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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Engal Natham

From Sanga Natham · 1984

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, Chorus
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Sanga Natham1984

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
Aaa…..aa…..aa…..aa….aa…Ah... ah... ah... ah... ah...
Male
Engal naadham sanga naadhamOur sound is the sound of the union
Chorus :Engal naadham sanga naadhamChorus: Our sound is the sound of the union
Male :Ini engum ketkum geethamMale: Hereafter, this song will be heard everywhere
Chorus :Ini engum ketkum geethamChorus: Hereafter, this song will be heard everywhere
Male
Pagaivar kottai kadhavai udaiththuBreaking down the enemy's fort gates
Pugunthu vittathu pulipadai iniThe tiger army has now entered inside
Uzhaikkum varkkam ondraeOnly the working class
Ulaikkum varakkam ondraeOnly the hard-working class
Ulagai aalum enbathu velippadaiWill rule the world, this is plain to see
Chorus
Naadham sanga naadhamSound, the sound of the union
Engal naadham sanga naadhamOur sound is the sound of the union
Male
Amaippil ayiram oottaiThere are a thousand loopholes in the system
Idhai aalbavanukkae veattaiIt is a hunt for the ruler
Chorus
Amaippil ayiram oottaiThere are a thousand loopholes in the system
Idhai aalbavanukkae veattaiIt is a hunt for the ruler
Ingae jangal ellaam thirandaalIf all the masses gather here
Amaiyum samadharmaththin kottaiThe fortress of equality will be built
Chorus
Engal naadham sanga naadhamOur sound is the sound of the union
Engal naadham sanga naadhamOur sound is the sound of the union
Male
Nettriyil raththam theettuAnoint blood upon your forehead
Nee naettru enbathai maattruChange the notion that you are of yesterday
Chorus
Nettriyil raththam theettuAnoint blood upon your forehead
Nee naettru enbathai maattruChange the notion that you are of yesterday
Namai kattuppaduththa mudiyaathuWe cannot be restrained
Naam vanthanam sumantha kaattruWe are the wind carrying reverence
Chorus
Engal naadham sanga naadhamOur sound is the sound of the union
Engal naadham sanga naadhamOur sound is the sound of the union
Male
Ilaiya bharatham pirakkumA new young India will be born
Adhu irumbu kadhavugalai norukkumIt will crush doors of iron
Chorus :Ilaiya bharatham pirakkumChorus: A new young India will be born
Adhu irumbu kadhavugalai norukkumIt will crush doors of iron
Ingu sithari kidakkum sakthikalellaamIf all the powers scattered here join together
Saernthaal edhuvum nadakkumAnything can happen
Chorus
Engal naadham sanga naadhamOur sound is the sound of the union
Engal naadham sanga naadhamOur sound is the sound of the union
Male
Ini engum ketkum geethamHereafter, this song will be heard everywhere
Chorus :Ini engum ketkum geethamChorus: Hereafter, this song will be heard everywhere
Male
Pagaivar kottai kadhavai udaiththuBreaking down the enemy's fort gates
Pugunthu vittathu pulipadai iniThe tiger army has now entered inside
Uzhaikkum varkkam ondraeOnly the working class
Ulagai aalum enbathu velippadaiWill rule the world, this is plain to see
Chorus
Naadham sanga naadhamSound, the sound of the union
Engal naadham sanga naadhamOur sound is the sound of the union
Engal naadham sanga naadhamOur sound is the sound of the union
Engal naadham sanga naadhamOur sound is the sound of the union
Engal naadham sanga naadhamOur sound is the sound of the union
Engal naadham sanga naadham….mm…Our sound is the sound of the union... mm...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Engal Naadham Sanga Naadham' from the 1984 Tamil movie 'Sanga Natham' is a rousing revolutionary anthem centered on working-class empowerment, unity, and social reform. Lyricist Vairamuthu uses bold, martial language to summon the working masses and youth to rise against administrative corruption and oppressive system loopholes ('Amaippil ayiram oottai'). Through metaphors of a fierce 'tiger army' breaching enemy fortresses and a rejuvenated India crushing iron barriers, the lyrics express absolute confidence that a united working class will eventually construct a fortress of equality ('samadharmaththin kottai') and rule the world.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyming)

Nettriyil raththam theettu / Nee naettru enbathai maattru

The second consonant 'tt' is repeated across consecutive lines ('Nettriyil' and 'naettru'), establishing a traditional Tamil poetic rhythm.

Monai (First-letter Alliteration)

Pagaivar kottai kadhavai udaiththu / Pugunthu vittathu pulipadai ini

The initial letter sound ('Pa' / 'Pu') is repeated at the start of adjacent lines, creating an impactful phonetic start.

Metaphor

Pugunthu vittathu pulipadai ini

The united working class is metaphorically described as a 'tiger army' (pulipadai) storming the fortress of oppressors.

Personification / Imagery

Adhu irumbu kadhavugalai norukkum

Young India ('Ilaiya bharatham') is personified as a powerful force capable of physically shattering iron gates of oppression.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Sanga Natham' (1984) features lyrics written by Vairamuthu, highlighting his signature socio-political reformist themes that gained popularity during the 1980s Tamil cinema movement focused on labor rights and youth activism.

Keep listening

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