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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Jigu Jigu Rail

From Maamannan · 2023

Lyricist
Yugabharathi
Singers
A. R. Rahman, Chorus
Music director
A. R. Rahman
Details
Maamannan2023

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
Lalala la laLalala la la
Lalala la laLalala la la
Lalala la laLalala la la
Ey kichu kichu thambulamHey, playful traditional betel leaves
Kiya kiya thambulamChirping, rhythmic betel leaves
Male
Jigu jigu railChugging train
Kelambudhu paarLook, it is starting
Nijangalin payanamumThe journey of truths
Thodangudhu paarLook, it is beginning
Male
Nee purappettu vaaYou set off and come
Sarigama sarithiramA musical history
Padaithida vaaCome to create it
Mun pagaivittu vaaLeave behind past enmity and come
Sarisama ulagathilIn an egalitarian world
Magizhndhida vaaCome to rejoice
Veen thiraivittu vaaLeave behind useless veils and come
Olitharum mugangalilIn light-giving faces
Palichida vaaCome to shine bright
Poonjiragaai inaindhaeUniting as soft feathery wings
Midhappom vaaLet us float together, come
Male
{Eyy lamba{Hey tall one
Chorus :Lamba lambaChorus: Tall one, tall one
Male :Eley nanbaMale: Hey friend
Chorus :Nanba nanbaChorus: Friend, friend
Male :Nee thembaMale: You stay brave
Chorus :Themba thembaChorus: Brave, brave
Male :Yeru nanbaMale: Get on board, friend
Chorus :Nanba nanba}(2)Chorus: Friend, friend}(2)
Chorus
Lalala la laLalala la la
Lalala la laLalala la la
Lalala la laLalala la la
Ey kichu kichu thambulamHey, playful traditional betel leaves
Kiya kiya thambulamChirping, rhythmic betel leaves
Chorus
Ey kichu kichu thambulamHey, playful traditional betel leaves
Kiya kiya thambulamChirping, rhythmic betel leaves
Male
Jannalukkul vaanam unduThere is a sky seen through the window
Chorus :Vandhu sendhukoChorus: Come and join in
Male :Ullankaiyil paadhaiyunduMale: There is a pathway in the palm of your hand
Chorus :Vandhu sendhukoChorus: Come and join in
Male :Mannukullae poovum unduMale: There is a blooming flower hidden beneath the soil
Chorus :Vandhu sendhukoChorus: Come and join in
Male :Pullikullum kolum unduMale: There is an entire kolam pattern hidden within a single dot
Chorus :Vandhu sendhukoChorus: Come and join in
Male
Oh punnagaiyil nyaanam unduOh, there is wisdom inside a simple smile
Chorus :Vandhu sendhukoChorus: Come and join in
Male :Unmai anbil yaavum unduMale: Everything exists within true love
Chorus :Vandhu sendhukoChorus: Come and join in
Male :Evvidathum aegan unduMale: The One pervades every single place
All :Vandhu sendhuko vandhu sendhukoAll: Come and join, come and join
Vandhu sendhuko vandhu sendhukoCome and join, come and join
Male
Hoo Jigu jigu railO, chugging train
Kelambudhu paarLook, it is starting
Nijangalin payanamumThe journey of truths
Thodangudhu paarLook, it is beginning
Male
Nee purappettu vaaYou set off and come
Sarigama sarithiramA musical history
Padaithida vaaCome to create it
Mun pagaivittu vaaLeave behind past enmity and come
Sarisama ulagathilIn an egalitarian world
Magizhndhida vaaCome to rejoice
Veen thiraivittu vaaLeave behind useless veils and come
Olitharum mugangalilIn light-giving faces
Palichida vaaCome to shine bright
Poonjiragaai inaindhaeUniting as soft feathery wings
Midhappom vaaLet us float together, come
Male
{Eyy lamba{Hey tall one
Chorus :Lamba lambaChorus: Tall one, tall one
Male :Eley nanbaMale: Hey friend
Chorus :Nanba nanbaChorus: Friend, friend
Male :Nee thembaMale: You stay brave
Chorus :Themba thembaChorus: Brave, brave
Male :Yeru nanbaMale: Get on board, friend
Chorus :Nanba nanba}(2)Chorus: Friend, friend}(2)
Male
Latcham kodi natchathiramBillions of bright stars
Chorus :Vandhuko sendhukoChorus: Come and join
Male :Minnal alli muththam podaMale: To gather lightning and give a kiss
Chorus :Vandhuko sendhukoChorus: Come and join
Male :Meghathila oonjalaadaMale: To swing on the soft clouds
Chorus :Vandhuko sendhukoChorus: Come and join
Male
Idiyidikka kodipidikkaAs thunder rolls, to raise high the flag
Chorus :Vandhu sendhukoChorus: Come and join in
Male :Malaiyadikka thamizh padikkaMale: As rain pours down, to study Tamil
Vandhu sendhukoCome and join in
Maram mulaikka man manakkaFor trees to sprout and the earth to smell fragrant
Vandhu sendhukoCome and join in
Male
{Eyy lamba{Hey tall one
Chorus :Lamba lambaChorus: Tall one, tall one
Male :Eley nanbaMale: Hey friend
Chorus :Nanba nanbaChorus: Friend, friend
Male :Nee thembaMale: You stay brave
Chorus :Themba thembaChorus: Brave, brave
Male :Yeru nanbaMale: Get on board, friend
Chorus :Nanba nanba}(2)Chorus: Friend, friend}(2)

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Jigu Jigu Rail from Maamannan is an uplifting, joyous, and egalitarian anthem that uses the metaphor of a moving train to signify social progress, unity, and a collective journey toward equality. The lyrics call upon people to discard old rivalries, artificial divides, and social prejudices, inviting everyone aboard a journey of truth, hope, and social harmony where all human beings are treated as equals.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Jigu jigu rail Kelambudhu paar

The train ('Jigu jigu rail') serves as a extended metaphor for the movement toward social equality, reform, and shared human destiny.

Moni / Rhyme & Alliteration

Sarisama ulagathil Magizhndhida vaa

The song uses strong second-letter rhyming (Edhugai) and rhythmic playfulness with words like 'Sarigama sarithiram' and 'Sarisama ulagathil'.

Onomatopoeia

Ey kichu kichu thambulam Kiya kiya thambulam

Folk vocalizations and rhythmic sound words ('Kichu kichu', 'Kiya kiya', 'Jigu jigu') evoke traditional children's games and train sounds.

Did you know?

Trivia

Jigu Jigu Rail serves as a celebratory closing song for the political drama Maamannan (2023), directed by Mari Selvaraj. Composed and sung by A. R. Rahman, the track brings a positive, hopeful note to the film's intense anti-caste narrative, emphasizing togetherness and social progress.

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