Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aattam Pottu

From Vetrivel · 2016

Lyricist
Mohan Rajan
Singer
Saicharan
Music director
D. Imman
Details
Vetrivel2016

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Aattam pottu aarambipomLet us start by dancing
Summa nikkathaeDo not just stand there idle
Oru poota pottuPutting a lock
Potti vaikkaTo store in a box
Kaalam sikkathaeTime won't get caught
Male
Hey..aattam pottu aarambipomHey, let us start by dancing
Summa nikkathaeDo not just stand there idle
Oru poota pottuPutting a lock
Potti vaikkaTo store in a box
Kaalam sikkathaeTime won't get caught
Male
Adda yaaruthuHey, whose is it
Yaaruthu vaanamWhose is the sky
Adda poguthuHey, it moves away
Poguthu megamThe cloud moves away
Atha patta podaTo claim ownership over it
MudiyathudaIt is impossible, my friend
Male
Un pookulaIn your own rhythm
Pookula ooduRun in your own flow
Un thedala thedala seruJoin your search and pursuit
Enna nadakumoWhatever is bound to happen
Athu nadakattumLet it happen
Atha appapaWe can manage it
Paathukalaam….As and when it comes...
Male
Aattam pottu aarambipomLet us start by dancing
Summa nikkathaeDo not just stand there idle
Oru poota pottuPutting a lock
Potti vaikkaTo store in a box
Kaalam sikkathaeTime won't get caught
Male
Pozhuthodu pozhuthagaDay after day
Un vaazhkaiya nee theduSearch for your own life
Siru pullum sigaramthaanEven a small blade of grass is a peak
Sitherumbu nee keeluListen to the tiny ant
Male
Meegatha pola nigazhkalamLike a passing cloud, the present
Athu oodi pogumaeWill run away quickly
Vaanatha pola ethirkalamLike the vast sky, the future
Thelivaga thondrumaeWill appear clearly
Male
Ennada vazhkaiWhat a life this is
Endru neeyumaeSaying so, you too
YengakudathuShould not lament
Kanmunnae kaalamRight before your eyes, time
Kaali aagumaeWill run out
Thoonga koodathuYou should not sleep
Male
Oru aamai thaan ootilLike a turtle hiding inside its shell
Aada pichai vaangathaeDo not beg for victory
Male
Aattam pottu aarambipomLet us start by dancing
Summa nikkaathaeDo not just stand there idle
Oru poota pottuPutting a lock
Potti vaikkaTo store in a box
Kaalam sikkathaeTime won't get caught
Male
Oru poothum thalarathaeNever lose heart
Un nambikai thoorkathuYour faith will not fail
Thenanthorum era thedaTo search for prey every day
Entha paravaiyum salikaathuNo bird ever gets tired
Male
Viralgalai moodumWhen you close your fingers
Surukkam thaanThe fold that forms
Kai regai enbathuIs what a palm line is
Athaivida vaada nam kaiyilMore than that, come on, in our hands
Nam veervai ullathuWe have our own sweat
Male
Vaazhkaiyo poogaAs life goes on
Pooga thanadaAs it moves forward
Paadam solluthuIt teaches us lessons
Vaalibam theyum munnaeBefore youth fades away
Odada pathai ullathuRun, there is a path ahead
Male
Poorattam illaamalWithout a struggle
Ingu ethuvum kidaiyaathuNothing is achieved here
Hey.. hey…Hey.. hey...
Male
Aattam pottu aarambipomLet us start by dancing
Summa nikkaathaeDo not just stand there idle
Oru poota pottuPutting a lock
Potti vaikkaTo store in a box
Kaalam sikkathae..aaee….Time won't get caught..aaee....

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Aattam Pottu Aarambipom from the movie Vetrivel is a high-energy motivational song that urges listeners to live life actively and meaningfully. It emphasizes that time is fleeting and cannot be locked away or controlled, just as no one can claim ownership over the open sky or drifting clouds. Instead of worrying or lamenting about the future, the song encourages individuals to embrace every day with enthusiasm, work hard, and face life's challenges with confidence. Through vivid metaphors drawn from nature—such as the relentless ant, the untiring bird seeking prey, and grass reaching for the sky—the lyricist highlights the power of perseverance. It conveys that true destiny is shaped not by lines on a palm, but by the sweat of honest effort before youth passes away.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Siru pullum sigaramthaan

Comparing a small blade of grass to a mountain peak to emphasize that even small efforts hold immense value.

Simile

Meegatha pola nigazhkalam

Comparing the present time to a cloud ('meegam') that quickly passes by.

Etukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Aattam pottu aarambipom / Oru poota pottu

Rhyming of the second consonant sound 'tta' in 'Aattam' and 'poota'.

Analogy

Thenanthorum era theda / Entha paravaiyum salikaathu

Using the example of birds never tiring of seeking food every day to inspire continuous human perseverance.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Aattam Pottu Aarambipom' features motivational lyrics written by Mohan Rajan for the 2016 rural drama film Vetrivel, starring Sasikumar. The soundtrack was composed by D. Imman, known for blending uplifting folk beats with inspiring lyrics.

Keep listening

More from Vetrivel