Vettuna Thappu Illa
From Ullathil Nalla Ullam · 1988
- Lyricist
- Gangai Amaran
- Singer
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Music director
- Gangai Amaran
- Details
- Ullathil Nalla Ullam1988
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Vettuna thappu illa kuthuna kuthamilla | It is no fault to cut, no crime to stab, |
| Ippathaan vekkamilla paappa | Only now there is no shame, little one. |
| Vettuna thappu illa kuthuna kuthamilla | It is no fault to cut, no crime to stab, |
| Ippathaan vekkamilla paappa | Only now there is no shame, little one. |
| Male | |
| Naan yokkiyana vaazhnthirunthu laabam illa | There is no gain in living as an honest man, |
| Siru pillaiyidhu sirichirukku thappu senja paavamilla | This child is smiling, there is no sin in committing wrong. |
| Vettuna thappu illa kuthuna kuthamilla | It is no fault to cut, no crime to stab, |
| Ippathaan vekkamilla paappa hae | Only now there is no shame, little one, hae! |
| Vettuna thappu illa kuthuna kuthamilla | It is no fault to cut, no crime to stab, |
| Ippathaan vekkamilla paappa | Only now there is no shame, little one. |
| Chorus | |
| ……………………….. | |
| Male | |
| Padichu padichu puthiya sonnalum | Even if explained repeatedly with wisdom, |
| Ketta yaarum thirunthavillai | No corrupt person has reformed upon hearing it. |
| Adichu adichu potta pinnala | Only after being repeatedly thrashed, |
| Adangi pogum nilamai ingae | A subdued state takes over here. |
| Male | |
| Thavaru seiyaadha aalunga illai | There are no people who have never made a mistake, |
| Thappu seiyaadha oorumillai hahaan | There is no town without wrongdoing, haha! |
| Vazhiya sonnalum povadhum illai | Even if shown the path, they will not walk it, |
| Kaadhil veredhum yeravilali | Nothing else enters their ears. |
| Male | |
| Idu maarama ponakka aa aa | If this goes on without changing, ah ah, |
| Idhu maarama ponakka | If this goes on without changing, |
| Ooredhu per yedhu neeyum naanum yedhu | What town, what name, what about you and me? |
| Yarumilla hoi | There is nobody, hoi! |
| Male | |
| Vettuna thappu illa kuthuna kuthamilla | It is no fault to cut, no crime to stab, |
| Ippathaan vekkamilla paappa | Only now there is no shame, little one. |
| Vettuna thappu illa kuthuna kuthamilla | It is no fault to cut, no crime to stab, |
| Ippathaan vekkamilla paappa | Only now there is no shame, little one. |
| Naan yokkiyana vaazhnthirunthu laabam illa | There is no gain in living as an honest man, |
| Siru pillaiyidhu sirichirukku thappu senja paavamilla | This child is smiling, there is no sin in committing wrong. |
| Male | |
| Vettuna thappu illa kuthuna kuthamilla | It is no fault to cut, no crime to stab, |
| Ippathaan vekkamilla paappa | Only now there is no shame, little one. |
| Vettuna thappu illa kuthuna kuthamilla | It is no fault to cut, no crime to stab, |
| Ippathaan vekkamilla paappa papa pa pa papa | Only now there is no shame, little one, papa pa pa papa. |
| Chorus | |
| …………………….. | |
| Male | |
| Gaandhi sonna buthiyaiyum kettom | We heard the wisdom spoken by Gandhi, |
| Kettu ahimsaiyai pudichoma | Having heard it, did we truly embrace non-violence? |
| Sathiya sodhanai puthagatha vaangi | Buying the book 'The Story of My Experiments with Truth', |
| Sathiyama yaarum padichoma | Did anyone truthfully read it? |
| Male | |
| Uyiru pala thandhu suthanthiram vaangi | Sacrificing many lives to win freedom, |
| Oorukkullara koduthomaa | Did we truly deliver it to the people in our towns? |
