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Isaimozhi
Pencil album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Why Machi Why

From Pencil · 2015

Lyricist
Arunraja Kamaraj
Singers
Tipu, V. Srihari
Music director
G. V. Prakash Kumar
Movie name
Pencil
Movie release year
2015
Lyrics added on
26 Mar 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Classu-la thoonga mattom
Why machi why
You tube paakka mattom
Why machi why
Sms panna mattom
Why machi why
Because unmai ellam
Pesa mattom
Poi machi poi
………………………………
1 2 3..
Neeyum nanum free
Sandainu vanthuchuna
Naa refree
Hey you see
Machi tea oc
Accountu vechi kudikalama
Nee yossi
Jettu vegathila
Dhinam odum school life da
Once miss pannina
Athu return agathu da
Groupila than
Vudu dupu machan
Ovvoru friendumae
Theva machan
Student life ku than
Oru slogan ullathada
Freedom undu endral
Andha vaanamae playground-u than
Class-u teacher-u
Hitler illada
Mr Bean thaanada
Challenge illanaa
Life boruda
Bold-a face pannuda
Mana olachlal vantha
Manasa thethi viduvom
Una sirikka vachu sirippom
Ada kavala maranthu manassu thoranthu
………………………………
1 2 3..
Neeyum nanum free
Sandainu vanthuchuna
Naa refree
Hey you see
Machi tea oc
Accountu vechi kudikalama
Nee yossi
…………………………………
Dream-u dream-u nu thaan
Kalaam appo sonnarunga
Enga dreamsuku thaan
Oru sylabus inga illainga
Unga pressure
Enga mela than
Thinika venamunga
Enga space-la vittu parunga
Jeichu kaatuvonga
Adichi pudichu nolanjom
Padika thanae vanthom
Jeika thanae vanthom
Ada achaku achaku
Kumukku kumukku
………………………………..
1 2 3..
Neeyum nanum free
Sandainu vanthuchuna
Naa refree
Hey you see
Machi tea oc
Accountu vechi kudikalama
Nee yossi
Jettu vegathila
Dhinam odum school life da
Once miss pannina
Athu return agathu da
Groupila than
Vudu dupu machan
Ovvoru friendumae
Theva machan
………………………………
We won't sleep in class.
Why, buddy, why?
We won't watch YouTube.
Why, buddy, why?
We won't text on our phones.
Why, buddy, why?
Because we never
Speak the truth!
It's a lie, buddy, all a lie!
...
One, two, three...
You and I are free!
If a fight breaks out,
I'll be the referee!
Hey, look here,
Buddy, the tea is on the house!
Shall we drink it on credit?
You think it over!
At the speed of a jet,
School life rushes past every day, buddy!
If you miss it once,
It will never return, buddy!
In our gang,
Show off and brag, buddy!
Every single friend
Is a must-have, buddy!
For student life,
There's a slogan, you know!
If we have our freedom,
The whole sky is our playground!
The class teacher
Isn't a Hitler, dude!
He's just Mr. Bean!
If there are no challenges,
Life is boring!
Face it boldly, buddy!
If you feel stressed out,
We'll cheer your heart up,
We'll make you laugh and laugh along!
Forget your worries and open your heart!
...
One, two, three...
You and I are free!
If a fight breaks out,
I'll be the referee!
Hey, look here,
Buddy, the tea is on the house!
Shall we drink it on credit?
You think it over!
...
"Dream, dream!"
That's what Kalam told us back then!
But for our dreams,
There is no syllabus here!
Your pressure,
Onto us,
Please don't force it!
Give us our space and see,
We will win and show you!
We fought hard and got in,
We came here to study, didn't we?
We came here to win, didn't we?
Hey, move and groove!
Jump and shake!
...
One, two, three...
You and I are free!
If a fight breaks out,
I'll be the referee!
Hey, look here,
Buddy, the tea is on the house!
Shall we drink it on credit?
You think it over!
At the speed of a jet,
School life rushes past every day, buddy!
If you miss it once,
It will never return, buddy!
In our gang,
Show off and brag, buddy!
Every single friend
Is a must-have, buddy!
...
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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.

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