Maatram Ondruthaan Maarathathu
From Kochadaiiyaan · 2014
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- Rajinikanth, Haricharan, V. Uma Shankar
- Music director
- A. R. Rahman
- Details
- Kochadaiiyaan2014
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Ethirigalai ozhikka | To destroy enemies |
| Ethanaiyo vazhigal undu | There are many ways |
| Mudhal vazhi mannippu (Dialogue) | The first way is forgiveness (Dialogue) |
| Male | |
| Unmai uruvaai nee | You who are the form of truth |
| Ulagin guruvaai nee | You who are the teacher of the world |
| Emmun varuvaai nee | Come before us |
| En mozhi arulvaai nee | Grant us your grace/words |
| Chorus | |
| Un maarbodu | Upon your chest |
| Kaayangal ooraayiram | A thousand wounds |
| Un vaazhvodu | In your life |
| Gnyanangal nooraayiram | A hundred thousand wisdoms |
| Chorus | |
| Thaai mannodu | To the mother soil |
| Unnaalae maatram varum | Change will come because of you |
| Ini unnodu unnodu | Now with you, with you |
| Dhesam varum | The nation will walk |
| Male | |
| Maattram ondruthaan | Change alone is |
| Maaraathathu | Unchanging |
| Male | |
| Maaru | Change! |
| Maattram ondruthaan | Change alone is |
| Maaraathathu | Unchanging |
| Maaruvathellam uyirodu | All that changes is with life |
| Maarathathellam mannodu | All that remains unchanged is with the soil |
| (Dialogue) | (Dialogue) |
| Male | |
| Porumai kol | Have patience |
| Thaneerai kooda | Even water |
| Salladaiyl allalaam | Can be gathered in a sieve |
| Athu panikatti aagum varai | Until it turns to ice |
| Poruthirunthaal (Dialogue) | If you wait (Dialogue) |
| Male | |
| Panathaal santhosathai | With money, happiness |
| Vaadagaiku vaangalam | Can be taken on rent |
| Vilaikku vaanga mudiyaathu | It cannot be purchased permanently |
| (Dialogue) | (Dialogue) |
| Male | |
| Pagaivanin | More than an enemy's |
| Pagayai vida | Enmity |
| Nanbanin pagaiyae | A friend's enmity |
| Aabathaanathu (Dialogue) | Is dangerous (Dialogue) |
| Male | |
| Sooryanukku mun | Before the sun |
| Ezhunthu kol | Wake up |
| Sooriyanaiyae jeipaai | You will conquer the sun itself |
| (Dialogue) | (Dialogue) |
| Male | |
| Nee enbathu udala | Are you the body, |
| Uyira… peyara…. | The soul... or the name...? |
| Moondrum illai seyal… | It is none of these three, but action... |
| (Dialogue) | (Dialogue) |
| Male | |
| Udala uyira | Body, soul |
| Peyara nee | Or name are you |
| Moondrum illai | You are none of the three |
| Seyalae nee | You are action itself |
| Male | |
| Vithiyai amaipathu | Writing fate is |
| Iraivan kaiyil | In God's hands |
| Antha vithiyai mudipathu | Fulfilling that fate is |
| Undhan kaiyil | In your hands |
| Chorus | |
| Un villodu villodu | With your bow, with your bow |
| Veeram kodu | Give us bravery |
| Un sollodu sollodu | With your word, with your word |
| Maatram kodu | Give us change |
| Male | |
| Maattram ondruthaan | Change alone is |
| Maarathathu | Unchanging |
| Male | |
| Nee pogalaam | "You may go" |
