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Lyrics & meaning

What a Karuvaad

From Velai Illa Pattadhaari · 2014

Lyricist
Dhanush
Singers
Dhanush, Anirudh Ravichander
Music director
Anirudh Ravichander
Details
Velai Illa Pattadhaari2014

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
{What a karvaad..what a karvaadWhat a dried fish.. what a dried fish
What a karvaadu.. what a karvaad} (2)What a dried fish.. what a dried fish
Male
Sutta vada pochu da.. what a karvaadThe fried vada opportunity is gone, man.. what a dried fish!
Pattam kilinji pochu da.. what a karvaadThe kite got torn, man.. what a dried fish!
En kattam alinji pochu da.. what a karvaadMy good luck got erased, man.. what a dried fish!
Romba mattam thattiyaachu da.. what a karvaadI've been put down so much, man.. what a dried fish!
Male
Naan karuthu solla poren daI am going to give some moral advice now, man!
What a , what a , what a kar ..What a, what a, what a kar..
What a , what a , what a kar ..What a, what a, what a kar..
What a , what a , what a kar ..What a, what a, what a kar..
What a , what a , what a kar ..What a, what a, what a kar..
Male
{What a karvaad..what a karvaadWhat a dried fish.. what a dried fish
What a karvaadu.. what a karvaad} (2)What a dried fish.. what a dried fish
Male
Podhum pa off pannikalaamaThat's enough man, shall we turn it off?
Idho ippa eppadi off panrenu paaru (Dialogue)Look here, see how I turn it off now (Dialogue)
Male
Brother podhum.. yedho karuthu solrennuBrother, enough.. you said you were going to offer some moral advice,
Sonneengalae adhayaavadhu sollungaAt least tell us that!
My karuthu what is am saying (Dialogue)My advice, what I am saying is (Dialogue)
Male
Kaakka karuppu… batta seruppuA crow is black... Bata footwear is footwear
Sharppa iru da.. puriyadhuStay sharp, man.. you won't get it!
Maangaaai pulikkum.. maambalam inikumRaw mango is sour.. ripe mango is sweet
Idhu thaan vazhka maaraadhuThis is life, it won't change!
Love kidachaa vachika vachika vachika vachikaIf you get love, hold onto it, hold onto it, hold onto it
Love pochaa vittududaaIf love is gone, just let it go, man!
Male
Perumaalaeeeehhhhhh.. oh perumaalaeOh Lord Perumal.. oh Lord Perumal!
Unna nambi thaanae kalangaama irukken paTrusting in you alone, I remain without losing heart, father
Vazhi thaedi suthurenae naanuI am wandering around looking for a path forward
Un paarva en mela ada thirumbavae thirumbalaYet your gaze hasn't turned towards me at all!
Male
{What a karvaad..what a karvaadWhat a dried fish.. what a dried fish
What a karvaadu.. what a karvaad} (2)What a dried fish.. what a dried fish
Male
Sutta vada vada vada vada..The fried vada vada vada vada..
Sutta vada vada vada vada..sutta vada pochu da..what a karvaadThe fried vada vada vada vada.. the fried vada is gone, man.. what a dried fish!
En pattam kilinji pochu da.. what a karvaadMy kite got torn, man.. what a dried fish!
En kattam alinji pochu da.. what a karvaadMy good luck got erased, man.. what a dried fish!
Romba mattam thattiyaachu da.. what a karvaadI've been put down so much, man.. what a dried fish!
Male
Naan karuthu solla poren daI am going to give some moral advice now, man!
Aaniyae pudunga vendaamDon't bother pulling out any nails (don't do anything at all)!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'What a Karvaad' is a lighthearted, comedic track from 'Velai Illa Pattadhaari' (2014) that expresses the frustration and existential irony of an unemployed engineering graduate (Raghuvaran). Using Chennai Tamil slang, colloquial idioms, and playful banter, the song turns failure, heartbreak, and social judgment into a humorous anthem of youth resilience.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Pattam kilinji pochu da / En kattam alinji pochu da / Romba mattam thattiyaachu da

The second consonant 'tt' (ட்) rhymes across 'Pattam', 'Kattam', and 'Mattam'.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Sutta vada pochu da.. what a karvaad / Pattam kilinji pochu da.. what a karvaad

The lines end with identical rhythmic refrains ('pochu da.. what a karvaad').

Colloquial Metaphor / Idiom

Sutta vada pochu da

A popular Tamil idiom meaning a golden opportunity was missed or ruined.

Pop Culture Allusion

Aaniyae pudunga vendaam

Direct reference to Vadivelu's iconic comedy dialogue from the movie 'Friends', used colloquially to mean 'don't bother trying to help or do anything'.

Did you know?

Trivia

The track was composed by Anirudh Ravichander with lyrics written by lead actor Dhanush. The song features informal studio banter between Dhanush and Anirudh, adding to its spontaneous, casual vibe. The word 'Karvaad' (dried fish) is used slangily to mock a situation or person.

Keep listening

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