Chola Chola
From Ponniyin Selvan – Part 1 · 2022
- Lyricist
- Ilango Krishnan
- Music director
- A. R. Rahman
- Details
- Ponniyin Selvan – Part 12022
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Kodi kodi kodi parakka | As millions of flags flutter, |
| Thada thadathu | With a thundering sound, |
| Pari pari pari thudikka | As horses pulse with fierce energy, |
| Kadum manathil | Inside the stern heart, |
| Veri veri veri pirakka | As wild fury is born, |
| Adukalathil | In the battlefield, |
| Pori pori pori parakka | As sparks fly everywhere, |
| Ethirigalai | Against the enemies, |
| Vaalodu velodu ..hoi | Fight with sword and spear ..hoi |
| Poradu poradu ..hoi | Fight on, fight on ..hoi |
| Pada pada pulikodi | Let the tiger flag flutter high |
| Vanam yerattum | And touch the sky, |
| Puvinilam puvinilam | Let the entire earthly realm |
| Sozham agattum | Become the Chola kingdom! |
| Male | |
| Vari vari puli | O striped tiger, |
| Anjadha da thunjadha da | Do not fear, do not sleep, |
| Chola chola | Chola, Chola! |
| Mara mara puli | O mighty tree-like tiger, |
| Veezhadhada thazhaatha da | Do not fall, do not bow down, |
| Seela seela | O virtuous one! |
| Veeram maanam | Valor and honor |
| Puli magan iru kannallo | Are the two eyes of the tiger's son! |
| Yerey vaada.. | Come, march forward! |
| Pagai mugam sugum neeram veera | The enemy's face turns pale, warrior! |
| Male | |
| Kodi kodi kodi parakka | As millions of flags flutter, |
| Thada thadathu | With a thundering sound, |
| Pari pari pari thudikka | As horses pulse with fierce energy, |
| Kadum manathil | Inside the stern heart, |
| Veri veri veri pirakka | As wild fury is born, |
| Adukalathil | In the battlefield, |
| Pori pori pori parakka | As sparks fly everywhere, |
| Ethirigalai | Against the enemies, |
| Vaalodu velodu ..hoi | Fight with sword and spear ..hoi |
| Poradu poradu ..hoi | Fight on, fight on ..hoi |
| Pada pada pulikodi | Let the tiger flag flutter high |
| Vanam yerattum | And touch the sky, |
| Puvinilam puvinilam | Let the entire earthly realm |
| Sozham agattum | Become the Chola kingdom! |
| Male | |
| Aga muga naga | Heart, face, and mind, |
| Kalladida thalladida | Rejoicing and swaying, |
| Vaada thozha | Come, my friend! |
| Iga para sugam | Is earthly and heavenly pleasure |
| Elamidha innadhidha | So light or so deep? |
| Aasai theetha | Desire is satisfied! |
| Male | |
| Mannana mann mel pithanen | I am obsessed with this kingly land, |
| Vinnalum kodi mel pithanen | I am obsessed with the sky-reaching flag, |
| Kannana kudi mel pithanen | I am obsessed with my beloved subjects, |
| Pennana pennalae pithanen | I am obsessed with a woman as precious as a maiden! |
| Male | |
| Mannana mann mel pithanen | I am obsessed with this kingly land, |
| Vinnalum kodi mel pithanen | I am obsessed with the sky-reaching flag, |
| Kannana kudi mel pithanen | I am obsessed with my beloved subjects, |
| Pennana pennalae pithanen | I am obsessed with a woman as precious as a maiden! |
| Male | |
| Arakkii… | O Demoness... |
| Enadhu theyamum kayamum neeyadi | You are my country and my wound! |
| Udal udal udal muzhukka | Across the entire body, |
| Serukalathu vadu vadu vaduvirukka | Though there are scars from battle, |