| Enbavan yejamaan | Says a master |
| Vaa pogalaam | "Come, let us go" |
| Enbavan thalaivan | Says a leader |
| Nee yejamaana thalaivana | Are you a master or a leader? |
| (Dialogue) | (Dialogue) |
| Male | |
| Nee ottam pidithaal | If you start running |
| Thunbam unnai thorathum | Sorrow will chase you |
| Ethirthu nil | Stand and face it |
| Thurathiya thunbam ottam pidikkum | The sorrow that chased you will run away |
| (Dialogue) | (Dialogue) |
| Male | |
| Petrorgal amaivathu vidhi | Getting parents is destiny |
| Nanbargalai amaipathu madhi | Choosing friends is intellect |
| (Dialogue) | (Dialogue) |
| Male | |
| Sinathai adakku | Control your wrath |
| Kobathodu ezhugiravan | He who rises in anger |
| Nashtathodu utkarugiran | Sits down in loss |
| Nanba ellam konjam kaalam | Friend, everything is temporary |
| (Dialogue) | (Dialogue) |
| Chorus | |
| Unn maarbodu | Upon your chest |
| Kaayangal ooraayiram | A thousand wounds |
| Unn vaazhvodu | In your life |
| Gnyanangal nooraayiram | A hundred thousand wisdoms |
| Chorus | |
| Thaai mannodu | To the mother soil |
| Unnaalae maattram varum | Change will come because of you |
| Ini unnodu unnodu | Now with you, with you |
| Dhesam varum…….. | The nation will walk... |
| Male | |
| Maattram ondruthaan | Change alone is |
| Maarathathu | Unchanging |
| Male | |
| ………………………………. | ... |
| Female :Oooo…ooo…ooo.. | Female vocalization: Oooo...ooo...ooo.. |
எதிரிகளை
ஒழிக்க எத்தனையோ
வழிகள் உண்டு முதல்
வழி மன்னிப்பு
To destroy enemies
There are many ways
The first way is forgiveness (Dialogue)
உண்மை உருவாய்
நீ உலகின் குருவாய் நீ
எம்முன் வருவாய் நீ
என்மொழி அருள்வாய் நீ
You who are the form of truth
You who are the teacher of the world
Come before us
Grant us your grace/words
உன் மார்போடு
காயங்கள் ஓராயிரம்
உன் வாழ்வோடு
ஞானங்கள் நூறாயிரம்
Upon your chest
A thousand wounds
In your life
A hundred thousand wisdoms
தாய் மண்ணோடு
உன்னாலே மாற்றம் வரும்
இனி உன்னோடு உன்னோடு
தேசம் வரும்
To the mother soil
Change will come because of you
Now with you, with you
The nation will walk
மாற்றம்
ஒன்றுதான் மாறாதது
Change alone is
Unchanging
மாறு மாற்றம்
ஒன்றுதான் மாறாதது
மாறுவதெல்லாம்
உயிரோடு மாறாத
தெல்லாம் மண்ணோடு
Change!
Change alone is
Unchanging
All that changes is with life
All that remains unchanged is with the soil
(Dialogue)
பொறுமை
கொள் தண்ணீரைக்
கூடச் சல்லடையில்
அள்ளலாம் அது பனிக்கட்டி
ஆகும் வரை
பொறுத்திருந்தால்
Have patience
Even water
Can be gathered in a sieve
Until it turns to ice
If you wait (Dialogue)
பணத்தால்
சந்தோஷத்தை
வாடகைக்கு வாங்கலாம்
விலைக்கு வாங்க
முடியாது
With money, happiness
Can be taken on rent
It cannot be purchased permanently
(Dialogue)
பகைவனின்
பகையை விட
நண்பனின் பகையே
ஆபத்தானது
More than an enemy's
Enmity
A friend's enmity
Is dangerous (Dialogue)
சூரியனுக்கு
முன் எழுந்து கொள்
சூரியனையே
ஜெயிப்பாய்
Before the sun
Wake up
You will conquer the sun itself
(Dialogue)
நீ என்பது
உடலா உயிரா
பெயரா மூன்றும்
இல்லை செயல்
Are you the body,
The soul... or the name...?
It is none of these three, but action...
