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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kaatrile

From Madrasapattinam · 2010

Lyricist
Na. Muthu Kumar
Singers
Hariharan, Zia
Music director
G. V. Prakash Kumar
Details
Madrasapattinam2010

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
Aayiram aayudhamEven if a thousand weapons
Edhu varum pothumCome facing us
Anbenum sakthiyai vendravar illaiNo one has ever defeated the power of love
Kaarirul neengidum kaalaiyil marubadiRemoving dark night, in the morning again
Kizakkinil oli varumeLight will arrive in the east
Chorus
Peigalum narigalumEven when devils and foxes
Thurathidum pothumChase us down
Paadhaiyil pallangalEven when ditches along the path
Paduthidum pothumTrip us up
Porkkalam naduvilum ragasiyamaagaSecretly, in the middle of a battlefield
Poo ondru malarndhidumaeA flower will blossom
Vizundhom ….ezhundhom….We fell... we rose...
Male
Kaatrilae kaatrilaeIn the breeze, in the breeze
Eerangal kooduthaeMoisture increases
Kangalin neer adhuThe tears from the eyes
Kaatrinil seruthaeJoin in the wind
Male
Nee endru naan endruBeing 'You' and 'I'
Thani aanathuMade us separate
Indru naam endru ondraagumToday, becoming 'Us' as one
Nilai aanathuHas become our state
Nenjodu nesiththa bandham idhuThis is a bond cherished close to the heart
Indru kai sera kanneerae vilai aanathuTears became the price paid to unite today
Chorus
Aayiram aayudhamEven if a thousand weapons
Edhu varum pothumCome facing us
Anbenum sakthiyai vendravar illaiNo one has ever defeated the power of love
Kaarirul neengidum kaalaiyil marubadiRemoving dark night, in the morning again
Kizakkinil oli varumeLight will arrive in the east
Chorus
Peigalum narigalumEven when devils and foxes
Thurathidum pothumChase us down
Paadhaiyil pallangalEven when ditches along the path
Paduthidum pothumTrip us up
Porkkalam naduvilum ragasiyamaagaSecretly, in the middle of a battlefield
Poo ondru malarndhidumaeA flower will blossom
Male
Nadhi pogum vaziyil yaarumAnyone along the path of a river
Anai pottu thaduthida koodumCan build a dam and stop it
Megathil anai poda vazhi illaiyaeBut there is no way to dam the clouds
Nigazh kaalam kannin munnaeThe present time before the eyes
Varungaalam kanavin pinnaeThe future behind a dream
Vidhi podum kanakkirkku vidai illaiyaeThere is no answer to the math posed by fate
Chorus
Iravum pagalum nagarumNight and day will keep moving
Veyilum mazaiyum thodaarumSun and rain will continue
Idhayam inaiyum tharunamWill the moment when hearts unite
Varumaa..Ever arrive?
Chorus
Irulum oliyum pazhagumDarkness and light become familiar
Vidinthum vidiyaa nimidamA minute that dawns yet doesn't dawn
Vidinthaal vazhkkai thodangumIf it dawns, life begins
Kanava…Is it a dream?
Chorus
Peigalum narigalumEven when devils and foxes
Thurathidum pothumChase us down
Paadhaiyil pallangalEven when ditches along the path
Paduthidum pothumTrip us up
Porkkalam naduvilum ragasiyamaagaSecretly, in the middle of a battlefield
Poo ondru malarndhidumaeA flower will blossom
Male
{Vandhae maatharam{I bow to thee, Mother
Chorus : Vandhae maatharam} (4)Chorus: I bow to thee, Mother} (4)
Male
Oru vaanam podhaadhendruSaying one sky is not enough
Pala vaanam ketppom endruAsking for many skies
Kai korthu ondraaga paranthodavaeHolding hands to fly away together
Nedungaalam kanavil vaazhnthomFor a long time we lived in dreams
Ippothu kaigal korthomNow we hold hands
Iranthaalum ethirppomae piriyaamalaeEven in death we will resist without separating
Chorus
Idhamum padhamum yudhamComfort, rhythm, and war
Idaiyil uyirin sathamIn between, the sound of life
Idhayam muzhukka kettaalIf heard fully in the heart
Sugamae…It brings sweet joy...
Chorus
Ethirum pudhirum vaanamSky of opposition and mystery
Irunthum nenjil veeramYet courage remains in the heart
Anbae endrum inbamLove will always
Tharumae…Give joy...
Chorus
Aayiram aayudhamEven if a thousand weapons
Edhu varum pothumCome facing us
Anbenum sakthiyai vendravar illaiNo one has ever defeated the power of love
Kaarirul neengidum kaalaiyil marubadiRemoving dark night, in the morning again
Kizakkinil oli varumeLight will arrive in the east
Chorus
Peigalum narigalumEven when devils and foxes
Thurathidum pothumChase us down
Paadhaiyil pallangalEven when ditches along the path
Paduthidum pothumTrip us up
Porkkalam naduvilum ragasiyamaagaSecretly, in the middle of a battlefield
Poo ondru malarndhidumaeA flower will blossom
Vizundhom ….ezhundhom….We fell... we rose...
Male
Kaatrilae kaatrilaeIn the breeze, in the breeze
Eerangal kooduthaeMoisture increases
Kangalin neer adhuThe tears from the eyes
Kaatrinil seruthaeJoin in the wind
Male
Nee endru naan endruBeing 'You' and 'I'
Thani aanathuMade us separate
Indru naam endru ondraagumToday, becoming 'Us' as one
Nilai aanathuHas become our state
Nenjodu nesiththa bandham idhuThis is a bond cherished close to the heart
Indru kai sera kanneerae vilai aanathuTears became the price paid to unite today

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This evocative composition from Madrasapattinam captures the triumph of love and human spirit amidst war, colonialism, and political turmoil. Set against the backdrop of 1940s Madras, the song asserts that no weapon or external adversity can ever conquer the enduring force of love. Using vivid imagery of nature, dawn following deep darkness, and flowers blooming on battlefields, it highlights hope and resilience in times of profound crisis. The narrative transitions from individual pain and separation ('You' and 'I') into a unified collective identity ('We'), intertwining personal romance with a nationalist urge for freedom. It expresses how true emotional bonds transcend barriers, turning sacrifice and tears into the foundation of togetherness.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Porkkalam naduvilum ragasiyamaaga / Poo ondru malarndhidumae

Compares love blooming secretly in times of conflict to a delicate flower blossoming in the middle of a battlefield.

Alliteration (Monai)

Paadhaiyil pallangal / Paduthidum pothum

Repetition of the 'P' consonant sound at the start of adjacent words to add rhythmic musicality.

Contrast / Antithesis (Muran)

Irulum oliyum pazhagum / Vidinthum vidiyaa nimidam

Juxtaposes darkness and light to symbolize fear versus hope and despair versus awakening.

Visual Imagery

Nadhi pogum vaziyil yaarum / Anai pottu thaduthida koodum / Megathil anai poda vazhi illaiyae

Evokes natural water currents and atmospheric elements to show that human emotion and nature cannot be artificially contained.

Did you know?

Trivia

Madrasapattinam (2010), directed by A. L. Vijay, features music composed by G. V. Prakash Kumar with lyrics by late National Award-winning poet Na. Muthu Kumar. The film's soundtrack earned widespread critical acclaim for capturing the vintage musical essence of pre-independence India.

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