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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Gangstaa

From Thunivu · 2022

Lyricist
Viveka
Singers
Shabir Sulthan, Ghibran
Music director
Ghibran
Details
Thunivu2022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics↻ English translation
Male
No gutsNo guts
No gloryNo glory
Male
Seenduna siripavanOne who smiles when provoked
Suyavazhi nadappavanOne who walks his own path
Sarithiram padaippavanOne who creates history
He’s like a GangstaaHe’s like a Gangstaa
He’s a GangstaaHe’s a Gangstaa
Male
Pagaivanukku irakkapattuShowing mercy to enemies
Paninju pora thunivukonduYet having the courage to yield when needed
Payanam seiyum gunam kondavanOne whose nature is to keep moving forward
He’s like a GangstaaHe’s like a Gangstaa
He’s a GangstaaHe’s a Gangstaa
Male
Needhi kaakkum nermai kondavanOne who possesses the integrity to uphold justice
He’s a GangstaaHe’s a Gangstaa
Aneedhi kandu pongi ezhubavanOne who rises up in rage upon seeing injustice
He’s a GangstaaHe’s a Gangstaa
Male
Peththa ponna kaakum appanumEven a father protecting his daughter
Kooda GangstaaIs also a Gangstaa
Thaalattum thaai seerum poluthumWhen even a lullaby-singing mother rages
Who da who da Gangstaa?Who da who da Gangstaa?
Male
Who da Gangstaa?Who da Gangstaa?
Male
Haa ..haa….tell meHaa ..haa….tell me
Who da Gangstaa?Who da Gangstaa?
Male
Nambikkai izhakaamal por thoduppavanOne who wages war without losing hope
It’s him..It’s him..
It’s him…GangstaaIt’s him…Gangstaa
Male
Kadaisi Nimidam varai karam koduppavanOne who extends a helping hand till the very last minute
It’s him…It’s him…
It’s him…I said Who da Gangstaa?It’s him…I said Who da Gangstaa?
Male
Vanmurai therinthumEven while knowing violence
Kannil amaithi kondavanOne who keeps peace in his eyes
It’s him ..It’s him ..
It’s him…I said Who da Gangstaa?It’s him…I said Who da Gangstaa?
Male
Vanga kadalin aazhamKnowing the depth of the Bay of Bengal
Therindhum iranginaaEven knowing it, he stepped in
He’s a Gangstaa..He’s a Gangstaa..
Male
Gangstaa..Gangstaa..
Chorus
………………...
Male
{Thuninja vettri namathaeIf we dare, victory is ours
Chorus :Nana nana naananey} (2)Chorus :Nana nana naananey (2)
Male
Vaa badhiladidhaan theriyumadaaCome, you'll see what a retaliation is
Unakku sambhavam irukku paarJust watch, something big is going to happen to you
Mudivila yaar adhiradi thaanWho will have the ultimate explosive finish?
Inimey pirachanai edhukkuWhy cause trouble anymore?
Male
Achatha vilakkai uchatha pidichuCasting away fear and holding high ground
Thadaya udachu bhayatha sedhachuSmashing obstacles and destroying fear
Oorukulla ulla motha payapullaLet all the guys in this town
Ethirthu nikkatumStand up to oppose me
I’m a Gangstaa..I’m a Gangstaa..
Male
Needhi kaakkum nermai kondavanOne who possesses the integrity to uphold justice
He’s a Gangstaa..He’s a Gangstaa..
Aneedhi kandu pongi ezhupavanOne who rises up in rage upon seeing injustice
He’s a Gangstaa..He’s a Gangstaa..
Male
Peththa ponna kaakum appanumEven a father protecting his daughter
Kooda Gangstaa..Is also a Gangstaa..
Thaalattum thaai seerum poluthumWhen even a lullaby-singing mother rages
Who da who da Gangstaa?…Who da who da Gangstaa?…
Male
No gutsNo guts
No gloryNo glory
Now tell me …Now tell me …
Who da who da Gangstaa?Who da who da Gangstaa?
Tell me …Tell me …
Who da Gangstaa?Who da Gangstaa?
Gangstaa….Gangstaa….

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Gangstaa' from Thunivu redefines the conventional concept of a 'gangster.' Rather than portraying a standard criminal or villain, the song reinterprets a gangster as a heroic figure who stands up against systemic corruption and injustice. A true 'gangstaa' is defined as someone driven by courage, integrity, family protection, and moral duty—whether it is a father protecting his child, a mother fighting fiercely, or a hero battling till the last moment without losing hope. Narratively, the lyrics celebrate Ajith Kumar's character in the film—a calm, collected, yet deadly vigilante who steps into high-risk situations (symbolized by diving into the deep ocean) and delivers explosive retaliation ('sambhavam') against wrongdoers. It acts as an empowering anthem about fearlessness and moral resolve.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

“Seenduna siripavan / Suyavazhi nadappavan / Sarithiram padaippavan”

The lines end with similar sounding words ending in '-pavan', creating a rhythmic cadence in the introduction.

Muran (Oxymoron / Contrast)

“Vanmurai therinthum / Kannil amaithi kondavan”

Contrasts the knowledge of extreme violence ('Vanmurai') with carrying peace in one's eyes ('amaithi'), highlighting the hero's restrained demeanor.

Metaphor

“Vanga kadalin aazham / Therindhum iranginaa”

The 'depth of the Bay of Bengal' serves as a metaphor for immense danger or an insurmountable challenge that the protagonist fearlessly plunges into.

Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

“Needhi kaakkum nermai kondavan / Aneedhi kandu pongi ezhubavan”

The second letters of 'Needhi' and 'Aneedhi' share the 'di' (தீ) sound structure, creating internal Tamil poetic harmony.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Gangstaa' served as the third high-octane single from the 2023 Pongal blockbuster 'Thunivu', starring Ajith Kumar and directed by H. Vinoth. Composed by Ghibran, the song features vocals by Singaporean-Tamil musician Shabir Sulthan alongside Ghibran himself. The track gained immense popularity on social media for its energetic beat drop and lyrics that redefined the urban 'gangster' trope into an anthem about righteous courage.

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