Ezhugave Padaigal Ezhugave
From Maaveeran · 1986
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- Malaysia Vasudevan
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Maaveeran1986
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Ezhugavae padaigal ezhugavae | Arise, oh armies, arise! |
| Ezhugavae padaigal ezhugavae | Arise, oh armies, arise! |
| Vidiyavae iravu vidiyavae | May the night dawn! May it dawn into light! |
| Aattam potta koottam ingu | The crowd that once danced arrogantly here, |
| Aattam kaana poguthu | Is now going to be shaken to its core! |
| Kelvi kettu velvi seiyya velai vanthathu | The time has come to ask questions and wage a crusade! |
| Chorus | |
| Aattam potta koottam ingu | The crowd that once danced arrogantly here, |
| Aattam kaana poguthu | Is now going to be shaken to its core! |
| Kelvi kettu velvi seiyya velai vanthathu | The time has come to ask questions and wage a crusade! |
| Chorus | |
| Ezhugavae padaigal ezhugavae | Arise, oh armies, arise! |
| Vidiyavae iravu vidiyavae | May the night dawn! May it dawn into light! |
| Male | |
| Moochchu vaanga uzhaikkaatheergal mudivenna aachchu | Do not break your back working breathlessly—what has come of your struggle? |
| Kuninthu kuninthu nadantheergal koon vizhunthachchu | By walking constantly bowed down, you have developed a hunchback! |
| Nesavu seithu koduththeergal adimaigal polae | You wove clothes for others like slaves, |
| Uduthth kolla udaiyillai iduppukku melae | Yet you have no clothes to wear above your own waist! |
| Male | |
| Uzhaikkum makkalae ondru koodungal | Oh working-class people, unite as one! |
| Velai vanthathu kelvi kelungal | The time has arrived, demand your answers! |
| Uzhaikka oruvan pizhaikka oruvan | One works while another reaps the profits— |
| Endra vidhiyai koluththungal | Set fire to such unfair destiny! |
| Chorus | |
| Ezhugavae padaigal ezhugavae | Arise, oh armies, arise! |
| Vidiyavae iravu vidiyavae | May the night dawn! May it dawn into light! |
| Male :Aattam potta koottam ingu | Male: The crowd that once danced arrogantly here, |
| Aattam kaana poguthu | Is now going to be shaken to its core! |
| Kelvi kettu velvi seiyya velai vanthathu | The time has come to ask questions and wage a crusade! |
| Chorus | |
| Ezhugavae padaigal ezhugavae | Arise, oh armies, arise! |
| Vidiyavae iravu vidiyavae | May the night dawn! May it dawn into light! |
| Male | |
| Jaadhi pedha vedhaantham ini ingu illai | There is no room here anymore for caste discrimination and divisive philosophies! |
| Urangi vaazhum rajangam nirantharam illai | The reign of oppressive rulers living in slumber will not last forever! |
| Unakkum enakkum poraada oruththarum illai | There is no third person coming to fight for you and me! |
| Saarnthu vaazhum vaazhkkai pol saabangal illai | There is no worse curse than living a dependent life! |
| Male | |
| Pazhaiya vilangai udaikkiraen | I am breaking the ancient shackles! |
| Pudhiya ulagam padaikkiraen | I am creating a brand new world! |
| Chorus :Pazhaiya vilangai udaikkiraen | Chorus: I am breaking the ancient shackles! |
| Pudhiya ulagam padaikkiraen | I am creating a brand new world! |
| Male | |
| Vettaiyaadavae saattai vaanguvaen | I will wield the whip to hunt down the evil! |
| Thaazhvu neengavae thalamai thaanguvaen | I will take up leadership to eradicate lowliness! |
| Sithari kidakkum neruppai saerththu | Gathering the scattered sparks of fire, |
| Pazhaiya iruttai koluththuven | I will burn down the age-old darkness! |
| Male | |
| Ezhugavae padaigal ezhugavae | Arise, oh armies, arise! |
| Vidiyavae iravu vidiyavae | May the night dawn! May it dawn into light! |
| Aattam potta koottam ingu | The crowd that once danced arrogantly here, |
| Aattam kaana poguthu | Is now going to be shaken to its core! |
| Kelvi kettu velvi seiyya velai vanthathu | The time has come to ask questions and wage a crusade! |
| Chorus | |
| Aattam potta koottam ingu | The crowd that once danced arrogantly here, |
| Aattam kaana poguthu | Is now going to be shaken to its core! |
| Kelvi kettu velvi seiyya velai vanthathu | The time has come to ask questions and wage a crusade! |
| Chorus | |
| Ezhugavae padaigal ezhugavae | Arise, oh armies, arise! |
| Vidiyavae iravu vidiyavae | May the night dawn! May it dawn into light! |
| Ezhugavae padaigal ezhugavae | Arise, oh armies, arise! |
| Vidiyavae iravu vidiyavae | May the night dawn! May it dawn into light! |
எழுகவே படைகள் எழுகவே
எழுகவே படைகள் எழுகவே
விடியவே இரவு விடியவே
ஆட்டம் போட்ட கூட்டம் இங்கு
ஆட்டம் காண போகுது
கேள்வி கேட்டு வேள்வி செய்ய வேளை வந்தது
Arise, oh armies, arise!