| Vayiru kaayama ezhainga veeta | Without letting the stomachs of the poor starve, |
| Varumai illama thaduthoma | Did we prevent poverty from invading homes? |
| Male | |
| Idhu aagathappa…aaa… | This won't work out, man... aaa... |
| Idhu aagathappa kelu aaraichi venamappa | This won't work out, listen, no need for deep research, man, |
| Kaiya melae thookku paavamilla aaaan | Raise your hands up, there is no sin, ahhh! |
| Male | |
| Vettuna thappu illa kuthuna kuthamilla | It is no fault to cut, no crime to stab, |
| Ippathaan vekkamilla paappa | Only now there is no shame, little one. |
| Vettuna thappu illa kuthuna kuthamilla | It is no fault to cut, no crime to stab, |
| Ippathaan vekkamilla paappa | Only now there is no shame, little one. |
| Naan yokkiyana vaazhnthirunthu laabam illa | There is no gain in living as an honest man, |
| Siru pillaiyidhu sirichirukku thappu senja paavamilla | This child is smiling, there is no sin in committing wrong. |
| Male | |
| Vettuna thappu illa kuthuna kuthamilla | It is no fault to cut, no crime to stab, |
| Ippathaan vekkamilla paappa haan | Only now there is no shame, little one, haan! |
| Male & Chorus :………………………. | |
வெட்டுனா தப்பு இல்ல குத்துனா குத்தமில்ல
இப்பத்தான் வெக்கமில்ல பாப்பா
வெட்டுனா தப்பு இல்ல குத்துனா குத்தமில்ல
இப்பத்தான் வெக்கமில்ல பாப்பா
It is no fault to cut, no crime to stab,
Only now there is no shame, little one.
It is no fault to cut, no crime to stab,
Only now there is no shame, little one.
நான் யோக்கியனா வாழ்ந்திருந்து லாபமில்ல
சிறுப் பிள்ளையிது சிரிச்சிருக்க
தப்பு செஞ்சா பாவமில்ல
There is no gain in living as an honest man,
This child is smiling, there is no sin in committing wrong.
It is no fault to cut, no crime to stab,
Only now there is no shame, little one, hae!
It is no fault to cut, no crime to stab,
Only now there is no shame, little one.
வெட்டுனா தப்பு இல்ல குத்துனா குத்தமில்ல
இப்பத்தான் வெக்கமில்ல பாப்பா ஹே
வெட்டுனா தப்பு இல்ல குத்துனா குத்தமில்ல
இப்பத்தான் வெக்கமில்ல பாப்பா
............................
Even if explained repeatedly with wisdom,
No corrupt person has reformed upon hearing it.
Only after being repeatedly thrashed,
A subdued state takes over here.
படிச்சு படிச்சு புத்திய சொன்னாலும்
கேட்ட யாரும் திருந்தவில்லை
அடிச்சு அடிச்சு போட்டப் பின்னால
அடங்கி போகும் நிலைமை இங்கே
There are no people who have never made a mistake,
There is no town without wrongdoing, haha!
Even if shown the path, they will not walk it,
Nothing else enters their ears.
தவற செய்யாத ஆளுங்க இல்லை
தப்பு செய்யாத ஊருமில்ல ஹாஹ்ங்
வழியச் சொன்னாலும் போவதுமில்ல
காதில் வேறேதும் ஏறவில்ல
If this goes on without changing, ah ah,
If this goes on without changing,
What town, what name, what about you and me?
There is nobody, hoi!
இது மாறாமப் போனாக்க....ஆஆ...
இது மாறாமப் போனாக்க
ஊரேது பேரேது நீயும் நானும் ஏது
யாருமில்ல...ஹோய்.....
It is no fault to cut, no crime to stab,
Only now there is no shame, little one.
It is no fault to cut, no crime to stab,
Only now there is no shame, little one.
There is no gain in living as an honest man,
This child is smiling, there is no sin in committing wrong.
வெட்டுனா தப்பு இல்ல குத்துனா குத்தமில்ல
இப்பத்தான் வெக்கமில்ல பாப்பா
வெட்டுனா தப்பு இல்ல குத்துனா குத்தமில்ல
இப்பத்தான் வெக்கமில்ல பாப்பா
நான் யோக்கியனா வாழ்ந்திருந்து லாபமில்ல
சிறுப் பிள்ளையிது சிரிச்சிருக்க
தப்பு செஞ்சா பாவமில்ல
It is no fault to cut, no crime to stab,
Only now there is no shame, little one.
It is no fault to cut, no crime to stab,
Only now there is no shame, little one, papa pa pa papa.
