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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Erimalai Naane

From Kanda Naal Mudhal · 2005

Lyricist
Thamarai
Singers
Shankar Mahadevan, Vasundhara Das
Music director
Yuvan Shankar Raja
Details
Kanda Naal Mudhal2005

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Erimalai naanaeI am a volcano
Erimalai naanaeI am a volcano
Edhirae nirkaadhaeDo not stand before me
Uchchi mudhal paadhamFrom head to toe
Michcham meedhi indriWithout leaving anything behind
Saambal aagaadhaeDo not get turned into ashes
Female
Saabam vidaTo cast a curse
Neeyum ennaWho do you think you are?
Gangai karai munivanaA sage from the banks of the Ganges?
Anja maattenI will not be scared
Anju paisaa mirattalukkuOf your cheap five-paise threats
Female
Dhill irundhaalIf you have the guts
Oththaik koththaiOne-on-one
Natta nadu medaiyilaeRight in the middle of the stage
Modhi paaru anja maattenClash with me, I won't fear
Un uruttalukkuYour bluffs and intimidation
Male
Paar ingae porkalamLook here, this is a battlefield
Por indrae aarambamThe war begins today
Thaan enum boogambamAn earthquake born of ego
Yaar ingae vella koodum.mm…mm.Who can emerge victorious here?
Female
Paar ingae porkalamLook here, this is a battlefield
Por indrae aarambamThe war begins today
Thaan enum boogambamAn earthquake born of ego
Yaar ingae vella koodum…..Who can emerge victorious here?
Male
Erimalai naanaeI am a volcano
Erimalai naanaeI am a volcano
Edhirae nirkaadhaeDo not stand before me
Uchchi mudhal paadhamFrom head to toe
Michcham meedhi indriWithout leaving anything behind
Saambal aagaadhaeDo not get turned into ashes
Male
Udhattukul oru kiloWithin your lips, there is a kilo
KozhuppirukkuOf pure arrogance
Uralukkul thalaivitta unarvirukkuIt feels like sticking your head inside a mortar
Female :Puzhuvukkum puliyendraFemale: Even a worm thinks
NenapirukkuThat it is a tiger
Pudharukkul nadukkaththil olinjirukkuWhile hiding inside a bush, trembling with fear
Male
Vaa…en arivukkuCome... to my intellect
Badhil solludiGive an answer, girl
Female :Nee en azhagukkuFemale: To my beauty, you are
Nigar illadaNo match, boy
Male
Aam…en solakkollaiYes... my scarecrow
BommaiyaeDummy doll
Female :Nee irukkaFemale: Since you are here
Male :Dhrishti suththaMale: To ward off the evil eye
Female :PoosinikaaFemale: An ash gourd
Male :Vaanga oru thevai illaiyaeMale: There is no need to buy one
Chorus
Paar ingae porkalamLook here, this is a battlefield
Por indrae aarambamThe war begins today
Thaan enum boogambamAn earthquake born of ego
Yaar ingae vella koodum…ohooWho can emerge victorious here?
Chorus
Paar ingae porkalamLook here, this is a battlefield
Por indrae aarambamThe war begins today
Thaan enum boogambamAn earthquake born of ego
Yaar ingae vella koodum…..Who can emerge victorious here?
Female
Erimalai naanaeI am a volcano
Erimalai naanaeI am a volcano
Edhirae nirkaadhaeDo not stand before me
Uchchi mudhal paadhamFrom head to toe
Michcham meedhi indriWithout leaving anything behind
Saambal aagaadhaeDo not get turned into ashes
Female
Uzhaiththu uzhaiththuNo matter how hard you work
Neeyum serkum endha panamumAll the money you save up
Pogum kollaiyaeWill end up being looted away
Chorus :Hoo ohoooChorus: Hoo ohooo
Hoo ohooHoo ohoo
Male
Hey unnai azhikkaHey, to destroy you
Vaazhkai muzhudhumMy entire life
Selavu seiya thayakkam illaiyaeI have no hesitation to spend
Chorus :Hoo ohoooChorus: Hoo ohooo
Hoo ohooHoo ohoo
Female
Ppadippai izhandhuLosing your education
Velai izhandhuLosing your job
Male :Selvam izhandhuMale: Losing your wealth
Suttram izhandhuLosing your relatives
Female :Theruvil nindruFemale: Standing on the street
Male :Kadhari kadhariMale: Wailing loudly
Female :Neeyum azhugum naalumFemale: The day you cry out
VaranumaeMust surely arrive
Chorus
Paar ingae porkalamLook here, this is a battlefield
Por indrae aarambamThe war begins today
Thaan enum boogambamAn earthquake born of ego
Yaar ingae vella koodum…mm..mmWho can emerge victorious here?
Chorus
Paar ingae porkalamLook here, this is a battlefield
Por indrae aarambamThe war begins today
Thaan enum boogambamAn earthquake born of ego
Yaar ingae vella koodum…..Who can emerge victorious here?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Erimalai Naanae' from the movie Kanda Naal Mudhal (2005) is a lively, fast-paced comedic song portraying a playful battle of egos between the lead characters. Filled with exaggerated threats, witty insults, and boastful claims, the two characters view their petty squabble as an all-out war. Metaphors like volcanoes, earthquakes, scarecrows, and ash gourds showcase their fiery rivalry and mutual refusal to yield. Despite the intense lyrical banter about wishing ruin, joblessness, and poverty upon each other, the upbeat musical rhythm highlights the underlying banter and lighthearted chemistry between the characters. The song perfectly captures a classic 'Tom and Jerry' relationship dynamic, laying a humorous foundation for their eventual romantic arc.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Erimalai naanae

The speaker directly compares themselves to a 'volcano' (Erimalai) to convey explosive temper and power.

Iyaipu (Rhyming)

Paar ingae porkalam / Por indrae aarambam / Thaan enum boogambam

The line endings 'porkalam', 'aarambam', and 'boogambam' employ end-rhyme to create a punchy, rhythmic effect suitable for a battle song.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Erimalai naanae / Edhirae nirkaadhae

Both lines start with the vowel sound 'E' (Erimalai / Edhirae), establishing initial alliteration.

Repetition / Anaphora

Ppadippai izhandhu / Velai izhandhu / Selvam izhandhu / Suttram izhandhu

The repeated use of 'izhandhu' (losing) at the end of consecutive phrases emphasizes a spiraling series of misfortunes cursed upon the rival.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Erimalai Naanae' was composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja for the film Kanda Naal Mudhal (2005), directed by V. Priya (a associate of director Mani Ratnam). The song features high-energy vocals by Shankar Mahadevan and Vasundhara Das, penned by lyricist Thamarai. It visually depicts the comedic feud between Prasanna and Laila's characters, becoming one of the most memorable ego-clash duet tracks in 2000s Tamil cinema.

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