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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kolaivalinaai

From Sivappathigaram · 2006

Lyricist
Yugabharathi
Singers
Rahul Nambiar, Kathir
Music director
Vidyasagar
Details
Sivappathigaram2006

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Valiyor silarSome powerful people,
Eliyor thammaiThe weak and poor ones,
Vathaiyae puriyuvathaaWill they keep tormenting them forever?
MaharaasargalDo these mighty rulers think,
UlagaaluthalThat ruling this world,
Nilyaam enum ninaivaaIs a permanent privilege?
Male
UthavaathiniIt will not help anymore,
Oru thaamathamAny further delay,
Udanae vizhi thamizhaAwaken immediately, O Tamizhan!
Male
UthavaathiniIt will not help anymore,
Oru thaamathamAny further delay,
Udanae vizhi thamizhaAwaken immediately, O Tamizhan!
UthavaathiniIt will not help anymore,
Oru thaamathamAny further delay,
Udanae vizhi thamizhaAwaken immediately, O Tamizhan!
Male
Kolaivaalinai edadaTake up the deadly sword!
Migu kodiyor seyal aravaeTo completely put an end to the cruel acts of evil men,
Kugai vaazh oru puliyaeO tiger dwelling in the cave!
Uyar gunameviya thamizhaO Tamizhan endowed with noble virtues!
Chorus
Kolaivaalinai edadaTake up the deadly sword!
Migu kodiyor seyal aravaeTo completely put an end to the cruel acts of evil men,
Kugai vaazh oru puliyaeO tiger dwelling in the cave!
Uyar gunameviya thamizhaO Tamizhan endowed with noble virtues!
Chorus
Thalaiaagiya aaramae puriPerform the supreme righteousness,
Sari neethiyum thagumaUphold appropriate justice,
Samamae porul sanaayagamEquality is the real essence of democracy,
Enavae murasaraivaaiTherefore, beat the drums and proclaim!
Male
MurasaraivaaiBeat the drums and proclaim!
Chorus :MurasaraivaaiChorus: Beat the drums and proclaim!
Male :MurasaraivaaiMale: Beat the drums and proclaim!
Chorus :MurasaraivaaiChorus: Beat the drums and proclaim!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a fiery revolutionary anthem urging the oppressed people to rise against tyranny, injustice, and political corruption. It questions the arrogance of powerful rulers who oppress the weak under the false assumption that their power is permanent. The song calls upon Tamils to wake up without delay, embrace their innate courage like a tiger emerging from a cave, and take decisive action to restore justice and democracy based on true equality.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai / Uruvagam)

Kugai vaazh oru puliyae

Comparing the dormant energy of the Tamilian to a tiger living inside a cave waiting to unleash its power.

Ethukai (Second-letter Assonance)

Valiyor silar / Eliyor thammai

The second consonant sound 'li' matches across lines, creating a rhythmic rhyming contrast between the powerful (Valiyor) and the weak (Eliyor).

Imperative Tone (Ezhuchichol)

Kolaivaalinai edada

Direct commands like 'Edada' (Pick up) and 'Murasaraivaai' (Beat the drums) build an intense revolutionary spirit.

Did you know?

Trivia

This song features iconic revolutionary lines originally penned by Puratchi Kavingnar Bharathidasan ('Kolaivaalinai Edada Migu Kodiyor Seyal Aravae'). Music Director Vidyasagar adapted these immortal verses into a modern, energetic film anthem for the film Sivappathigaram (2006), starring Vishal.

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