not like it
Appa parundhuku pidikaadhu
Father, the hawk will not like it
Male Chorus :Pachaikiligal parapadhai paarthaa
Male Chorus: When seeing green parrots fly happily
Parudhuku pidikaadhu
The hawk will not like it
Appa parundhuku pidikaadhu
Father, the hawk will not like it
Panathai paarthal gowravam enbadhu
When greed for money takes over, honor and dignity
Marundhukum irukaadhu
Will not exist even for namesake
Maama marundhukum irukaadhu
Uncle, will not exist even for namesake
Female Chorus :Panathai paarthal gowravam enbadhu
Female Chorus: When greed for money takes over, honor and dignity
Marundhukum irukaadhu
Will not exist even for namesake
Maama marundhukum irukaadhu
Uncle, will not exist even for namesake
Thangasangili iraval vaagunaa
If a borrowed gold chain
Thavari pochunaa
Gets misplaced or lost
Thagidathandhanaa
It turns into total chaotic trouble
Ho ho ho
Ho ho ho
Appa haan haan haan
Father haan haan haan
Baamavijayam krishnanukaaga
Bama Vijayam (the arrival of Satyabhama) was for Lord Krishna
Inge edhukaaga
Why is it occurring here?
Chorus :Baamavijayam krishnanukaaga
Chorus: Bama Vijayam was for Lord Krishna
Ingae edhukaaga
Why is it occurring here?
Amma ingae edhukaaga
Madam, why is it occurring here?
Maadhargal ellaam kannigalaaga
If all women wish to remain maidens forever
Maranam adhukaaga
Then human death would be the only outcome
Appa maranam adhukaaga
Father, death would be the outcome
Kannigalaaga vaazhanum endraal
If women want to live as maidens forever
Pillaigal edhukaaga
Then why give birth to children?
Aiyaa pillaigal edhukaaga
Sir, why have children?
Kaadhal seidha paavathukaaga
For the sin of having fallen in love
Verae edhukaaga
Why else?
Appa verae edhukaaga
Father, why else?
Pataal theriyum pazhasum pudhusum
Only upon suffering consequences will old and new truths be realized
Kettaal theriyum kelviyum badhilum
Only upon asking will questions and answers be understood
Varavu ettanaa
Income is eight annas
Selavu pathanaa
Expense is ten annas
Adhigam rendanaa
The excess spending is two annas
Kadaisiyil thundhanaa..
In the end, it results in a deficit!
Thundhanaa thundhanaa…aa
Deficit, deficit... ah
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Varavu Ettanaa Selavu Pathanaa' is a classic satirical masterpiece written by Kannadasan for the 1967 film 'Bama Vijayam'. The song addresses middle-class financial mismanagement, vanity, pretension, and the foolishness of living beyond one's financial means. Through humorous analogies—such as renting expensive furniture to impress others or a cat trying to eat as much as an elephant—the song delivers a sharp social commentary on the hazards of false pride and uncontrolled spending. Ultimately, it serves as an enduring philosophical warning that living beyond one's earnings inevitably leads to loss of peace, dignity, and severe financial distress.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Rhyme (Ethukai / Monai)
“Pataal theriyum pazhasum pudhusum / Kettaal theriyum kelviyum badhilum”
The song heavily uses Tamil second-letter rhyming (Ethukai) and first-letter alliteration (Monai) for catchy rhythm, such as pairing 'Varavu' and 'Selavu', and 'Pataal' and 'Kettaal'.
Metaphor & Analogy
“Yaanaiyaipole ponaiyum thinaa / Jeeranamaagaadhu”
Kannadasan uses vivid metaphorical comparisons, comparing a small-income family attempting lavish living to a cat trying to eat an elephant's diet ('Yaanaiyaipole ponaiyum thinaa').
Refrain / Chorus Repetition
“Varavu ettanaa / Selavu pathanaa / Adhigam rendanaa / Kadaisiyil thundhanaa..”
The recurring refrain 'Varavu ettanaa selavu pathanaa' anchors the central financial theme throughout the song.
Did you know?
Trivia
The phrase 'Varavu Ettanaa Selavu Pathanaa' became an iconic Tamil cultural idiom representing budget deficits and spending beyond one's means. The song's massive popular success inspired a 1991 Hindi film titled 'Aamdani Atthanni Kharcha Rupaiya', which was directly themed around the financial struggles of middle-class families.
Keep listening
More from Bama Vijayam
Bama Vijayam
Bama Vijayam
Bama Vijayam