| Oruthi thandha vadumattum uyir thudikka Varuthamenna.. | Only the scar given by her makes my soul throb; why grieve? |
| Kodu somarasam | Pour the Somarasam wine, |
| Kudada marada | Drink it up, drink it down! |
| Ivan | His |
| Payanam ini oyaadhae | Journey will not end here! |
| Edu | Take up, |
| Vaalai edu | Take up the sword! |
| Nada da nada da | March on, march on! |
| Veri | The tiger |
| Piditha puli oyaadhu | Possessed by fury will never rest! |
| Male | |
| Aga muga naga | Heart, face, and mind, |
| Kalladida thalladida | Rejoicing and swaying, |
| Vaada thozha | Come, my friend! |
| Iga para sugam | Is earthly and heavenly pleasure |
| Elamidha innadhidha | So light or so deep? |
| Aasai theetha | Desire is satisfied! |
| Male | |
| Sindhithom perundhesa kanavinai.. | We envisioned a grand nation's dream.. |
| Sandhithotham kadum porin kedu vinai | We faced the tragic outcome of severe war, |
| Nindhithom kodum kootrappagai azhithom | We despised and destroyed the deadly enemy's wrath, |
| Oo oo oo… | Oo oo oo... |
| Mannithom adi vizhuntha pagaivarai | We forgave the enemies who fell at our feet, |
| Dhandithom ethir nindra kayavaarai | We punished the villains who stood against us, |
| Kandithom adangarai sirai eduthom | We condemned the rebellious and imprisoned them, |
| Oo oo oo… | Oo oo oo... |
| Male | |
| Karpithom uyir sozham ena | We taught that life itself is Chola, |
| Oppithom adhai vedhamenna | We swore it like a holy scripture, |
| Meganthottu vaanam ettu | Touch the clouds, reach the sky, |
| Vengai puli imayam nattu | Plant the ferocious tiger flag on the Himalayas! |
| Male | |
| Kodi kodi kodi parakka | As millions of flags flutter, |
| Thada thadathu | With a thundering sound, |
| Pari pari pari thudikka | As horses pulse with fierce energy, |
| Kadum manathil | Inside the stern heart, |
| Veri veri veri pirakka | As wild fury is born, |
| Adukalathil | In the battlefield, |
| Pori pori pori parakka | As sparks fly everywhere, |
| Ethirigalai | Against the enemies, |
| Kodu somarasam | Pour the Somarasam wine, |
| Kudada marada | Drink it up, drink it down! |
| Ivan | His |
| Payanam ini oyaadhae | Journey will not end here! |
| Edu | Take up, |
| Vaalai edu | Take up the sword! |
| Nada da nada da | March on, march on! |
| Veri | The tiger |
| Piditha puli oyaadhu … | Possessed by fury will never rest! |
கொடி கொடி கொடி பறக்க
தட தடத்து
பரி பரி பரி துடிக்க
கடும் மனதில்
வெறி வெறி வெறி பிறக்க
அடுகளத்தில்
பொறி பொறி பொறி பறக்க
எதிரிகளை
வாளோடு வேலோடு ஹோய்
போராடு போராடு ஹோய்
பட பட புலிக்கொடி வானம் ஏறட்டும்
புவிநிலம் புவிநிலம் சோழம் ஆகட்டும்
As millions of flags flutter,
With a thundering sound,
As horses pulse with fierce energy,
Inside the stern heart,
As wild fury is born,
In the battlefield,
As sparks fly everywhere,
Against the enemies,
Fight with sword and spear ..hoi
Fight on, fight on ..hoi
Let the tiger flag flutter high
And touch the sky,
Let the entire earthly realm
Become the Chola kingdom!
வரி வரி புலி அஞ்சாதடா
துஞ்சாதடா சோழா சோழா
மற மற புலி வீழாதடா
தாழாதடா சீலா சீலா
வீரம் மானம்
புலி மகன் இரு கண்ணல்லோ
ஏரே வாடா
பகை முகம் செகும் நேரம் வீரா
O striped tiger,
Do not fear, do not sleep,
Chola, Chola!
O mighty tree-like tiger,
Do not fall, do not bow down,
O virtuous one!
Valor and honor
Are the two eyes of the tiger's son!
Come, march forward!
The enemy's face turns pale, warrior!
