Srinisha Jayaseelan and Ilaiyaraaja present ‘Pathu Rooba’ from the album ‘Clap.’ Lyricist Gkb and composer Ilaiyaraaja craft a folksy melody about a cucumber seller’s philosophical observations. The track balances earthy vocals with reflections on social structures.
Released: March 10, 2022
Pathu Rooba
Ilaiyaraaja | Srinisha Jayaseelan • From “Clap”
Lyricist
Gkb
Composer
Ilayaraja
Clap’s Pathu Rooba Tamil Lyrics English Translation
Gkb’s lyrics compare train passengers to uniformly priced cucumbers. Srinisha Jayaseelan sings the vendor’s declaration: ‘Like the cucumber, you too must grow on your own.’ This direct statement advocates self-reliance while criticizing class divisions.
Pathu Rooba VelarikkaA cucumber for ten rupees.
Kaducha Paka Kasu IrukkaGot the cash to take a bite?
Uppu Karam Thottu ThinnaJust dip it in salt and spice,
Vayil Echil Oorum Appaand your mouth will water, my friend.
Polladha ValkaiyileIn this unforgiving life,
Pogum Idam Dhooramillamy destination isn’t far.
Rail Mela YerikittaOnce I’ve boarded the train,
Railukkoru Baram IllaI’m no burden to it at all.
Oorum En Serum OnnuThis whole place is my home.
Rusi Parka Thutta NeetuIf you want a taste, just show me the cash.
Pathu Rooba VelarikkaA cucumber for ten rupees.
Kaducha Paka Kasu IrukkaGot the cash to take a bite?
Rail Inge Jadhi MadhaThe train here knows no caste or creed,
Vithiyasam Parpadhillaiit doesn’t see any differences.
Mel Endrum Keel EndrumThere are no ‘upper’ or ‘lower’ classes,
Bedhangal Edhum Illaand no such divisions exist here.
Rail Inge Jadhi MadhaThe train here knows no caste or creed,
Vithiyasam Parpadhillaiit doesn’t see any differences.
Mel Endrum Keel EndrumThere are no ‘upper’ or ‘lower’ classes,
Bedhangal Edhum Illaand no such divisions exist here.
Adhu Pola ThanaiyaAnd it’s just like that, you see,
Nan Kodukum Velrikkathis cucumber that I’m selling.
Hey Adhu Pola ThanaiyaHey, it’s just like that,
Nan Kodukum Velrikkathis cucumber that I’m selling.
All Parthu Rusi MathathuIts taste doesn’t change based on who you are.
Panakara SelvanukkumFor the son of a rich man,
Padu Padum Yelaikkumand for the struggling poor.
Mel Vaguppu Keel VaguppuBe it upper class or lower class,
Rendu Rusiya Katathuit never shows two different tastes.
Pathu Rooba VelarikkaA cucumber for ten rupees.
Kaducha Paka Kasu IrukkaGot the cash to take a bite?
Uppu Karam Thottu ThinnaJust dip it in salt and spice,
Vayil Echil Oorum Appaand your mouth will water, my friend.
Thannera Paichina ThanYou have to pour water on the ground,
Man Mela Payir Valarumfor a crop to grow from the soil.
Adhu Vendan VelarikkuBut that’s not needed for a cucumber,
Poo Poothu Kai Kaikumit just blossoms and bears its fruit.
Vellari Pola NeyumLike the cucumber, you too
Thanaga Valara Venummust learn to grow on your own.
Palamana Vilaguthal PolLike a powerful act of renunciation,
Kettadha Velakka Venumyou must cast away everything that’s bad.
Pacha Pinju VellariThis fresh, tender cucumber,
Vadi Pogum Munnadibefore it starts to wither away,
En Pata Nan PadiI’ll sing out my little song,
Vittu Pidipen Ammadiand get all this business done, oh my.
Nikkatha Vyabaram ThanThis business just never, ever stops.
Yarukum Nan Alu IllaI’m no one’s servant,
Enaku Yarum Thunai Illaand I’ve got no one for company.
Aanalum Rasathi NaneEven so, I’m a queen in my own right,
Thanee Neeyum Keluso just you listen to my tune.
Pathu Rooba VelarikkaA cucumber for ten rupees.
Kaducha Paka Kasu IrukkaGot the cash to take a bite?
Uppu Karam Thottu ThinnaJust dip it in salt and spice,
Vayil Echil Oorum Appaand your mouth will water, my friend.
Equality through mundane objects drives the Pathu Rooba lyrics translation. Ilaiyaraaja’s composition underscores how daily transactions reveal universal truths about human value beyond social hierarchies.
