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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ange Siripavargal

From Rickshawkaran · 1971

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Rickshawkaran1971

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
{ AngaeLet those over there
Siripavargalwho laugh
Sirikattum adhukeep laughing; that is
Aanava siripua laugh of arrogance.
Male
Ingae neeWhile here, your
Sirikum pon siripogolden laughter
Aanantha siripu } (2)is a laugh of pure joy.
Male
{ Nalla theerpaiA fair judgment
Ulagam sollum naalon the day the world delivers,
Varumbodhu andruwhen that day arrives, then
Siripathu yaar azhuvathuwho will laugh and who will cry,
Yaar theriyum appothu } (2)who knows then?
Male
AngaeLet those over there
Siripavargalwho laugh
Sirikattum adhukeep laughing; that is
Aanava siripu …..a laugh of arrogance...
Aanava siripua laugh of arrogance.
Male
{ Vayiru valikaThose who laugh till their stomachs ache
Siripavargal manithabelong to the human
Jaadhi pirar vayirukind, while those who laugh when others'
Eriya siripavargalstomachs burn belong to
Miruga jaadhi } (2)the beastly kind.
Male
Manithan endraIn the disguise of
Porvaiyil mirugama human, beasts
Vaazhum naatilaelive in this land where
Male
Neethiendrumjustice and
Nermai endrumhonesty
{ Ezhuthi vaipaar yettilae } (2)are merely written in rulebooks.
Male
AngaeLet those over there
Siripavargalwho laugh
Sirikattum adhukeep laughing; that is
Aanava siripua laugh of arrogance.
Male
Ingae neeWhile here, your
Sirikum pon siripogolden laughter
Aanantha siripuis a laugh of pure joy.
Male
{ Naanal polaeLike a flexible reed,
Valaivathuthaanis bending really what
Sattam ahuma adhaithe law is meant to do, and to
Valaipadharku valakkarignarbend it, does a lawyer need
Pattam venuma } (2)a formal degree?
Male
Tharma thaayinShould the children of
Pillaigal thaayin kannaiMother Justice blindfold her
Maraipadhaeyes?
Male
Unmai thannaiRendering truth itself
Oomaiyaakimute,
{ Thalaikuniya vaipadha } (2)and making it hang its head in shame?
Male
AngaeLet those over there
Siripavargalwho laugh
Sirikattum adhukeep laughing; that is
Aanava siripu …..a laugh of arrogance...
Aanava siripua laugh of arrogance.
Male
{ Thottam kaakaDid the fence erected to guard the garden
Pota veli payirai thindradhoend up devouring the crops?
Adhai kelvi keka aal illamalWith no one present to question it,
Paarthu nippadho } (2)should one merely stand and watch?
Male
Naan oru kai paarkirenI will take matters into my own hands,
Neram varum ketkirenwhen the right time comes, I will demand answers.
Poonai alla pulli thaanI am not a helpless cat, but a tiger,
Endru poga poga kaatukirenas time unfolds, I will prove it,
Poga poga kaatukirenas time unfolds, I will prove it.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This philosophical song from Rickshawkaran contrasts the arrogance of the wealthy elite with the innocent joy of the common people. The protagonist critiques a corrupt system where lawyers bend the law like flexible reeds, justice is reduced to written words rather than practice, and those meant to protect society devour its resources like a fence eating the crops. Ultimately, the song delivers a powerful warning of righteous vengeance, asserting that truth will triumph and the protagonist will rise like a tiger to demand accountability when the right time arrives.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Contrast (Maranu)

Angae Siripavargal ... Ingae nee Sirikum pon siripo

Contrasts arrogance (Aanava siripu) with pure bliss (Aanantha siripu), as well as human nature (Manitha jaadhi) with beastly nature (Miruga jaadhi).

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Manithan endra Porvaiyil mirugam

Compares corrupt people to beasts hiding under human skin.

Simile (Uvamai)

Naanal polae Valaivathuthaan Sattam ahuma

Compares the malleability of law to a bending reed (Naanal).

Proverbial Metaphor

Thottam kaaka Pota veli payirai thindradho

Uses the famous Tamil idiom of a protective fence eating the crops to depict betrayers of trust and justice.

Animal Imagery / Metaphor

Poonai alla pulli thaan Endru poga poga kaatukiren

Compares self to a tiger rather than a weak cat to signal impending rebellion and strength.

Did you know?

Trivia

Rickshawkaran (1971) won M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) the National Film Award for Best Actor. The music for this iconic track was composed by M. S. Viswanathan, with lyrics by Vaali and vocals by T. M. Soundararajan.

Keep listening

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