கொடி கொடி கொடி பறக்க
தட தடத்து
பரி பரி பரி துடிக்க
கடும் மனதில்
வெறி வெறி வெறி பிறக்க
அடுகளத்தில்
பொறி பொறி பொறி பறக்க
எதிரிகளை
வாளோடு வேலோடு ஹோய்
போராடு போராடு ஹோய்
பட பட புலிக்கொடி வானம் ஏறட்டும்
புவிநிலம் புவிநிலம் சோழம் ஆகட்டும்
As millions of flags flutter,
With a thundering sound,
As horses pulse with fierce energy,
Inside the stern heart,
As wild fury is born,
In the battlefield,
As sparks fly everywhere,
Against the enemies,
Fight with sword and spear ..hoi
Fight on, fight on ..hoi
Let the tiger flag flutter high
And touch the sky,
Let the entire earthly realm
Become the Chola kingdom!
அக முக நக கள்ளாடிட தள்ளாடிட
வாடா தோழா
இக பர சுகம் எல்லாமிதா இன்னாமித
ஆசை தீதா
Heart, face, and mind,
Rejoicing and swaying,
Come, my friend!
Is earthly and heavenly pleasure
So light or so deep?
Desire is satisfied!
மண்ணான மண் மேல் பித்தானேன்
ஹேய் விண்ணாளும் கொடி மேல் பித்தானேன்
ஹேய் கண்ணான குடி மேல் பித்தானேன்
ஏய் பெண்ணான பெண்ணாலே பித்தானேன்
I am obsessed with this kingly land,
I am obsessed with the sky-reaching flag,
I am obsessed with my beloved subjects,
I am obsessed with a woman as precious as a maiden!
மண்ணான மண் மேல் பித்தானேன்
ஹேய் விண்ணாளும் கொடி மேல் பித்தானேன்
ஹேய் கண்ணான குடி மேல் பித்தானேன்
ஏய் பெண்ணான பெண்ணாலே பித்தானேன்
I am obsessed with this kingly land,
I am obsessed with the sky-reaching flag,
I am obsessed with my beloved subjects,
I am obsessed with a woman as precious as a maiden!
அரக்கி
எனது தேயமும் காயமும் நீயடி
உடல் உடல் உடல் முழுக்க
செருகளத்து வடு வடு வடுவிருக்க
ஒருத்தி தந்த வடுமட்டும் உயிர் துடிக்க
வருடமென்ன கொடு
சோமரசம் குடடா மரடா
இவன் பயணம் இனி ஓயாதே
எடு வாளை எடு நடடா நடடா
வெறி பிடித்த புலி ஓயாது
O Demoness...
You are my country and my wound!
Across the entire body,
Though there are scars from battle,
Only the scar given by her makes my soul throb; why grieve?
Pour the Somarasam wine,
Drink it up, drink it down!
His
Journey will not end here!
Take up,
Take up the sword!
March on, march on!
The tiger
Possessed by fury will never rest!
அக முக நக கள்ளாடிட தள்ளாடிட
வாடா தோழா
இக பர சுகம் எல்லாமிதா இன்னாமித
ஆசை தீதா
Heart, face, and mind,
Rejoicing and swaying,
Come, my friend!
Is earthly and heavenly pleasure
So light or so deep?
Desire is satisfied!
சிந்தித்தோம் பெருந்தேச கனவினை
சந்தித்தோம் கடும் போரின் கெடு வினை
நிந்தித்தோம் கொடுந் கூட்டப்பகை அழித்தோம்
ஹோ ஹோ ஹோ
மன்னித்தோம் அடி விழுந்த பகைவரை
தண்டித்தோம் எதிர் நின்ற கயவரை
கண்டித்தோம் அடங்காரை சிறை எடுத்தோம்
ஹோ ஹோ ஹோ
We envisioned a grand nation's dream..
We faced the tragic outcome of severe war,
We despised and destroyed the deadly enemy's wrath,
Oo oo oo...
We forgave the enemies who fell at our feet,
We punished the villains who stood against us,
We condemned the rebellious and imprisoned them,
Oo oo oo...
கற்பித்தோம் உயிர் சோழம் என
ஒப்பித்தோம் அதை வேதமென
மேகந்தொட்டு வானம் எட்டு
வேங்கை புலி இமயம் நாட்டு
We taught that life itself is Chola,
We swore it like a holy scripture,
Touch the clouds, reach the sky,
Plant the ferocious tiger flag on the Himalayas!
