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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Dhushta

From Iraivi · 2016

Lyricist
Vivek
Singers
Meenakshi, Dhee
Music director
Santhosh Narayanan
Details
Iraivi2016

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
Kalavara kangalTroubled eyes
Karuppu nira idhayamA heart black in color
Nimirnthu paar ennai therigirathaLook up at me, do you recognize me?
Chorus
Karaipatta kaigalStained hands
Naanum un uyaramI am equal to your stature
Moolaiyil sirupori erikirathaIs a small spark burning in the corner of your mind?
Chorus
Un peyar un kuralYour name, your voice
Un nizhal enakkumYour shadow belongs to me as well
Uttru paar ninaivu varukirathaGaze closely, does memory return?
Chorus
{Nee thaan naan dushta{You are me, O wicked one
Un paavaththil sethukiyaSculpted out of your sins
Uruvam naanI am that form
Nee thaan naan dhushtaYou are me, O wicked one
Un paavathin sambalamThe wage for your sin
Maranam dhaan} (2)Is death itself} (2)
Chorus
{Kaavi.. naan{I am the sacred saffron...
Miruga..aavi neeYou are a beastly spirit
Iraivi…devi naanI am the goddess, the divine feminine
Kodiya..paavi nee…} (2)You are a cruel sinner...} (2)
Chorus
Nee thaan naan dushtaYou are me, O wicked one
Un paavaththil sethukiyaSculpted out of your sins
Uruvam naanI am that form
Nee thaan naan dhushtaYou are me, O wicked one
Un paavathin sambalamThe wage for your sin
Maranam dhaanIs death itself
Chorus
Unnai pol sila kayavargal koottamA group of scoundrels like you
Ennai pol sila pengalai vaattumTorments women like me
Paninthae oru viduthalai kettumEven when bowing down and begging for liberation
Kazhuthil pala surukkugal maatumTightens many nooses around the neck
Female
Irandhapin engalukku silai sethukkumAfter death, sculpts a statue for us
Antha silaikena thaniyoru vilai othukkumAnd sets a separate price for that statue
Naan kayavargal kai vettum thalaiviyadaI am the leader who chops off the hands of evil men
Oru vilai vaikkum thalai thattum iraiviyadaI am the divine goddess who strikes down those who commodify women
Chorus
{Kaavi.. naan{I am the sacred saffron...
Miruga..aavi neeYou are a beastly spirit
Iraivi…devi naanI am the goddess, the divine feminine
Kodiya..paavi nee…} (2)You are a cruel sinner...} (2)
Chorus
Nee thaan naan dushtaYou are me, O wicked one
Un paavaththil sethukiyaSculpted out of your sins
Uruvam naanI am that form
Nee thaan naan dhushtaYou are me, O wicked one
Un paavathin sambalamThe wage for your sin
Maranam dhaanIs death itself

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Dhushta' from the film Iraivi is a fierce, vengeful feminist anthem that confronts male chauvinism, oppression, and hypocrisy. It speaks from the perspective of a woman (or the collective divine feminine) who has suffered under the cruelty of patriarchal control and has now risen as an unstoppable force of retribution. She declares that she is the direct consequence of men's sins and hypocrisies—men who oppress women during their lives and glorify or commodify them after their destruction.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Contrast / Antithesis (Muran)

Kaavi.. naan / Miruga..aavi nee / Iraivi…devi naan / Kodiya..paavi nee…

Pairs contrasting imagery like sacred ('Kaavi', 'Iraivi') against brutal or sinful elements ('Miruga aavi', 'Kodiya paavi') to highlight moral corruption versus divine justice.

Rhyme (Esubu / Iyaibu)

Unnai pol sila kayavargal koottam / Ennai pol sila pengalai vaattum

End rhymes across lines such as koottam, vaattum, kettum, maatum create a rhythmic, chant-like urgency.

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

Un paavaththil sethukiya uruvam naan

Comparing the retribution/incarnation of vengeance to a form sculpted out of the oppressor's sins.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although listed in the prompt context as unknown, the soundtrack for Iraivi (2016) was composed by Santhosh Narayanan. 'Dhushta' features vocals by Santhosh Narayanan, Meenakshi, and Dhee, with lyricist Vivek penning powerful lines that mirror the core narrative of Karthik Subbaraj's film on women's liberation.

Keep listening

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