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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ezhai Unakku

From Irumbu Pookkal · 1991

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singer
A. R. Sheik Mohammed
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Irumbu Pookkal1991

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Ezhai unakkoru kaalam irukkudhuOh poor man, your time will surely come,
Soozhnilai kaidhiyaeYou prisoner of circumstances!
Kodum aasai manidhargalCruel and greedy men,
Aadum kayavargalDancing wicked scoundrels,
Vaazhndhidum boomiyaeIn this earth where they dwell!
Male
Ezhai unakkoru kaalam irukkudhuOh poor man, your time will surely come,
Soozhnilai kaidhiyaeYou prisoner of circumstances!
Kodum aasai manidhargalCruel and greedy men,
Aadum kayavargalDancing wicked scoundrels,
Vaazhndhidum boomiyaeIn this earth where they dwell!
Male
Anbu thangaiyum thunba thangaiyaaiEven the loving younger sister, now burdened by sorrow,
Odugiraal pinnaeRuns behind in distress...
Ezhai annanum kozhai allavaeHer poor elder brother is no coward,
Kaathiruppaai kannaeWait with hope, my dear one!
Paasa poigaiyai naasam seidhavanThe one who destroyed the pool of affection,
Vesham poduraanaeNow puts on a deceptive facade.
Vesham enbadhai vaazhkkai endru thaanThat this mask is real life itself,
Moodan namburaanaeIs what the foolish fool believes!
Male
Nalladhedhu kettadhedhuWhat is good and what is bad?
Nallavarkku solli koduTeach that to the good people.
Katradhai nee kaiyil eduTake what you have learned into your own hands,
Vaa vaa thozhanaeCome, come, my friend!
Male
Ezhai unakkoru kaalam irukkudhuOh poor man, your time will surely come,
Soozhnilai kaidhiyaeYou prisoner of circumstances!
Kodum aasai manidhargalCruel and greedy men,
Aadum kayavargalDancing wicked scoundrels,
Vaazhndhidum boomiyaeIn this earth where they dwell!
Male
Sattam enbadhu gettikkaaraninThe law has become nothing but a puppet show,
Kaiyil bommalaattamIn the hands of clever manipulators.
Dharumam enbadhu jeevan ulladhuThat righteousness is living and breathing,
Ariyum andha koottamIs known to that wise crowd.
Kaayam pattavan nyaayam ketpavanThe one who is wounded, the one who demands justice,
Vaazha vendum thaayaeMust live on, oh mother!
Kaala dhevan vaazha vaikkanumThe God of Time must grant them life,
Vaazhthu kooru thaayaeBestow your blessings, oh mother!
Male
Buthi undu sakthi unduYou possess wisdom, you possess strength,
Sathiyathil bakthi unduYou have deep devotion to the truth!
Vetri perum neram indruToday is the hour to achieve victory,
Vaa vaa thozhanaeCome, come, my friend!
Male
Ezhai unakkoru kaalam irukkudhuOh poor man, your time will surely come,
Soozhnilai kaidhiyaeYou prisoner of circumstances!
Kodum aasai manidhargalCruel and greedy men,
Aadum kayavargalDancing wicked scoundrels,
Vaazhndhidum boomiyaeIn this earth where they dwell!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a deeply emotional and motivational anthem addressing a destitute protagonist who feels trapped by harsh circumstances ('Soozhnilai kaidhi'). It critiques the societal corruption where evil, greedy men manipulate systems, turning justice and law into a mere puppet show. Despite the suffering inflicted on his family, the song encourages patience, resilience, and faith in ultimate justice. The lyrics call upon the protagonist to wake up to his inner strength, intelligence, and devotion to righteousness. It reassures him that the wheel of time will turn, bad deeds will unravel, and the oppressed will eventually claim victory over corrupt forces.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Soozhnilai kaidhiyae

Compares a person trapped by life's difficult conditions directly to a prisoner.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Sattam enbadhu gettikkaaranin Kaiyil bommalaattam

Compares the legal system in corrupt hands to a puppet show maneuvered by a trickster.

Iyaipu (Rhyming Endings / Internal Rhyme)

Buthi undu sakthi undu / Sathiyathil bakthi undu

The repetition of the 'undu' ending creates a rhythmic internal rhyme scheme highlighting strength, intellect, and devotion.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Nalladhedhu kettadhedhu / Nallavarkku solli kodu

Repetition of the initial sound 'Na' across lines creates melodic harmony.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Irumbu Pookkal' (1991) is a Tamil crime drama film starring Karthik and Radha Ravi. A rare highlight of the soundtrack is the joint musical collaboration between legendary composers M. S. Viswanathan and Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics penned by Gangai Amaran.

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