Votu Kettu
From Seeman · 1994
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- Mano, T. L. Maharajan, Chorus
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Seeman1994
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Haa….aaa….aaa….aa….aa… | Ah... |
| Aaa….aaa….aa…aa…aa..a.a…aaa…aa… | Ah... |
| Haa…aa…aa…aa… | Ah... |
| Male | |
| Vote kaettu roattukku vandha annaachi | Big brother who came to the streets asking for votes, |
| Naethu potta aattangal ellaam ennaachu | What happened to all the antics you pulled yesterday? |
| Male | |
| Vote kaettu roattukku vandha annaachi | Big brother who came to the streets asking for votes, |
| Naethu potta aattangal ellaam ennaachu | What happened to all the antics you pulled yesterday? |
| Chorus | |
| Poster pottu ottattumaa naan annaachi | Shall I print and paste posters about your true colors, big brother? |
| Maedai maela edupadumaa ini un paechu | Will your speeches on stage hold any weight anymore? |
| Male | |
| Unnoda saedhi therinjadhum veedhi | Once the street learns the truth about you, |
| Kollunnu sirikkaadhaa | Won't the whole street burst out laughing hysterically? |
| Chorus | |
| Kazhudhaiyil yaethi karum pulli kuthi | Won't they seat you on a donkey, dot your face with black marks, |
| Oorgolam nadathaadhaa | And parade you around the town? |
| Male | |
| Vote kaettu roattukku vandha annaachi | Big brother who came to the streets asking for votes, |
| Naethu potta aattangal ellaam ennaachu | What happened to all the antics you pulled yesterday? |
| Male | |
| Amman koyil soora thaengaa vizhundhu porukkinae | You gathered shattered coconuts at the goddess temple, |
| Male | |
| Akkam pakkam veettil ellaam aadu thirudunae | You stole goats from all the neighboring houses, |
| Male | |
| Appo neeyum ezhu maasam kambi ennunae | Back then, you served seven months behind bars counting jail rods, |
| Male | |
| Buthan pola vaesham pottu fraud pannunae | Disguising yourself like Buddha, you committed fraud! |
| Male | |
| Adikkadi ingu paetta rowdiyaa | Weren't you a local hoodlum around here? |
| Adidhadi sanda pottadhillaiyaa | Haven't you frequently engaged in violent brawls? |
| Karukkalil dhinam paana paanaiyaa | Every dawn, pot after pot, |
| Kalakkala ingu kaaichavillaiyaa | Didn't you brew illicit liquor here? |
| Chorus | |
| Ragupathi raagava raajaa raam | "Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram..." |
| Patheetha paavana seethaa raam | "Patita Pavan Sita Ram..." |
| Chorus | |
| Thirudargal unai pol jeyichaa pochu | If thieves like you win elections, it's total ruin; |
| Dhinasari satta sabaiyil adidhadi thaan | Every single day there will only be violent brawls in the legislative assembly! |
| Male | |
| Vote kaettu roattukku vandha annaachi | Big brother who came to the streets asking for votes, |
| Naethu potta aattangal ellaam ennaachu | What happened to all the antics you pulled yesterday? |
| Chorus | |
| Pulugi pulugi vottukkala kaekkaadhae | Stop spewing lie after lie to ask for votes! |
| Chorus | |
| Pazhaiya paechu pazhagi pochu yaeikkaadhae | Your old rhetoric is worn out, don't deceive us anymore! |
| Chorus | |
| Aracha maava thirumba thirumba araikkaadhae | Don't rehash the same old tired promises! |
| Chorus | |
| Uricha kozhi pola ippo veraikkaadhae | Don't stand there shivering like a plucked chicken! |
| Chorus | |
| Haei haei haei durr… | Hey hey hey durr... |
| Male | |
| Chinna veedu naalu vechu kudumbam nadathurae | You run four secret households with mistresses, |
