Velai Ilathavan
From Velaikaran · 1987
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Velai illaathavan dhaan | He is indeed unemployed, |
| Velai therinjavandhaan | Yet he is someone who knows his craft, |
| Veeramaana velaikkaaran | A courageous worker, |
| Vivagaaramaana velaikkaaran hei.. | A cunning and clever worker, hey! |
| Chorus | |
| Velai illaathavan dhaan | He is indeed unemployed, |
| Velai therinjavandhaan | Yet he is someone who knows his craft, |
| Veeramaana velaikkaaran | A courageous worker, |
| Vivagaaramaana velaikkaaran | A cunning and clever worker. |
| Male | |
| Yei..mothamaaga vandhaal | Hey.. if you all come as a crowd, |
| Adhai suthamaaga mudippen | I will finish it off completely and cleanly, |
| Verum saththam poda vendaam | Don't just make empty noise, |
| Ada oththaikku oththa vaadaa | Hey, come face me one-on-one! |
| Chorus | |
| Velai illaathavan dhaan | He is indeed unemployed, |
| Velai therinjavandhaan | Yet he is someone who knows his craft, |
| Veeramaana velaikkaaran | A courageous worker, |
| Vivagaaramaana velaikkaaran | A cunning and clever worker. |
| Male | |
| Padichaa pothuminnu | Do not think that merely studying, |
| Ninaikkaathappaa | Is enough, my man! |
| Ingae padichupputtu pattam vittaa | If you fly a kite after studying here, |
| Parakkaathappaa | It won't fly high, my man! |
| Male | |
| Ethirthu pattam vittaa | If anyone flies a kite opposing me, |
| Aruppenappaa | I will cut it down, my man! |
| Vandha evanodum mallukkatti | I will wrestle with anyone who comes at me, |
| Jeyippenappaa | And win against them, my man! |
| Male | |
| Kaalam namma kaiyila irukkudhu | Time is in our hands, |
| Kavalaigal yedhum kidaiyaadhu | There are no worries for us, |
| Ezhai enga vaazhkkaiyai yaarum | No one can auction away, |
| Yelam poda mudiyaadhu | The lives of us poor people! |
| Male | |
| Padichavandhaan vaangura pattamum | The degree earned by an educated man, |
| Chorus :Kaakithandhaan kaakithandhaan | Is just paper, just paper! |
| Male :Padikkaathavan vidura pattamum | And the kite flown by an uneducated man, |
| Chorus :Kaakithandhaan kaakithandhaan | Is also paper, just paper! |
| Male | |
| Puthagam ulladhu paiyila | The books are in the bag, |
| Antha vithaigal ulladhu kaiyila | But the true talents are in the hands, |
| Inga naan padippadhu | What I study here, |
| Manusanai thaandaa | Is human nature, my friend! |
| Chorus | |
| Velai illaathavan dhaan | He is indeed unemployed, |
| Velai therinjavandhaan | Yet he is someone who knows his craft, |
| Veeramaana velaikkaaran | A courageous worker, |
| Vivagaaramaana velaikkaaran | A cunning and clever worker. |
| Male | |
| Yei..mothamaaga vandhaal | Hey.. if you all come as a crowd, |
| Adhai suthamaaga mudippen | I will finish it off completely and cleanly, |
| Verum saththam poda vendaam | Don't just make empty noise, |
| Ada oththaikku oththa vaadaa | Hey, come face me one-on-one! |
| Chorus | |
| Velai illaathavan dhaan | He is indeed unemployed, |
| Velai therinjavandhaan | Yet he is someone who knows his craft, |
| Veeramaana velaikkaaran | A courageous worker, |
| Vivagaaramaana velaikkaaran | A cunning and clever worker. |
| Male | |
| Vivaram illaiyinnu | Don't laugh at me thinking, |
| Sirikkaathappaa | That I lack practical sense, my man! |
| Siru vilaiyaattu pillaiyinnu | Don't think of me as just, |
