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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Karma Veeran

From Kochadaiiyaan · 2014

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
A. R. Reihana, A. R. Rahman
Music director
A. R. Rahman
Details
Kochadaiiyaan2014

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Aagaya megangalWhen the sky's clouds
Pozhiyum pothuPour down as rain
Aagayam kelaadhuThe sky asks for nothing in return
Thaai naadu kaakkindraThe heart that protects
Ullam endrumThe motherland
Thanakkaaga vaazhaathuNever lives for itself
Thanakkaaga vaazhaathuNever lives for itself
Male
Hey veeranaeO warrior
Karma veeranaeWarrior of righteous action
Kadamai veeranaeWarrior of duty
Karma veeranaeWarrior of righteous action
Chorus
Ohooo…oo…aa…ohooooOhooo…oo…aa…ohoooo
Male
Tholvigalaalae thuvandu vidaathaeDo not break down due to failures
Vetrigalaalae veri kollathaeDo not get blinded by victories
Kalladi padum enbathaalaeJust because stones might be thrown at it
Maram kaaikaamal povathillaiA tree does not stop bearing fruit
Male
Maalaigalai kandu mayangaathaeDo not get mesmerized by garlands of praise
Malaigalai kandu kalangaathaeDo not get shaken by mountains of obstacles
Solladi padum enbathaalaeJust because harsh words might be thrown at you
Vetri kaanaamal povathillaiYou will not fail to achieve victory
Chorus
Kaatrae kaatrae neeO wind, O wind
Thunguvathae illaiYou never sleep
Karma veeranae veeranaeO warrior of action, O warrior
Nee oivathae illaiYou never rest
Chorus
Vaazhvae vaazhvaeO life, O life
Nee theeruvathae illaiYou are never exhausted
Indha vaazhvilae sathiyamIn this life, truth
Thorpathae illaiNever loses
Male
Nindra idathil nirkka vendumaIf you want to stay where you stand
Nee oodikondae iruYou must keep running
Nimmathi vaazhvil vendumaIf you want peace in life
Nee paadikondae iruKeep singing on your journey
Female
Aagaya megangalWhen the sky's clouds
Pozhiyum pothuPour down as rain
Aagayam kelaadhuThe sky asks for nothing in return
Thaai naadu kaakkindraThe heart that protects
Ullam endrumThe motherland
Thanakkaaga vaazhaathuNever lives for itself
Thanakkaaga vaazhaathuNever lives for itself
Thanakkaaga vaazhaathuNever lives for itself
Chorus
Kaatrae kaatrae neeO wind, O wind
Thunguvathae illaiYou never sleep
Karma veeranae veeranaeO warrior of action, O warrior
Nee oivathae illaiYou never rest
Chorus
Vaazhvae vaazhvaeO life, O life
Nee theeruvathae illaiYou are never exhausted
Indha vaazhvilae sathiyamIn this life, truth
Thorpathae illaiNever loses
Male
Kozhaigal mannithaalIf cowards forgive
Athu perithalla perithallaIt is no great deed, no great deed
Veeragal mannithaalIf heroes forgive
Athu varalaaru varalaaruThat becomes history, history
Chorus
{Kaatrae kaatrae neeO wind, O wind
Thunguvathae illaiYou never sleep
Karma veeranae veeranaeO warrior of action, O warrior
Nee oivathae illaiYou never rest
Chorus
Vaazhvae vaazhvaeO life, O life
Nee theeruvathae illaiYou are never exhausted
Indha vaazhvilae sathiyamIn this life, truth
Thorpathae illai} (2)Never loses
Male
Ponnum mannumO wind, O wind
Vendru mudipavanYou never sleep
Kadamai veeranaeO warrior of action, O warrior
Antha ponnai oru naalYou never rest
Mannaai paarpavanO life, O life
Karma veeranaeYou are never exhausted
Karma veeranaeIn this life, truth
Female
Aagaya megangalNever loses
Pozhiyum pothuOne who wins over gold and land
Aagayam kelaadhuIs a warrior of duty
Thaai naadu kaakkindraOne who one day sees that gold
Ullam endrumAs mere dust and soil
Thanakkaaga vaazhaathuIs a warrior of righteous action
Thanakkaaga vaazhaathuA warrior of righteous action
Thanakkaaga vaazhaathuWhen the sky's clouds

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Karma Veerane' from Kochadaiiyaan is a powerful philosophical hymn celebrating selfless action, resilience, and duty. Lyricist Vairamuthu draws parallels between a true warrior and nature—like the rain cloud that gives freely without expectation or the wind that never stops moving. The song urges one to remain unfazed by both defeat and victory, to treat obstacles like stones cast at a fruit-bearing tree, and to understand that true nobility lies in forgiveness and detachment from worldly wealth.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor / Analogy (Uvamaani)

Aagaya megangal pozhiyum pothu aagayam kelaadhu

Compares a selfless warrior protecting the nation to sky clouds pouring rain without asking for return, as well as comparing obstacles to stones thrown at a fruit-yielding tree.

Contrast / Antithesis (Muran)

Tholvigalaalae thuvandu vidaathae / Vetrigalaalae veri kollathae

Contrasts defeat with victory ('Tholvigalaalae' vs 'Vetrigalaalae') and garlands of praise with mountains of trouble ('Maalaigalai' vs 'Malaigalai').

Amoni / Rhyme (Monai and Ethirai)

Maalaigalai kandu mayangaathae / Malaigalai kandu kalangaathae

Uses wordplay between 'Maalaigalai' (garlands) and 'Malaigalai' (mountains) to create rhythmic resonance.

Personification

Kaatrae kaatrae nee thunguvathae illai

Addresses the wind ('Kaatrae') and life ('Vaazhvae') directly as tireless living entities.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Kochadaiiyaan' (2014), directed by Soundarya Rajinikanth and starring Rajinikanth, was India's first photorealistic 3D motion capture film. The score and soundtrack were composed by A. R. Rahman with lyrics penned by Vairamuthu. The song 'Karma Veerane' draws heavily from Bhagavad Gita principles regarding 'Karma Yoga'—performing one's duty without attachment to outcomes.

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