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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Karbagraham Vitu Samy Veliyerathu

From Virumaandi · 2004

Lyricist
Kamal Haasan
Singers
Ilayaraja, Kamal Haasan, Karthik Raja, Surendar, Tippu
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Virumaandi2004

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
Pandi malayalamPandya kingdom and Malayalam land
Kaasi rameswaramFrom Kashi to Rameswaram
Adakki aalum aandiyappaOh Aandiyappa who rules over all with control
Thaluvanaana thangachiSister who is dearly embraced
Pechiyamma peykaamanPechiyamma and Peykaaman
Unakkulla adakkamappaAre all contained within you, O lord
Chorus
Aadi velli poothiruchuThe Friday of Aadi month has blossomed
Uchi poojai kaaathirukkuThe noon ritual prayer is waiting
Yethukida veliya vaaAccept it and come outside
Veliya vaa veliya vaa……Come outside, come outside...
Chorus
Viru viru maandi virumandi..Viru viru Maandi, Virumaandi...
Viru viru maandi virumandi..Viru viru Maandi, Virumaandi...
Viru viru maandi virumandi..Viru viru Maandi, Virumaandi...
Viru viru maandi virumandi..Viru viru Maandi, Virumaandi...
Male
Karbagraham vittuLeaving the sanctum sanctorum
Saami veliyeruthuThe deity is stepping out
Idhu nyaaya theerppukkuFor a fair and just verdict
Oru naaaludaThis is the day!
Male
Dharmam kodu pottaWhen Righteousness draws a line
Ulla adangadhadaaIt cannot be contained inside
Ippo thadukuravanNow, the one who attempts to block it
Adhu yaaradaWho could that possibly be?
Chorus
Viru viru maandi virumandi..Viru viru Maandi, Virumaandi...
Viru viru maandi virumandi..Viru viru Maandi, Virumaandi...
Chorus
Sathiyam innikkuthaanTruth today, indeed
SathiyamaTruly
Sariyaga saththam pottuLoudly and clearly
PesudhuSpeaks out
Male
Dharma devan yeri varumAs the God of Justice approaches
Saala theru oraththulaAlong the edge of the main street
Chorus :Engha virumaandiChorus: When our Virumaandi
Veliyerum bothuIs coming outside
Adhai kurukka vanthuWho is the one that comes across
Marikkuravan yaaruTo intercept and stop him?
Male
Karbagraham vittuLeaving the sanctum sanctorum
Saami veliyeruthuThe deity is stepping out
Idhu nyaaya theerppukkuFor a fair judgment
Oru naaaludaThis is the day!
Male
Dharmam kodu pottaWhen Righteousness draws a line
Ulla adangadhadaaIt cannot be contained inside
Ippo thadukuravanNow, the one who attempts to block it
Adhu yaaradaWho could that possibly be?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The title track of Virumaandi serves as a high-energy, folk-infused invocation that equates the protagonist to a fierce village guardian deity (Kaval Deivam). Rooted deeply in the rural traditions of Southern Tamil Nadu, the song begins by calling upon local deities like Aandiyappa and Pechiyamma, establishing a sacred and intense ritualistic aura. As the song progresses, Virumaandi stepping out of prison is metaphorically likened to a deity emerging from the sanctum sanctorum (Karbagraham) to deliver righteous justice. The lyrics boldly assert that truth and dharma cannot be bound or suppressed forever. It serves as a rallying cry, daring anyone who attempts to block the inevitable arrival of justice and truth.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Extended Metaphor

Karbagraham vittu / Saami veliyeruthu

Comparing Virumaandi leaving his enclosure/prison to a deity emerging from the sanctum sanctorum (Karbagraham) to render justice.

Personification

Sathiyam innikkuthaan... Sariyaga saththam pottu Pesudhu

Truth (Sathiyam) is personified as a human being speaking out loudly and clearly.

Refrain / Repetition

Viru viru maandi virumandi..

Rhythmic repetition of 'Viru viru maandi virumandi' mimics rural folk trance chants and builds intensity.

Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Sathiyam innikkuthaan / Sariyaga saththam pottu

Rhyming of the second letter in words like Sathiyam and Sariyaga to enhance poetic flow in Tamil.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although the prompt lists music as unknown, the soundtrack was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics penned by Kamal Haasan himself. The film Virumaandi (2004) was a landmark achievement in Tamil cinema for its live surround-sound recording on location in rural Madurai and its Rashomon-style storytelling.

Keep listening

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