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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Yettaiyya Naan Eduthu

From Themmangu Paattukaaran · 1997

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singer
Gangai Amaran
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Themmangu Paattukaaran1997

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics↻ English translation
Male
Yettaiyaa naanO Head Constable, I
Eduthu paada porenAm going to start singing
Nalla paattaiyaaA good song, sir.
Chorus
Yettaiyaa naanO Head Constable, I
Eduthu paada porenAm going to start singing
Nalla paattaiyaaA good song, sir.
Male
Adhu ezhaigala yeippavarkkumThat song, for those who cheat the poor,
Yemaathi pozhaippavarkkumFor those who make a living by deceiving,
Kozhai manam kondavarkkumAnd for those who possess cowardly hearts,
Vaettaiyaa vaettaiyaaWill be a hunt, a relentless hunt!
Chorus
Yettaiyaa naanO Head Constable, I
Eduthu paada porenAm going to start singing
Nalla paattaiyaaA good song, sir.
Male
Yettaiyaa naanO Head Constable, I
Eduthu paada porenAm going to start singing
Nalla paattaiyaaA good song, sir.
Male
Engala pol janangal ellaamAll the ordinary people like us,
Yedho oru nerathulaOnly at some particular time,
Inga varum neram mattumOnly during the brief moment we come here,
Kaidhinga thaanAre considered prisoners.
Aanaa ongala pol ullavangaBut people like you,
Raathiriyum pagalulaiyumDay and night,
Eppavumae government kaidhinga thaanAre always prisoners of the government.
Male
Naanga adimainga thaanWe may be working slaves,
Aanaalum sudhandhiramaa thirivomYet we roam around freely.
Aanaa aiyaa onga nelamai ennaBut sir, what is your condition?
Ongalukkae theriyumYou know it best yourself.
Chorus
Yettaiyaa naanO Head Constable, I
Eduthu paada porenAm going to start singing
Nalla paattaiyaaA good song, sir.
Male
Adhu ezhaigala yeippavarkkumThat song, for those who cheat the poor,
Yemaathi pozhaippavarkkumFor those who make a living by deceiving,
Kozhai manam kondavarkkumAnd for those who possess cowardly hearts,
Vaettaiyaa vaettaiyaaWill be a hunt, a relentless hunt!
Chorus
Yettaiyaa naanO Head Constable, I
Eduthu paada porenAm going to start singing
Nalla paattaiyaaA good song, sir.
Male
Yettaiyaa naanO Head Constable, I
Eduthu paada porenAm going to start singing
Nalla paattaiyaaA good song, sir.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song is a witty, folk-style satire addressed to a police head constable ('Yettaiyaa'). The singer mockingly warns that his song serves as an outspoken 'hunt' against fraudsters, exploiters of the poor, and cowards hiding behind power. Through playful subversion, he compares the lives of ordinary working-class citizens with those of authority figures. He points out the irony that while common villagers are only temporary prisoners when brought to a station, government officers are permanent 'prisoners of the state' bound day and night by rigid duties, rules, and superiors. Though poor, common people enjoy genuine freedom, whereas the officer's status comes at the cost of personal liberty.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

“Adhu ezhaigala yeippavarkkum / Yemaathi pozhaippavarkkum / Kozhai manam kondavarkkum”

The lines end with matching suffixes ('-varkkum'), creating a rhythmic impact suited for folk storytelling.

Muran (Satirical Contrast / Irony)

“Aanaa ongala pol ullavanga... Eppavumae government kaidhinga thaan”

Presents a sharp satirical contrast between common people who have actual freedom and police officers who are ironically 'government prisoners' bound 24/7.

Monai (Initial Assonance / Rhyme)

“Yettaiyaa naan / Eduthu paada poren”

Assonance on the starting vowel sounds ('Ye' / 'E') at the beginning of phrases.

Did you know?

Trivia

The term 'Yettaiyaa' is a colloquial rural Tamil expression derived from 'Head Constable' (Grade-8 Officer, historically referred to as 'Yettu' in Tamil police jargon). Lyricist Gangai Amaran frequently uses such authentic rural idioms and satirical folk humor to critique social structures in his songwriting.

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