| Male | |
| Kalla thoni maela yaeri sarakku kadathurae | You hop on illegal boats to smuggle contraband, |
| Male | |
| Kappal maela maaman yaerum kaalam nerungudhu | The time is near for you to be shipped away to prison, uncle, |
| Male | |
| Ippo naanum podum mudichu kazhuthil erangudhu | And now the noose I tie tightens around your neck! |
| Male | |
| Vasadhikku pala vaala pidikkirae | For convenience, you flatter many powerful tails, |
| Padhavikku pala kaala pidikkirae | For power and position, you fall at many feet, |
| Manalil ingu kayiru thirikkuarae | You try to spin ropes out of sand here, |
| Madhi kettu nitham vayiru valakkurae | Having lost your moral sense, you feed your belly corruptly every day! |
| Chorus | |
| Vote-kku rate ah yaethinaaraam | They say you raised the rate to bribe for votes, |
| Naatta nallaa yaemaathinaaraam | They say you deceived the whole nation well, |
| Male | |
| Sarithiram ini mael thirumbum paaru | Watch how history will turn around from now on! |
| Thirandadhu makkal padai indru unakkedhirae | The army of common people has gathered today against you! |
| Male | |
| Vote kaettu roattukku vandha annaachi | Big brother who came to the streets asking for votes, |
| Naethu potta aattangal ellaam ennaachu | What happened to all the antics you pulled yesterday? |
| Chorus | |
| Poster pottu ottattumaa naan annaachi | Shall I print and paste posters about your true colors, big brother? |
| Maedai maela edupadumaa ini un paechu | Will your speeches on stage hold any weight anymore? |
| Male | |
| Unnoda saedhi therinjadhum veedhi | Once the street learns the truth about you, |
| Kollunnu sirikkaadhaa | Won't the whole street burst out laughing hysterically? |
| Chorus | |
| Kazhudhaiyil yaethi karum pulli kuthi | Won't they seat you on a donkey, dot your face with black marks, |
| Oorgolam nadathaadhaa | And parade you around the town? |
| Male | |
| Vote kaettu roattukku vandha annaachi | Big brother who came to the streets asking for votes, |
| Naethu potta aattangal ellaam ennaachu | What happened to all the antics you pulled yesterday? |
| Chorus | |
| Poster pottu ottattumaa naan annaachi | Shall I print and paste posters about your true colors, big brother? |
| Maedai maela edupadumaa ini un paechu…haan | Will your speeches on stage hold any weight anymore... haan? |
ஹா.....ஆஅ.....ஆஆ....ஆ....ஆ....
ஆஅ......ஆஅ....ஆ....ஆ....ஆ....ஆஅ.....ஆ.....ஆஅ....
ஹா.....ஆ.....ஆ....ஆ....
Ah...
Ah...
Ah...
ஓட்டு கேட்டு ரோட்டுக்கு வந்த அண்ணாச்சி
நேத்து போட்ட ஆட்டங்கள் எல்லாம் என்னாச்சு
Big brother who came to the streets asking for votes,
What happened to all the antics you pulled yesterday?
ஓட்டு கேட்டு ரோட்டுக்கு வந்த அண்ணாச்சி
நேத்து போட்ட ஆட்டங்கள் எல்லாம் என்னாச்சு
Big brother who came to the streets asking for votes,
What happened to all the antics you pulled yesterday?
போஸ்டர் போட்டு ஒட்டட்டுமா நான் அண்ணாச்சி
மேடை மேல எடுபடுமா இனி உன் பேச்சு
Shall I print and paste posters about your true colors, big brother?
Will your speeches on stage hold any weight anymore?
உன்னோட சேதி தெரிஞ்சதும் வீதி
கொல்லுன்னு சிரிக்காதா
Once the street learns the truth about you,
Won't the whole street burst out laughing hysterically?
கழுதையில் ஏத்தி கரும் புள்ளி குத்தி
ஊர்கோலம் நடத்தாதா
Won't they seat you on a donkey, dot your face with black marks,
And parade you around the town?
ஓட்டு கேட்டு ரோட்டுக்கு வந்த அண்ணாச்சி
நேத்து போட்ட ஆட்டங்கள் எல்லாம் என்னாச்சு
Big brother who came to the streets asking for votes,
What happened to all the antics you pulled yesterday?
