Kabadi Kabadi
From Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu · 2009
- Lyricist
- J. Francis Kiruba
- Singers
- Shankar Mahadevan, Chorus
- Music director
- V. Selvaganesh
- Details
- Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu2009
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| Mannai thodu maarbil idu | Touch the soil and apply it to your chest |
| Vervai sudum velvi idhu | This is a sacred fire ritual fueled by burning sweat |
| Unnaikodu ondru padu | Surrender yourself completely and stand united |
| Atcham vidu utcham thodu | Shed your fear and touch the ultimate peak |
| Male | |
| Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi | Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi |
| Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi | Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi |
| Kabadi kabadi kabadi | Kabadi kabadi kabadi |
| Chorus | |
| Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi | Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi |
| Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi | Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi |
| Kabadi kabadi kabadi | Kabadi kabadi kabadi |
| Chorus | |
| Mannai thodu maarbil idu | Touch the soil and apply it to your chest |
| Vervai sudum velvi idhu | This is a sacred fire ritual fueled by burning sweat |
| Unnaikodu ondru padu | Surrender yourself completely and stand united |
| Atcham vidu utcham thodu | Shed your fear and touch the ultimate peak |
| Chorus | |
| Mannai thodu maarbil idu | Touch the soil and apply it to your chest |
| Vervai sudum velvi idhu | This is a sacred fire ritual fueled by burning sweat |
| Unnaikodu ondru padu | Surrender yourself completely and stand united |
| Atcham vidu utcham thodu | Shed your fear and touch the ultimate peak |
| Male | |
| Vinnai thoda vandhom | We have arrived to touch the sky |
| Thaai mannai thozhugindrom | We pay homage to our mother soil |
| Puludhi puyalukkul | Amidst a swirling storm of dust |
| Oru yutham purigindrom | We wage a fierce war |
| Male | |
| Imaikkaadha kangal kondu | With unblinking eyes watching |
| Parakkindra kaigal rendu | And two hands taking flight |
| Vilundhaalum vettri kottil | Even when falling on the victory line |
| Ezhugindra nenjam undu | There is a heart that courageously rises |
| Male | |
| Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi | Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi |
| Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi | Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi |
| Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi | Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi |
| Kabadi kabadi kabadi | Kabadi kabadi kabadi |
| Male | |
| Vinnai thoda vandhom | We have arrived to touch the sky |
| Thaai mannai thozhugindrom | We pay homage to our mother soil |
| Puludhi puyalukkul | Amidst a swirling storm of dust |
| Oru yutham purigindrom | We wage a fierce war |
| Male | |
| Imaikkaadha kangal kondu | With unblinking eyes watching |
| Parakkindra kaigal rendu | And two hands taking flight |
| Vilundhaalum vettri kottil | Even when falling on the victory line |
| Ezhugindra nenjam undu | There is a heart that courageously rises |
| Male | |
| Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi | Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi |
| Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi | Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi |
| Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi | Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi |
| Kabadi kabadi kabadi | Kabadi kabadi kabadi |
| Male | |
| Suttadhum kaayangal nerududhu kangalil | When injuries sting, eyes experience unease |
| Kanneerin minnalgal maraindhadhu kaigalil | Flashes of tears fade away on sweaty hands |
| Ullam udaiyum bothu unmai vizhigirathae | When the heart breaks, the real truth awakens |
| Unnai nambum bothu vettrigal pirakkirathe | When you trust yourself, victories are born |
| Chorus | |
| Mannai thodu maarbil idu | Touch the soil and apply it to your chest |
| Vervai sudum velvi idhu | This is a sacred fire ritual fueled by burning sweat |
| Unnaikodu ondru padu | Surrender yourself completely and stand united |
| Atcham vidu utcham thodu | Shed your fear and touch the ultimate peak |
| Chorus | |
| Mannai thodu maarbil idu | Touch the soil and apply it to your chest |
| Vervai sudum velvi idhu | This is a sacred fire ritual fueled by burning sweat |
| Unnaikodu ondru padu | Surrender yourself completely and stand united |
| Atcham vidu utcham thodu | Shed your fear and touch the ultimate peak |
| Chorus | |
| Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi | Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi |
| Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi | Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi |
| Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi | Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi |
| Male | |
