Kannai Kattikolathey
From Iruvar · 1997
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- Hariharan
- Music director
- A. R. Rahman
- Details
- Iruvar1997
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| Vi…du…dha…lai… | Freedom... |
| Vi…du…dha…lai… | Freedom... |
| Vi…du…dha…lai…vidudhalai | Freedom... freedom |
| Vi…du…dha…lai…vidudhalai | Freedom... freedom |
| Vi…du…dha…lai…vidudhalai | Freedom... freedom |
| Vi…du…dha…lai…vidudhalai | Freedom... freedom |
| Male | |
| Kannai katti kollaadhae | Do not blindfold your eyes |
| Kandadhaiyellaam nambaadhae | Do not believe everything you see |
| Kaakkai kuyilaai | Like a crow posing as a cuckoo |
| Aagaadhae thozhaa | Do not become like that, my friend |
| Male | |
| Dhaadigal ellaam taagooraa | Is everyone with a beard a Tagore? |
| Meesaigal ellaam bhaarathiyaa | Is everyone with a mustache a Bharathiyar? |
| Veshaththil | By mere disguises |
| Yemaaraadhae thozhaa | Do not be deceived, my friend |
| Male | |
| Nam madiyinil ganamillaiyae… | We have no burden of guilt in our lap... |
| Chorus :Bayamillaiyae… | Chorus: So there is no fear... |
| Male :Manadhinil karaiyillaiyae… | Male: There is no stain in our hearts... |
| Chorus :Kuraiyillaiyae… | Chorus: So there is no flaw... |
| Male :Ninaiththadhu mudiyum varai… | Male: Until what was envisioned is accomplished... |
| Hey hey hey hey hey | Hey hey hey hey hey |
| Male | |
| Kannai katti kollaadhae | Do not blindfold your eyes |
| Kandadhaiyellaam nambaadhae | Do not believe everything you see |
| Kaakkai kuyilaai | Like a crow posing as a cuckoo |
| Aagaadhae thozhaa | Do not become like that, my friend |
| Male | |
| Dhaadigal ellaam taagooraa | Is everyone with a beard a Tagore? |
| Meesaigal ellaam bhaarathiyaa | Is everyone with a mustache a Bharathiyar? |
| Veshaththil | By mere disguises |
| Yemaaraadhae thozhaa | Do not be deceived, my friend |
| Chorus | |
| Vi…du…dha…lai…vidudhalai | Freedom... freedom |
| Vi…du…dha…lai…vidudhalai | Freedom... freedom |
| Vi…du…dha…lai…vidudhalai | Freedom... freedom |
| Vi…du…dha…lai…vidudhalai | Freedom... freedom |
| Chorus | |
| Thozhaa…thozhaa… | Friend... friend... |
| Laalal laalal laa laa laaa | Laalal laalal laa laa laaa |
| Thozhaa…thozhaa… | Friend... friend... |
| Laalal laalal laa laa laaa | Laalal laalal laa laa laaa |
| Male | |
| Makkal makkal en pakkam | The common people are on my side |
| Maalai thendral en pakkam | The evening breeze is on my side |
| Chittu kuruvigal en pakkam | The little sparrows are on my side |
| Chedigal kodigal en pakkam | The plants and vines are on my side |
| Male | |
| Ezhai thamizhar en pakkam | The poor Tamils are on my side |
| Endrum thaaikkulam enpakkam | The community of mothers is forever on my side |
| Ettuththikkum en pakkam | All eight directions are on my side |
| Ada kalangaadhae | Hey, do not lose heart |
| Male | |
| Kozhai mattumae | Only a coward |
| Kaththiyeduppaan | Will unsheathe a sword |
| Veeran mattum | Only a true hero |
| Saththiyaththai nambuvaanae | Will put faith in truth |
| Male | |
| Ezhai varggamae | If the working class of poor people |
| Inaindhuvittaal | Unite together |
| Kodigalum kottaiyum | Flags and fortresses |
| Nodiyinil maarividum | Will change in a split second |