வெட்டுனா தப்பு இல்ல குத்துனா குத்தமில்ல
இப்பத்தான் வெக்கமில்ல பாப்பா
வெட்டுனா தப்பு இல்ல குத்துனா குத்தமில்ல
இப்பத்தான் வெக்கமில்ல பாப்பா பா பா பா பா பா பா
................................
We heard the wisdom spoken by Gandhi,
Having heard it, did we truly embrace non-violence?
Buying the book 'The Story of My Experiments with Truth',
Did anyone truthfully read it?
காந்தி சொன்ன புத்தியையும் கேட்டோம்
கேட்டு அஹிம்சைய புடிச்சோமா
சத்திய சோதன புத்தகத்த வாங்கி
சத்தியமா யாரும் படிச்சோமா
Sacrificing many lives to win freedom,
Did we truly deliver it to the people in our towns?
Without letting the stomachs of the poor starve,
Did we prevent poverty from invading homes?
உயிரு பல தந்து சுதந்திரம் வாங்கி
ஊருக்குள்ளத்தான் கொடுத்தோமா
வயிறு காயாம ஏழைங்க வீட்ட
வறுமை இல்லாம தடுத்தோமா
This won't work out, man... aaa...
This won't work out, listen, no need for deep research, man,
Raise your hands up, there is no sin, ahhh!
இது ஆகாதப்பா.....ஆஆஆ.....
இது ஆகாதப்பா கேளு ஆராய்ச்சி வேணாம்பா
கைய மேலே தூக்கு பாவமில்ல ஆஹாங்...
It is no fault to cut, no crime to stab,
Only now there is no shame, little one.
It is no fault to cut, no crime to stab,
Only now there is no shame, little one.
There is no gain in living as an honest man,
This child is smiling, there is no sin in committing wrong.
வெட்டுனா தப்பு இல்ல குத்துனா குத்தமில்ல
இப்பத்தான் வெக்கமில்ல பாப்பா
வெட்டுனா தப்பு இல்ல குத்துனா குத்தமில்ல
இப்பத்தான் வெக்கமில்ல பாப்பா
நான் யோக்கியனா வாழ்ந்திருந்து லாபமில்ல
சிறுப் பிள்ளையிது சிரிச்சிருக்க
தப்பு செஞ்சா பாவமில்ல
It is no fault to cut, no crime to stab,
Only now there is no shame, little one, haan!
வெட்டுனா தப்பு இல்ல குத்துனா குத்தமில்ல
இப்பத்தான் வெக்கமில்ல பாப்பா
ஆண் மற்றும் குழு :
லாலலலல்லா......லலலல்லா....
Vettuna thappu illa kuthuna kuthamilla
It is no fault to cut, no crime to stab,
Ippathaan vekkamilla paappa
Only now there is no shame, little one.
Vettuna thappu illa kuthuna kuthamilla
It is no fault to cut, no crime to stab,
Ippathaan vekkamilla paappa
Only now there is no shame, little one.
Naan yokkiyana vaazhnthirunthu laabam illa
There is no gain in living as an honest man,
Siru pillaiyidhu sirichirukku thappu senja paavamilla
This child is smiling, there is no sin in committing wrong.
Vettuna thappu illa kuthuna kuthamilla
It is no fault to cut, no crime to stab,
Ippathaan vekkamilla paappa hae
Only now there is no shame, little one, hae!
Vettuna thappu illa kuthuna kuthamilla
It is no fault to cut, no crime to stab,
Ippathaan vekkamilla paappa
Only now there is no shame, little one.
………………………..
Padichu padichu puthiya sonnalum
Even if explained repeatedly with wisdom,
Ketta yaarum thirunthavillai
No corrupt person has reformed upon hearing it.
Adichu adichu potta pinnala
Only after being repeatedly thrashed,
Adangi pogum nilamai ingae
A subdued state takes over here.
Thavaru seiyaadha aalunga illai
There are no people who have never made a mistake,
Thappu seiyaadha oorumillai hahaan
There is no town without wrongdoing, haha!
Vazhiya sonnalum povadhum illai
Even if shown the path, they will not walk it,
Kaadhil veredhum yeravilali
Nothing else enters their ears.
Idu maarama ponakka aa aa
If this goes on without changing, ah ah,
Idhu maarama ponakka
If this goes on without changing,
Ooredhu per yedhu neeyum naanum yedhu
What town, what name, what about you and me?
Yarumilla hoi
There is nobody, hoi!