| Aaru kodu kabadi kabadi | Six court lines, Kabadi Kabadi |
| Ezhu peru kabadi kabadi | Seven players, Kabadi Kabadi |
| Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi | Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi |
| Aala paathu kabadi kabadi | Watch the opponent, Kabadi Kabadi |
| Thookki podu kabadi kabadi | Slam them down, Kabadi Kabadi |
| Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi | Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi |
| Male | |
| Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi | Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi |
| Meesa murukku kabadi kabadi | Twirl your mustache, Kabadi Kabadi |
| Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi | Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi |
| Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi | Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi |
| Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi | Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi |
| Male | |
| Vettri vandhaal thookki podu | If victory comes, lift it high in celebration |
| Tholvi kandaal vettai aadu | If you face defeat, hunt down your comeback |
| Uppu kottai inimel idhu thaan..idhu thaan | From now on, this salt-fort territory is ours |
| Muthu muthaai vervaiyodu | With sweat glistening like pearls |
| Jallikattaai thulli aadu | Leap and play like a fierce Jallikattu bull |
| Thottadhellaam thulangum inidhaan inidhaan | Everything you touch will shine brightly from now on |
| Male | |
| Malai pol theriyum maduvaai mudiyum | What seems like an insurmountable mountain will turn into a small pit |
| Unakku adhu puriyum nadakkaiyilae | You will understand that as you walk along the path |
| Kann oru kadaiyilum kanavu oru padaiyilum | An eye isn't bought at a shop, nor a dream in an army |
| Kedappadhu illaiyadaa | They cannot be found lying around |
| Vovvoru nodiyilum vevveru vidiyalgal | In every single second, brand new dawns |
| Unakullae vidiyudhu vaahkaiyilae | Break forth within you in this life |
| Sadugudu padaiyedu thadaigalai udaithidu | Chant sadugudu, march forward, break all obstacles |
| Sarithiram padaithidu nee | Go ahead and create history |
| Chorus | |
| Mannai thodu maarbil idu | Touch the soil and apply it to your chest |
| Vervai sudum velvi idhu | This is a sacred fire ritual fueled by burning sweat |
| Unnaikodu ondru padu | Surrender yourself completely and stand united |
| Atcham vidu utcham thodu | Shed your fear and touch the ultimate peak |
| Chorus | |
| Mannai thodu maarbil idu | Touch the soil and apply it to your chest |
| Vervai sudum velvi idhu | This is a sacred fire ritual fueled by burning sweat |
| Unnaikodu ondru padu | Surrender yourself completely and stand united |
| Atcham vidu utcham thodu | Shed your fear and touch the ultimate peak |
Touch the soil and apply it to your chest
This is a sacred fire ritual fueled by burning sweat
Surrender yourself completely and stand united
Shed your fear and touch the ultimate peak
Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi
Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi
Kabadi kabadi kabadi
Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi
Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi
Kabadi kabadi kabadi
Touch the soil and apply it to your chest
This is a sacred fire ritual fueled by burning sweat
Surrender yourself completely and stand united
Shed your fear and touch the ultimate peak
Touch the soil and apply it to your chest
This is a sacred fire ritual fueled by burning sweat
Surrender yourself completely and stand united
Shed your fear and touch the ultimate peak
We have arrived to touch the sky
We pay homage to our mother soil
Amidst a swirling storm of dust
We wage a fierce war
With unblinking eyes watching
And two hands taking flight
Even when falling on the victory line
There is a heart that courageously rises
Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi
Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi
Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi
Kabadi kabadi kabadi
We have arrived to touch the sky
We pay homage to our mother soil
Amidst a swirling storm of dust
We wage a fierce war
With unblinking eyes watching
And two hands taking flight
Even when falling on the victory line
There is a heart that courageously rises
Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi
Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi
Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi
Kabadi kabadi kabadi
When injuries sting, eyes experience unease
Flashes of tears fade away on sweaty hands
When the heart breaks, the real truth awakens
When you trust yourself, victories are born
Touch the soil and apply it to your chest
This is a sacred fire ritual fueled by burning sweat
Surrender yourself completely and stand united
Shed your fear and touch the ultimate peak
Touch the soil and apply it to your chest
This is a sacred fire ritual fueled by burning sweat
Surrender yourself completely and stand united