| Male | |
| Kannai katti kollaadhae | Do not blindfold your eyes |
| Kandadhaiyellaam nambaadhae | Do not believe everything you see |
| Kaakkai kuyilaai | Like a crow posing as a cuckoo |
| Aagaadhae thozhaa | Do not become like that, my friend |
| Male | |
| Dhaadigal ellaam taagooraa | Is everyone with a beard a Tagore? |
| Meesaigal ellaam bhaarathiyaa | Is everyone with a mustache a Bharathiyar? |
| Veshaththil | By mere disguises |
| Yemaaraadhae thozhaa | Do not be deceived, my friend |
| Male | |
| Veliyae poga chollaadhae | Do not ask me to leave |
| Naan veezhven endru ennaadhae | Do not think that I will fall |
| Thanga kaasai veesuvadhaal | Just because gold coins are tossed around |
| Dharmam kaiyai yendhaadhae | Righteousness will not hold out its hand to beg |
| Male | |
| Velli mazhai sindhum mazhai megam | A cloud spilling silver rain |
| Vilambaram koduththaal pozhiyaadhu | Will not shower just because of advertisements |
| Makkal sakthi kaasukku valaiyaadhu | The power of the people will not bend for money |
| Ada paniyaadhu | Hey, it will never bow down |
| Male | |
| Vidivellidhaan mulaikkumvarai | Until the morning star rises in the sky |
| Irul mattum aatchiyil irukkumadaa | Only darkness will remain in rule, my friend |
| Kizhakkumugam veluththuvittaal | Once the eastern sky brightens up |
| Irulukku mudivundu engalukku vidivundu | Darkness comes to an end, and our dawn arrives |
| Male | |
| Kannai katti kollaadhae | Do not blindfold your eyes |
| Kandadhaiyellaam nambaadhae | Do not believe everything you see |
| Kaakkai kuyilaai | Like a crow posing as a cuckoo |
| Aagaadhae thozhaa | Do not become like that, my friend |
| Male | |
| Dhaadigal ellaam taagooraa | Is everyone with a beard a Tagore? |
| Meesaigal ellaam bhaarathiyaa | Is everyone with a mustache a Bharathiyar? |
| Veshaththil | By mere disguises |
| Yemaaraadhae thozhaa | Do not be deceived, my friend |
| Male | |
| Nam madiyinil ganamillaiyae… | We have no burden of guilt in our lap... |
| Chorus :Bayamillaiyae… | Chorus: So there is no fear... |
| Male :Manadhinil karaiyillaiyae… | Male: There is no stain in our hearts... |
| Chorus :Kuraiyillaiyae… | Chorus: So there is no flaw... |
| Male :Ninaiththadhu mudiyum varai… | Male: Until what was envisioned is accomplished... |
| Hey hey hey hey hey | Hey hey hey hey hey |
வி…டு…த…லை
வி…டு…த…லை
வி…டு…த…லை விடுதலை
வி…டு…த…லை விடுதலை
வி…டு…த…லை விடுதலை
வி…டு…த…லை விடுதலை
Freedom...
Freedom...
Freedom... freedom
Freedom... freedom
Freedom... freedom
Freedom... freedom
கண்ணைக் கட்டிக்
கொள்ளாதே கண்டதை
எல்லாம் நம்பாதே காக்கைக்
குயிலாய் ஆகாதே தோழா
Do not blindfold your eyes
Do not believe everything you see
Like a crow posing as a cuckoo
Do not become like that, my friend
தாடிகளெல்லாம்
தாகூரா மீசைகளெல்லாம்
பாரதியா வேஷத்தில்
ஏமாறாதே தோழா
Is everyone with a beard a Tagore?
Is everyone with a mustache a Bharathiyar?
By mere disguises
Do not be deceived, my friend
நம் மடியினில்
கனமில்லையே…
குழு :
பயமில்லையே…
மனதினில்
கரையில்லையே…
குழு :
குறையில்லையே…
நினைத்தது
முடியும் வரை…
ஹே ஹே ஹே ஹே ஹே
We have no burden of guilt in our lap...
Chorus: So there is no fear...
Male: There is no stain in our hearts...
Chorus: So there is no flaw...
Male: Until what was envisioned is accomplished...