| Nenaikkaathappaa | A playful little child, my man! |
| Male | |
| Pirappae appaa ammaa | Is birth itself just a game, |
| Vilaiyaattappaa | Played by mother and father, my man? |
| Indha periyavanga seivathellaam | Are all the things these elders do, |
| Sariyaa thappaa | Right or wrong? |
| Male | |
| Kannaamoochi aattam nadakkudhu | A game of hide and seek is going on, |
| Kaanaama pochu nam dhesam | And our country has gone missing! |
| Medai pottu thedum thalaivarai | Look at the leaders being searched for on stage, |
| Paarunga ellaam poivesam | All of them are wearing false disguises! |
| Male | |
| Aarodura ottaththai paar | Look at the flow of the running river, |
| Chorus :Ottaththai paar ottaththai paar | Look at the flow, look at the flow! |
| Male :Adhu thaanae suthanthirandaa | Is that not true freedom, my friend? |
| Chorus :Suthanthirandaa suthanthirandaa | Is it freedom, is it freedom? |
| Male | |
| Vandha suthanthirandhaan | Where did that independence, |
| Ponadhu engae | Which came to us, go? |
| Sattamum pattamum vikkuthu ingae | Laws and degrees are being sold here, |
| Vikkira vaangara velai yenakkendaa | Why should I care about this buying and selling business? |
| Male | |
| Velai illaathavan dhaan | He is indeed unemployed, |
| Velai therinjavandhaan | Yet he is someone who knows his craft, |
| Veeramaana velaikkaaran | A courageous worker, |
| Vivagaaramaana velaikkaaran hei.. | A cunning and clever worker, hey! |
| Chorus | |
| Velai illaathavan dhaan | He is indeed unemployed, |
| Velai therinjavandhaan | Yet he is someone who knows his craft, |
| Veeramaana velaikkaaran | A courageous worker, |
| Vivagaaramaana velaikkaaran | A cunning and clever worker. |
| Male | |
| Yei..mothamaaga vandhaal | Hey.. if you all come as a crowd, |
| Adhai suthamaaga mudippen | I will finish it off completely and cleanly, |
| Verum saththam poda vendaam | Don't just make empty noise, |
| Ada oththaikku oththa vaadaa | Hey, come face me one-on-one! |
| Chorus | |
| Velai illaathavan dhaan | He is indeed unemployed, |
| Velai therinjavandhaan | Yet he is someone who knows his craft, |
| Veeramaana velaikkaaran | A courageous worker, |
| Vivagaaramaana velaikkaaran ..hoi | A cunning and clever worker ..hoi! |
வேலை இல்லாதவன்
தான் வேலை தெரிஞ்சவன்தான்
வீரமான வேலைக்காரன்
விவகாரமான வேலைக்காரன்
ஹேய்
He is indeed unemployed,
Yet he is someone who knows his craft,
A courageous worker,
A cunning and clever worker, hey!
வேலை இல்லாதவன்
தான் வேலை தெரிஞ்சவன்தான்
வீரமான வேலைக்காரன்
விவகாரமான வேலைக்காரன்
He is indeed unemployed,
Yet he is someone who knows his craft,
A courageous worker,
A cunning and clever worker.
ஏய்.. மொத்தமாக
வந்தால் அதை சுத்தமாக
முடிப்பேன் வெறும் சத்தம்
போட வேண்டாம் அட
ஒத்தைக்கு ஒத்த வாடா
Hey.. if you all come as a crowd,
I will finish it off completely and cleanly,
Don't just make empty noise,
Hey, come face me one-on-one!
வேலை இல்லாதவன்
தான் வேலை தெரிஞ்சவன்தான்
வீரமான வேலைக்காரன்
விவகாரமான வேலைக்காரன்
He is indeed unemployed,
Yet he is someone who knows his craft,
A courageous worker,
A cunning and clever worker.
படிச்சா போதுமின்னு
நினைக்காதப்பா இங்கே
படிச்சுப்புட்டு பட்டம் விட்டா
பறக்காதப்பா
Do not think that merely studying,
Is enough, my man!
If you fly a kite after studying here,
It won't fly high, my man!
எதிர்த்துப் பட்டம்
விட்டா அறுப்பேனப்பா
வந்த எவனோடும்
மல்லுக்கட்டி ஜெயிப்பேனப்பா
If anyone flies a kite opposing me,
I will cut it down, my man!
