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Indru Pol Endrum Vaazhga album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Ithu Nattai Kaakkum Kai

From Indru Pol Endrum Vaazhga · 1977

Lyricist
Muthulingam
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Indru Pol Endrum Vaazhga
Movie release year
1977
Lyrics added on
15 Nov 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Idhu naattai kaakkum kai
Un veettai kaakkum kai
Idhu naattai kaakkum kai
Un veettai kaakkum kai
Indha kai naattin nambikkai
Indha kai naattin nambikkai
Idhu edhirkaala thaayagathin vaazhkkai
Idhu edhirkaala thaayagatthin vaazhkkai
Anbu kai idhu aakkum kai
Idhu azhikkum kaiyalla
Chinna kai yaer thookkum kai
Idhu thirudum kaiyalla
Anbu kai idhu aakkum kai
Idhu azhikkum kaiyalla
Chinna kai yaer thookkum kai
Idhu thirudum kaiyalla
Naermai kaakkum kai
Nalla nenjai vaazhthum kai
Idhu oozhal neekkum
Thaazhvai pokkum
Seer migundha kai
Idhu naattai kaakkum kai
Un veettai kaakkum kai
Indha kai naattin nambikkai
Indha kai naattin nambikkai
Idhu edhirkaala thaayagathin vaazhkkai
Vettri kai padai veezhthum kai
Idhu thalarum kaiyalla
Sutha kai pugazh naattum kai
Idhu surandum kaiyalla
Vettri kai padai veezhthum kai
Idhu thalarum kaiyalla
Sutha kai pugazh naattum kai
Idhu surandum kaiyalla
Eegai kaattum kai
Makkal saevai aattrum kai
Mul kaattai saaithu thottam pottu
Peredukkum kai
Idhu naattai kaakkum kai
Un veettai kaakkum kai
Indha kai naattin nambikkai
Indha kai naattin nambikkai
Idhu edhirkaala thaayagathin vaazhkkai
Unmai kai kavi theettum kai
Karai padindha kaiyalla
Pengal tham kulam kaakkum kai
Idhu kedukkum kaiyalla
Unmai kai kavi theettum kai
Karai padindha kaiyalla
Pengal tham kulam kaakkum kai
Idhu kedukkum kaiyalla
Maanam kaakkum kai
Anna dhaanam seiyum kai
Sama needhi onga baedham neenga
Aala vandha kai
Idhu naattai kaakkum kai
Un veettai kaakkum kai
Indha kai naattin nambikkai
Indha kai naattin nambikkai
Idhu edhirkaala thaayagathin vaazhkkai
Idhu edhirkaala thaayagathin vaazhkkai
This is the hand that protects the nation,
The hand that protects your home.
This is the hand that protects the nation,
The hand that protects your home.
This hand is the nation's hope,
This hand is the nation's hope.
This is the future life of our motherland,
This is the future life of our motherland.
A hand of love, a hand that builds,
Not a hand that destroys.
A humble hand that lifts the plough,
Not a hand that steals.
A hand of love, a hand that builds,
Not a hand that destroys.
A humble hand that lifts the plough,
Not a hand that steals.
A hand that defends honesty,
A hand that blesses good hearts.
It will wipe out corruption,
And banish all hardship,
A hand of true nobility.
This is the hand that protects the nation,
The hand that protects your home.
This hand is the nation's hope,
This hand is the nation's hope.
This is the future life of our motherland.
A victorious hand that defeats armies,
Not a hand that falters.
A clean hand that establishes honor,
Not a hand that exploits.
A victorious hand that defeats armies,
Not a hand that falters.
A clean hand that establishes honor,
Not a hand that exploits.
A hand that shows generosity,
A hand that serves the people.
Clearing thorny forests to plant gardens,
A hand that earns a great name.
This is the hand that protects the nation,
The hand that protects your home.
This hand is the nation's hope,
This hand is the nation's hope.
This is the future life of our motherland.
A truthful hand that writes poetry,
Not a hand stained with guilt.
A hand that protects womankind,
Not a hand that harms them.
A truthful hand that writes poetry,
Not a hand stained with guilt.
A hand that protects womankind,
Not a hand that harms them.
A hand that defends honor,
A hand that feeds the hungry.
So equal justice prevails and divisions vanish,
This is the hand that came to lead.
This is the hand that protects the nation,
The hand that protects your home.
This hand is the nation's hope,
This hand is the nation's hope.
This is the future life of our motherland,
This is the future life of our motherland.
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

'Idhu Naattai Kaakkum Kai' is a high-spirited, politically charged anthem from the 1977 Tamil film 'Indru Pol Endrum Vaazhga'. Written by lyricist Muthulingam and picturized on M. G. Ramachandran (MGR), the song uses the powerful symbolism of 'the hand' (kai) to define leadership, work ethic, and social duty. Each stanza contrasts noble deeds (cultivating land, defeating evil, feeding the poor, protecting women) against negative traits (stealing, corrupting, exploiting), positioning the protagonist's hand as the ultimate symbol of hope and governance for the country.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Idhu naattai kaakkum kai / Un veettai kaakkum kai

Frequent ending of lines with the word 'kai' creates a rhythmic beat and reinforces the central motif of 'the hand'.

Antithesis (Contrast)

Anbu kai idhu aakkum kai / Idhu azhikkum kaiyalla

Directly contrasts positive qualities with negative traits to emphasize moral integrity.

Metaphor

Indha kai naattin nambikkai

'Kai' (hand) acts as a extended metaphor representing political leadership, agricultural labor, benevolence, and justice.

Did you know?

Trivia

This song held immense political significance during MGR's rise to power in Tamil Nadu state politics in 1977. The lyricist Muthulingam masterfully crafted lines that resonated with both working-class voters and fans of MGR.

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