Hey hey hey hey hey
கண்ணைக் கட்டிக்
கொள்ளாதே கண்டதை
எல்லாம் நம்பாதே காக்கைக்
குயிலாய் ஆகாதே தோழா
Do not blindfold your eyes
Do not believe everything you see
Like a crow posing as a cuckoo
Do not become like that, my friend
தாடிகளெல்லாம்
தாகூரா மீசைகளெல்லாம்
பாரதியா வேஷத்தில்
ஏமாறாதே தோழா
Is everyone with a beard a Tagore?
Is everyone with a mustache a Bharathiyar?
By mere disguises
Do not be deceived, my friend
வி…டு…த…லை விடுதலை
வி…டு…த…லை விடுதலை
வி…டு…த…லை விடுதலை
வி…டு…த…லை விடுதலை
Freedom... freedom
Freedom... freedom
Freedom... freedom
Freedom... freedom
தோழா தோழா
லாலல் லாலல் லா
லா லா தோழா தோழா
லாலல் லாலல் லா
லா லா
Friend... friend...
Laalal laalal laa laa laaa
Friend... friend...
Laalal laalal laa laa laaa
மக்கள் மக்கள்
என் பக்கம் மாலைத்
தென்றல் என் பக்கம்
சிட்டுக் குருவிகள் என்
பக்கம் செடிகள் கொடிகள்
என் பக்கம்
The common people are on my side
The evening breeze is on my side
The little sparrows are on my side
The plants and vines are on my side
ஏழைத் தமிழர்
என் பக்கம் என்றும்
தாய்க்குலம் என்பக்கம்
எட்டுத்திக்கும் என் பக்கம்
அட கலங்காதே
The poor Tamils are on my side
The community of mothers is forever on my side
All eight directions are on my side
Hey, do not lose heart
கோழை மட்டுமே
கத்தியெடுப்பான் வீரன்
மட்டும் சத்தியத்தை
நம்புவானே
Only a coward
Will unsheathe a sword
Only a true hero
Will put faith in truth
ஏழை வர்க்கமே
இணைந்துவிட்டால்
கொடிகளும் கோட்டையும்
நொடியினில் மாறிவிடும்
If the working class of poor people
Unite together
Flags and fortresses
Will change in a split second
கண்ணைக் கட்டிக்
கொள்ளாதே கண்டதை
எல்லாம் நம்பாதே காக்கைக்
குயிலாய் ஆகாதே தோழா
Do not blindfold your eyes
Do not believe everything you see
Like a crow posing as a cuckoo
Do not become like that, my friend
தாடிகளெல்லாம்
தாகூரா மீசைகளெல்லாம்
பாரதியா வேஷத்தில்
ஏமாறாதே தோழா
Is everyone with a beard a Tagore?
Is everyone with a mustache a Bharathiyar?
By mere disguises
Do not be deceived, my friend
வெளியே போகச்
சொல்லாதே நான் வீழ்வேன்
என்று எண்ணாதே தங்கக் காசை
வீசுவதால் தர்மம் கையை
ஏந்தாதே
Do not ask me to leave
Do not think that I will fall
Just because gold coins are tossed around
Righteousness will not hold out its hand to beg
வெள்ளி மழை
சிந்தும் மழை மேகம்
விளம்பரம் கொடுத்தால்
பொழியாது மக்கள் சக்தி
காசுக்கு வளையாது அட
பணியாது
A cloud spilling silver rain
Will not shower just because of advertisements
The power of the people will not bend for money
Hey, it will never bow down
விடிவெள்ளிதான்
முளைக்கும்வரை இருள்
மட்டும் ஆட்சியில்
இருக்குமடா கிழக்குமுகம்
வெளுத்துவிட்டால் இருளுக்கு
முடிவுண்டு எங்களுக்கு விடிவுண்டு
Until the morning star rises in the sky
Only darkness will remain in rule, my friend
Once the eastern sky brightens up
Darkness comes to an end, and our dawn arrives
கண்ணைக் கட்டிக்
கொள்ளாதே கண்டதை
எல்லாம் நம்பாதே காக்கைக்
குயிலாய் ஆகாதே தோழா
Do not blindfold your eyes
Do not believe everything you see
Like a crow posing as a cuckoo
Do not become like that, my friend
தாடிகளெல்லாம்
தாகூரா மீசைகளெல்லாம்
பாரதியா வேஷத்தில்
ஏமாறாதே தோழா
Is everyone with a beard a Tagore?
Is everyone with a mustache a Bharathiyar?
