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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Madras Mailu

From Unnai Sutrum Ulagam · 1977

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
L. R. Eswari, J. Jayalalitha, L. R. Anjali
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Unnai Sutrum Ulagam1977

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Paling sadukudu sadukudu sadukudu sadukudu sadukuduPlaying sadukudu sadukudu sadukudu sadukudu sadukudu
Sadukudu sadukudu sadukudu sadukudu sadukudu sadukuduSadukudu sadukudu sadukudu sadukudu sadukudu sadukudu
Female
Madras mail-u maravattai rayil-uThe Madras Mail, a millipede-like train,
Maduraikku varuthadi kaattu vegamaIs coming towards Madurai with wild speed!
Neenga munnae ninnaa ennavaagumWhat will happen if you stand in front of it?
Etti pongammaa thotho thotho thothoMove far away, ladies! Thotho thotho thotho...
Thotho thotho thotho thotho thotho…aah…Thotho thotho thotho thotho thotho…aah…
Female
Bamboi mail-u paambu pola rayil-uThe Bombay Mail, a snake-like train,
Chennai pattinam varuthadi kaattu vegamaaIs coming towards Chennai city with wild speed!
Neenga munnae ninnaa ennavaagumWhat will happen if you stand in front of it?
Etti pongammaa jigujigu jigujigu jigujiguMove far away, ladies! Jigujigu jigujigu jigujigu...
Jigujigu jigujigu jigujigu jigujigu jigujiguJigujigu jigujigu jigujigu jigujigu jigujigu
Female
Palich sadukudu sadukudu sadukudu sadukudu sadukuduBright sadukudu sadukudu sadukudu sadukudu sadukudu
Sadukudu sadukudu sadukudu sadukudu sadukudu sadukuduSadukudu sadukudu sadukudu sadukudu sadukudu sadukudu
Female
Thotho thotho thothoThotho thotho thotho
Thotho thotho thotho thotho thotho…aah…Thotho thotho thotho thotho thotho…aah…
Female
Engammaa mangammaa enna petha singammaaMy mother Mangamma is a lioness who gave birth to me!
Engammaa mangammaa enna petha singammaaMy mother Mangamma is a lioness who gave birth to me!
Poga poga paaththukkadi veerammaaWatch out as things go on, brave woman!
Naan pongi varum gangaiyadi paarammaaLook at me, I am like the overflowing Ganges water!
Pongi varum gangaiyadi paarammaaLook at me, I am like the overflowing Ganges water!
Female
Aaha sela varinju katti sekkasevantha kuttiAha, a bright red girl who wears her saree tucked tight,
Kaala pudichikkitaa vidamaattaenIf I catch your leg, I won't let go!
Sela varinju katti sekkasevantha kuttiA bright red girl who wears her saree tucked tight,
Kaala pudichikkitaa vidamaattaenIf I catch your leg, I won't let go!
Unga kaiyil naanum agapadamaattaenI will not get caught in your hands!
Sadukudu sadukudu sadukudu sadukuduSadukudu sadukudu sadukudu sadukudu
Sadukudu sadukudu sadukudu sadukudu sadukudu sadukuduSadukudu sadukudu sadukudu sadukudu sadukudu sadukudu
Female
Haei sadukudu sadukudu sadukudu sadukuduHey sadukudu sadukudu sadukudu sadukudu
Sadukudu sadukudu sadukudu sadukudu sadukudu sadukuduSadukudu sadukudu sadukudu sadukudu sadukudu sadukudu
Female
Adi pallaththooru chellakkaaHey elder sister Chellakka from Pallathur,
Adi pallaththooru chellakkaaHey elder sister Chellakka from Pallathur,
En pakkam vanthu nillakkaaCome and stand beside me!
Un kannum mookkum vittaa pothumIt's enough to strike your eyes and nose,
Sillu pola egiri pogumThey will fly off like broken shards!
Vittaen paaradi munnaalaeLook, I have launched my attack in front of you,
Kannam veengi pogum thannaalaeYour cheeks will swell up automatically!
Female :Yaei…epadi irukkudiFemale: Hey... how is it?
Female :Vittaen paaradi munnaalaeFemale: Look, I have launched my attack in front of you,
Kannam veengi pogum thannalaeYour cheeks will swell up automatically!
Female
Paling sadukudu sadukudu sadukudu sadukudu sadukuduBright sadukudu sadukudu sadukudu sadukudu sadukudu
Sadukudu sadukudu sadukudu sadukudu sadukudu sadukuduSadukudu sadukudu sadukudu sadukudu sadukudu sadukudu
Female
Adi moocha pidichchu muththai edukkumHey, holding breath to dive deep and pull out pearls,
Muniyammaava enna nenaichaeWho did you think this Muniyamma was?
Raangikkaari rappukkaari oongi adichaa odhungi podiI am stubborn and tough; if I strike hard, step aside and run!
Female
Sadukudu sadukudu sadukudu sadukudu sadukuduSadukudu sadukudu sadukudu sadukudu sadukudu
Sadukudu sadukudu sadukudu sadukudu sadukudu sadukuduSadukudu sadukudu sadukudu sadukudu sadukudu sadukudu
Female
Thotho thotho thothoThotho thotho thotho
Thotho thotho thotho thotho thotho…aah…Thotho thotho thotho thotho thotho…aah…
Female
Naanthaandi jeippaen nanaichatha mudippaenI am the one who will win, I will accomplish what I intend!
Oththaiyaaga ninnukittu paththu pera adippaenStanding alone, I will beat ten people!
Female
Thotho thotho thotho thotho thothoThotho thotho thotho thotho thotho
Thotho thotho thotho thotho thotho…aah…Thotho thotho thotho thotho thotho…aah…

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This high-energy song captures a spirited traditional Kabaddi (Sadukudu) match played by women, filled with rhythmic chanting, energetic breath-holding calls, and lighthearted taunting between opposing teams. Lyricist Vaali weaves imagery of fast trains, unstoppable rivers, and fierce athletic pride to depict the speed, determination, and strength of the players on the field. Beyond the game itself, the song celebrates womanhood, confidence, and camaraderie as the participants proudly boast of their individual and team prowess, challenging their opponents to match their raw power and skill.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Bamboi mail-u paambu pola rayil-u

Compares the Bombay Mail train to a slithering snake to evoke speed and power.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Naan pongi varum gangaiyadi paarammaa

Directly compares oneself to the surging river Ganges to signify overflowing energy and dominance.

Onomatopoeia (Olijoppuch Sol)

Jigujigu jigujigu jigujigu jigujigu jigujigu

Rhythmic sound words simulating train noises and traditional Kabaddi breath chants.

Edugai (Rhyme)

Engammaa mangammaa enna petha singammaa

Second-letter rhyming across lines creating driving rhythm ('Engammaa' / 'mangammaa' / 'singammaa').

Did you know?

Trivia

This unique track features playback singing by actress and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalitha alongside veteran singer L. R. Eswari and L. R. Anjali. Designed specifically for a female Kabaddi scene in the film 'Unnai Sutrum Ulagam' (1977), the song cleverly incorporates traditional sport chants like 'sadukudu' and 'thotho' as musical rhythm.

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