Arise, oh armies, arise!
May the night dawn! May it dawn into light!
The crowd that once danced arrogantly here,
Is now going to be shaken to its core!
The time has come to ask questions and wage a crusade!
ஆட்டம் போட்ட கூட்டம் இங்கு
ஆட்டம் காண போகுது
கேள்வி கேட்டு வேள்வி செய்ய வேளை வந்தது
The crowd that once danced arrogantly here,
Is now going to be shaken to its core!
The time has come to ask questions and wage a crusade!
எழுகவே படைகள் எழுகவே
விடியவே இரவு விடியவே
Arise, oh armies, arise!
May the night dawn! May it dawn into light!
மூச்சு வாங்க உழைத்தீர்கள் முடிவென்ன ஆச்சு
குனிந்து குனிந்து நடந்தீர்கள் கூன் விழுந்தாச்சு
நெசவு செய்து கொடுத்தீர்கள் அடிமைகள் போலே
உடுத்திக் கொள்ள உடையில்லை இடுப்புக்கு மேலே
Do not break your back working breathlessly—what has come of your struggle?
By walking constantly bowed down, you have developed a hunchback!
You wove clothes for others like slaves,
Yet you have no clothes to wear above your own waist!
அடுப்பு உண்டு பூனைக்கு
அதுவும் இல்லை ஏழைக்கு
குழு :
அடுப்பு உண்டு பூனைக்கு
அதுவும் இல்லை ஏழைக்கு
Oh working-class people, unite as one!
The time has arrived, demand your answers!
One works while another reaps the profits—
Set fire to such unfair destiny!
உழைக்கும் மக்களே ஒன்று கூடுங்கள்
வேளை வந்தது கேள்வி கேளுங்கள்
உழைக்க ஒருவன் பிழைக்க ஒருவன்
என்ற விதியை கொளுத்துங்கள்.....
Arise, oh armies, arise!
May the night dawn! May it dawn into light!
Male: The crowd that once danced arrogantly here,
Is now going to be shaken to its core!
The time has come to ask questions and wage a crusade!
எழுகவே படைகள் எழுகவே
விடியவே இரவு விடியவே
ஆட்டம் போட்ட கூட்டம் இங்கு
ஆட்டம் காண போகுது
கேள்வி கேட்டு வேள்வி செய்ய வேளை வந்தது
Arise, oh armies, arise!
May the night dawn! May it dawn into light!
எழுகவே படைகள் எழுகவே
விடியவே இரவு விடியவே
There is no room here anymore for caste discrimination and divisive philosophies!
The reign of oppressive rulers living in slumber will not last forever!
There is no third person coming to fight for you and me!
There is no worse curse than living a dependent life!
ஜாதி பேத வேதாந்தம் இனி இங்கு இல்லை
உறங்கி வாழும் ராஜாங்கம் நிரந்தரம் இல்லை
உனக்கும் எனக்கும் போராட ஒருத்தரும் இல்லை
சார்ந்து வாழும் வாழ்க்கை போல் சாபங்கள் இல்லை
I am breaking the ancient shackles!
