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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Why Machi Why

From Pencil · 2015

Lyricist
Arunraja Kamaraj
Singers
Tipu, V. Srihari
Music director
G. V. Prakash Kumar
Details
Pencil2015

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Classu-la thoonga mattomWe won't sleep in class
Why machi whyWhy mate, why?
You tube paakka mattomWe won't watch YouTube
Why machi whyWhy mate, why?
Sms panna mattomWe won't send SMS messages
Why machi whyWhy mate, why?
Because unmai ellamBecause all of that...
Pesa mattomIs not the truth we speak!
Poi machi poiLies mate, lies!
Chorus
………………………………
Male
1 2 3..1 2 3..
Neeyum nanum freeYou and I are free
Sandainu vanthuchunaIf a fight breaks out
Naa refreeI am the referee
Male
Hey you seeHey, you see
Machi tea ocFree tea, my friend
Accountu vechi kudikalamaShall we put it on tab and drink?
Nee yossiYou think about it!
Male
Jettu vegathilaAt jet speed
Dhinam odum school life daSchool life runs every day, dude
Once miss panninaOnce you miss it
Athu return agathu daIt will never come back, dude
Male
Groupila thanIn our gang
Vudu dupu machanThere are pranks and antics, mate
Ovvoru friendumaeEvery single friend
Theva machanIs essential, mate
Male
Student life ku thanFor student life
Oru slogan ullathadaThere is a slogan, dude
Freedom undu endralIf there is freedom
Andha vaanamae playground-u thanEven that sky is our playground
Male
Class-u teacher-uThe class teacher
Hitler illadaIs not Hitler, dude
Mr Bean thaanadaHe is Mr. Bean, dude!
Challenge illanaaIf there are no challenges
Life borudaLife gets boring, dude
Bold-a face pannudaFace it boldly, dude
Male
Mana olachlal vanthaIf mental stress arrives
Manasa thethi viduvomWe will console our heart
Una sirikka vachu sirippomWe will make you laugh and laugh along
Ada kavala maranthu manassu thoranthuForget your worries and open your heart!
Chorus
………………………………
Male
1 2 3..1 2 3..
Neeyum nanum freeYou and I are free
Sandainu vanthuchunaIf a fight breaks out
Naa refreeI am the referee
Male
Hey you seeHey, you see
Machi tea ocFree tea, my friend
Accountu vechi kudikalamaShall we put it on tab and drink?
Nee yossiYou think about it!
Chorus
…………………………………
Male
Dream-u dream-u nu thaanDream, dream!
Kalaam appo sonnarungaDr. Kalam told us back then
Enga dreamsuku thaanBut for our dreams
Oru sylabus inga illaingaThere is no syllabus here, sir!
Male
Unga pressureYour pressure
Enga mela thanUpon us
Thinika venamungaDon't force it on us, sir
Enga space-la vittu parungaGive us space and watch
Jeichu kaatuvongaWe will win and prove ourselves!
Male
Adichi pudichu nolanjomWe squeezed in and entered
Padika thanae vanthomWe came to study, didn't we?
Jeika thanae vanthomWe came to win, didn't we?
Ada achaku achakuOh hit it, hit it!
Kumukku kumukkuMash it, mash it!
Chorus
………………………………..
Male
1 2 3..1 2 3..
Neeyum nanum freeYou and I are free
Sandainu vanthuchunaIf a fight breaks out
Naa refreeI am the referee
Male
Hey you seeHey, you see
Machi tea ocFree tea, my friend
Accountu vechi kudikalamaShall we put it on tab and drink?
Nee yossiYou think about it!
Male
Jettu vegathilaAt jet speed
Dhinam odum school life daSchool life runs every day, dude
Once miss panninaOnce you miss it
Athu return agathu daIt will never come back, dude
Male
Groupila thanIn our gang
Vudu dupu machanThere are pranks and antics, mate
Ovvoru friendumaeEvery single friend
Theva machanIs essential, mate
Chorus
………………………………

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from the movie 'Pencil' captures the high-energy, quirky, and relatable mindset of high school students. It celebrates the irreplaceable joy of school friendships, classroom pranks, and youthful optimism. The lyrics playfully banter about strict teachers being comic figures like Mr. Bean and emphasize the importance of facing challenges boldly rather than stressing over academic pressure.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Neeyum nanum free / Sandainu vanthuchuna / Naa refree

The words 'free' and 'refree' end with matching English sound rhymes typical of modern Tanglish song lyrics.

Metaphor

Andha vaanamae playground-u than

The sky is metaphorically called a playground to signify endless freedom for students.

Allusion

Dream-u dream-u nu thaan / Kalaam appo sonnarunga

Refers to the famous inspirational advice on dreaming big given to students by former Indian President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.

Did you know?

Trivia

The movie 'Pencil' (2015) features G. V. Prakash Kumar in his lead acting debut alongside Sri Divya. G. V. Prakash Kumar himself composed the music for the film, while lyricist Arunraja Kamaraj wrote this track capturing youth culture.

Keep listening

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