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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Dingu Dongu

From Sarvam Thaala Mayam · 2018

Lyricist
Arunraja Kamaraj
Singers
Bamba Bakya, Anthony Daasan
Music director
A. R. Rahman
Details
Sarvam Thaala Mayam2018

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Eppo varumooWhen will it come
Enga kaalamOur time
Eppo varum…aaammmmWhen will it come... yes...
Male
Eppo varumooWhen will it come
Enga kaalamOur time
Eppo varum…When will it come...
Eppo kuraiyumWhen will it lessen
Enga baaramOur burden
Karaiyum bhaedhamWhen will discrimination melt away
Male
Eppo varumooWhen will it come
Enga neramOur time
Eppo varum…When will it come...
Eppo kuraiyumWhen will it lessen
Enga baaramOur burden
Karaiyum bhaedhamWhen will discrimination melt away
Male
Thappu kottum bodhumEven when beating the thappu drum
Uyir naadham varumThe soul's divine rhythm emerges
Antha melaththilTo that percussion beat
Ellamae aadividumEverything will dance
Chorus
{Dingu dong dingu dongu{Dingu dong dingu dongu
Dingu dongu ding donguDingu dongu ding dongu
Dingu dong dingu donguDingu dong dingu dongu
Dingu dongu ding donguDingu dongu ding dongu
Dingu dong dingu dongu dingDingu dong dingu dongu ding
Dingu dongu ding dongu ding} (2)Dingu dongu ding dongu ding} (2)
Male
Eppo varumooWhen will it come
Enga kaalamOur time
Eppo varum…When will it come...
Eppo kuraiyumWhen will it lessen
Enga baaramOur burden
Karaiyum bhaedhamWhen will discrimination melt away
Male
Eppo varumooWhen will it come
Enga neramOur time
Eppo varum…When will it come...
Eppo kuraiyumWhen will it lessen
Enga baaramOur burden
Karaiyum bhaedhamWhen will discrimination melt away
Male
Vidhaikkira kai ellaamThe hands that sow seeds
Sethulathaan mukkanumaeMust sink into the mud
Soothula kai vaikkaTo get a turn at comfort
Varisaiyilae nikkanumaeOne must wait in queue
Male
Kedaikkura tholulathaanFrom the leather obtained
Adikkira vaadhiyathaThe percussion instruments played
Padaikkira kaigalukkuTo the hands that craft them
Isaikkira gnyaanam unduBelongs the true musical wisdom
Male
Enga vaazhvodumIn our living
Isaiyodum naadham undu… uuu..And in our music lies real melody...
Namba paattu saththamThe sound of our song
Vaettu polaeIs like a loud firecracker
Oorae sernthu kettaachuThe entire town gathered to hear it
Chorus
{Dingu dong dingu dongu{Dingu dong dingu dongu
Dingu dongu ding donguDingu dongu ding dongu
Dingu dong dingu donguDingu dong dingu dongu
Dingu dongu ding donguDingu dongu ding dongu
Dingu dong dingu dongu dingDingu dong dingu dongu ding
Dingu dongu ding dongu ding} (2)Dingu dongu ding dongu ding} (2)
Male
Eppo varumooWhen will it come
Enga kaalamOur time
Eppo varum…When will it come...
Eppo kuraiyumWhen will it lessen
Enga baaramOur burden
Karaiyum bhaedhamWhen will discrimination melt away
Male
Eppo varumooWhen will it come
Enga kaalamOur time
Eppo varum…When will it come...
Eppo kuraiyumWhen will it lessen
Enga baaramOur burden
Karaiyum bhaedhamWhen will discrimination melt away
Male
Thappu kottum bodhumEven when beating the thappu drum
Uyir naadham varumThe soul's divine rhythm emerges
Antha melaththilTo that percussion beat
Ellamae aadividumEverything will dance
Chorus
{Dingu dong dingu dongu{Dingu dong dingu dongu
Dingu dongu ding donguDingu dongu ding dongu
Dingu dong dingu donguDingu dong dingu dongu
Dingu dongu ding donguDingu dongu ding dongu
Dingu dong dingu dongu dingDingu dong dingu dongu ding
Dingu dongu ding dongu ding} (2)Dingu dongu ding dongu ding} (2)

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This powerful track from Sarvam Thaala Mayam explores themes of social oppression, longing for equality, and the intrinsic artistic value of marginalized communities. The speaker questions when their burden of social discrimination will end and when their day of dignity will arrive. It highlights that those who craft leather percussion instruments with raw labor possess innate musical wisdom, asserting that true soul and melody exist in their work and daily lives.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Onomatopoeia (Oli-kurippu)

{Dingu dong dingu dongu

The rhythmic syllables 'Dingu dong dingu dongu' imitate the vibrant beat of traditional folk percussion instruments.

Simile (Uwamai)

Vaettu polae

The song compares the booming voice/song of the working class to the loud burst of a firecracker ('Vaettu polae') that demands the entire town's attention.

Ethukai (Second-letter Assonance)

Thappu kottum bodhum

Matching second consonants across lines ('Thappu' / 'Uyir' / 'Antha') creating a rhythmic poetic cadence.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although listed as Unknown in the prompt context, Sarvam Thaala Mayam (2018) features music composed by Academy Award-winner A.R. Rahman. The film deals specifically with the intersection of caste identity, instrument making (Mridangam), and classical music traditions in South India.

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