கொடி கொடி கொடி பறக்க
தட தடத்து
பரி பரி பரி துடிக்க
கடும் மனதில்
வெறி வெறி வெறி பிறக்க
அடுகளத்தில்
பொறி பொறி பொறி பறக்க
எதிரிகளை கொடு
As millions of flags flutter,
With a thundering sound,
As horses pulse with fierce energy,
Inside the stern heart,
As wild fury is born,
In the battlefield,
As sparks fly everywhere,
Against the enemies,
Pour the Somarasam wine,
Drink it up, drink it down!
His
Journey will not end here!
Take up,
Take up the sword!
March on, march on!
The tiger
Possessed by fury will never rest!
சோமரசம் குடடா மரடா
இவன் பயணம் இனி ஓயாதே
எடு வாளை எடு நடடா நடடா
வெறி பிடித்த புலி ஓயாது
Kodi kodi kodi parakka
As millions of flags flutter,
Thada thadathu
With a thundering sound,
Pari pari pari thudikka
As horses pulse with fierce energy,
Kadum manathil
Inside the stern heart,
Veri veri veri pirakka
As wild fury is born,
Adukalathil
In the battlefield,
Pori pori pori parakka
As sparks fly everywhere,
Ethirigalai
Against the enemies,
Vaalodu velodu ..hoi
Fight with sword and spear ..hoi
Poradu poradu ..hoi
Fight on, fight on ..hoi
Pada pada pulikodi
Let the tiger flag flutter high
Vanam yerattum
And touch the sky,
Puvinilam puvinilam
Let the entire earthly realm
Sozham agattum
Become the Chola kingdom!
Vari vari puli
O striped tiger,
Anjadha da thunjadha da
Do not fear, do not sleep,
Chola chola
Chola, Chola!
Mara mara puli
O mighty tree-like tiger,
Veezhadhada thazhaatha da
Do not fall, do not bow down,
Seela seela
O virtuous one!
Veeram maanam
Valor and honor
Puli magan iru kannallo
Are the two eyes of the tiger's son!
Yerey vaada..
Come, march forward!
Pagai mugam sugum neeram veera
The enemy's face turns pale, warrior!
Kodi kodi kodi parakka
As millions of flags flutter,
Thada thadathu
With a thundering sound,
Pari pari pari thudikka
As horses pulse with fierce energy,
Kadum manathil
Inside the stern heart,
Veri veri veri pirakka
As wild fury is born,
Adukalathil
In the battlefield,
Pori pori pori parakka
As sparks fly everywhere,
Ethirigalai
Against the enemies,
Vaalodu velodu ..hoi
Fight with sword and spear ..hoi
Poradu poradu ..hoi
Fight on, fight on ..hoi
Pada pada pulikodi
Let the tiger flag flutter high
Vanam yerattum
And touch the sky,
Puvinilam puvinilam
Let the entire earthly realm
Sozham agattum
Become the Chola kingdom!
Aga muga naga
Heart, face, and mind,
Kalladida thalladida
Rejoicing and swaying,
Vaada thozha
Come, my friend!
Iga para sugam
Is earthly and heavenly pleasure
Elamidha innadhidha
So light or so deep?
Aasai theetha
Desire is satisfied!
Mannana mann mel pithanen
I am obsessed with this kingly land,
Vinnalum kodi mel pithanen
I am obsessed with the sky-reaching flag,
Kannana kudi mel pithanen
I am obsessed with my beloved subjects,
Pennana pennalae pithanen
I am obsessed with a woman as precious as a maiden!
Mannana mann mel pithanen
I am obsessed with this kingly land,
Vinnalum kodi mel pithanen
I am obsessed with the sky-reaching flag,
Kannana kudi mel pithanen
I am obsessed with my beloved subjects,
Pennana pennalae pithanen
I am obsessed with a woman as precious as a maiden!
Arakkii…
O Demoness...
Enadhu theyamum kayamum neeyadi
You are my country and my wound!
Udal udal udal muzhukka
Across the entire body,
Serukalathu vadu vadu vaduvirukka
Though there are scars from battle,
Oruthi thandha vadumattum uyir thudikka Varuthamenna..