Shed your fear and touch the ultimate peak
Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi
Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi
Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi
Six court lines, Kabadi Kabadi
Seven players, Kabadi Kabadi
Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi
Watch the opponent, Kabadi Kabadi
Slam them down, Kabadi Kabadi
Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi
Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi
Twirl your mustache, Kabadi Kabadi
Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi
Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi
Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi
If victory comes, lift it high in celebration
If you face defeat, hunt down your comeback
From now on, this salt-fort territory is ours
With sweat glistening like pearls
Leap and play like a fierce Jallikattu bull
Everything you touch will shine brightly from now on
What seems like an insurmountable mountain will turn into a small pit
You will understand that as you walk along the path
An eye isn't bought at a shop, nor a dream in an army
They cannot be found lying around
In every single second, brand new dawns
Break forth within you in this life
Chant sadugudu, march forward, break all obstacles
Go ahead and create history
Touch the soil and apply it to your chest
This is a sacred fire ritual fueled by burning sweat
Surrender yourself completely and stand united
Shed your fear and touch the ultimate peak
Touch the soil and apply it to your chest
This is a sacred fire ritual fueled by burning sweat
Surrender yourself completely and stand united
Shed your fear and touch the ultimate peak
Mannai thodu maarbil idu
Touch the soil and apply it to your chest
Vervai sudum velvi idhu
This is a sacred fire ritual fueled by burning sweat
Unnaikodu ondru padu
Surrender yourself completely and stand united
Atcham vidu utcham thodu
Shed your fear and touch the ultimate peak
Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi
Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi
Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi
Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi
Kabadi kabadi kabadi
Kabadi kabadi kabadi
Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi
Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi
Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi
Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi
Kabadi kabadi kabadi
Kabadi kabadi kabadi
Mannai thodu maarbil idu
Touch the soil and apply it to your chest
Vervai sudum velvi idhu
This is a sacred fire ritual fueled by burning sweat
Unnaikodu ondru padu
Surrender yourself completely and stand united
Atcham vidu utcham thodu
Shed your fear and touch the ultimate peak
Mannai thodu maarbil idu
Touch the soil and apply it to your chest
Vervai sudum velvi idhu
This is a sacred fire ritual fueled by burning sweat
Unnaikodu ondru padu
Surrender yourself completely and stand united
Atcham vidu utcham thodu
Shed your fear and touch the ultimate peak
Vinnai thoda vandhom
We have arrived to touch the sky
Thaai mannai thozhugindrom
We pay homage to our mother soil
Puludhi puyalukkul
Amidst a swirling storm of dust
Oru yutham purigindrom
We wage a fierce war
Imaikkaadha kangal kondu
With unblinking eyes watching
Parakkindra kaigal rendu
And two hands taking flight
Vilundhaalum vettri kottil
Even when falling on the victory line
Ezhugindra nenjam undu
There is a heart that courageously rises
Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi
Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi
Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi
Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi
Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi
Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi
Kabadi kabadi kabadi
Kabadi kabadi kabadi
Vinnai thoda vandhom
We have arrived to touch the sky
Thaai mannai thozhugindrom
We pay homage to our mother soil
Puludhi puyalukkul
Amidst a swirling storm of dust
Oru yutham purigindrom
We wage a fierce war
Imaikkaadha kangal kondu
With unblinking eyes watching
Parakkindra kaigal rendu
And two hands taking flight
Vilundhaalum vettri kottil
Even when falling on the victory line
Ezhugindra nenjam undu
There is a heart that courageously rises
Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi
Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi
Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi
Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi
Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi
Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi
Kabadi kabadi kabadi
Kabadi kabadi kabadi
Suttadhum kaayangal nerududhu kangalil
When injuries sting, eyes experience unease
Kanneerin minnalgal maraindhadhu kaigalil
Flashes of tears fade away on sweaty hands
Ullam udaiyum bothu unmai vizhigirathae
When the heart breaks, the real truth awakens
Unnai nambum bothu vettrigal pirakkirathe
When you trust yourself, victories are born
Mannai thodu maarbil idu
