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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Dei Dei Payale

From Makkal Aanaiyittaal · 1988

Lyricist
S. A. Rajkumar
Singer
S. A. Rajkumar
Music director
S. A. Rajkumar
Details
Makkal Aanaiyittaal1988

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Dei dei payalae chinnapayalaeHey boy, little boy,
Naalai ulagam un kaiyilaeTomorrow's world is in your hands.
Dei dei payalae chinnapayalaeHey boy, little boy,
Naalai ulagam un kaiyilaeTomorrow's world is in your hands.
Uzhaichchaalae vaungaalamOnly if you work hard, your future time
Uruvaagaum unmaiyilaeWill truly take shape.
Male
Dei dei payalae chinnapayalaeHey boy, little boy,
Naalai ulagam un kaiyilaeTomorrow's world is in your hands.
Uzhaichchaalae vaungaalamOnly if you work hard, your future time
Uruvaagaum unmaiyilae….hae…Will truly take shape... hae...
Male
Niyaayam maranthu thiriyura manushanaA human who wanders around forgetting justice,
Naaigal kooda mathikkaathuEven dogs will not respect him.
Naalum uzhaikkira janangala midhichchaaIf you crush the people who labor every day,
Soru thanni kedaikkaathuYou won't even get food or water.
Chorus
Aamaannae aamaannaeYes brother, yes brother,
Adhukku melae sollannaeSpeak beyond that, brother.
Aamaannae aamaannaeYes brother, yes brother,
Adhukku melae sollannaeSpeak beyond that, brother.
Male
Podhuvaa edhukkum sattamillaeGenerally, there is no law for anything,
Ozhungaa nadakkum thittamillaeThere is no properly functioning system.
Chorus :…………………Chorus :...............
Male
Kalappa pudichchu uzhuthavanThe one who held the plow and plowed the land,
Kattantharaiyil kidakkuraanIs lying on the bare floor.
Valuththavan pozhaikkiraanThe powerful one thrives,
Uzhaichavan thudikkiraanThe hardworking one suffers in pain.
Male
Dei dei payalae chinnapayalaeHey boy, little boy,
Naalai ulagam un kaiyilaeTomorrow's world is in your hands.
Uzhaichchaalae vaungaalamOnly if you work hard, your future time
Uruvaagaum unmaiyilae….Will truly take shape....
Male
Dei dei payalae chinnapayalaeHey boy, little boy,
Naalai ulagam un kaiyilae haehaeiTomorrow's world is in your hands haehaei.
Male
Uduththa thuniyillaNo clothes to wear,
Poazhaikkavum vazhiyillaNo way to earn a living,
Urangi kidanthom oomaigalaaiWe lay asleep like mute people.
Edhirkka thunivillaiNo courage to oppose,
Thadukkavum vazhiyillaNo way to stop the injustice,
Edhukku poranthom adimaigalaaiWhy were we born as slaves?
Chorus
Aamaannae aamaannaeYes brother, yes brother,
Adhukku melae sollannaeSpeak beyond that, brother.
Aamaannae aamaannaeYes brother, yes brother,
Adhukku melae sollannaeSpeak beyond that, brother.
Male
Vizhuthaa kedanthaa niyaayamillaIf you stay fallen, there is no fairness,
Azhuthaa edhukkum needhiyillaIf you cry, there is no justice for anything.
Chorus :…………….Chorus :............
Male
Kuniya kuniya kuttiduvaanAs long as you bend down, he will hit your head,
Ezhunthu ninnaa vittuduvaanIf you stand up, he will leave you alone.
Elaichchavan thuniyanumThe weak person must become brave,
Edhukku nee paniyanumWhy should you bow down to anyone?
Male
Dei dei payalae chinnapayalaeHey boy, little boy,
Naalai ulagam un kaiyilaeTomorrow's world is in your hands.
Uzhaichchaalae vaungaalamOnly if you work hard, your future time
Uruvaagaum unmaiyilae….Will truly take shape....
Male
Dei dei payalae chinnapayalaeHey boy, little boy,
Naalai ulagam un kaiyilaeTomorrow's world is in your hands.
Uzhaichchaalae vaungaalamOnly if you work hard, your future time
Uruvaagaum unmaiyilae….haei…Will truly take shape....haei...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This motivational song serves as a social awakening message aimed at youth and the working class. It reminds the younger generation that the future of the world rests in their hands and that honest labor is essential for building a bright future. The lyrics address systemic inequality, pointing out how hard-working farmers and laborers are often exploited and left destitute while the powerful thrive. Furthermore, the song urges people to break free from silence and passivity, encouraging the oppressed to stand up against injustice and assert their dignity.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Anaphora / Repetition

Dei dei payalae chinnapayalae

The line 'Dei dei payalae chinnapayalae' is repeated across verses to emphasize the direct address to the young child.

Moanai (Initial Alliteration)

Uzhaichchaalae vaungaalam / Uruvaagaum unmaiyilae

The starting 'U' sound creates a rhythmic initial agreement between consecutive lines ('Uzhaichchaalae' and 'Uruvaagaum').

Simile (Upamai)

Urangi kidanthom oomaigalaai

Compares the passive, helpless state of oppressed people to mute individuals ('oomaigalaai').

Antithesis / Contrast

Valuththavan pozhaikkiraan / Uzhaichavan thudikkiraan

Juxtaposes the prosperous condition of the strong ('Valuththavan pozhaikkiraan') with the suffering of the laborer ('Uzhaichavan thudikkiraan').

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Trivia

The song uses classical Tamil political cinema tropes common in reformist songs from the mid-to-late 20th century, directly calling upon the working class and youth to unite against social oppression.

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