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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vandi Vandi Railu Vandi

From Jayam · 2003

Lyricist
Lyricist Not Known
Singers
Tippu, Manikka Vinayagam
Music director
R. P. Patnaik
Details
Jayam2003

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
Taraththa rathathathaTaraththa rathathatha
Rathathatha rathathathaRathathatha rathathatha
Taraththa rathathathaTaraththa rathathatha
Rathathatha rathathathaRathathatha rathathatha
Chorus
Sabashi sabashu….Bravo, well done....
Sabashi sabashu….Bravo, well done....
{Onna dhabba{Box number one
Onna dhabba..ho} (2)Box number one..ho} (2)
Male
Vandi vandi rail vandiVehicle, vehicle, the train vehicle
Vellakaaran kodutha vandiThe vehicle given by the white man
Thandavaalam mela ninnuStanding on top of the tracks
Dhum adikkum dhum adikkumIt blows smoke, it blows smoke
Male
Thadak thadak sound-ilWith a thadak-thadak sound
Idhu vedalai ponnai polaLike a young teenage girl
Iduppa kulukki varumdaIt comes swaying its waist, my leader!
Thalaivaa….O leader!...
Male
Hey kalakku kalakku kalakkuHey rock it, rock it, rock it
Nee gaana paadi kalakkuSing a Gaana song and rock it
Kadalai pottu madakkuFlirt with girls and win them over
Thalaivaa…..O leader!...
Chorus
Sabashi sabashu….Bravo, well done....
Sabashi sabashu….Bravo, well done....
Onna dhabbaBox number one
Onna dhabba….Box number one....
Male
Paattanukku paattam ponaFor our grandfathers' grandfathers, it was the bullock cart
Maattu vandi daIt was a bullock cart
Naama kaathirundhu porandhadhaalaBecause we were born after waiting, for us it is
Rail vandi daThe train vehicle
Male
Hey kurumbu kaara pasangalodaWith naughty young boys
Dhosth vandi daIt is a friendly vehicle
Idhu kumari ponnai paarkum bodhuWhen it sees a young woman
Whistle adikkum daIt blows a whistle!
Chorus
Kaatha vachu izhuthu pogum daIt pulls forward using the wind
Dei machaan neeHey buddy, you
Kizhakkae pogumLook at the train heading east
Rail-ah paarudaLook at the train heading East
Male
Oonjalaadi payanam pogayilWhen traveling on a swinging ride
Namma ammavodaListen to our mother's
ThaalaattuLullaby
Paattai keludaSong, my friend!
Ada theendaamai paarkaadhaAh, it does not observe untouchability
Aandavanda rail vandiThe train vehicle made by God
Chorus
Sabashi sabashu….Bravo, well done....
Sabashi sabashu….Bravo, well done....
Male
Vandi vandi rail vandiVehicle, vehicle, the train vehicle
Vellakaaran kodutha vandiThe vehicle given by the white man
Thandavaalam mela ninnuStanding on top of the tracks
Dhum adikkum dhum adikkumIt blows smoke, it blows smoke
Chorus
{Onna dhabbaBox number one
Onna dhabba..ho} (2)Box number one..ho} (2)
Sabashi sabashu….Bravo, well done....
Sabashi sabashu….Bravo, well done....
Male
Yeh kammaakarai vellam vandhaalHey, even if floods come at the lake embankment
Summa nikkaadhuIt will not just stand idle
Idhu kanda kanda idathilellaamThis won't get a puncture
Puncture aagaadhuIn random places like other vehicles
Male
Hey car bus lorry ellaamHey, cars, buses, and lorries, all of them
Gate-il nirkum daWill stand at the railway gate
Idhu kalakkalaaga thaandi poyiThis train will stylishly cross past them
Taataa kaattum daAnd wave goodbye!
Chorus
Endha court-il divorce vaanguchooIn which court did they get a divorce?
Ada thandavaalamAh, the railway tracks
Rendum eppavumBoth of them are always
PirinchirukkudhuSeparated from each other!
Male
Endha kadaiyil sarakku adichudhooIn which shop did it drink booze?
Ada marangal ellaamAh, all the trees
Jannal oramBeside the window
Pinnaal nadakkudhuAre walking backwards!
Ada train inna middle classAh, understand that a train is
Flight-nu purinchikadaThe flight for the middle class!
Male
Vandi vandi rail vandiVehicle, vehicle, the train vehicle
Vellakaaran kodutha vandiThe vehicle given by the white man
Thandavaalam mela ninnuStanding on top of the tracks
Dhum adikkum dhum adikkumIt blows smoke, it blows smoke
Male
Thadak thadak sound-ilWith a thadak-thadak sound
Idhu vedalai ponnai polaLike a young teenage girl
Iduppa kulukki varumdaIt comes swaying its waist, my leader!
Thalaivaa….O leader!...
Male
Hey kalakku kalakku kalakkuHey rock it, rock it, rock it
Nee gaana paadi kalakkuSing a Gaana song and rock it
Kadalai pottu madakkuFlirt with girls and win them over
Thalaivaa…..O leader!...
Chorus
Sabashi sabashu….Bravo, well done....
Sabashi sabashu….Bravo, well done....

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This celebratory and energetic song is an ode to the train ('Rail Vandi'), comparing its rhythm, movement, and social role to everyday life. The lyrics playfully personify the train as a stylish entity that whistles at girls, moves like a dancing young woman, and ignores social barriers like untouchability, treating all passengers equally regardless of status.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Ada train inna middle class Flight-nu purinchikada

Compares the train to a middle-class airplane ('train inna middle class flight-nu purinchikada').

Personification

Idhu kumari ponnai paarkum bodhu Whistle adikkum da

Attributes human qualities like whistling at young women and swaying waist to the train.

Onomatopoeia

Thadak thadak sound-il

Uses rhythmic sounds mimicking the train running on tracks ('Thadak thadak sound-il').

Simile

Idhu vedalai ponnai pola Iduppa kulukki varumda

Compares the movement of the train on tracks to the swaying hips of a young girl.

Did you know?

Trivia

This energetic folk-style track features music composed by R. P. Patnaik for the hit movie Jayam (2003), starring Jayam Ravi and Sadha. The song captures a fun, celebratory spirit during a train journey.

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