I will wrestle with anyone who comes at me,
And win against them, my man!
காலம் நம்ம
கையில இருக்குது
கவலைகள் ஏதும்
கிடையாது ஏழை எங்க
வாழ்க்கையை யாரும்
ஏலம் போட முடியாது
Time is in our hands,
There are no worries for us,
No one can auction away,
The lives of us poor people!
படிச்சவன்தான்
வாங்குற பட்டமும்
குழு :
காகிதந்தான்
காகிதந்தான்
படிக்காதவன்
விடுற பட்டமும்
குழு :
காகிதந்தான்
காகிதந்தான்
The degree earned by an educated man,
Is just paper, just paper!
And the kite flown by an uneducated man,
Is also paper, just paper!
புத்தகம் உள்ளது
பையில அந்த வித்தைகள்
உள்ளது கையில இங்க
நான் படிப்பது மனுசனைத்
தான்டா
The books are in the bag,
But the true talents are in the hands,
What I study here,
Is human nature, my friend!
வேலை இல்லாதவன்
தான் வேலை தெரிஞ்சவன்தான்
வீரமான வேலைக்காரன்
விவகாரமான வேலைக்காரன்
He is indeed unemployed,
Yet he is someone who knows his craft,
A courageous worker,
A cunning and clever worker.
ஏய்.. மொத்தமாக
வந்தால் அதை சுத்தமாக
முடிப்பேன் வெறும் சத்தம்
போட வேண்டாம் அட
ஒத்தைக்கு ஒத்த வாடா
Hey.. if you all come as a crowd,
I will finish it off completely and cleanly,
Don't just make empty noise,
Hey, come face me one-on-one!
வேலை இல்லாதவன்
தான் வேலை தெரிஞ்சவன்தான்
வீரமான வேலைக்காரன்
விவகாரமான வேலைக்காரன்
He is indeed unemployed,
Yet he is someone who knows his craft,
A courageous worker,
A cunning and clever worker.
விஷ்லிங் :
.........................
Don't laugh at me thinking,
That I lack practical sense, my man!
Don't think of me as just,
A playful little child, my man!
விவரம் இல்லையின்னு
சிரிக்காதப்பா சிறு விளையாட்டுப்
பிள்ளையின்னு நெனைக்காதப்பா
Is birth itself just a game,
Played by mother and father, my man?
Are all the things these elders do,
Right or wrong?
பிறப்பே அப்பா
அம்மா விளையாட்டப்பா
இந்த பெரியவங்க
செய்வதெல்லாம்
சரியா தப்பா
A game of hide and seek is going on,
And our country has gone missing!
Look at the leaders being searched for on stage,
All of them are wearing false disguises!
கண்ணாமூச்சி
ஆட்டம் நடக்குது
காணாமப் போச்சு நம்
தேசம் மேடை போட்டுத்
தேடும் தலைவரைப்
பாருங்க எல்லாம்
பொய்வேசம்
Look at the flow of the running river,
Look at the flow, look at the flow!
Is that not true freedom, my friend?
Is it freedom, is it freedom?
ஆறோடுற
ஓட்டத்தைப் பார்
குழு :
ஓட்டத்தைப்
பார் ஓட்டத்தைப் பார்
அது தானே
சுதந்திரன்டா
குழு :
சுதந்திரன்டா
சுதந்திரன்டா
Where did that independence,
Which came to us, go?
Laws and degrees are being sold here,
Why should I care about this buying and selling business?
வந்த சுதந்திரந்தான்
போனது எங்கே சட்டமும்
பட்டமும் விக்குது இங்கே
விக்கிற வாங்கற வேலை
எனக்கேன்டா
He is indeed unemployed,
Yet he is someone who knows his craft,
A courageous worker,
A cunning and clever worker, hey!
வேலை இல்லாதவன்
தான் வேலை தெரிஞ்சவன்தான்
வீரமான வேலைக்காரன்
விவகாரமான வேலைக்காரன்
ஹேய்
He is indeed unemployed,
Yet he is someone who knows his craft,
A courageous worker,
A cunning and clever worker.
