G. V. Prakash’s ‘Selfie’ album features ‘Padippu Thevaillai’ with lyricists Arivu and Arjun Karthik. Arunraja Kamaraj and Arivu deliver a confrontational vocal performance questioning formal education’s value.
Released: March 21, 2022
Padippu Thevaillai
Arunraja Kamaraj | G. V. Prakash • From “Selfie”
Selfie’s Padippu Thevaillai Tamil Lyrics English Meaning
Arivu’s lines reject degrees as prerequisites for success. ‘Patti Vangi Routeah Mathu’ argues entrepreneurship outweighs academic achievements. The track dismisses book learning as irrelevant to financial gain.
Padippu Theva Illa ParudaEducation isn’t necessary, look here.
Ketka Yarum Illa En KalamdaThere’s no one to question me; it’s my era.
Padicha Pudunginga Varan DaThe educated ‘snobs’ are coming.
Ippo Yaru Keezha En Kalu KeezhaWho’s on the bottom now? They’re under my feet.
Padippu Theva Illa ParudaEducation isn’t necessary, look here.
Ketka Yarum Illa En KalamdaThere’s no one to question me; it’s my era.
Padicha PudungingaThe educated ‘snobs’.
Ippo Yaru Keezha En Kalu KeezhaWho’s on the bottom now? They’re under my feet.
Attakathiya IrunthomeWe used to be ‘cardboard swords’, only acting tough.
Mattakathi AnomeThen we became real, blunt knives.
Padikama IrunthomeWe stayed uneducated.
Panatha PathomeWe saw the money.
Panatha Than PathathumeAs soon as we laid eyes on that money,
Kirukkal Anomewe became like wild scribbles.
Yennanu PuriyamaWithout understanding what was happening,
Thalasuthi Ninnomewe stood there with our heads spinning.
Collegeah MaranthacheWe’ve forgotten all about college.
Moola ThelivacheOur minds have finally cleared up.
Pudhu Routeu PotacheWe’ve carved out a new path.
Thugah AyacheWe’ve become rebels.
Mattam Than ThatniyeYou only looked down on us.
Mattapalaga AniyeYou became the very ‘wooden plank’ we step on.
Padichathan KasunnaIf you think money only comes from studying,
Neengalam Loosuthanthen you’re all just fools.
Cool I’m A KombuI’m cool, I’m a ‘big shot’.
Ushar Mela ThembuI’ve got strength on top of my sharp wits.
Kal Mela Kal PottuWith one leg crossed over the other,
Ukkarven Da KinguI’ll sit here like a king.
Navuruma Sokku PartyMove aside, you fancy-looking crowd.
Mookku Mela Finger VaikkaI’ll make you put a finger on your nose in shock.
Thoguruma Kokku MakkuWill you gather around, you ‘foolish cranes’?
Currency Noteu KarandhachiWe’ve already milked all the cash.
Arakka Parakka Padichi MudichiRushing and panicking to finish those studies.
Edutha Marku Edhukku NamakkuWhat use are those marks to us now?
Adichi Pudichu Dealah MudichiWe scuffled and struggled to close the deal.
Kedacha Kasil Nadathu VirunthuThrow a feast with the money we’ve earned.
College Namba ControlThe college is under our control.
Village Out Of ControlThe village is out of control.
Pattam Vangi Enna AchuWhat happened after you got that degree?
Potti Vangi Routeah MathuBuy a ‘shop’ and change your route.
Attakathiya IrunthomeWe used to be ‘cardboard swords’, only acting tough.
Mattakathi AnomeThen we became real, blunt knives.
Padikama IrunthomeWe stayed uneducated.
Panatha PathomeWe saw the money.
Panatha Than PathathumeAs soon as we laid eyes on that money,
Kirukkal Anomewe became like wild scribbles.
Yennanu PuriyamaWithout understanding what was happening,
Thalasuthi Ninnomewe stood there with our heads spinning.
Collegeah MaranthacheWe’ve forgotten all about college.
Moola ThelivacheOur minds have finally cleared up.
Pudhu Routeu PotacheWe’ve carved out a new path.
Thugah AyacheWe’ve become rebels.
Mattam Than ThatniyeYou only looked down on us.
Mattapalaga AniyeYou became the very ‘wooden plank’ we step on.
Padichathan KasunnaIf you think money only comes from studying,
Neengalam Loosuthanthen you’re all just fools.
Padippu Thevaillai Music Video
‘Padippu Thevaillai’ lyrics translation captures defiance against institutional learning. G. V. Prakash Kumar’s composition supports the message that street knowledge creates self-made power.