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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Mazhai Thooralam

From Sethupathi · 2016

Lyricist
Na. Muthu Kumar
Singer
Nivas K. Prasanna
Music director
Nivas K. Prasanna
Details
Sethupathi2016

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Mazhai thooralaamRain may drizzle
Veyil vaatalaamHeat may scorch
Puyal kaatruthaan veesalamStormy winds may blow
Male
Pagai thondralaamEnmities may arise
Thalai saayalaamOne's head may drop
Uyir koodathaan pogalaamEven life itself may depart
Male
Iravo pagaloWhether night or day
Irupaai nee kaavalaaiYou will stand as a guard
Iraivan vadivilIn the form of God
Varuvaai nee kaavalaaiYou will come as a protector
Male
Mazhai thooralaamRain may drizzle
Veyil vaatalaamHeat may scorch
Puyal kaatruthaan veesalamStormy winds may blow
Male
Pagai thondralaamEnmities may arise
Thalai saayalaamOne's head may drop
Uyir koodathaan pogalaamEven life itself may depart
Male
Iravo pagaloWhether night or day
Irupaai nee kaavalaaiYou will stand as a guard
Iraivan vadivilIn the form of God
Varuvaai nee kaavalaaiYou will come as a protector
Male
Maram saainthaalumEven if the tree falls
Vithai saayaathaeThe seed never bows down
Vizhu ezhu poraaduFall, rise, and fight
Male
Vidinthum vidiyaatha kaalaiA morning that dawns yet remains unawakened
Mudinthum mudiyaatha maalaiAn evening that ends yet never truly finishes
Thinamum nee seiyum velai vaa..aaa..This is the work you perform daily, come
Male
Kutram illatha ooruA town completely free of crime
Ulagail engundu kooruTell me where in this world it exists
Netrikkan kondu thedu vaa….aaa…Search for it with a third eye, come
Male
Urangum pothu…uu…..uu…..While sleeping...
Urangum pothu vizhippaaiYou stay vigilant even while sleeping
Irantha pothum nilaippaaiYou will remain immortal even after death
Kodi velai ingaeAmong millions of occupations here
Kaval polae engaeWhere is a duty like being a guardian?
Male
Mazhai thooralaamRain may drizzle
Veyil vaatalaamHeat may scorch
Puyal kaatruthaan veesalamStormy winds may blow
Male
Pagai thondralaamEnmities may arise
Thalai saayalaamOne's head may drop
Uyir koodathaan pogalaamEven life itself may depart

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This anthem from the movie 'Sethupathi' pays tribute to the tireless duty, selflessness, and resilience of a police officer. It portrays the protagonist as a steadfast protector who stands vigil day and night, unfazed by harsh weather, fierce enemies, or even the threat of death itself. The song praises the protective role of law enforcement as divine work, emphasizing that even when individual officers fall, the spirit of justice and protection endures forever like an unyielding seed.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Mazhai thooralaam / Veyil vaatalaam

The lines end with rhythmic matching suffixes like 'thooralaam', 'vaatalaam', and 'veesalam'.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Iraivan vadivil / Varuvaai nee kaavalaai

Compares the righteous protector to God in physical form ('Iraivan vadivil').

Analogy / Metaphor

Maram saainthaalum / Vithai saayaathae

Uses the falling tree and surviving seed as an analogy for an officer falling while his legacy and righteous duty endure.

Oxymoron / Paradox

Vidinthum vidiyaatha kaalai / Mudinthum mudiyaatha maalai

Contrasting ideas used to highlight endless, unceasing shift duties ('dawm that never dawns', 'evening that never ends').

Did you know?

Trivia

The soundtrack for 'Sethupathi' (2016) was composed by Nivas K. Prasanna, with lyrics penned by the acclaimed late lyricist Na. Muthu Kumar. This title theme perfectly captures Vijay Sethupathi's impactful portrayal of an intense, honorable police inspector.

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