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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ilamaikkoor Vegam

From Oru Naal Oru Kanavu · 2005

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
Sonu Nigam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Oru Naal Oru Kanavu2005

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Ilamaikkor vegam unduYouth possesses speed and vigor
Neeyum ezhundhu vaaYou too arise and come
Idhayathil yezhai illaiNo one is poor in spirit
Kaigal uyarthi vaaRaise your hands and come forward
Male
Kaalam neramaeThe right time and moment
Ingae vandhirukkudhuHave arrived right here
Vaazhndhu kaattalaamLet us live and prove our worth
Vaa vaa nee thudippirukkudhuCome, come, you have the inner pulse
Ellaam unakkaaga… ae…Everything is for you... ae...
Male
Thoongaadhae thuvalaadhaeDo not sleep, do not give up
Thookkam soru podumaaWill sleep feed your hunger?
Thookkaththin kanavaalaeThrough dreams during sleep
Sugangal vandhu koodumaaWill pleasures ever come and gather?
Male
Ilamaikkor vegam unduYouth possesses speed and vigor
Neeyum ezhundhu vaaYou too arise and come
Idhayathil yezhai illaiNo one is poor in spirit
Kaigal uyarthi vaaRaise your hands and come forward
Male
Verum kaiyaal muzham podaadhaeDo not measure length with empty hands
VaelaikkaagaadhaeIt will not yield results
Theru oram verum kadhai pesiSitting by the roadside talking idle stories
Pozhudhai pokkaadhaeDo not waste your precious time
Male
Porul yedhum vilai kodukkaamalWithout paying a price for anything
Kaiyil vaaraadhaeNothing will come into your hands
Kadalukkul thunindhirangaamalWithout diving boldly into the deep sea
Muththum kidaikkaadhaeYou cannot harvest pearls
Male
Oorae pottrida vaazhum pergalaiWhy wonder at those celebrated by the entire town?
Viyappadhu yenIn the past, they were just like you
Munnaal avargalum unnai polavaeThey were ordinary people too
Irundhavar thaanWithout taking steps forward
Kaalgal nee munnaalae vaikkaamalThe destination will not come to you on its own
Oor thaanae vaaraadhaeYouth possesses speed and vigor
Male
Ilamaikkor vegam unduYou too arise and come
Neeyum ezhundhu vaaNo one is poor in spirit
Idhayathil yezhai illaiRaise your hands and come forward
Kaigal uyarthi vaaThe right time and moment
Male
Kaalam neramaeHave arrived right here
Ingae vandhirukkudhuLet us live and prove our worth
Vaazhndhu kaattalaamCome, come, you have the inner pulse
Vaa vaa nee thudippirukkudhuEverything is for you... aa..
Ellaam unakkaaga… aa..Do not sleep, do not give up
Male
Thoongaadhae thuvalaadhaeWill sleep feed your hunger?
Thookkam soru podumaaThrough dreams during sleep
Thookkaththin kanavaalaeWill pleasures ever come and gather?
Sugangal vandhu koodumaaYouth possesses speed and vigor
Male
Ilamaikkor vegam unduYou too arise and come
Neeyum ezhundhu vaaNo one is poor in spirit
Idhayathil yezhai illaiRaise your hands and come forward
Kaigal uyarthi vaaWith various kind of dreams
Male
Yedhedho pala kanavoduThe years of youth pass
Ilamai kaalangalWondering what the future will bring
Edhir kaalam yedhuvo endruThe heart draws patterns of hope
Idhaya kolangalUnaware that those thoughts are the seeds
Male
Avai thaanae vidhaigal endruThese are the ignorant ages
Ariyaa paruvangalRealizing that seeds alone yield the harvest
Vidhaigal thaan palanae endruThese are the maturing ages
Kaattum paruvangalAfter moving forward, turn back
Male
Munnaal pona pin pinnaalLook behind and never forget
Thirumbi paar marakkaadhaeWhat happened by grace
Thannaal vandhadhaiDo not think it was achieved solely by you
Unnaal vandhadhaai ninaikkaadhaeYour own name everywhere
Un perai neeyae thaan oorengumDo not beat your own drum
Thambattam adikkaadhaeYouth possesses speed and vigor
Male
Ilamaikkor vegam unduYou too arise and come
Neeyum ezhundhu vaaNo one is poor in spirit
Idhayathil yezhai illaiRaise your hands and come forward
Kaigal uyarthi vaaThe right time and moment
Male
Kaalam neramaeHave arrived right here
Ingae vandhirukkudhuLet us live and prove our worth
Vaazhndhu kaattalaamCome, come, you have the inner pulse
Vaa vaa nee thudippirukkudhuEverything is for you... aa…
Ellaam unakkaaga… aa…Do not sleep, do not give up
Male
Thoongaadhae thuvalaadhaeWill sleep feed your hunger?
Thookkam soru podumaaThrough dreams during sleep
Thookkaththin kanavaalaeWill pleasures ever come and gather?
Sugangal vandhu koodumaaYouth possesses speed and vigor
Male
Ilamaikkor vegam unduYou too arise and come
Neeyum ezhundhu vaaNo one is poor in spirit
Idhayathil yezhai illaiRaise your hands and come forward
Kaigal uyarthi vaa

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Ilamaikkor vegam undu' from the movie 'Oru Naal Oru Kanavu' (2005) is an energetic motivational anthem penned by legendary lyricist Vaali. The song urges youth to break free from lethargy, abandon idle gossip, and proactively work towards their dreams. Vaali uses sharp metaphors—such as diving into the ocean to harvest pearls and paying a price to achieve success—to emphasize that hard work and perseverance are indispensible for growth. Additionally, the lyrics advise humility, reminding listeners who attain success to look back at their roots and avoid self-boasting.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Rhetorical Question (Vinaa)

Thookkam soru podumaa

The lyricist uses a rhetorical question to challenge the listener about the futility of laziness.

Edugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Thoongaadhae thuvalaadhae / Thookkam soru podumaa

Repetition of the second consonant sound 'oo' in consecutive lines creating rhythmic harmony.

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Kadalukkul thunindhirangaamal / Muththum kidaikkaadhae

Diving into the ocean to obtain pearls serves as a metaphor for taking bold risks to achieve valuable success.

Did you know?

Trivia

The music for 'Oru Naal Oru Kanavu' (2005) was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, directed by veteran filmmaker Fazil, starring Srikanth and Sonia Agarwal.

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