வேலை இல்லாதவன்
தான் வேலை தெரிஞ்சவன்தான்
வீரமான வேலைக்காரன்
விவகாரமான வேலைக்காரன்
Hey.. if you all come as a crowd,
I will finish it off completely and cleanly,
Don't just make empty noise,
Hey, come face me one-on-one!
ஏய்.. மொத்தமாக
வந்தால் அதை சுத்தமாக
முடிப்பேன் வெறும் சத்தம்
போட வேண்டாம் அட
ஒத்தைக்கு ஒத்த வாடா
He is indeed unemployed,
Yet he is someone who knows his craft,
A courageous worker,
A cunning and clever worker ..hoi!
வேலை இல்லாதவன்
தான் வேலை தெரிஞ்சவன்தான்
வீரமான வேலைக்காரன்
விவகாரமான வேலைக்காரன்
ஹோய்
Velai illaathavan dhaan
He is indeed unemployed,
Velai therinjavandhaan
Yet he is someone who knows his craft,
Veeramaana velaikkaaran
A courageous worker,
Vivagaaramaana velaikkaaran hei..
A cunning and clever worker, hey!
Velai illaathavan dhaan
He is indeed unemployed,
Velai therinjavandhaan
Yet he is someone who knows his craft,
Veeramaana velaikkaaran
A courageous worker,
Vivagaaramaana velaikkaaran
A cunning and clever worker.
Yei..mothamaaga vandhaal
Hey.. if you all come as a crowd,
Adhai suthamaaga mudippen
I will finish it off completely and cleanly,
Verum saththam poda vendaam
Don't just make empty noise,
Ada oththaikku oththa vaadaa
Hey, come face me one-on-one!
Velai illaathavan dhaan
He is indeed unemployed,
Velai therinjavandhaan
Yet he is someone who knows his craft,
Veeramaana velaikkaaran
A courageous worker,
Vivagaaramaana velaikkaaran
A cunning and clever worker.
Padichaa pothuminnu
Do not think that merely studying,
Ninaikkaathappaa
Is enough, my man!
Ingae padichupputtu pattam vittaa
If you fly a kite after studying here,
Parakkaathappaa
It won't fly high, my man!
Ethirthu pattam vittaa
If anyone flies a kite opposing me,
Aruppenappaa
I will cut it down, my man!
Vandha evanodum mallukkatti
I will wrestle with anyone who comes at me,
Jeyippenappaa
And win against them, my man!
Kaalam namma kaiyila irukkudhu
Time is in our hands,
Kavalaigal yedhum kidaiyaadhu
There are no worries for us,
Ezhai enga vaazhkkaiyai yaarum
No one can auction away,
Yelam poda mudiyaadhu
The lives of us poor people!
Padichavandhaan vaangura pattamum
The degree earned by an educated man,
Chorus :Kaakithandhaan kaakithandhaan
Is just paper, just paper!
Male :Padikkaathavan vidura pattamum
And the kite flown by an uneducated man,
Chorus :Kaakithandhaan kaakithandhaan
Is also paper, just paper!
Puthagam ulladhu paiyila
The books are in the bag,
Antha vithaigal ulladhu kaiyila
But the true talents are in the hands,
Inga naan padippadhu
What I study here,
Manusanai thaandaa
Is human nature, my friend!
Velai illaathavan dhaan
He is indeed unemployed,
Velai therinjavandhaan
Yet he is someone who knows his craft,
Veeramaana velaikkaaran
A courageous worker,
Vivagaaramaana velaikkaaran
A cunning and clever worker.
Yei..mothamaaga vandhaal
Hey.. if you all come as a crowd,
Adhai suthamaaga mudippen
I will finish it off completely and cleanly,
Verum saththam poda vendaam
Don't just make empty noise,
Ada oththaikku oththa vaadaa
Hey, come face me one-on-one!
Velai illaathavan dhaan
He is indeed unemployed,
Velai therinjavandhaan
Yet he is someone who knows his craft,
Veeramaana velaikkaaran
A courageous worker,
Vivagaaramaana velaikkaaran
A cunning and clever worker.
