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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Indha Raasava Nambi

From Pongi Varum Kaveri · 1989

Lyricist
Ilaiyaraja
Singers
Ilayaraja, Chorus
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Pongi Varum Kaveri1989

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Indha raasaavaAnyone who comes trusting
Nambi vandha yaarumThis king...
Indha raasaavaAnyone who comes trusting
Nambi vandha yaarumThis king...
Ada mosamae poga poradhillaeWill never go down a bad path or be ruined.
Chorus
Indha raasaavaAnyone who comes trusting
Nambi vandha yaarumThis king...
Ada mosamae poga poradhillaeWill never go down a bad path or be ruined.
Male
Hey suttham ulla evanumHey, try pointing out faults in a pure person,
Kuttham cholli paaruTry finding flaws in them!
Utthamanum yaaruWho is truly righteous?
Unna neeyae keluAsk yourself that question!
Dakkaru dakkaru dhaanTop-notch! Simply top-notch!
Male
Indha raasaavaThis king...
Indha raasaavaThis king...
Nambi vandha yaarumAnyone who comes trusting...
Indha raasaavaThis king...
Nambi vandha yaarumAnyone who comes trusting...
Ada mosamae poga poradhillae..Will never go down a bad path or be ruined..
Hey hei heiHey hei hei
Chorus
Indha raasaavaAnyone who comes trusting
Nambi vandha yaarumThis king, will never be ruined.. hey
Ada mosamae poga poradhillae..heyI fell down doing somersaults resting on my hands,
Male
Kaiya ooni karanam pottuI fell flat on the ground.
Naanum vizhundhenWho was there to lift me up?
Ennai evan thookki vittaanNobody was there, my friend!
Yaarum illadaHoi
Chorus :HoiBy telling lies and truths, day by day,
Male
Poiya meiya cholli cholliI grew up over time.
Dhinam valarndhenNow to see me, who comes?
Ippa enna paarkka varaanTen people have arrived, my friend!
Paththu perudaHoi
Chorus :Hoiback then, when this king was at the bottom,
Male
Keezhirundha raasa annikkuAll the lies...
Poiya ellaamHe watched it all!
Chorus :PaathuputtanToday, having risen to the top,
Male :Mela vandha raasa innaikkuHe smashes the truth out loud
Unamaiya pottuAnd breaks all illusions!
Chorus :OdaikkiraanIn the world that I have seen,
Male
Naan paartha ulagatthilaeMan only has empty words.
Manashunukku pechchu irukkuOh, for everyone at all times,
Ada ellarkkum eppodhumMoney is their very breath!
Kaasuladhaan moochu irukkuHey, I am telling what is real,
Male
Ada ulladha sollurenI am doing what is good!
Nalladha seiyurenTop-notch! Simply top-notch!
Dakkaru dakkaru dhaanThis king...
Male
Indha raasaavaThis king...
Indha raasaavaAnyone who comes trusting
Nambi vandha yaarumWill never go down a bad path or be ruined..
Ada mosamae poga poradhillae..Hey hei hei
Hey hei heiAnyone who comes trusting
Chorus
Indha raasaavaThis king,
Nambi vandha yaarumWill never go down a bad path or be ruined.. hey
Ada mosamae poga poradhillae..heyHey, try pointing out faults in a pure person,
Male
Hey suttham ulla evanumTry finding flaws in them!
Kuttham cholli paaruWho is truly righteous?
Utthamanum yaaruAsk yourself that question!
Unna neeyae keluTop-notch! Simply top-notch!
Dakkaru dakkaru dhaanIn daily life,
Male
Dhinasari vaazhkkayilaeWe tell lies,
Poiya solluromIn small matters like these,
Chinna chinna vishayam idhilThere is no real fault.
Kuththamum illaiHoi
Chorus :HoiAll the poets who talk about reform,
Male
Seerthiruththam pesugindraWrite lies to sell songs
Kavignyan ellaamAnd earn money!
Poi ezhudhi paatta viththuAnd make money!
Kaasu vaanguraanHoi
Chorus :HoiWhether a poet or a leader,
Male
Kavignyan enna thalaivan ennaRight in front of you,
Ongitta dhaanThey blabber lies!
Chorus :PuluguraanAfter climbing high and reaching the top,
Male :Mela yeri osandha pinnaeTo deceive you,
Unnai yeikkaThey weep fake tears!
Chorus :AzhuguraanOnly the poor person at the bottom
Male
Keezhirikkum ezhaigathaanIs ultimately the gullible fool!
Moththathilae ilichcha vaayan daaHow many deceivers are out there?
Yemaathuraven eththana perThere is nobody to change this system!
Idha maathuravan yaarum illa daaI am telling this truth,
Male
Indha unmaiyae sollurenAccept it, accept it!
Oththukka oththukkaTop-notch! Simply top-notch!
Dakkaru dakkaru thaanThis king...
Male
Indha raasaavaThis king...
Indha raasaavaAnyone who comes trusting
Nambi vandha yaarumWill never go down a bad path or be ruined..
Ada mosamae poga poradhillae..No.. hey hey
Illae..hey heyAnyone who comes trusting
Chorus
Indha raasaavaThis king,
Nambi vandha yaarumWill never go down a bad path or be ruined..
Ada mosamae poga poradhillae..No no hey
Illae illae heyHey hey
Male
Hey heyHey hey hey hey hey…..
Hey hey hey hey hey…..

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This energetic song from Pongi Varum Kaveri revolves around themes of trust, social awareness, and self-assertion. The protagonist, referred to as 'Raasa' (king), assures those around him that trusting him will never lead to ruin. He reflects on his humble beginnings, the struggles he faced alone without support, and how people only gravitated towards him once he achieved success. The lyrics critique society's obsession with money, hypocrisy among leaders and poets, and the plight of the poor who are constantly exploited. Despite these harsh realities, the protagonist remains committed to truthfulness and doing good.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Hey suttham ulla evanum / Kuttham cholli paaru

Matching second consonants across lines, e.g., 'suttham' and 'kuttham'.

Monaai (Alliteration / Initial Rhyme)

Keezhirundha raasa annikku / Mela vandha raasa innaikku

Matching initial sounds across adjacent lines or words, e.g., 'Keezhirundha' and 'Mela'.

Repetition / Refrain

Dakkaru dakkaru dhaan

Reiteration of the main catchphrase 'Dakkaru dakkaru dhaan' and 'Indha raasaava' to establish rhythm and emphasis.

Did you know?

Trivia

Pongi Varum Kaveri is a 1989 Tamil film starring Ramarajan and Gautami. The song features a vibrant folk rhythm composed with Ilaiyaraaja's signature rustic musical arrangement and lyrics reflecting social commentary.

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