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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kaalame

From Bigil · 2019

Lyricist
Vivek
Singer
Bamba Bakya
Music director
A. R. Rahman
Details
Bigil2019

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kaalamae kaalamaeTime, oh time,
Ennai engu kondu pogiraaiWhere are you taking me?
Mannavan saaigiraanThe king is falling,
Kaigal katti paarkiraaiAnd you stand watching with folded hands.
Male
Vaazhkayin kaaranamIs the purpose of life
Ennai vittu pogudhooLeaving me behind?
Veedhiyil veera vaalThe heroic sword on the street,
Thee pidithu vegudhooIs it catching fire and burning?
Male
Thunayilla vaazhkayilIn a helpless life,
Thunayaai un kuralYour voice is my support.
Thirumbi vaaCome back.
Nilayilla koottathilIn a transient crowd,
Nilaikkum un peyarYour name endures.
Ezhundhu vaaRise up!
Ezhundhu vaaRise up!
Male
Nee illa boomiyilIn a world without you,
Engu naan selluvenWhere will I go?
Thirumbi vaaCome back.
Ezhundhu vaaRise up.
Thirumbi vaaCome back.
Ezhundhu vaa…aaa…aa….Rise up...
Ezhundhu vaaRise up.
Male
Malaigalum mannilEven when mountains fall
VizhumpozhudhuTo the ground,
Malaigalai dhaanae ezhuppidudhuOnly mountains can raise mountains.
Vaengai vaazhndha kaatilae..ae..haeIn the forest where the tiger once lived,
Vaengai vandhu nirappidum kadhaiyoIs this the story of the tiger returning to claim it?
Hooo hoo ooo ooooHooo hoo ooo oooo
Male
Arasan naanoAm I the king?
Hoo hoo ooo oooo hoo hoHoo hoo ooo oooo hoo ho
Kobam ondru eriyudhoIs a surge of anger burning?
Muttum pagai mudiyudhoIs the confronting enmity coming to an end?
Vittu vaitha kalathileaInto the battleground left behind,
Singam ondru nuzhaiyudhoIs a lion stepping in?
Hoo hoo ooo oooo hoo ho ooo oooHoo hoo ooo oooo hoo ho ooo ooo
Hoo hoo ooo oooo hoo ho ooo oooHoo hoo ooo oooo hoo ho ooo ooo
Male
Ezhundhu vaa ..aa…Rise up...
Ezhundhu vaaRise up.
Ezhundhu vaa….aa….Rise up...
Ezhundhu vaaRise up.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from Bigil is a poignant and powerful plea filled with grief, grief-stricken questioning of fate, and an inspiring call to action. The lyrics open with an emotional lament addressed to Time for standing idly by as a leader or beloved figure falls. It captures a moment of deep vulnerability where the speaker feels lost without their pillar of strength. As the song builds, the tone shifts from grief to a roaring revival. Through fierce metaphors of mountains, tigers, and lions, the lyricist conveys that true power cannot be permanently extinguished. It serves as an anthem of resurgence, urging the fallen leader to rise again and reclaim his throne and legacy.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Personification

Kaamae kaalamae ... Kaigal katti paarkiraai

Time ('Kaalamae') is personified as a silent spectator standing with folded hands while tragedy strikes.

Metaphor

Malaigalum mannil vizhumpozhudhu / Malaigalai dhaanae ezhuppidudhu

Great men are compared to mountains, signifying that only another monumental force can lift a fallen legend.

Animal Imagery & Zoomorphism

Vaengai vaazhndha kaatilae... Singam ondru nuzhaiyudho

The hero is likened to a tiger ('Vaengai') and a lion ('Singam') returning to claim his domain.

Edhukai (Tamil Second-letter Rhyme)

Nilayilla koottathil / Nilaikkum un peyar

Repetition of the second consonant sound 'la' across lines creating rhythmic harmony.

Did you know?

Trivia

This track serves as a pivotal emotional peak in the 2019 sports-action drama 'Bigil' starring Vijay. Although the music was composed by Academy Award winner A. R. Rahman with lyrics by Vivek, this particular piece acts as a dramatic motif during the emotional turning point involving the father character, Rayappan.

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