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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Hey Onna Rendaa

From Kanni Theevu · 1981

Lyricist
Panchu Arunachalam
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, S. P. Sailaja
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Kanni Theevu1981

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Poi meedhu poi solliTelling lie upon lie
Puriyaadha makkalidam…To the innocent, unknowing people...
Thaanae iraivan endruProclaiming himself as God
Thambattam soottiyavan…He who beat his own drums...
Seidhu varum akkiramamThe ongoing atrocities he commits
Ethanai naal needikkum…How many days will this endure...
Male
Haei onnaa rendaaHey, is it one or two?
Chorus
Haei onnaa rendaaHey, is it one or two?
Male
Naan sonnaa thappaaAm I wrong if I say this?
Chorus
Naan sonnaa thappaaAm I wrong if I say this?
Male
Idhu sarvaadhikaarathin kodumaiThis is the cruelty of dictatorship
Andha kodumai vilakkaTo dispel that cruelty
Chorus
Kodumai vilakkaTo dispel the cruelty
Male
Kodumai vilakka madamai ozhikka vaarungalCome forward to dispel cruelty and eradicate ignorance!
Chorus
Aahaa vaarungalAha, come forward!
Male
Haei onnaa rendaaHey, is it one or two?
Chorus
Haei onnaa rendaaHey, is it one or two?
Male
Naan sonnaa thappaaAm I wrong if I say this?
Male
Naadagam aaduraan ooraiyae yaeikkuraanHe puts on a show and deceives the whole town
Vaeshamaepoduraan paaviyaa vaazhuraanHe wears disguises and lives as a sinner
Kodiyaa saekkuraan ezhaiya maaikkuraanHe hoards wealth in millions and destroys the poor
Theeyavan mosadiThis evil man's deceit
Idhu theeraadho.. maarum.. kaalam.. thondrumWon't this end? A changing era will arrive!
Male
Haei onnaa rendaaHey, is it one or two?
Chorus
Haei onnaa rendaaHey, is it one or two?
Male
Naan sonnaa thappaaAm I wrong if I say this?
Female
Palliyum illaiyae paadamum illaiyaeThere are no schools, nor any lessons
Female
Maruthuvam illaiyae manidharum illaiyaeThere is no healthcare, nor any humane people
Female
Kaalnadai polavae vaazhgiraar maandharaePeople live just like cattle
Aalbavan yaaradaaWho on earth is the ruler?
Unai yaar endru kaetkum kaalam thondrumA time will come to question who you are!
Male
Onnaa rendaaIs it one or two?
Chorus
Haei onnaa rendaaHey, is it one or two?
Male
Naan sonnaa thappaa haaAm I wrong if I say this, ha?
Male
Needhiyum illaiyae naermaiyum illaiyaeThere is neither justice nor honesty
Aanava thimirilae aalgiraan ooraiyaeHe rules the town with arrogant pride
Male
Kaalamum maarumaeTime will surely change
Vegu naalaaga vaazhum makkal vaazhgavaeMay the people who have endured for long thrive!
Male
Onnaa rendaaIs it one or two?
Chorus
Haei onnaa rendaaHey, is it one or two?
Male
Naan sonnaa thappaaAm I wrong if I say this?
Chorus
Naan sonnaa thappaaAm I wrong if I say this?
Male
Idhu sarvaadhikaarathin kodumaiThis is the cruelty of dictatorship
Andha kodumai vilakkaTo dispel that cruelty
Chorus
Kodumai vilakkaTo dispel the cruelty
Male
Kodumai vilakka madamai ozhikka vaarungalCome forward to dispel cruelty and eradicate ignorance!
Chorus
Aahaa vaarungalAha, come forward!
Male
Aahaa vaarungalAha, come forward!
Chorus
Aahaa vaarungalAha, come forward!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Poi Meedhu Poi Solli from the movie Kanni Theevu (1981) is a powerful, revolutionary song protesting tyranny, deception, and social injustice. The song condemns a dictator who deceives naive citizens, claims divine authority, and ruthlessly exploits the poor while hoarding immense wealth. It paints a grim picture of a society lacking basic human rights, schools, and medical care, where oppressed people are forced to live like cattle.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Rhetorical Question

Haei onnaa rendaa / Naan sonnaa thappaa

Asking 'Is it one or two?' highlights that the ruler's crimes are far too innumerable to count, while 'Am I wrong if I say this?' challenges the censorship and fear imposed by the tyrant.

Simile (Uvamai Ani)

Kaalnadai polavae vaazhgiraar maandharae

Compares human beings living under oppressive, neglected conditions directly to cattle ('Kaalnadai polavae').

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Naadagam aaduraan ooraiyae yaeikkuraan / Vaeshamaepoduraan paaviyaa vaazhuraan

Repetitive rhythmic end-rhymes ('aaduraan', 'yaeikkuraan', 'vaeshamaepoduraan', 'vaazhuraan') create an emphatic, fast-paced cadence expressing outrage.

Monai (Initial Assonance)

Needhiyum illaiyae naermaiyum illaiyae

The repetition of the initial sound ('Nee-' / 'Nae-') links 'Needhi' (Justice) and 'Naermai' (Honesty) to emphasize the absolute lack of moral values.

Did you know?

Trivia

Kanni Theevu (1981) is an action-adventure film directed by T.R. Ramanna, starring Jaishankar, Radhika, and Seema. Although the user prompt listed the music director as unknown, the soundtrack for this movie was composed by the legendary Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics penned by his frequent collaborator Panchu Arunachalam.

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