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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Manna Maamanna

From Maamannan · 2023

Lyricist
Arivu
Singer
Arivu
Music director
A. R. Rahman
Details
Maamannan2023

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Oosa oosa oosaSound, sound, sound
Kekutha enbaasaCan you hear my language?
Oosa oosa oosaSound, sound, sound
Kekutha enbaasaCan you hear my language?
Male
Hoi yeh yeh yehHoi yeh yeh yeh
Male
Enakulle oru oosaA sound within me
Therakuthe pudhu vaasaA new fragrance opens up
Na pazhasellam thooki veesaAs I throw away all the old things
Kekutha enbaasaCan you hear my language?
Male
Enakulle oru oosaA sound within me
Therakuthe pudhu vaasaA new fragrance opens up
Na pazhasellam thooki veesaAs I throw away all the old things
Kekutha enbaasaCan you hear my language?
Male
Oosa oosa oosaSound, sound, sound
Kekutha enbaasaCan you hear my language?
Oosa oosa oosaSound, sound, sound
Male
Enathu ural idamThe place where I reside
Nilai nidham tharum oosaThe sound that gives constant stability
Kadal mazhai kadanthidumCrossing the ocean and rain
Adangida oosaAn uncontainable sound
Male
Yaarukum kettkahuNobody else can hear it
Enkaathil olam nikkaathuThe roar in my ears will not stop
Oorettum pakkaathuThe eight corners of the town won't look
En Uullam achcham erkaathuMy heart will not accept fear
Male
Karuginidra saambalengumEverywhere among burning ashes
Siragadikum oosaA sound flapping its wings
Kandanthu vantha paadhai yenkumEverywhere along the path travelled
Ezhunthu nirkum oosaA sound rising up
Nadhiyiltta valaigal yaavumAll the nets cast in the river
Meenarukkum oosaA sound that cuts the fish free
Naai ethirthu pei ethiruthuConfronting dogs, confronting ghosts
Naan kuraikum oosaThe sound of my bark
Male
Pisakidaathu mella kaadhil vanthuWithout missing, gently coming to the ear
Munnar pesaTo speak in front
Iravai thondi vanthaDug out from the night
Ozhiyai kandu kangal koosaEyes dazzled by seeing the light
Adiyin oosai vanthuThe sound of footsteps coming
Idhaymengum vazhiyai pesaSpeaking of pain across the heart
VaazhumasaDesire to live
En vinmeenathu paadhaikaataMy star showing the path
Male
Oosa oosa oosaSound, sound, sound
Kekutha enbaasaCan you hear my language?
Oosa oosa oosaSound, sound, sound
Kekutha enbaasaCan you hear my language?
Male
Hoi yeh yeh yehHoi yeh yeh yeh
Male
Iravin oosaThe sound of night
Athu poochi oosaThat is the sound of insects
Pagalin oosaThe sound of day
Athu veyilin oosaThat is the sound of sunlight
Male
Vaanin oosaThe sound of the sky
Athu pravai oosaThat is the sound of birds
Vaazhyin oosaThe sound of life
Athu paraiyoosaThat is the sound of the Parai drum
Male
Oosa oosa oosaSound, sound, sound
OosaSound
Kekutha enbaasaCan you hear my language?
BaasaLanguage
Oosa oosa oosaSound, sound, sound
Kekutha enbaasaCan you hear my language?
Male
Pazhaya ennam tholaiyaFor old thoughts to vanish
Pudhiya vannam varayaTo paint a new color
Enathu kannethirail mannathiridaBefore my eyes, as the earth trembles
Mannan viraiyaAs the king rushes forward
Kodi vannanu ariyaTo know the flag's colors
Uriya nenjam eriyaAs the deserving heart burns
Thagida thathoom tha thathoomRhythmic beats: Thagida thathoom tha thathoom
Thaga yutham thodaraAs a fierce war continues
Male
Iruvizhi erigira siru poriA small spark burning in both eyes
Vedipada karunira karamathuAs the dark hand explodes
Kaanavinai adainthidaTo reach the ultimate dream
Kathavugal thiranthidaTo open the doors
Marupadi piranthidaTo be born again
Edhu naadakuthu yen nadakuthuWhat is happening, why is it happening
Ena priyuthu vazhi theriyuthuIt becomes clear, the way is shown
Enakkuloru kuralA voice inside me
Ezhumbida thunaivaruvaanHe will come as support to rise
MaamannanThe Emperor (Maamannan)
Male
Yeh mannaOh king
Chorus :Yeh mannaChorus: Oh king
Male :MaamannaaMale: Emperor
Chorus :MaamannaaChorus: Emperor
Male :Yeh mannaMale: Oh king
Chorus :Yeh mannaChorus: Oh king
Male :MaamannaaMale: Emperor
Chorus :MaamannaaChorus: Emperor
Male
Yeh mannaOh king
Chorus :Yeh mannaChorus: Oh king
Male :MaamannaaMale: Emperor
Chorus :MaamannaaChorus: Emperor
Male :Yeh mannaMale: Oh king
Chorus :Yeh mannaChorus: Oh king
Male :MaamannaaMale: Emperor
Chorus :MaamannaaChorus: Emperor
Male
Enakulle oru oosa..oosaA sound within me... sound
Therakuthe pudhu vaasa..vaasaA new fragrance opens up... fragrance
Na pazhasellam thooki veesa..veesaAs I throw away all the old things... throw away
Kekutha enbaasa..baasaCan you hear my language... language
Male
Enakulle oru oosaA sound within me
Therakuthe pudhu vaasaA new fragrance opens up
Na pazhasellam thooki veesaAs I throw away all the old things
Kekutha enbaasaCan you hear my language?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This anthem from Mari Selvaraj's 'Maamannan', composed by A. R. Rahman and written and sung by Arivu, uses the concept of 'oosa' (sound/vibration) as a metaphor for the voice of the oppressed breaking free from centuries of silence. The song captures the transition from fear and darkness to empowerment, self-respect, and socio-political liberation. Through references to nature, the Parai drum, and rising from ashes like a phoenix, the track expresses the unstoppable resurgence of a marginalized community asserting its dignity and claiming its rightful place under the leadership of a true king of the people.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Enakulle oru oosa / Therakuthe pudhu vaasa / Na pazhasellam thooki veesa / Kekutha enbaasa

Repetition of the 'oosa' ending across consecutive lines (oosa, baasa, vaasa, veesa) creates a driving rhythm reminiscent of a chant.

Metaphor

Vaazhyin oosa / Athu paraiyoosa

Comparing the sound of life itself to the rhythmic strike of the native Parai drum, asserting indigenous musical identity as the heartbeat of existence.

Imagery / Allusion

Karuginidra saambalengum / Siragadikum oosa

Evokes the image of a phoenix rising from burnt embers to symbolize resilience against systemic oppression.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written and performed by independent artist and lyricist Arivu, the song intricately weaves folk storytelling and modern hip-hop cadence with A. R. Rahman's grand orchestration. The Parai drum, traditionally associated with marginalized communities, is positioned as the primary symbol of resistance and voice throughout Mari Selvaraj's film.

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