Only the scar given by her makes my soul throb; why grieve?
Kodu somarasam
Pour the Somarasam wine,
Kudada marada
Drink it up, drink it down!
Ivan
His
Payanam ini oyaadhae
Journey will not end here!
Edu
Take up,
Vaalai edu
Take up the sword!
Nada da nada da
March on, march on!
Veri
The tiger
Piditha puli oyaadhu
Possessed by fury will never rest!
Aga muga naga
Heart, face, and mind,
Kalladida thalladida
Rejoicing and swaying,
Vaada thozha
Come, my friend!
Iga para sugam
Is earthly and heavenly pleasure
Elamidha innadhidha
So light or so deep?
Aasai theetha
Desire is satisfied!
Sindhithom perundhesa kanavinai..
We envisioned a grand nation's dream..
Sandhithotham kadum porin kedu vinai
We faced the tragic outcome of severe war,
Nindhithom kodum kootrappagai azhithom
We despised and destroyed the deadly enemy's wrath,
Oo oo oo…
Oo oo oo...
Mannithom adi vizhuntha pagaivarai
We forgave the enemies who fell at our feet,
Dhandithom ethir nindra kayavaarai
We punished the villains who stood against us,
Kandithom adangarai sirai eduthom
We condemned the rebellious and imprisoned them,
Oo oo oo…
Oo oo oo...
Karpithom uyir sozham ena
We taught that life itself is Chola,
Oppithom adhai vedhamenna
We swore it like a holy scripture,
Meganthottu vaanam ettu
Touch the clouds, reach the sky,
Vengai puli imayam nattu
Plant the ferocious tiger flag on the Himalayas!
Kodi kodi kodi parakka
As millions of flags flutter,
Thada thadathu
With a thundering sound,
Pari pari pari thudikka
As horses pulse with fierce energy,
Kadum manathil
Inside the stern heart,
Veri veri veri pirakka
As wild fury is born,
Adukalathil
In the battlefield,
Pori pori pori parakka
As sparks fly everywhere,
Ethirigalai
Against the enemies,
Kodu somarasam
Pour the Somarasam wine,
Kudada marada
Drink it up, drink it down!
Ivan
His
Payanam ini oyaadhae
Journey will not end here!
Edu
Take up,
Vaalai edu
Take up the sword!
Nada da nada da
March on, march on!
Veri
The tiger
Piditha puli oyaadhu …
Possessed by fury will never rest!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Chola Chola' is a high-energy anthem celebrating the valor, obsession, and heartbreak of Prince Aditya Karikalan from Mani Ratnam's magnum opus 'Ponniyin Selvan - Part 1'. Set against the backdrop of the Chola empire's military triumphs, the song captures both Karikalan's fierce warrior spirit on the battlefield and his deeply tormented soul caused by his tragic past love, Nandhini. The lyrics juxtapose grand imperial ambitions with intense personal grief.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Adukkuthodar (Repetition / Anaphora)
“Kodi kodi kodi parakka”
Repetition of words like 'Kodi kodi kodi', 'Pari pari pari', and 'Veri veri veri' at the start of consecutive lines creates rhythmic momentum and emphasizes intensity.
Ethirai (Second letter rhyming in Tamil prosody)
“Vari vari puli / Mara mara puli”
Matching second consonants across lines such as 'Vari vari puli' and 'Mara mara puli' establishes traditional Tamil poetic harmony.
Metaphor
“Veeram maanam puli magan iru kannallo”
'Veeram maanam puli magan iru kannallo' metaphorically compares bravery and honor to the two eyes of the Chola tiger prince.
Paradox / Imagery
“Oruthi thandha vadumattum uyir thudikka Varuthamenna..”
Contrasting physical battle scars with an emotional scar given by a loved one ('Oruthi thandha vadumattum uyir thudikka'), showing that love hurts deeper than war.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Chola Chola' depicts the grand victory celebrations of Crown Prince Aditya Karikalan (played by Vikram). The lyricist Ilango Krishnan drew inspiration from ancient Sangam literature to weave authentic classical Tamil vocabulary into a modern orchestral arrangement composed by A. R. Rahman.
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