By mere disguises
Do not be deceived, my friend
நம் மடியினில்
கனமில்லையே…
குழு :
பயமில்லையே…
மனதினில்
கரையில்லையே…
குழு :
குறையில்லையே…
நினைத்தது
முடியும் வரை…
ஹே ஹே ஹே ஹே ஹே
We have no burden of guilt in our lap...
Chorus: So there is no fear...
Male: There is no stain in our hearts...
Chorus: So there is no flaw...
Male: Until what was envisioned is accomplished...
Hey hey hey hey hey
Vi…du…dha…lai…
Freedom...
Vi…du…dha…lai…
Freedom...
Vi…du…dha…lai…vidudhalai
Freedom... freedom
Vi…du…dha…lai…vidudhalai
Freedom... freedom
Vi…du…dha…lai…vidudhalai
Freedom... freedom
Vi…du…dha…lai…vidudhalai
Freedom... freedom
Kannai katti kollaadhae
Do not blindfold your eyes
Kandadhaiyellaam nambaadhae
Do not believe everything you see
Kaakkai kuyilaai
Like a crow posing as a cuckoo
Aagaadhae thozhaa
Do not become like that, my friend
Dhaadigal ellaam taagooraa
Is everyone with a beard a Tagore?
Meesaigal ellaam bhaarathiyaa
Is everyone with a mustache a Bharathiyar?
Veshaththil
By mere disguises
Yemaaraadhae thozhaa
Do not be deceived, my friend
Nam madiyinil ganamillaiyae…
We have no burden of guilt in our lap...
Chorus :Bayamillaiyae…
Chorus: So there is no fear...
Male :Manadhinil karaiyillaiyae…
Male: There is no stain in our hearts...
Chorus :Kuraiyillaiyae…
Chorus: So there is no flaw...
Male :Ninaiththadhu mudiyum varai…
Male: Until what was envisioned is accomplished...
Hey hey hey hey hey
Hey hey hey hey hey
Kannai katti kollaadhae
Do not blindfold your eyes
Kandadhaiyellaam nambaadhae
Do not believe everything you see
Kaakkai kuyilaai
Like a crow posing as a cuckoo
Aagaadhae thozhaa
Do not become like that, my friend
Dhaadigal ellaam taagooraa
Is everyone with a beard a Tagore?
Meesaigal ellaam bhaarathiyaa
Is everyone with a mustache a Bharathiyar?
Veshaththil
By mere disguises
Yemaaraadhae thozhaa
Do not be deceived, my friend
Vi…du…dha…lai…vidudhalai
Freedom... freedom
Vi…du…dha…lai…vidudhalai
Freedom... freedom
Vi…du…dha…lai…vidudhalai
Freedom... freedom
Vi…du…dha…lai…vidudhalai
Freedom... freedom
Thozhaa…thozhaa…
Friend... friend...
Laalal laalal laa laa laaa
Laalal laalal laa laa laaa
Thozhaa…thozhaa…
Friend... friend...
Laalal laalal laa laa laaa
Laalal laalal laa laa laaa
Makkal makkal en pakkam
The common people are on my side
Maalai thendral en pakkam
The evening breeze is on my side
Chittu kuruvigal en pakkam
The little sparrows are on my side
Chedigal kodigal en pakkam
The plants and vines are on my side
Ezhai thamizhar en pakkam
The poor Tamils are on my side
Endrum thaaikkulam enpakkam
The community of mothers is forever on my side
Ettuththikkum en pakkam
All eight directions are on my side
Ada kalangaadhae
Hey, do not lose heart
Kozhai mattumae
Only a coward
Kaththiyeduppaan
Will unsheathe a sword
Veeran mattum
Only a true hero
Saththiyaththai nambuvaanae
Will put faith in truth
Ezhai varggamae
If the working class of poor people
Inaindhuvittaal
Unite together
Kodigalum kottaiyum
Flags and fortresses
Nodiyinil maarividum
Will change in a split second
Kannai katti kollaadhae
Do not blindfold your eyes
Kandadhaiyellaam nambaadhae
Do not believe everything you see
Kaakkai kuyilaai
Like a crow posing as a cuckoo
Aagaadhae thozhaa
Do not become like that, my friend
Dhaadigal ellaam taagooraa
Is everyone with a beard a Tagore?
