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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kakka Pudikkama

From Samsara Sangeetham · 1989

Lyricist
T. Rajendar
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
T. Rajendar
Details
Samsara Sangeetham1989

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kakkaa pudikaama jaldraa adikkaamaWithout flattering or playing sycophant,
Munneranum nee munneranumYou must progress, yes, you must progress!
Edhirikku anjaama edhukkunthaan kenjaamaWithout fearing enemies or begging for anything,
Nee vaazhanum aa…nee vaazhanumYou must live, ah... you must live!
Male
Thanmaanaththai endrum vittu tharaathaNever surrender your self-respect,
Panjamendru yaaridamum pogaathaDo not go to anyone pleading poverty.
Sonnaa kelum thambiListen to what I say, younger brother,
Nee seiyyaathadaa thambiDo not do this, my brother,
Nee thookkathadaa koojaaDo not carry the water-jug of sycophancy!
Yaendaa chinna thambiWhy, my little brother?
Nee neththu pooththa rojaYou are a rose that bloomed yesterday,
Nee aavappora rajaYou are a king in the making!
Male
Vizhiyapola mozhiya naanum kaakkanumdaaJust like my eyes, I must protect my language,
Vazhiya naama uruvaakki kaattanumdaaWe must create our own path and demonstrate it!
Vizhiyapola mozhiya naanum kaakkanumdaaJust like my eyes, I must protect my language,
Vazhiya naama uruvaakki kaattanumdaaWe must create our own path and demonstrate it!
Chorus
………….....
Male
Pasunthola porththikittuWearing a cow's skin,
Puligal sila vaazhumadaaSome tigers live among us, my friend!
Poraadi nee paarkkanumYou must fight and see,
Adhan mugaththiraiya kizhikkanumYou must tear away their masks!
Male
Thiramainthaan unakkirunthaaEven if you possess genuine talent,
Azhuththaththaan paarpaangaThey will try to suppress you;
Edhir neechchal nee podanumYou must swim against the current,
Edhilum vettriyaiththaan nee soodanumAnd wear victory in everything!
Male
Vairaththa mannu moodi maraikka mudiyumaaCan soil cover and hide a diamond?
Varungkaalam unakkirunthaa thadukka mudiyumaaIf a bright future is destined for you, can anyone stop it?
Vairaththa mannu moodi maraikka mudiyumaaCan soil cover and hide a diamond?
Varungkaalam unakkirunthaa thadukka mudiyumaaIf a bright future is destined for you, can anyone stop it?
Male
Manushan podum kanakkuThe calculations made by humans,
Adhu thappu kanakkudaaAre wrong calculations, my friend!
Iraivan podum kanakkuThe calculation made by God,
Adhu unmai kanakkudaaIs the true calculation, my friend!
Male
Aandavana mattum nee vanangi vaazhudaaWorship only God and live your life,
Aanavanthaaam kondu vara edhirththu nilladaaStand up and oppose those who act with arrogance!
Sonnaa kelu thambiListen to me, younger brother,
Nee seyyaadhadaa thaajaaDo not flatter or appease,
Nee thookkaathadaa koojaa aahaa haa haanDo not carry the jug, aha ha ha!
Chorus
……………....
Male
Mathiyaathaar vaasalaAt the doorstep of those who disrespect you,
Mithiyaathae endruthaanDo not step,
Periyavanga sonnaangadaaSo said our elders, my friend,
Adhai pinpattri nadakkanundaaYou must follow that and walk upright!
Male
Kaariyaththai mudichchukittuAfter getting their work done,
Kazhattiyunthaan viduvaangaThey will toss you aside;
Kalangaama nee nilladaaStand firm without losing heart,
Kaalam undendru nee solladaaDeclare that your time will surely come!
Male
Thaaikulaiththathai mathichchi neeyumRespect the womankind,
Vaazhnthu paaradaaAnd live your life well!
Nam nalaththai kaappathellaamThe ones who protect our well-being,
AvangathaanadaaAre them, my friend!
Male
Thaaikulaiththathai mathichchi neeyumRespect the womankind,
Vaazhnthu paaradaaAnd live your life well!
Nam nalaththai kaappathellaamThe ones who protect our well-being,
AvangathaanadaaAre them, my friend!
Male
Nandri marakkum pazhakkamThe habit of forgetting gratitude,
Namakku venaandaaWe don't need it, my friend!
Valarchchi vantha pinnaeAfter achieving growth,
Ada thimiru venaandaaHey, we don't need arrogance!
Male
Paadu pattu uzhaichchu neeyumWork hard with effort,
Uyarnthu kaattanumAnd show yourself rising high!
Naattukkunthaan nanmai palaDo many good deeds for the nation,
Senju vaazhanumAnd live meaningfully!
Male
Yaendaa jaaldraakkalaaHey sycophants,
Nee jinjakku jinjakku podaathaeDon't dance to their beat,
Nee thalaiya thalaiya aattaathaeDon't nod your head mindlessly!
Male
Yaendaa jaaldraakkalaaHey sycophants,
Nee seyyaadhadaa thaajaaDo not flatter or appease,
Nee thookkaathadaa koojaaDo not carry the jug!
Male
Kuththu kuththu kuththu kuththu kummaangkuththuBeat, beat, beat, beat the traditional rhythm,
Idhukoppaa unakku kaththu thantha dappaangkuththuMatching this, a folk beat taught to you!
Chorus
Kuththu kuththu kuththu kuththu kummaangkuththuBeat, beat, beat, beat the traditional rhythm,
Idhukoppaa unakku kaththu thantha dappaangkuththuMatching this, a folk beat taught to you!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This energetic and motivational song from 'Samsara Sangeetham' serves as an uplifting guide to life, encouraging self-reliance, moral integrity, and resilience. The protagonist advises a younger brother never to stoop down to sycophancy ('jaldraa' or carrying a 'kooja') or give up self-respect for short-term gains. It warns against treacherous individuals who wear masks of innocence and urges the youth to swim against the tide to overcome suppression.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Kakkaa pudikaama jaldraa adikkaama / Munneranum nee munneranum

Matching second consonants across lines: 'Kakkaa' and 'Munneranum', or 'Pasunthola' and 'Puligal' / 'Poraadi'.

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Nee neththu pooththa roja / Nee aavappora raja

Comparing a young person to a fresh rose blooming yesterday ('neththu pooththa roja') and a future king ('aavappora raja').

Idiom / Metaphor

Pasunthola porththikittu / Puligal sila vaazhumadaa

Using 'pasunthola porththikittu puligal' (tigers wearing cow skin) as an idiom for treacherous wolves in sheep's clothing.

Rhetorical Question

Vairaththa mannu moodi maraikka mudiyumaa

Asking 'Can soil hide a diamond?' to emphasize that true talent cannot be permanently hidden.

Did you know?

Trivia

T. Rajendar wrote, composed, directed, and starred in 'Samsara Sangeetham' (1989). Known for his iconic rhyming dialogue and lyrics, this song features SPB's high-energy vocal delivery and characteristic drum beats typical of T. Rajendar's energetic musical style.

Keep listening

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