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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ethir Kaalame

From Sattathukku Oru Saval · 1983

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
Vani Jairam
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Sattathukku Oru Saval1983

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Edhirkaalamae enathu kaiyilaeThe future is in my hands
Ooh oh oh ohhaahOoh oh oh ohhaah
Edhirkaalamae enathu kaiyilaeThe future is in my hands
Vasantham vanthaadum puvi vaazhththu panpaadumSpring comes dancing, and the world sings songs of praise
Vasantham vanthaadum puvi vaazhththu panpaadumSpring comes dancing, and the world sings songs of praise
Varalaaru en perai ingu ezhuthi kondaadumHistory will write my name here and celebrate
Female
Edhirkaalamae enathu kaiyilaeThe future is in my hands
Female
Nenjil oru kanavu malaraAs a dream blossoms in my heart
Ennam adhil dhinamum valaraAs thoughts grow in it every day
Manam enum kuyilThe cuckoo bird called the mind
Vinnil parakka kandaenaeI saw it flying in the sky
Female
Nenjil oru kanavu malaraAs a dream blossoms in my heart
Ennam adhil dhinamum valaraAs thoughts grow in it every day
Manam enum kuyilThe cuckoo bird called the mind
Vinnil parakka kandaenaeI saw it flying in the sky
Enathu rajaangam adhil iniya sangeethamMy kingdom features sweet music
Enathu rajaangam adhil iniya sangeethamMy kingdom features sweet music
Puvi mel malarum thirunaal udhayamaaguthae….An auspicious day is dawning upon the earth…
Female
Edhirkaalamae enathu kaiyilaeThe future is in my hands
Vasantham vanthaadum puvi vaazhththu panpaadumSpring comes dancing, and the world sings songs of praise
Varalaaru en perai ingu ezhuthi kondaadumHistory will write my name here and celebrate
Female
Edhirkaalamae enathu kaiyilae….The future is in my hands…
Male
………………..
Female
Engum oru puratchi vedikkaAs a revolution erupts everywhere
Pongum Pudhu magizhchchi pirakkaAs an overflowing new joy is born
Sarinigar samam enum niyathi undaagaSo that the law of absolute equality is established
Female
Engum oru puraitchi vedikkaAs a revolution erupts everywhere
Pongum pudhu magizhchchi pirakkaAs an overflowing new joy is born
Sarinigar samam enum niyathi undaagaSo that the law of absolute equality is established
Ooril ellorum podhuvaazhvil munnearaFor everyone in town to progress in public life
Vithaiyaai vizhunthaenI fell like a seed
Nadhiyaai nadanthu selvaenaeI will flow forward like a river
Female
Edhirkaalamae enathu kaiyilaeThe future is in my hands
Vasantham vanthaadum puvi vaazhththu panpaadumSpring comes dancing, and the world sings songs of praise
Varalaaru en perai ingu ezhuthi kondaadumHistory will write my name here and celebrate
Female
Edhirkaalamae enathu kaiyilae….The future is in my hands…
Female
Veeram enum payirai valarththuNurturing the crop called bravery
Nyaanam enum kadhirai aruththuHarvesting the grain called wisdom
Pugazh mani kodithannai yaetri vaippenaeI will hoist the majestic banner of fame
Female
Veeram enum payirai valarththuNurturing the crop called bravery
Nyaanam enum kadhirai aruththuHarvesting the grain called wisdom
Pugazh mani kodithannai yaetri vaippenaeI will hoist the majestic banner of fame
Jhansirani pol antha velu naachchi polLike Jhansi Rani, like that Velu Nachiyar
Jhansirani pol antha velu naachchi polLike Jhansi Rani, like that Velu Nachiyar
Thuninthae pagaiyai edhirththae ulagai velvaenaeBoldly confronting enemies, I will conquer the world
Female
Edhirkaalamae enathu kaiyilaeThe future is in my hands
Vasantham vanthaadum puvi vaazhththu panpaadumSpring comes dancing, and the world sings songs of praise
Varalaaru en perai ingu ezhuthi kondaadumHistory will write my name here and celebrate
Female
Edhirkaalamae enathu kaiyilae….The future is in my hands…

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Edhirkaalamae enathu kaiyilae' is an empowering, energetic anthem centered on female strength, self-determination, and societal reform. The protagonist boldly proclaims that her destiny lies within her own hands, picturing a future where spring arrives, society flourishes, and her achievements are etched into history. The song tracks her journey from inner dreams to high-minded social ideals of equality and collective upliftment. In the latter half, the tone turns fiercely heroic. Drawing courage from historical icons like Jhansi Rani and Rani Velu Nachiyar, she vows to cultivate bravery, harvest wisdom, and overcome all obstacles to achieve glory. Vaali's lyrics combine personal triumph with revolutionary zeal, brought to life through Vani Jairam's powerful vocals and Shankar-Ganesh's vibrant composition.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uruvam (Metaphor)

Manam enum kuyil

Compares the human mind directly to a cuckoo bird flying freely.

Uruvam (Metaphor)

Veeram enum payirai valarththu / Nyaanam enum kadhirai aruththu

Metaphorically compares bravery to a crop that is nurtured and wisdom to grains harvested.

Upamai (Simile)

Vithaiyaai vizhunthaen / Nadhiyaai nadanthu selvaenae

Uses 'aai' (like/as) to compare falling down to a seed planted and moving forward to a flowing river.

Upamai (Simile)

Jhansirani pol antha velu naachchi pol

Uses 'pol' (like) to compare her courageous spirit directly to historical warrior queens Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi and Rani Velu Nachiyar.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Nenjil oru kanavu malara / Ennam adhil dhinamum valara

Both lines end with the rhyming suffix 'malara' and 'valara'.

Did you know?

Trivia

This song notably references Rani Velu Nachiyar (1730–1796), the queen of the Sivaganga estate who was one of the earliest Indian monarchs to wage war against the British East India Company, placing her alongside Jhansi Rani as a symbol of female valor and anti-colonial resistance in Indian popular culture.

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