Touch the soil and apply it to your chest
Vervai sudum velvi idhu
This is a sacred fire ritual fueled by burning sweat
Unnaikodu ondru padu
Surrender yourself completely and stand united
Atcham vidu utcham thodu
Shed your fear and touch the ultimate peak
Mannai thodu maarbil idu
Touch the soil and apply it to your chest
Vervai sudum velvi idhu
This is a sacred fire ritual fueled by burning sweat
Unnaikodu ondru padu
Surrender yourself completely and stand united
Atcham vidu utcham thodu
Shed your fear and touch the ultimate peak
Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi
Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi
Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi
Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi
Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi
Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi
Aaru kodu kabadi kabadi
Six court lines, Kabadi Kabadi
Ezhu peru kabadi kabadi
Seven players, Kabadi Kabadi
Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi
Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi
Aala paathu kabadi kabadi
Watch the opponent, Kabadi Kabadi
Thookki podu kabadi kabadi
Slam them down, Kabadi Kabadi
Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi
Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi
Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi
Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi
Meesa murukku kabadi kabadi
Twirl your mustache, Kabadi Kabadi
Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi
Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi
Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi
Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi
Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi
Kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi kabadi
Vettri vandhaal thookki podu
If victory comes, lift it high in celebration
Tholvi kandaal vettai aadu
If you face defeat, hunt down your comeback
Uppu kottai inimel idhu thaan..idhu thaan
From now on, this salt-fort territory is ours
Muthu muthaai vervaiyodu
With sweat glistening like pearls
Jallikattaai thulli aadu
Leap and play like a fierce Jallikattu bull
Thottadhellaam thulangum inidhaan inidhaan
Everything you touch will shine brightly from now on
Malai pol theriyum maduvaai mudiyum
What seems like an insurmountable mountain will turn into a small pit
Unakku adhu puriyum nadakkaiyilae
You will understand that as you walk along the path
Kann oru kadaiyilum kanavu oru padaiyilum
An eye isn't bought at a shop, nor a dream in an army
Kedappadhu illaiyadaa
They cannot be found lying around
Vovvoru nodiyilum vevveru vidiyalgal
In every single second, brand new dawns
Unakullae vidiyudhu vaahkaiyilae
Break forth within you in this life
Sadugudu padaiyedu thadaigalai udaithidu
Chant sadugudu, march forward, break all obstacles
Sarithiram padaithidu nee
Go ahead and create history
Mannai thodu maarbil idu
Touch the soil and apply it to your chest
Vervai sudum velvi idhu
This is a sacred fire ritual fueled by burning sweat
Unnaikodu ondru padu
Surrender yourself completely and stand united
Atcham vidu utcham thodu
Shed your fear and touch the ultimate peak
Mannai thodu maarbil idu
Touch the soil and apply it to your chest
Vervai sudum velvi idhu
This is a sacred fire ritual fueled by burning sweat
Unnaikodu ondru padu
Surrender yourself completely and stand united
Atcham vidu utcham thodu
Shed your fear and touch the ultimate peak
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The title song of 'Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu' is a high-energy motivational sports anthem that captures the spirit, intensity, and deep cultural roots of Kabadi. Lyricist J. Francis Kiruba uses powerful battlefield imagery to describe the Kabadi mat, portraying sweat as a sacred sacrificial offering and the players as warriors who honor their motherland before entering combat. The song urges athletes to shed fear, embrace pain, and stand united as a team.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Moonaai (Initial Alliteration)
“Mannai thodu maarbil idu”
Repetition of the 'M' sound across words creates a rhythmic cadence in the opening lines.
Metaphor (Uruvagamm)
“Vervai sudum velvi idhu”
Equating the intense sweating from physical strain to a sacred sacrificial ritual (Velvi).
Simile (Uwamai)
“Jallikattaai thulli aadu”
Comparing the movement and vigor of a Kabadi player to a leaping Jallikattu bull.
Emonai / Rhyme
“Sadugudu padaiyedu thadaigalai udaithidu / Sarithiram padaithidu nee”
End-rhyming structure between lines 81 and 82 ('udaithidu' / 'padaithidu').
Did you know?
Trivia
'Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu' (2009) marked the directorial debut of Suseenthiran and the silver screen debut of actor Vishnu Vishal. Composed by V. Selvaganesh, the soundtrack blends traditional Tamil folk percussion with dynamic vocal delivery by Shankar Mahadevan to capture the raw energy of rural sports.
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