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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Melam Kottudaa

From Aramm · 2017

Lyricist
Sikkander
Singer
Sundarayyar
Music director
M. Ghibran
Details
Aramm2017

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Melan kottudaBeat the drums
Thalam thattudaClap to the rhythm
Nalum namma naalaeEvery day is our day
Aasa moththamumAll of our desires
Aadi theeranumShould be danced away
Kelu varam keluAsk for a boon, ask
Male
Oora suththanumRoam around the village
Oonjal kattanum .Set up a swing
Veli thandi paaruLook beyond the boundary
Kanja mannulaIn this parched dry land
Saami senjithanBy crafting a deity
Vendi kettu paaruTry praying and asking
Male
Aazhi thannithanEven the ocean water
Thaena inikkumWill taste sweet as honey
Vera vazhi yedhuWhat other way is there?
Aaru kulamndhaanRivers and ponds
Yettil irukkumExist only in textbooks
Paarkka mudiyaathuCannot be seen in reality
Male
Medu pallam dhaanaeLife is filled with ups and downs
Dhenam thandi odanumWe must cross them every day and run
Vazhum endha naalumOn whatever days we live
Onnu koodi paadanumWe must gather together and sing
Male
Melan kottudaBeat the drums
Thalam thattudaClap to the rhythm
Nalum namma naalaeEvery day is our day
Aasa moththamumAll of our desires
Aadi theeranumShould be danced away
Kelu varam keluAsk for a boon, ask
Male
Kanna katti kattulaBlindfolded in the forest
Kannaa moochi aduvomWe shall play hide and seek
Vaanam pattha boomiyilIn this scorched land under the sun
Pattu poochi theduvomWe will search for butterflies
Male
Palliyila solladhadhaWhat was not taught in school
Kelu iniListen to it now
Thanni kudam thookkuravanFrom the person carrying the water pot
Paadam padiLearn the real lesson
Male
Kai veesiyae kaththoda thaanWaving hands with the wind
Kondadu neeGo ahead and celebrate
Sandhosatha oorukkullaWithin the village
Thedi pudiFind and catch happiness
Male
Medu pallam dhaanaeLife is filled with ups and downs
Dhenam thandi odanumWe must cross them every day and run
Vazhum endha naalumOn whatever days we live
Onnu koodi paadanumWe must gather together and sing
Male
Melan kottudaBeat the drums
Thalam thattudaClap to the rhythm
Nalum namma naalaeEvery day is our day
Aasa moththamumAll of our desires
Aadi theeranumShould be danced away
Kelu varam keluAsk for a boon, ask
Male
Oora suththanumRoam around the village
Oonjal kattanum .Set up a swing
Veli thandi paaruLook beyond the boundary
Kanja mannulaIn this parched dry land
Saami senjithanBy crafting a deity
Vendi kettu paaruTry praying and asking
Male
Aazhi thannithanEven the ocean water
Thaena inikkumWill taste sweet as honey
Vera vazhi yedhuWhat other way is there?
Aaru kulamndhaanRivers and ponds
Yettil irukkumExist only in textbooks
Paarkka mudiyaathuCannot be seen in reality
Male
Medu pallam dhaanaeLife is filled with ups and downs
Dhenam thandi odanumWe must cross them every day and run
Vazhum endha naalumOn whatever days we live
Onnu koodi paadanumWe must gather together and sing

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Melan Kottuda' from Aramm highlights the innocence, resilience, and optimism of children living in a drought-stricken rural region. Despite facing acute water scarcity and hardship where natural water bodies exist only in books, the song portrays their determination to celebrate life, play, and find joy together.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Rhyme / Monorhyme (Aethukai / Monai)

Melan kottuda / Thalam thattuda

Matching sound patterns and starting consonants present across lines such as 'Melan kottuda' and 'Thalam thattuda'.

Metaphor

Medu pallam dhaanae

Comparing life's struggles and hurdles to 'Medu pallam' (elevations and depressions / ups and downs).

Hyperbole / Poetic Exaggeration

Aazhi thannithan / Thaena inikkum

Exaggerating ocean water tasting sweet like honey through prayer, highlighting deep hope and desperation for water.

Did you know?

Trivia

The track is featured in the 2017 social drama movie 'Aramm' starring Nayanthara, which deals with severe water management issues and rural neglect in Tamil Nadu. The music for Aramm was composed by Ghibran.

Keep listening

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