(Dialogue)
உடலா
உயிரா பெயரா நீ
மூன்றும் இல்லை
செயலே நீ
Body, soul
Or name are you
You are none of the three
You are action itself
விதியை
அமைப்பது இறைவன்
கையில் அந்த விதியை
முடிப்பது உந்தன் கையில்
Writing fate is
In God's hands
Fulfilling that fate is
In your hands
உன் வில்லோடு
வில்லோடு வீரம் கொடு
உன் சொல்லோடு
சொல்லோடு மாற்றம்
கொடு
With your bow, with your bow
Give us bravery
With your word, with your word
Give us change
மாற்றம் ஒன்று
தான் மாறாதது
Change alone is
Unchanging
நீ போகலாம்
என்பவன் எஜமான்
வா போகலாம்
என்பவன் தலைவன்
நீ எஜமானா தலைவனா
"You may go"
Says a master
"Come, let us go"
Says a leader
Are you a master or a leader?
(Dialogue)
நீ ஓட்டம்
பிடித்தால் துன்பம்
உன்னைத் துரத்தும்
எதிர்த்து நில் துரத்திய
துன்பம் ஓட்டம் பிடிக்கும்
If you start running
Sorrow will chase you
Stand and face it
The sorrow that chased you will run away
(Dialogue)
பெற்றோர்கள்
அமைவது விதி
நண்பர்களை
அமைப்பது மதி
Getting parents is destiny
Choosing friends is intellect
(Dialogue)
சினத்தை
அடக்கு கோபத்தோடு
எழுகிறவன் நஷ்டத்தோடு
உட்காருகிறான் நண்பா
எல்லாம் கொஞ்ச காலம்
Control your wrath
He who rises in anger
Sits down in loss
Friend, everything is temporary
(Dialogue)
உன் மார்போடு
காயங்கள் ஓராயிரம்
உன் வாழ்வோடு
ஞானங்கள் நூறாயிரம்
Upon your chest
A thousand wounds
In your life
A hundred thousand wisdoms
தாய் மண்ணோடு
உன்னாலே மாற்றம் வரும்
இனி உன்னோடு உன்னோடு
தேசம் வரும்
To the mother soil
Change will come because of you
Now with you, with you
The nation will walk...
மாற்றம்
ஒன்றுதான் மாறாதது
Change alone is
Unchanging
............................
ஓஓ ஓஓ ஓஓ
...
Female vocalization: Oooo...ooo...ooo..
Ethirigalai ozhikka
To destroy enemies
Ethanaiyo vazhigal undu
There are many ways
Mudhal vazhi mannippu (Dialogue)
The first way is forgiveness (Dialogue)
Unmai uruvaai nee
You who are the form of truth
Ulagin guruvaai nee
You who are the teacher of the world
Emmun varuvaai nee
Come before us
En mozhi arulvaai nee
Grant us your grace/words
Un maarbodu
Upon your chest
Kaayangal ooraayiram
A thousand wounds
Un vaazhvodu
In your life
Gnyanangal nooraayiram
A hundred thousand wisdoms
Thaai mannodu
To the mother soil
Unnaalae maatram varum
Change will come because of you
Ini unnodu unnodu
Now with you, with you
Dhesam varum
The nation will walk
Maattram ondruthaan
Change alone is
Maaraathathu
Unchanging
Maaru
Change!
Maattram ondruthaan
Change alone is
Maaraathathu
Unchanging
Maaruvathellam uyirodu
All that changes is with life
Maarathathellam mannodu
All that remains unchanged is with the soil
(Dialogue)
(Dialogue)
Porumai kol
Have patience
Thaneerai kooda
Even water
Salladaiyl allalaam
Can be gathered in a sieve
Athu panikatti aagum varai
Until it turns to ice
Poruthirunthaal (Dialogue)
If you wait (Dialogue)
Panathaal santhosathai
With money, happiness
Vaadagaiku vaangalam
Can be taken on rent
Vilaikku vaanga mudiyaathu
It cannot be purchased permanently
(Dialogue)
(Dialogue)
Pagaivanin
More than an enemy's
Pagayai vida
Enmity
Nanbanin pagaiyae
A friend's enmity
Aabathaanathu (Dialogue)
Is dangerous (Dialogue)
Sooryanukku mun
Before the sun
Ezhunthu kol
Wake up
Sooriyanaiyae jeipaai
You will conquer the sun itself
(Dialogue)
(Dialogue)
Nee enbathu udala
Are you the body,
Uyira… peyara….