I am creating a brand new world!
Chorus: I am breaking the ancient shackles!
I am creating a brand new world!
பழைய விலங்கை உடைக்கிறேன்
புதிய உலகம் படைக்கிறேன்
குழு :
பழைய விலங்கை உடைக்கிறேன்
புதிய உலகம் படைக்கிறேன்
I will wield the whip to hunt down the evil!
I will take up leadership to eradicate lowliness!
Gathering the scattered sparks of fire,
I will burn down the age-old darkness!
வேட்டையாடவே சாட்டை வாங்குவேன்
தாழ்வு நீங்கவே தலைமை தாங்குவேன்
சிதறிக் கிடக்கும் நெருப்பைச் சேர்த்து
பழைய இருட்டை கொளுத்துவேன்........
Arise, oh armies, arise!
May the night dawn! May it dawn into light!
The crowd that once danced arrogantly here,
Is now going to be shaken to its core!
The time has come to ask questions and wage a crusade!
எழுகவே படைகள் எழுகவே
விடியவே இரவு விடியவே
ஆட்டம் போட்ட கூட்டம் இங்கு
ஆட்டம் காண போகுது
கேள்வி கேட்டு வேள்வி செய்ய வேளை வந்தது
The crowd that once danced arrogantly here,
Is now going to be shaken to its core!
The time has come to ask questions and wage a crusade!
ஆட்டம் போட்ட கூட்டம் இங்கு
ஆட்டம் காண போகுது
கேள்வி கேட்டு வேள்வி செய்ய வேளை வந்தது
Arise, oh armies, arise!
May the night dawn! May it dawn into light!
Arise, oh armies, arise!
May the night dawn! May it dawn into light!
எழுகவே படைகள் எழுகவே
விடியவே இரவு விடியவே
எழுகவே படைகள் எழுகவே
விடியவே இரவு விடியவே
Ezhugavae padaigal ezhugavae
Arise, oh armies, arise!
Ezhugavae padaigal ezhugavae
Arise, oh armies, arise!
Vidiyavae iravu vidiyavae
May the night dawn! May it dawn into light!
Aattam potta koottam ingu
The crowd that once danced arrogantly here,
Aattam kaana poguthu
Is now going to be shaken to its core!
Kelvi kettu velvi seiyya velai vanthathu
The time has come to ask questions and wage a crusade!
Aattam potta koottam ingu
The crowd that once danced arrogantly here,
Aattam kaana poguthu
Is now going to be shaken to its core!
Kelvi kettu velvi seiyya velai vanthathu
The time has come to ask questions and wage a crusade!
Ezhugavae padaigal ezhugavae
Arise, oh armies, arise!
Vidiyavae iravu vidiyavae
May the night dawn! May it dawn into light!
Moochchu vaanga uzhaikkaatheergal mudivenna aachchu
Do not break your back working breathlessly—what has come of your struggle?
Kuninthu kuninthu nadantheergal koon vizhunthachchu
By walking constantly bowed down, you have developed a hunchback!
Nesavu seithu koduththeergal adimaigal polae
You wove clothes for others like slaves,
Uduthth kolla udaiyillai iduppukku melae
Yet you have no clothes to wear above your own waist!
Uzhaikkum makkalae ondru koodungal
Oh working-class people, unite as one!
Velai vanthathu kelvi kelungal
The time has arrived, demand your answers!
Uzhaikka oruvan pizhaikka oruvan
One works while another reaps the profits—
Endra vidhiyai koluththungal
Set fire to such unfair destiny!
Ezhugavae padaigal ezhugavae
Arise, oh armies, arise!
Vidiyavae iravu vidiyavae
May the night dawn! May it dawn into light!
Male :Aattam potta koottam ingu
Male: The crowd that once danced arrogantly here,
Aattam kaana poguthu
Is now going to be shaken to its core!
Kelvi kettu velvi seiyya velai vanthathu
The time has come to ask questions and wage a crusade!
Ezhugavae padaigal ezhugavae
Arise, oh armies, arise!