அம்மன் கோயில் சூரத் தேங்கா
விழுந்து பொறுக்கினே
You gathered shattered coconuts at the goddess temple,
அக்கம் பக்கம் வீட்டில் எல்லாம் ஆடு திருடுனே
You stole goats from all the neighboring houses,
அப்போ நீயும் ஏழு மாசம் கம்பி எண்ணுனே
Back then, you served seven months behind bars counting jail rods,
புத்தன் போல வேஷம் போட்டு ஃப்ராடு பண்ணுனே
Disguising yourself like Buddha, you committed fraud!
அடிக்கடி இங்கு பேட்ட ரவுடியா
அடிதடி சண்ட போட்டதில்லையா
கருக்கலில் தினம் பான பானையா
கலக்கல இங்கு காய்ச்சவில்லையா
Weren't you a local hoodlum around here?
Haven't you frequently engaged in violent brawls?
Every dawn, pot after pot,
Didn't you brew illicit liquor here?
ரகுபதி ராகவ ராஜா ராம்
பதீத பாவன சீதா ராம்
"Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram..."
"Patita Pavan Sita Ram..."
பெண் குழு :
தகுதிய காத்தில் விட்டாராம்
தொகுதிய கோட்டை விட்டாராம்
If thieves like you win elections, it's total ruin;
Every single day there will only be violent brawls in the legislative assembly!
திருடர்கள் உனைப் போல் ஜெயிச்சா போச்சு
தினசரி சட்டசபையில் அடிதடி தான்
Big brother who came to the streets asking for votes,
What happened to all the antics you pulled yesterday?
ஓட்டு கேட்டு ரோட்டுக்கு வந்த அண்ணாச்சி
நேத்து போட்ட ஆட்டங்கள் எல்லாம் என்னாச்சு
Stop spewing lie after lie to ask for votes!
புளுகிப் புளுகி ஓட்டுக்கள கேக்காதே
Your old rhetoric is worn out, don't deceive us anymore!
பெண் குழு :
புளுகிப் புளுகி ஓட்டுக்கள கேக்காதே
Don't rehash the same old tired promises!
பழைய பேச்சு பழகிப் போச்சு ஏய்க்காதே
Don't stand there shivering like a plucked chicken!
பழைய பேச்சு பழகிப் போச்சு ஏய்க்காதே
Hey hey hey durr...
அரச்ச மாவ திரும்பத் திரும்ப அரைக்காதே
You run four secret households with mistresses,
பெண் குழு :
அரச்ச மாவ திரும்பத் திரும்ப அரைக்காதே
You hop on illegal boats to smuggle contraband,
உரிச்ச கோழி போல இப்போ வெறைக்காதே
The time is near for you to be shipped away to prison, uncle,
பெண் குழு :
உரிச்ச கோழி போல இப்போ வெறைக்காதே
And now the noose I tie tightens around your neck!
ஹேய் ஹேய் ஹேய் டுர்ர்...
For convenience, you flatter many powerful tails,
For power and position, you fall at many feet,
You try to spin ropes out of sand here,
Having lost your moral sense, you feed your belly corruptly every day!
சின்ன வீடு நாலு வெச்சு குடும்பம் நடத்துறே
They say you raised the rate to bribe for votes,
They say you deceived the whole nation well,
கள்ளத் தோணி மேல ஏறி சரக்கு கடத்துறே
Watch how history will turn around from now on!
The army of common people has gathered today against you!
கப்பல் மேல மாமன் ஏறும் காலம் நெருங்குது
Big brother who came to the streets asking for votes,
What happened to all the antics you pulled yesterday?
இப்போ நானும் போடும் முடிச்சு கழுத்தில் எறங்குது
Shall I print and paste posters about your true colors, big brother?
Will your speeches on stage hold any weight anymore?
வசதிக்குப் பல வால பிடிக்குற
பதவிக்குப் பல கால பிடிக்குற
மணலில் இங்கு கயிறு திரிக்குற
மதி கெட்டு நித்தம் வயிறு வளக்குற
Once the street learns the truth about you,
Won't the whole street burst out laughing hysterically?
பெண் குழு :
ரகுபதி ராகவ ராஜா ராம் பதீத பாவன சீதா ராம்
Won't they seat you on a donkey, dot your face with black marks,
And parade you around the town?
