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Lyrics & meaning

Mathalam Thattikadaa

From Thangarasu · 1992

Lyricist
Kalidasan
Singer
Malaysia Vasudevan
Music director
Deva
Details
Thangarasu1992

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Maththalam thattikkadaa mannaarkudi mamaBeat the drum, Mannargudi uncle!
Ini namma kaalam vaammaaNow our time has come, come on!
Kuththudaa kuththikadaa dappaankuththu paattuPlay a fast-paced folk dappan koothu song!
Oru kummaalanthaan pottuLet us make a grand celebration!
Male
Nenjukkoru needhiyundu nermaikkoru kaalamunduThere is justice for the heart, there is a time for honesty.
Vanhjanaigal jeyichchathaaga varalaaru engae unduWhere in history has treachery ever won?
Anbukkoru jaadhiyilla adimaigal yaarumillaLove has no caste, and there are no slaves.
Anji anji vaazhntha kaalam inimael illaThe times of living in fear are no more.
Mayangi iruntha moola ippa thelinja vantha velaThe mind that was dazed has now cleared up.
Poruththu iruntha veeram adhu pongi ezhum neramThe courage that was restrained is now surging forth.
Male
Hae maththalam thattikkadaa mannaarkudi mamaHey, beat the drum, Mannargudi uncle!
Ini namma kaalam vaammaaNow our time has come, come on!
Kuththudaa kuththikadaa dappaankuththu paattuPlay a fast-paced folk dappan koothu song!
Oru kummaalanthaan pottuLet us make a grand celebration!
Male
Yaezhaigal namma inam kozhaigal IllaiyaendruCome, let us tell the deceitful men...
Yamaaththum manitharkaluku solvom vaangadaaThat the poor, our people, are not cowards!
Ellorum onnu pattaa illaamai illaiyadaaIf everyone unites, there will be no poverty.
Naamellam oru thaayin pillaithaanadaaWe are all children of the same mother.
Male
Amma koduththa udambu idhuThis body given by my mother...
Azhuththamaana irumbuIs as solid as iron.
Yappaa neeyum thirunthu illaHey man, reform yourself, or else...
Vaippaen dinamum virunthuI will serve you a feast of blows every day.
Edhirkaalam ini yaezhaigal pakkamadaaThe future belongs to the poor from now on!
Male
Maththalamthattikkadaa mannaarkudi mamaBeat the drum, Mannargudi uncle!
Ini namma kaalam vaammaaNow our time has come, come on!
Kuththudaa kuththikadaa dappaankuththu paattuPlay a fast-paced folk dappan koothu song!
Oru kummaalanthaan pottu hae haeoLet us make a grand celebration, hey haeo!
Male
Oor vaazha sevai senjaaIf you serve the village so that it thrives...
Nooraandu vaazhnthidalaamYou can live for a hundred years.
Naan pogum paadhai ithu nallaa kettukkaListen well, this is the path I walk.
Aarodu oodi varum neer polae vaazhnthidanumWe must live like water flowing smoothly along a river.
Aanavaththa iniyaachchum neyum maaththikkaChange your arrogance at least from now on.
Male
Therkkae adichcha kaaththu adhu thirumbi pochchu nerththuThe wind that blew from the south turned back yesterday.
Thaththi nadakkum vaaththu un thalukku minukka maaththuWaddling duck, change your flashy, showy attitude!
Inimaelum ingu venaamdi un kooththuYour fake drama is no longer wanted here!
Male
Maththalam thattikkadaa mannaarkudi mamaBeat the drum, Mannargudi uncle!
Ini namma kaalam vaammaaNow our time has come, come on!
Hai kuththudaa kuththikadaa dappaankuththu paattuHey, play a fast-paced folk dappan koothu song!
Oru kummaalanthaan pottuLet us make a grand celebration!
Male
Nenjukkoru needhiyundu nermaikkoru kaalamunduThere is justice for the heart, there is a time for honesty.
Vanjanaigal jeyichchathaaga varalaaru engae unduWhere in history has treachery ever won?
Anbukkoru jaadhiyilla adimaigal yaarumillaLove has no caste, and there are no slaves.
Anji anji vaazhntha kaalam inimael illaThe times of living in fear are no more.
Mayangi iruntha moola ippa thelinja vantha velaThe mind that was dazed has now cleared up.
Poruththu iruntha veeram adhu pongi ezhum neramThe courage that was restrained is now surging forth.
Male
Maththalam thattikkadaa mannaarkudi mamaBeat the drum, Mannargudi uncle!
Ini namma kaalam vaammaaNow our time has come, come on!
Kuththudaa kuththikadaa dappaankuththu paattuPlay a fast-paced folk dappan koothu song!
Oru kummaalanthaan pottuLet us make a grand celebration!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This energetic song is an uplifting social celebration and call to unity from the movie Thangarasu (1992). Set to a lively 'Dappaankuththu' beat, the protagonist calls upon his community to celebrate because the era of oppression, deceit, and fear has come to an end. The lyrics emphasize social equality, standing up against exploiters, and recognizing that justice and honesty will always prevail over treachery. The speaker challenges corrupt and arrogant figures, warning them that the working poor are not cowards and that unity makes them unbreakable. By asserting that humanity shares a common bond and that true strength comes from righteousness and community service, the song serves as a powerful anthem of empowerment for the underprivileged.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Maththalam thattikkadaa / Kuththudaa kuththikadaa

Matching second consonants across lines, such as 'Maththalam' and 'Kuththudaa'.

Monaai (Alliteration)

Maththalam thattikkadaa mannaarkudi mama

Repetition of initial consonant sounds like 'Ma' in 'Maththalam' and 'Mannaarkudi'.

Rhetorical Question

Vanhjanaigal jeyichchathaaga varalaaru engae undu

Asking a question to assert a strong moral truth where no answer is needed.

Simile (Upamai)

Aarodu oodi varum neer polae vaazhnthidanum

Comparing a natural, frictionless life to water flowing along a river path ('neer polae').

Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)

Amma koduththa udambu idhu / Azhuththamaana irumbu

Describing the human body given by the mother as solid iron to convey physical and moral resilience.

Did you know?

Trivia

Thangarasu is a 1992 rural Tamil action-drama film. The song features traditional Tamil folk rhythm elements (Dappaankuththu) and prominent lyricist Kalidasan's signature punchy, socially conscious rhyming style that was immensely popular in early 1990s Tamil cinema.

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