Vidiyavae iravu vidiyavae
May the night dawn! May it dawn into light!
Jaadhi pedha vedhaantham ini ingu illai
There is no room here anymore for caste discrimination and divisive philosophies!
Urangi vaazhum rajangam nirantharam illai
The reign of oppressive rulers living in slumber will not last forever!
Unakkum enakkum poraada oruththarum illai
There is no third person coming to fight for you and me!
Saarnthu vaazhum vaazhkkai pol saabangal illai
There is no worse curse than living a dependent life!
Pazhaiya vilangai udaikkiraen
I am breaking the ancient shackles!
Pudhiya ulagam padaikkiraen
I am creating a brand new world!
Chorus :Pazhaiya vilangai udaikkiraen
Chorus: I am breaking the ancient shackles!
Pudhiya ulagam padaikkiraen
I am creating a brand new world!
Vettaiyaadavae saattai vaanguvaen
I will wield the whip to hunt down the evil!
Thaazhvu neengavae thalamai thaanguvaen
I will take up leadership to eradicate lowliness!
Sithari kidakkum neruppai saerththu
Gathering the scattered sparks of fire,
Pazhaiya iruttai koluththuven
I will burn down the age-old darkness!
Ezhugavae padaigal ezhugavae
Arise, oh armies, arise!
Vidiyavae iravu vidiyavae
May the night dawn! May it dawn into light!
Aattam potta koottam ingu
The crowd that once danced arrogantly here,
Aattam kaana poguthu
Is now going to be shaken to its core!
Kelvi kettu velvi seiyya velai vanthathu
The time has come to ask questions and wage a crusade!
Aattam potta koottam ingu
The crowd that once danced arrogantly here,
Aattam kaana poguthu
Is now going to be shaken to its core!
Kelvi kettu velvi seiyya velai vanthathu
The time has come to ask questions and wage a crusade!
Ezhugavae padaigal ezhugavae
Arise, oh armies, arise!
Vidiyavae iravu vidiyavae
May the night dawn! May it dawn into light!
Ezhugavae padaigal ezhugavae
Arise, oh armies, arise!
Vidiyavae iravu vidiyavae
May the night dawn! May it dawn into light!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Ezhugavae Padaigal' is a fiery, revolutionary call-to-arms song from the 1986 movie *Maaveeran*. The lyrics speak directly to the oppressed working class, urging them to rise against tyrannical oppressors and end centuries of systemic exploitation and caste-based discrimination. The song contrasts the hard work of laborers who remain destitute with the oppressors who profit off their sweat, using powerful allegories of light dispelling deep darkness. Narratively, the song serves as an awakening chant led by the protagonist, inspiring the downtrodden masses to unite, break their shackles, take responsibility for their own liberation, and establish a new, egalitarian society. Ilayaraja's martial beats combined with Malaysia Vasudevan's thunderous vocals and Vairamuthu's provocative lyrics create a high-energy anthem of social rebellion.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Monai (Alliteration)
“Uzhaikka oruvan pizhaikka oruvan”
Repetition of the initial letter sounds ('Uzhaikka' / 'Pizhaikka' with matching structural harmony) across words in the line.
Metaphor
“Pazhaiya iruttai koluththuven”
'Ancient darkness' (Pazhaiya iruttu) is used as a metaphor for social oppression and ignorance, which will be burned away by the fire of revolution.
Iyaipu (Rhyme)
“Pazhaiya vilangai udaikkiraen / Pudhiya ulagam padaikkiraen”
End-rhyming structure using matching suffixes 'udaikkiraen' and 'padaikkiraen'.
Muran (Antithesis)
“Pazhaiya vilangai udaikkiraen / Pudhiya ulagam padaikkiraen”
Contrasting 'Pazhaiya' (Old) with 'Pudhiya' (New) to highlight the transformative shift from bondage to creation.
Did you know?
Trivia
*Maaveeran* (1986) was Rajinikanth's 100th film as an actor and was the official Tamil remake of the 1985 Hindi blockbuster *Coolie*, starring Amitabh Bachchan. It was also the first Tamil film to be released in the 70mm film format with stereophonic sound.
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