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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kodu Pottaa

From Maanbumigu Maanavan · 1996

Lyricist
Kanmani Subbu
Singer
Suresh Peters
Music director
Deva
Details
Maanbumigu Maanavan1996

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
Hu hoiHu hoi
Ahaa haaAhaa haa
Haei misterHey mister
Yei yeiYei yei
Havai havaiHavai havai
Okk……Okay...
Male
Kodu potta rodu poduIf a line is drawn, lay down a road
Pulli vecha kolam poduIf a dot is placed, draw a rangoli pattern
Chorus :Yei yeiChorus: Yei yei
Male :Kodu potta rodu poduMale: If a line is drawn, lay down a road
Pulli vecha kolam poduIf a dot is placed, draw a rangoli pattern
Chorus :Yei yeiChorus: Yei yei
Male
Vaazhkai enna nee vaazhndhu paaruTry living life to see what it really is
Vanam boomi unnai vaaazhthum paaruSee how the sky and earth praise you
Vaazhkai enna nee vaazhndhu paaruTry living life to see what it really is
Vanam boomi unnai vaaazhthum paaruSee how the sky and earth praise you
Male
Haiyoo haiyoo ammaaOh my, oh my goodness
Iruppadhenna summa summa summaWhy stay doing nothing, nothing, nothing?
Chorus :Haiyoo haiyoo ammaaChorus: Oh my, oh my goodness
Thiruppikkodu gumma gumma gummaHit back punch for punch, punch, punch!
Male
Kodu potta rodu poduIf a line is drawn, lay down a road
Pulli vecha kolam poduIf a dot is placed, draw a rangoli pattern
Chorus :Yei yeiChorus: Yei yei
Male
Kavalenna kelviyennaWhat worry is there? What question is there?
Oru kattupaadu yedhum illaThere are no restrictions whatsoever
Puyal kaatrai yaarumStormy winds, by anyone
Pooti veippadhilAre locked away...
Chorus :IllaChorus: No!
Male
Acham illa adimai illaNo fear, no slavery
Oru anaipoda yaarum illaThere is no one to build a dam to stop us
Rendu kaigal kattiWith both our hands tied
Naangal nirppadhilOur standing quietly...
Chorus :IllaChorus: No!
Male
Oru thappau thanda seibavaraiThose who commit wrongdoings and crimes
Naangal thappai sella viduvadhillaWe will never let them go unpunished
Verum uppukkallai vairamMere rock salt as a diamond
Endru naangalThat we
Oppukollum jaadhi illaAre not the kind to accept
Male
Haiyoo haiyoo ammaaOh my, oh my goodness
Iruppadhenna summa summa summaWhy stay doing nothing, nothing, nothing?
Chorus :Haiyoo haiyoo ammaaChorus: Oh my, oh my goodness
Thiruppikkodu gumma gumma gummaHit back punch for punch, punch, punch!
Male
Kodu potta rodu poduIf a line is drawn, lay down a road
Pulli vecha kolam poduIf a dot is placed, draw a rangoli pattern
Chorus :Yei yeiChorus: Yei yei
Male :Kodu potta rodu poduMale: If a line is drawn, lay down a road
Pu pu pu pulli vecha kolam poduI-i-if a dot is placed, draw a rangoli pattern
Chorus :Yei yeiChorus: Yei yei
Chorus
………………………….....
Male
Kaalai maalai gaanam paadiSinging songs morning and evening
Manm pola vaazhum vaanam paadiLarks living freely as their heart desires
Enga raagam thannilIn our musical melody
Sogam enbathilAny sorrow...
Chorus :IllaChorus: No!
Male
Neelavaanam engal kooraiThe blue sky is our roof
Naduveedhi yaavum engal veeduThe middle of every street is our home
Indha aattam pattamThis dance and celebration
Endrum oiyvadhillWill never cease...
Chorus :IllaChorus: No!
Male
Naanga oru thaai pettra pillaigalaeWe are children born of a single mother
Engum ondraai parakkum paravaigalaeBirds flying together everywhere
Naanga vaasam veesum mullaigalaeWe are fragrant jasmine blossoms
Enga vaazhvukkedhu ellaigalaeWhere are the boundaries for our life?
Male
Haiyoo haiyoo ammaaOh my, oh my goodness
Iruppadhenna summa summa summaWhy stay doing nothing, nothing, nothing?
Chorus :Haiyoo haiyoo ammaaChorus: Oh my, oh my goodness
Thiruppikkodu gumma gumma gummaHit back punch for punch, punch, punch!
Male
Kodu potta rodu poduIf a line is drawn, lay down a road
Pulli vecha kolam poduIf a dot is placed, draw a rangoli pattern
Chorus :Yei yeiChorus: Yei yei
Male
Vaazhkai ennaWhat is life?
Chorus :Nee vaazhndhu paaruChorus: Try living it yourself
Male :Vanam boomiMale: The sky and the earth
Chorus :Unnai vaaazhthum paaruChorus: Will praise you, just see
Male
Haiyoo haiyoo ammaaOh my, oh my goodness
Iruppadhenna summa summa summaWhy stay doing nothing, nothing, nothing?
Chorus :Haiyoo haiyoo ammaaChorus: Oh my, oh my goodness
Thiruppikkodu gumma gumma gummaHit back punch for punch, punch, punch!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Kodu Potta' from 'Maanbumigu Maanavan' is an energetic, youth-centric anthem that celebrates freedom, self-reliance, and justice. Through playful yet resolute lyrics, the protagonist and his companions express an refusal to accept oppression or deceit. They view the world as an endless canvas where any obstacle or boundary is turned into an opportunity to build or create something grander.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Emonai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Kodu potta rodu podu / Pulli vecha kolam podu

In Tamil poetry, Emonai occurs when the second letter of consecutive lines rhymes (here, 'du' in 'Kodu' and 'Pulli' rhyming with 'odu'/'odu').

Metaphor

Neelavaanam engal koorai / Naduveedhi yaavum engal veedu

Comparing the expansive blue sky to a roof and open streets to a home, emphasizing complete freedom and unity with nature.

Analogy / Contrast

Verum uppukkallai vairam / Endru naangal / Oppukollum jaadhi illa

Contrasting worthless rock salt ('uppukkallu') with a diamond ('vairam') to symbolize refusing to accept fake or unjust things.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Maanbumigu Maanavan' featured music by Deva and showcased Suresh Peters' signature westernized rap/pop style delivery, which became hugely popular among college students in Tamil Nadu during the mid-1990s.

Keep listening

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