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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Gundu Potta

From Mamiyarum Oru Veettu Marumagale · 1961

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
Ghantasala
Music director
Pendyala Nageswara Rao
Details
Mamiyarum Oru Veettu Marumagale1961

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Gundu potta revolver padaarA loaded revolver goes bang!
Naan kuri vecha vechadhu dhaan nee ushaarOnce I take aim, it is locked, so you better be alert!
Naan kuri vecha vechadhu dhaan nee ushaarOnce I take aim, it is locked, so you better be alert!
Male
Nalla maadu endraalIf it is good cattle,
Oru soodu podhumaeA single brand of heat is enough.
Nalla pengal endraalIf she is a respectable woman,
Oru vaarthai podhumae…A single word of advice is enough...
Hahaha ..adhaaneHahaha... that's right!
Male
Gundu potta revolver padaarA loaded revolver goes bang!
Naan kuri vecha vechadhu dhaan nee ushaarOnce I take aim, it is locked, so you better be alert!
Naan kuri vecha vechadhu dhaan nee ushaarOnce I take aim, it is locked, so you better be alert!
Male
Officer manaiviendra agangaaramaIs it because of the arrogance of being an officer's wife?
Adhigaram padadopam ingu sellumaWill your display of authority and pomp work here?
Vallavarkku vallavargal undu atha..thaeThere is always someone mightier than the mighty, ah... yes!
Un mandaikanam unakkae anugunduYour stubborn ego will become an atomic bomb against yourself!
Male
Gundu potta revolver padaarA loaded revolver goes bang!
Naan kuri vecha vechadhu dhaan nee ushaarOnce I take aim, it is locked, so you better be alert!
Naan kuri vecha vechadhu dhaan nee ushaarOnce I take aim, it is locked, so you better be alert!
Male
Vaayum nallathaanalae oorum nalladhuIf your speech is pleasant, the whole town will be good to you.
Varuvadhai sonnen piragu paduvadhai padu neeI warned you of what's coming, now suffer whatever you must suffer!
Un saayam velukka podhum indha kadudhasiThis letter is more than enough to expose your true colors!
athe ..thaeThat's right... ah yes!
Unnai sandhiyilae nikka seiyum aattam closeIt will leave you humiliated in public, game over!
Male
Gundu potta revolver padaarA loaded revolver goes bang!
Naan kuri vecha vechadhu dhaan nee ushaarOnce I take aim, it is locked, so you better be alert!
Naan kuri vecha vechadhu dhaan nee ushaarOnce I take aim, it is locked, so you better be alert!
Ushaar…nee ushaarAlert... you be alert!
Nee ushaarYou be alert!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This energetic and satirical track from 'Mamiyarum Oru Veettu Marumagale' (1961) serves as a sharp, playful direct warning to an arrogant, domineering woman who misuses her husband's position as an officer. The protagonist uses bold metaphors of firearms, atomic bombs, and traditional Tamil adages to remind her that excessive pride and authoritarian behavior will ultimately lead to her public downfall.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethugai (Second-letter rhyme)

Nalla maadu endraal / Oru soodu podhumae

The second consonant 'du' (டூ) rhymes in 'maadu' and 'soodu', creating a rhythmic flow.

Metaphor

Un mandaikanam unakkae anugundu

Directly compares the character's ego/stubbornness (mandaikanam) to an atomic bomb (anugundu) that will destroy her own standing.

Proverb Inclusion (Pazhamozhi)

Vaayum nallathaanalae oorum nalladhu

Incorporate the traditional Tamil proverb 'Vaai nalla irundhaal ooru nalladhu' (If your speech is polite, the community treats you well).

Idiomatic Expression

Un saayam velukka podhum indha kadudhasi

The phrase 'Saayam velukka' (dye fading) is a Tamil idiom meaning 'to expose someone's true colors'.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is composed by Pendyala Nageswara Rao, a prominent Telugu film music maestro who brought dramatic brass and upbeat rhythms to this 1961 Tamil film directed by K. B. Nagabhushanam. Renowned playback singer Ghantasala delivers the song with rich vocal expressions, combining theatrical spoken ad-libs ('padaar', 'hahaha', 'adhaane') with lyricist A. Maruthakasi's punchy blend of classical idioms and modern post-independence English loanwords like 'revolver', 'officer', and 'close'.

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