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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Alta Maappu

From Chandi Veeran · 2015

Lyricist
Lyricist Not Known
Singers
Velmurugan, Mahalingam
Music director
S. N. Arunagiri
Details
Chandi Veeran2015

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
Alta maappu ithu delta rappuHigh-class style, this is Delta region rap
Alta maappu ithu delta rappuHigh-class style, this is Delta region rap
Male
Singapore sattamSingapore law
Athu nikkala nikkalaDid not hold up, did not hold up
Thanjavur singamThe lion of Thanjavur
Athu sikkala sikkalaDid not get caught, did not get caught
Sottavaalai kuttiyadaHe is a spirited young man, groom
Mappila maappilaGroom, groom
Medal vaangi kuthungadaPin a medal on his chest
Nenjila nenjilaOn his chest, on his chest
Male
Kaveri karaiyoraAlong the banks of river Kaveri
Esamaanu naanathaandaI am the rightful master
RajarajachozhaninKing Raja Raja Chola's
Per sollum perandaGreat-grandson who carries his name
Chorus
Alta maappu ithu delta rappuHigh-class style, this is Delta region rap
Alta maappu ithu delta rappuHigh-class style, this is Delta region rap
Chorus
Kuthira samba mana manakkaFragrant Kuthira Samba rice wafting air
Kurangu samba panam sezhikkaKurangu Samba rice bringing prosperity
Panam sezhikka panam sezhikkaBringing prosperity, bringing prosperity
Yeh jeeraka samba kaipudikkaHolding hands with Jeeraga Samba rice
Kichadi samba padi alakka padi alakkaMeasuring out Kichadi Samba rice, measuring it out
Alta maappu ithu delta rappuHigh-class style, this is Delta region rap
Chorus
Aaaa….aaahhaa…aaaa..Aaaa....aaahhaa...aaaa..
Aaaa…aaaaa..Aaaa...aaaaa..
Chorus
Ada arakorai aadaiyil mousaSkimpily dressed fashion trends
Foreign ponnunga thiriyum mousaForeign girls roaming around in style
Athil mappu illai kelu mappillaiThere is no real kick in that, listen groom
Namma ponnunga kenda kaalulaIn our local girls' calves
Ada kaattura kickukku eedillaThe kick they offer is matchless
Male
Yeh nellu kuthum olakkaThe wooden pestle that pounds paddy
Nila soru parukkaEating rice under the moonlight
Oram poi padukkaSleeping peacefully on the porch side
Thembirukkum pozhakkaWhat a hearty lifestyle full of strength
Adichi oda maattomWe will not strike and run away
Ithu soru potta kuttamThis is a loyal crowd raised on good food
Chorus
Alta maappu ithu delta rappuHigh-class style, this is Delta region rap
Hei alta maappu ithu delta rappuHey, high-class style, this is Delta region rap
Chorus
Yeh urunda mannuOh, rounded soil
Poranda mannuSoil of our birth
Pozhacha mannu …kozhacha mannuSoil that gave life, soil kneaded with water
Molacha mannu …velacha mannuSoil that sprouted crops, soil that yielded harvest
Chorus
Eera mannu.. eesa mannuMoist soil, soil harboring winged termites
Nanja mannu… punja mannuWetland soil, dryland soil
Panjamilla senja mannuFertile soil blessed with no famine
Chorus
Alta maappu ithu delta rappuHigh-class style, this is Delta region rap
Alta maappu ithu delta rappuHigh-class style, this is Delta region rap

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This energetic folk-rap song from Chandi Veeran (2015) celebrates the native pride, agricultural heritage, and cultural rich history of Tamil Nadu's Kaveri Delta region (primarily Thanjavur). The lyrics highlight the lineage of the great Chola dynasty, local traditions, and the deep emotional bond the people share with their fertile soil.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Epiphora (Ending Rhyme)

Yeh urunda mannu / Poranda mannu / Pozhacha mannu / Molacha mannu / Eera mannu / Nanja mannu / Panjamilla senja mannu Primary repetition of 'mannu' (soil) at the end of every line creates a strong rhythmic chant celebrating the land.

Anaphora / Parallelism

Kuthira samba mana manakka / Kurangu samba panam sezhikka / Yeh jeeraka samba kaipudikka / Kichadi samba padi alakka

Historical Allusion

Rajarajachozhanin per sollum peranda

Alliteration (Monnai)

Singapore sattam / Thanjavur singam

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Trivia

The song features music composed by S. N. Arunagiri for the film Chandi Veeran (2015), starring Atharvaa and Anandhi, directed by A. Sarkunam. It uses authentic regional Tamil vocabulary referencing native heritage rice varieties of Tamil Nadu such as Jeeraga Samba, Kuthira Samba, Kurangu Samba, and Kichadi Samba.

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