ஓட்டுக்கு ரேட்ட ஏத்தினாராம்
நாட்ட நல்லா ஏமாத்தினாராம்
Big brother who came to the streets asking for votes,
What happened to all the antics you pulled yesterday?
சரித்திரம் இனி மேல் திரும்பும் பாரு
திரண்டது மக்கள் படை இன்று உனக்கெதிரே
Shall I print and paste posters about your true colors, big brother?
Will your speeches on stage hold any weight anymore... haan?
ஓட்டு கேட்டு ரோட்டுக்கு வந்த அண்ணாச்சி
நேத்து போட்ட ஆட்டங்கள் எல்லாம் என்னாச்சு
போஸ்டர் போட்டு ஒட்டட்டுமா நான் அண்ணாச்சி
மேடை மேல எடுபடுமா இனி உன் பேச்சு
உன்னோட சேதி தெரிஞ்சதும் வீதி
கொல்லுன்னு சிரிக்காதா
கழுதையில் ஏத்தி கரும் புள்ளி குத்தி
ஊர்கோலம் நடத்தாதா
ஓட்டு கேட்டு ரோட்டுக்கு வந்த அண்ணாச்சி
நேத்து போட்ட ஆட்டங்கள் எல்லாம் என்னாச்சு
போஸ்டர் போட்டு ஒட்டட்டுமா நான் அண்ணாச்சி
மேடை மேல எடுபடுமா இனி உன் பேச்சு....ஹான்
Haa….aaa….aaa….aa….aa…
Ah...
Aaa….aaa….aa…aa…aa..a.a…aaa…aa…
Ah...
Haa…aa…aa…aa…
Ah...
Vote kaettu roattukku vandha annaachi
Big brother who came to the streets asking for votes,
Naethu potta aattangal ellaam ennaachu
What happened to all the antics you pulled yesterday?
Vote kaettu roattukku vandha annaachi
Big brother who came to the streets asking for votes,
Naethu potta aattangal ellaam ennaachu
What happened to all the antics you pulled yesterday?
Poster pottu ottattumaa naan annaachi
Shall I print and paste posters about your true colors, big brother?
Maedai maela edupadumaa ini un paechu
Will your speeches on stage hold any weight anymore?
Unnoda saedhi therinjadhum veedhi
Once the street learns the truth about you,
Kollunnu sirikkaadhaa
Won't the whole street burst out laughing hysterically?
Kazhudhaiyil yaethi karum pulli kuthi
Won't they seat you on a donkey, dot your face with black marks,
Oorgolam nadathaadhaa
And parade you around the town?
Vote kaettu roattukku vandha annaachi
Big brother who came to the streets asking for votes,
Naethu potta aattangal ellaam ennaachu
What happened to all the antics you pulled yesterday?
Amman koyil soora thaengaa vizhundhu porukkinae
You gathered shattered coconuts at the goddess temple,
Akkam pakkam veettil ellaam aadu thirudunae
You stole goats from all the neighboring houses,
Appo neeyum ezhu maasam kambi ennunae
Back then, you served seven months behind bars counting jail rods,
Buthan pola vaesham pottu fraud pannunae
Disguising yourself like Buddha, you committed fraud!
Adikkadi ingu paetta rowdiyaa
Weren't you a local hoodlum around here?
Adidhadi sanda pottadhillaiyaa
Haven't you frequently engaged in violent brawls?
Karukkalil dhinam paana paanaiyaa
Every dawn, pot after pot,
Kalakkala ingu kaaichavillaiyaa
Didn't you brew illicit liquor here?
Ragupathi raagava raajaa raam
"Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram..."
Patheetha paavana seethaa raam
"Patita Pavan Sita Ram..."
Thirudargal unai pol jeyichaa pochu
If thieves like you win elections, it's total ruin;
Dhinasari satta sabaiyil adidhadi thaan
Every single day there will only be violent brawls in the legislative assembly!
Vote kaettu roattukku vandha annaachi
Big brother who came to the streets asking for votes,
Naethu potta aattangal ellaam ennaachu
What happened to all the antics you pulled yesterday?
Pulugi pulugi vottukkala kaekkaadhae
Stop spewing lie after lie to ask for votes!
