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Lyrics & meaning

Anjatha Singam En

From Veerapandiya Kattabomman · 1959

Lyricist
Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniam
Singers
P. Susheela, Chorus
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Details
Veerapandiya Kattabomman1959

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Anjatha singam en kaalaiMy bull is a fearless lion,
Idhu panja parakka vidum aalaiIt blows away men like lightweight cotton.
Indha aabathai naadi varumWho comes seeking this danger?
Maaveeran paarilae yaaradiWho is that great warrior on this earth?
Anjatha singam en kaalaiMy bull is a fearless lion,
Idhu panja parakka vidum aalaiIt blows away men like lightweight cotton.
Female
Kooraana kombu renduWith two sharp horns,
Seeraaga minna kanduSeeing them shine brightly,
Kooraana kombu renduWith two sharp horns,
Seeraaga minna kanduSeeing them shine brightly,
Veerathai veeran ellamAll the brave men,
Kooraamal ponadhu unduHave forgotten to boast of their courage.
Female
Maaratha aasaiyudanWith unwavering desire,
Veerappu pesi konduSpeaking grand words of valor,
Maattai pidikka vandhuThey came to catch the bull,
Ottam pidithathunduOnly to end up running away!
Hooo oo oHooo oo o
Maattai pidikka vandhuThey came to catch the bull,
Ottam pidithathunduOnly to end up running away!
Aan vadai kandaale aagathuIt cannot tolerate even the scent of a man,
Idhu aavesam kondaalae polladhuIf it gets enraged, it becomes terrifying!
Female
Anjatha singam en kaalaiMy bull is a fearless lion,
Idhu panja parakka vidum aalaiIt blows away men like lightweight cotton.
Female
Anjatha singam en kaalaiMy bull is a fearless lion,
Idhu panja parakka vidum aalaiIt blows away men like lightweight cotton.
Indha aabathai naadi varumWho comes seeking this danger?
Maaveeran paarilae yaaradiWho is that great warrior on this earth?
Anjatha singam en kaalaiMy bull is a fearless lion,
Idhu panja parakka vidum aalaiIt blows away men like lightweight cotton.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Anjatha Singam En Kaalai' is a vibrant folk song from the historical epic 'Veerapandiya Kattabomman' (1959). Sung playfully by P. Susheela along with a female chorus, the song celebrates the pride, power, and untamed nature of a village bull associated with traditional Tamil bull-taming (Jallikattu). The lyrics mock arrogant men who boast about their bravery, only to run away in fear when confronted with the bull's sharp horns and fierce temper.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Anjatha singam en kaalai

Compares the bull directly to a fearless lion ('Anjatha singam en kaalai') to emphasize its strength and majesty.

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navitchi)

Idhu panja parakka vidum aalai

Exaggerates the bull's power by describing it tossing adult men into the air so effortlessly that they scatter like cotton ('panja parakka vidum').

Edugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Kooraana kombu rendu / Seeraaga minna kandu

The second letters 'ra' in 'Kooraana' and 'Seeraaga' rhyme, creating rhythmic harmony.

Wordplay / Pun

Maattai pidikka vandhu / Ottam pidithathundu

Uses 'pidikka' in two contrasting senses—coming to catch ('pidikka') the bull versus catching/taking to flight ('ottam pidithathundu').

Did you know?

Trivia

The soundtrack for 'Veerapandiya Kattabomman', composed by G. Ramanathan, received high acclaim and won awards at the Afro-Asian Film Festival in Cairo in 1960. The song showcases the traditional Tamil rural culture of Eru Thazhuvuthal (Jallikattu) integrated into historical cinema.

Keep listening

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