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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ezhu Ezhu

From Ezhumin · 2018

Lyricist
Vivek
Singer
Anirudh Ravichander
Music director
Ganesh Chandrasekaran
Details
Ezhumin2018

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Vetri magizhchi mattumVictory gives happiness alone,
Thaan kodukkumthat is all it offers,
Aana thozhvi thaanbut defeat alone
Ungala sethukkum (Dialogue)will sculpt and shape you.
Male
Vizhunthaal vithaiIf you fall, you are a seed;
Ezhunthaal maramif you rise, you are a tree!
Ezhu ezhu ezhu…Rise, rise, rise…
Male
Thuninthaal seyalIf you dare, action follows;
Suzhandraal puyalif you swirl, you are a storm!
Ezhu ezhu ezhu…Rise, rise, rise…
Male
Purappadu ithu thaanSet out now, this is
Puliyin nadaithe majestic stride of a tiger!
Pujabalam kaati thadaigal udaiDisplay your strength and smash all obstacles!
Kavalaigal ennum kadaiyai adaiShut down the shop called worries!
Kanavugal jeithidum puthiya padaiWe are a new force that conquers dreams!
Male
Maanavan enbavan poo panthaIs a student merely a delicate flower ball,
Matravar udhaithidum kaal panthaor a football to be kicked around by others?
Sothanai thaandi nee vanthaIf you cross past trials and emerge,
Sorgamae irukku vaa nanbaparadise awaits you, come on my friend!
Ezhu ezhu ezhu ezhu…Rise, rise, rise, rise…
Male
Vizhunthaal vithaiIf you fall, you are a seed;
Ezhunthaal maramif you rise, you are a tree!
Ezhu ezhu ezhu…Rise, rise, rise…
Male
Thuninthaal seyalIf you dare, action follows;
Suzhandraal puyalif you swirl, you are a storm!
Ezhu ezhu ezhu…Rise, rise, rise…
Male
Neengalam yaaru…"Who are you all?..."
Paththu latcham per onna koodi"A million people gathered together..."
Ninnu poiruntha jallikatta"...and revived the stalled Jallikattu tradition..."
Marupadiyum nadathana enam da"...we belong to that glorious race, man!"
Ponga da poi ellarayum"Go ahead, everyone, go..."
Mutti thookkungada (Dialogue)"...headbutt and push through everything in your way!"
Male
Urangi kidanthaalIf you lie asleep passively,
Uyarvu illaithere will be no greatness.
Uzhaipaal vendridu pon medalaiWin the gold medal through sheer hard work!
Irundidum vaanam namakku illaiA dark sky is not meant for us!
Erangi adi da… thozhvi illai…Step onto the field and strike hard… there is no defeat!
Male
Theanaai ini kattumIt will taste sweet like honey from now,
Vervai thulievery single drop of sweat!
Theeyaai irukkattum uzhaipin vazhiLet the path of hard work burn like fire!
Thaanaai thirakkuma vetri vazhiWill the doorway to victory open on its own?
Neethanae unnai sethukkum uzhiYou yourself are the chisel that sculpts your destiny!
Ezhu ezhu ezhu ezhu…Rise, rise, rise, rise…
Male
Vizhunthaal vithaiIf you fall, you are a seed;
Ezhunthaal maramif you rise, you are a tree!
Ezhu ezhu ezhu…Rise, rise, rise…
Male
Thuninthaal seyalIf you dare, action follows;
Suzhandraal puyalif you swirl, you are a storm!
Ezhu ezhu ezhu…Rise, rise, rise…
Ezhumin…Arise!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Ezhu Ezhu' (or 'Ezhumin') is a high-energy motivational anthem from the movie 'Ezhumin' (2018). It serves as a powerful call to action for youth and students, urging them to overcome self-doubt, societal pressures, and temporary failures. Defeat is re-framed not as an end, but as a sculptor that builds character and resilience. Using imagery of nature—like seeds growing into trees and gentle breezes turning into storms—the song highlights the transformation of quiet potential into unstoppable force. Narratively, the lyrics evoke the historic spirit of collective youth strength (referencing the 2017 Jallikattu movement) to inspire young minds to take control of their own destinies. It emphasizes that success isn't handed down freely; rather, individuals must act as the chisels that shape their own lives through sweat, hard work, and relentless determination.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Vizhunthaal vithai / Ezhunthaal maram

Compares a person who falls to a seed being planted, and a person who stands back up to a fully grown tree.

Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyming)

Vizhunthaal vithai / Ezhunthaal maram

The second consonant sound 'zh' (ழ) matches in both consecutive lines ('Vizhunthaal' / 'Ezhunthaal').

Monai (First-letter Alliteration)

Vizhunthaal vithai

Repetition of the initial 'V' sound ('Vizhunthaal' - 'Vithai').

Metaphor

Neethanae unnai sethukkum uzhi

Compares an individual's willpower to a sculptor's chisel ('uzhi') shaping their own self.

Simile / Metaphor

Theanaai ini kattum vervai thuli

Compares drops of hard-earned sweat to sweet honey.

Cultural/Historical Allusion

Paththu latcham per onna koodi... jallikatta

References the massive, peaceful youth-led pro-Jallikattu protests in Tamil Nadu (2017) as a symbol of unity and determination.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Ezhumin' (2018) is a martial arts drama film centered around self-defense and child safety. This high-octane motivational song was composed by Ganesh Chandrasekaran and sung by popular composer-singer Anirudh Ravichander, with lyrics written by Vivek. The track specifically highlights youth empowerment and references the landmark 2017 Jallikattu protests at Marina Beach to invoke pride and resilience.

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