Meesaigal ellaam bhaarathiyaa
Is everyone with a mustache a Bharathiyar?
Veshaththil
By mere disguises
Yemaaraadhae thozhaa
Do not be deceived, my friend
Veliyae poga chollaadhae
Do not ask me to leave
Naan veezhven endru ennaadhae
Do not think that I will fall
Thanga kaasai veesuvadhaal
Just because gold coins are tossed around
Dharmam kaiyai yendhaadhae
Righteousness will not hold out its hand to beg
Velli mazhai sindhum mazhai megam
A cloud spilling silver rain
Vilambaram koduththaal pozhiyaadhu
Will not shower just because of advertisements
Makkal sakthi kaasukku valaiyaadhu
The power of the people will not bend for money
Ada paniyaadhu
Hey, it will never bow down
Vidivellidhaan mulaikkumvarai
Until the morning star rises in the sky
Irul mattum aatchiyil irukkumadaa
Only darkness will remain in rule, my friend
Kizhakkumugam veluththuvittaal
Once the eastern sky brightens up
Irulukku mudivundu engalukku vidivundu
Darkness comes to an end, and our dawn arrives
Kannai katti kollaadhae
Do not blindfold your eyes
Kandadhaiyellaam nambaadhae
Do not believe everything you see
Kaakkai kuyilaai
Like a crow posing as a cuckoo
Aagaadhae thozhaa
Do not become like that, my friend
Dhaadigal ellaam taagooraa
Is everyone with a beard a Tagore?
Meesaigal ellaam bhaarathiyaa
Is everyone with a mustache a Bharathiyar?
Veshaththil
By mere disguises
Yemaaraadhae thozhaa
Do not be deceived, my friend
Nam madiyinil ganamillaiyae…
We have no burden of guilt in our lap...
Chorus :Bayamillaiyae…
Chorus: So there is no fear...
Male :Manadhinil karaiyillaiyae…
Male: There is no stain in our hearts...
Chorus :Kuraiyillaiyae…
Chorus: So there is no flaw...
Male :Ninaiththadhu mudiyum varai…
Male: Until what was envisioned is accomplished...
Hey hey hey hey hey
Hey hey hey hey hey
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Kannai Katti Kollaadhae from Mani Ratnam's acclaimed political drama Iruvar (1997) is a stirring political anthem composed by A. R. Rahman, sung by Hariharan, and written by Vairamuthu. The song serves as a rallying call to the masses, urging them not to be deceived by grandstanding, hollow promises, or superficial disguises of politicians. Through sharp cultural references—pointing out that merely growing a beard does not make someone Rabindranath Tagore nor does a mustache turn someone into Subramania Bharati—it advocates for critical awareness and moral integrity over political theater. The song emphasizes the invincible strength of the united working class and common people. It conveys that true power lies with the public, declaring that righteousness cannot be bought with money or cheap publicity, and that the dawn of truth will inevitably break the reign of political darkness.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Allegory / Satire
“Dhaadigal ellaam taagooraa / Meesaigal ellaam bhaarathiyaa”
Compares superficial political disguises to icons like Tagore and Bharathiyar to satirize politicians who imitate visionary leaders only in appearance.
Monaai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Kannai katti kollaadhae / Kandadhaiyellaam nambaadhae”
The repetition of the initial 'Ka' sound across consecutive lines creates rhythmic emphasis.
Anaphora (Repetition for Emphasis)
“Makkal makkal en pakkam... / Chittu kuruvigal en pakkam...”
The repeated phrase 'en pakkam' (on my side) at the end of successive lines reinforces the speaker's solidarity with nature and the masses.
Metaphor
“Kizhakkumugam veluththuvittaal / Irulukku mudivundu engalukku vidivundu”
Darkness represents political oppression and deceit, while the brightening eastern sky and morning star symbolize public awakening and freedom.
Did you know?
Trivia
Kannai Katti Kollaadhae was composed by A. R. Rahman and written by Vairamuthu for Mani Ratnam's 1997 film Iruvar. The song deliberately captures the vintage style of political propaganda songs from 1950s and 60s Tamil cinema, mirroring the real-life political messaging popularized by icons like M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) and M. Karunanidhi.
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