Vettuna thappu illa kuthuna kuthamilla
It is no fault to cut, no crime to stab,
Ippathaan vekkamilla paappa
Only now there is no shame, little one.
Vettuna thappu illa kuthuna kuthamilla
It is no fault to cut, no crime to stab,
Ippathaan vekkamilla paappa
Only now there is no shame, little one.
Naan yokkiyana vaazhnthirunthu laabam illa
There is no gain in living as an honest man,
Siru pillaiyidhu sirichirukku thappu senja paavamilla
This child is smiling, there is no sin in committing wrong.
Vettuna thappu illa kuthuna kuthamilla
It is no fault to cut, no crime to stab,
Ippathaan vekkamilla paappa
Only now there is no shame, little one.
Vettuna thappu illa kuthuna kuthamilla
It is no fault to cut, no crime to stab,
Ippathaan vekkamilla paappa papa pa pa papa
Only now there is no shame, little one, papa pa pa papa.
……………………..
Gaandhi sonna buthiyaiyum kettom
We heard the wisdom spoken by Gandhi,
Kettu ahimsaiyai pudichoma
Having heard it, did we truly embrace non-violence?
Sathiya sodhanai puthagatha vaangi
Buying the book 'The Story of My Experiments with Truth',
Sathiyama yaarum padichoma
Did anyone truthfully read it?
Uyiru pala thandhu suthanthiram vaangi
Sacrificing many lives to win freedom,
Oorukkullara koduthomaa
Did we truly deliver it to the people in our towns?
Vayiru kaayama ezhainga veeta
Without letting the stomachs of the poor starve,
Varumai illama thaduthoma
Did we prevent poverty from invading homes?
Idhu aagathappa…aaa…
This won't work out, man... aaa...
Idhu aagathappa kelu aaraichi venamappa
This won't work out, listen, no need for deep research, man,
Kaiya melae thookku paavamilla aaaan
Raise your hands up, there is no sin, ahhh!
Vettuna thappu illa kuthuna kuthamilla
It is no fault to cut, no crime to stab,
Ippathaan vekkamilla paappa
Only now there is no shame, little one.
Vettuna thappu illa kuthuna kuthamilla
It is no fault to cut, no crime to stab,
Ippathaan vekkamilla paappa
Only now there is no shame, little one.
Naan yokkiyana vaazhnthirunthu laabam illa
There is no gain in living as an honest man,
Siru pillaiyidhu sirichirukku thappu senja paavamilla
This child is smiling, there is no sin in committing wrong.
Vettuna thappu illa kuthuna kuthamilla
It is no fault to cut, no crime to stab,
Ippathaan vekkamilla paappa haan
Only now there is no shame, little one, haan!
Male & Chorus :……………………….
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song from 'Ullathil Nalla Ullam' (1988) presents a cynical and satirical commentary on society's moral degradation and hypocrisy. The protagonist sarcastically argues that in a world where corruption and dishonesty thrive without consequence, remaining righteous yields no practical benefit. The lyrics lament that moral advice is ignored until force is applied, and that societal ideals like Gandhian non-violence and equality are preached far more than practiced.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Second-letter rhyme)
“Padichu padichu puthiya sonnalum / Adichu adichu potta pinnala”
Matching second consonants across lines, such as 'Vettuna' and 'Ippathaan' or 'Padichu' and 'Adichu'.
Monaai (Alliteration)
“Sathiya sodhanai puthagatha vaangi / Sathiyama yaarum padichoma”
Repetition of initial consonant sounds within the same line, such as 'Sathiya' and 'Sathiyama'.
Irony and Satire
“Vettuna thappu illa kuthuna kuthamilla”
The lyrics use reverse psychology and sarcasm ('no fault to cut, no crime to stab') to criticize real-world moral collapse.
Rhetorical Questioning
“Uyiru pala thandhu suthanthiram vaangi / Oorukkullara koduthomaa”
Asking questions to expose societal failures rather than seeking direct answers.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Ullathil Nalla Ullam' (1988) features music composed by Gangai Amaran, who also penned the lyrics for this track. Sung energetically by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, the song shares its title with the classic song from the 1964 epic movie 'Karnan', though this 1988 song is a contemporary social satire.
Keep listening
More from Ullathil Nalla Ullam
Ullathil Nalla Ullam
Ullathil Nalla Ullam
Ullathil Nalla Ullam
Ullathil Nalla Ullam