Vivaram illaiyinnu
Don't laugh at me thinking,
Sirikkaathappaa
That I lack practical sense, my man!
Siru vilaiyaattu pillaiyinnu
Don't think of me as just,
Nenaikkaathappaa
A playful little child, my man!
Pirappae appaa ammaa
Is birth itself just a game,
Vilaiyaattappaa
Played by mother and father, my man?
Indha periyavanga seivathellaam
Are all the things these elders do,
Sariyaa thappaa
Right or wrong?
Kannaamoochi aattam nadakkudhu
A game of hide and seek is going on,
Kaanaama pochu nam dhesam
And our country has gone missing!
Medai pottu thedum thalaivarai
Look at the leaders being searched for on stage,
Paarunga ellaam poivesam
All of them are wearing false disguises!
Aarodura ottaththai paar
Look at the flow of the running river,
Chorus :Ottaththai paar ottaththai paar
Look at the flow, look at the flow!
Male :Adhu thaanae suthanthirandaa
Is that not true freedom, my friend?
Chorus :Suthanthirandaa suthanthirandaa
Is it freedom, is it freedom?
Vandha suthanthirandhaan
Where did that independence,
Ponadhu engae
Which came to us, go?
Sattamum pattamum vikkuthu ingae
Laws and degrees are being sold here,
Vikkira vaangara velai yenakkendaa
Why should I care about this buying and selling business?
Velai illaathavan dhaan
He is indeed unemployed,
Velai therinjavandhaan
Yet he is someone who knows his craft,
Veeramaana velaikkaaran
A courageous worker,
Vivagaaramaana velaikkaaran hei..
A cunning and clever worker, hey!
Velai illaathavan dhaan
He is indeed unemployed,
Velai therinjavandhaan
Yet he is someone who knows his craft,
Veeramaana velaikkaaran
A courageous worker,
Vivagaaramaana velaikkaaran
A cunning and clever worker.
Yei..mothamaaga vandhaal
Hey.. if you all come as a crowd,
Adhai suthamaaga mudippen
I will finish it off completely and cleanly,
Verum saththam poda vendaam
Don't just make empty noise,
Ada oththaikku oththa vaadaa
Hey, come face me one-on-one!
Velai illaathavan dhaan
He is indeed unemployed,
Velai therinjavandhaan
Yet he is someone who knows his craft,
Veeramaana velaikkaaran
A courageous worker,
Vivagaaramaana velaikkaaran ..hoi
A cunning and clever worker ..hoi!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Velai Illaathavan Dhaan' from Velaikaran (1987) is a high-energy, motivational mass track centered around the themes of self-reliance, practical wisdom, and social commentary. The protagonist, despite lacking formal employment or high academic qualifications, asserts his courage, sharp intellect, and capability to handle life's challenges. He critiques the superficiality of formal education degrees, comparing them to paper kites, and emphasizes that true wisdom comes from understanding human behavior and mastering practical skills.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Monaai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Veeramaana velaikkaaran / Vivagaaramaana velaikkaaran”
Repetition of initial consonant sounds ('v') across lines, creating a rhythmic driving cadence: 'Velai', 'Veeramaana', 'Vivagaaramaana'.
Metaphor
“Padichavandhaan vaangura pattamum / Chorus: Kaakithandhaan kaakithandhaan”
Comparing formal academic degrees to simple paper ('Kaakithandhaan') and comparing freedom to the uninhibited flow of a river ('Aarodura ottaththai paar... Adhu thaanae suthanthirandaa').
Ethukai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Padichaa pothuminnu / Ethirthu pattam vittaa”
Rhyming of the second letter across consecutive lines ('di' in Padichaa / Ethirthu, or 'ra' in Pirappae / Periyavanga).
Did you know?
Trivia
Although the song metadata lists unknown artists, Velaikaran (1987) was scored by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja. This song was famously rendered by singer Mano, marking one of his early breakout energetic tracks for Superstar Rajinikanth, establishing Mano as a prominent playback voice for Rajinikanth in the late 1980s.
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