Pazhaiya paechu pazhagi pochu yaeikkaadhae
Your old rhetoric is worn out, don't deceive us anymore!
Aracha maava thirumba thirumba araikkaadhae
Don't rehash the same old tired promises!
Uricha kozhi pola ippo veraikkaadhae
Don't stand there shivering like a plucked chicken!
Haei haei haei durr…
Hey hey hey durr...
Chinna veedu naalu vechu kudumbam nadathurae
You run four secret households with mistresses,
Kalla thoni maela yaeri sarakku kadathurae
You hop on illegal boats to smuggle contraband,
Kappal maela maaman yaerum kaalam nerungudhu
The time is near for you to be shipped away to prison, uncle,
Ippo naanum podum mudichu kazhuthil erangudhu
And now the noose I tie tightens around your neck!
Vasadhikku pala vaala pidikkirae
For convenience, you flatter many powerful tails,
Padhavikku pala kaala pidikkirae
For power and position, you fall at many feet,
Manalil ingu kayiru thirikkuarae
You try to spin ropes out of sand here,
Madhi kettu nitham vayiru valakkurae
Having lost your moral sense, you feed your belly corruptly every day!
Vote-kku rate ah yaethinaaraam
They say you raised the rate to bribe for votes,
Naatta nallaa yaemaathinaaraam
They say you deceived the whole nation well,
Sarithiram ini mael thirumbum paaru
Watch how history will turn around from now on!
Thirandadhu makkal padai indru unakkedhirae
The army of common people has gathered today against you!
Vote kaettu roattukku vandha annaachi
Big brother who came to the streets asking for votes,
Naethu potta aattangal ellaam ennaachu
What happened to all the antics you pulled yesterday?
Poster pottu ottattumaa naan annaachi
Shall I print and paste posters about your true colors, big brother?
Maedai maela edupadumaa ini un paechu
Will your speeches on stage hold any weight anymore?
Unnoda saedhi therinjadhum veedhi
Once the street learns the truth about you,
Kollunnu sirikkaadhaa
Won't the whole street burst out laughing hysterically?
Kazhudhaiyil yaethi karum pulli kuthi
Won't they seat you on a donkey, dot your face with black marks,
Oorgolam nadathaadhaa
And parade you around the town?
Vote kaettu roattukku vandha annaachi
Big brother who came to the streets asking for votes,
Naethu potta aattangal ellaam ennaachu
What happened to all the antics you pulled yesterday?
Poster pottu ottattumaa naan annaachi
Shall I print and paste posters about your true colors, big brother?
Maedai maela edupadumaa ini un paechu…haan
Will your speeches on stage hold any weight anymore... haan?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song is a sharp, satirical political commentary calling out a corrupt local politician running for elections. The speaker exposes the candidate's criminal history—ranging from petty thefts, illicit liquor brewing, and assault to smuggling, bigamy, and systemic fraud. Despite putting on an innocent facade like a saint, the politician's hypocrisy is thoroughly unmasked.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Proverbial Metaphor (Pazhamozhi / Uvamaani)
“Aracha maava thirumba thirumba araikkaadhae”
Translates to 'don't re-grind already ground batter', a famous Tamil idiom meaning not to repeat worn-out excuses or redundant promises.
Simile (Uvamai)
“Uricha kozhi pola ippo veraikkaadhae”
Compares the politician's defensive shivering and vulnerability when exposed to a 'plucked chicken'.
Irony / Sarcastical Allusion
“Buthan pola vaesham pottu fraud pannunae”
Contrasts the peaceful, holy persona of Lord Buddha with the criminal fraud committed by the politician.
Iyaipu (Rhyming end words)
“Vasadhikku pala vaala pidikkirae / Padhavikku pala kaala pidikkirae”
The lines end with rhythmic rhyming structures ('pidikkirae') creating a catchy satirical cadence.
Did you know?
Trivia
Written by Legendary lyricist Vaali for the 1994 Tamil film *Seeman* (directed by Raj Kapoor, starring Sarathkumar and Sukanya, with music composed by Soundaryan), this song serves as a quintessential 'election satire' track in 90s Tamil cinema, blending street theater sensibilities with folk rhythm.
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