The soul... or the name...?
Moondrum illai seyal…
It is none of these three, but action...
(Dialogue)
(Dialogue)
Udala uyira
Body, soul
Peyara nee
Or name are you
Moondrum illai
You are none of the three
Seyalae nee
You are action itself
Vithiyai amaipathu
Writing fate is
Iraivan kaiyil
In God's hands
Antha vithiyai mudipathu
Fulfilling that fate is
Undhan kaiyil
In your hands
Un villodu villodu
With your bow, with your bow
Veeram kodu
Give us bravery
Un sollodu sollodu
With your word, with your word
Maatram kodu
Give us change
Maattram ondruthaan
Change alone is
Maarathathu
Unchanging
Nee pogalaam
"You may go"
Enbavan yejamaan
Says a master
Vaa pogalaam
"Come, let us go"
Enbavan thalaivan
Says a leader
Nee yejamaana thalaivana
Are you a master or a leader?
(Dialogue)
(Dialogue)
Nee ottam pidithaal
If you start running
Thunbam unnai thorathum
Sorrow will chase you
Ethirthu nil
Stand and face it
Thurathiya thunbam ottam pidikkum
The sorrow that chased you will run away
(Dialogue)
(Dialogue)
Petrorgal amaivathu vidhi
Getting parents is destiny
Nanbargalai amaipathu madhi
Choosing friends is intellect
(Dialogue)
(Dialogue)
Sinathai adakku
Control your wrath
Kobathodu ezhugiravan
He who rises in anger
Nashtathodu utkarugiran
Sits down in loss
Nanba ellam konjam kaalam
Friend, everything is temporary
(Dialogue)
(Dialogue)
Unn maarbodu
Upon your chest
Kaayangal ooraayiram
A thousand wounds
Unn vaazhvodu
In your life
Gnyanangal nooraayiram
A hundred thousand wisdoms
Thaai mannodu
To the mother soil
Unnaalae maattram varum
Change will come because of you
Ini unnodu unnodu
Now with you, with you
Dhesam varum……..
The nation will walk...
Maattram ondruthaan
Change alone is
Maarathathu
Unchanging
……………………………….
...
Female :Oooo…ooo…ooo..
Female vocalization: Oooo...ooo...ooo..
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This track, 'Maattram Ondruthaan Maaraathathu' from the film Kochadaiiyaan, serves as a grand philosophical anthem centered around leadership, duty, perseverance, and impermanence. Through a combination of poetic lyrics and philosophical maxims recited as dialogues, the song delivers foundational life lessons: forgiveness is the greatest victory over enemies, actions define a person rather than physical existence or name, and true leadership inspires by walking along with followers rather than merely giving orders.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Paradox / Antithesis
“Maattram ondruthaan maaraathathu”
Contradictory terms are juxtaposed to express a fundamental truth: change itself is the only constant entity in life.
Metaphor
“Thaneerai kooda salladaiyl allalaam athu panikatti aagum varai poruthirunthaal”
Compares human patience and perseverance to holding water in a sieve until it turns into ice, emphasizing that time and endurance transform impossibility into success.
Monostich / Rhyme (Emoni/Etukai)
“Un maarbodu ... Un vaazhvodu ... Thaai mannodu”
Tamil poetic rhyming structure where initial syllables or words match across adjacent lines for musicality ('Un maarbodu', 'Un vaazhvodu', 'Thaai mannodu').
Did you know?
Trivia
The famous line 'Maattram Ondruthaan Maaraathathu' is the Tamil translation of Heraclitus's ancient Greek philosophical quote 'The only constant in life is change'. The song features Rajinikanth delivering iconic philosophical spoken word dialogues interwoven into A. R. Rahman's grand orchestral composition.
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