Merkey Vidhaitha Sooriyaney
From Citizen · 2001
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- Shankar Mahadevan
- Music director
- Deva
- Details
- Citizen2001
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Ohooo..ooo..ohoo..oooo | Ohooo..ooo..ohoo..oooo |
| Chorus :Ohooo..ooo..ohoo..oooo | Chorus :Ohooo..ooo..ohoo..oooo |
| Male | |
| Merkkae vithaitha suriyanae | Oh Sun sown in the West, |
| Unnai kilakkae mulaikka aanaiyittom | We command you to sprout in the East! |
| Ohooo..ooo..ohoo..oooo | Ohooo..ooo..ohoo..oooo |
| Chorus :Ohooo..ooo..ohoo..oooo | Chorus :Ohooo..ooo..ohoo..oooo |
| Male | |
| Merkkae vithaitha suriyanae | Oh Sun sown in the West, |
| Unnai kilakkae mulaikka aanaiyittom | We command you to sprout in the East! |
| Thondrida ethum thadai irunthaal | If there is any obstacle to your emergence, |
| Unnai thondi edukkavae thunithuvittom | We have resolved to dig you out! |
| Male | |
| Idar neengavae | To eliminate distress, |
| Vantha irul pogavae | To dispel the darkness that arrived, |
| Kaiyil oli chaattai | A whip made of light, |
| Eduthaal enna | What if we take it in hand? |
| Male | |
| Viswaroopam kondu | Taking a grand cosmic form, |
| Vinnai idippom nanbaa | We will break the sky, my friend! |
| Sila vinmeengal | A few stars, |
| Vilunthaal enna | So what if they fall? |
| Male | |
| Minnal ondraai | Taking lightning, |
| Minnal ondraai | Taking lightning, |
| Kai vaalaai eduthu | As a sword in hand, |
| Innal theera innal theera | To end all sorrow, to end all sorrow, |
| Poraattam nadathu | Wage a revolution! |
| Male | |
| Ohooo..ooo..ohoo..oooo | Ohooo..ooo..ohoo..oooo |
| Chorus :Ohooo..ooo..ohoo..oooo | Chorus :Ohooo..ooo..ohoo..oooo |
| …………………………………………….. | [Vocalizing / Music] |
| Male | |
| Koottupuzhu kattikonda koodu | The cocoon built by the caterpillar |
| Kallaraigal alla | Is not a grave; |
| Sila poluthu ponaal | Once a little time passes, |
| Siraguvarum mella | Wings will emerge slowly. |
| Male | |
| Rekkai ketti rekkai ketti | Strap on wings, strap on wings, |
| Vaadaa | Come on! |
| Vaanam undu vella | There is a sky to conquer! |
| Vanna chiragin munnae | Before colorful wings, |
| Vaanam perithalla | The sky is not that vast. |
| Ohooo..ooo..ohoo..oooo | Ohooo..ooo..ohoo..oooo |
| Male | |
| Idhayam thuninthu | Once the heart rises up |
| Eluntha pinnaalae | With bravery, |
| Imaya malai unthan | The Himalayan mountains |
| Idippukku keelae | Will lie beneath your feet! |
| Male | |
| Narumbungal varumbungal | Let nerves and veins |
| Meeri thoodikkattum, | Throb beyond limits, |
| Viralgalil eri malai | In your fingers, let a volcano |
| Ondru vedikkattum | Erupt as one! |
| Muttungal thirakkum | Let obstacles open, |
| Ennum pudhumaigal ketkattum | Let news of modern wonders be heard! |
| Female | |
| Aaaa..aaaaa..aaaa…aaa… | Aaaa..aaaaa..aaaa…aaa… |
| Male :Ohooo..ooo..ohoo..oooo | Male :Ohooo..ooo..ohoo..oooo |
| Chorus :Ohooo..ooo..ohoo..oooo | Chorus :Ohooo..ooo..ohoo..oooo |
| Male | |
| Chinna chinna | Small, small |
| Theekuchigal serppom | Matchsticks we shall gather, |
| Thee valarthu paarppom | Let us build a fire and see! |
| Vidiyal varum munnae | Before the dawn arrives, |
| Irul edhirthu kolvom | We shall confront the darkness! |
| Male | |
| Kuttu patta | An oppressed, |
| Kuttu patta koottam | An oppressed crowd, |
| Kunintha kathai podhum | Enough of bowing down! |
| Porumai neelum bodhu | When patience wears thin, |
| Puluvum puliyaagum | Even a worm turns into a tiger! |
| Ohooo..ooo..ohoo..oooo | Ohooo..ooo..ohoo..oooo |
| Male | |
| Theeyin pudhalvargal | Children of fire, |
| Oranguthal muraiyaa | Is it proper to slumber? |
| Singathin meesaiyil | On the mustache of a lion, |
| Silanthiyin valaiyaa | Can a spider weave a web? |
| Male | |
| Pujathilae valuthavar | Those strong in shoulders, |
| Ondraai thirattuvom | Let us gather together! |
| Nijathilae bhoomiyai | In reality, the earth |
| Mutti purattuvom | We shall flip over with our force! |
| Varumaikku pirantha koottam | The crowd born into poverty, |
| Vaiyathai aalattum | Let them rule the world! |
| Male | |
| Merkkae vithaitha suriyanae | Oh Sun sown in the West, |
| Unnai kilakkae mulaikka aanaiyittom | We command you to sprout in the East! |
| Thondrida ethum thadai irunthaal | If there is any obstacle to your emergence, |
| Unnai thondi edukkavae thunithuvittom | We have resolved to dig you out! |
| Male | |
| Idar neengavae | To eliminate distress, |
| Vantha irul pogavae | To dispel the darkness that arrived, |
| Kaiyil oli chaattai | A whip made of light, |
| Eduthaal enna | What if we take it in hand? |
| Male | |
| Viswaroopam kondu | Taking a grand cosmic form, |
| Vinnai idippom nanbaa | We will break the sky, my friend! |
| Sila vinmeengal | A few stars, |
| Vilunthaal enna | So what if they fall? |
| Male | |
| Minnal ondraai | Taking lightning, |
| Minnal ondraai | Taking lightning, |
| Kai vaalaai eduthu | As a sword in hand, |
| Innal theera innal theera | To end all sorrow, to end all sorrow, |
| Poraattam nadathu | Wage a revolution! |
| Male | |
| Ohooo..ooo..ohoo..oooo | Ohooo..ooo..ohoo..oooo |
| Chorus :Ohooo..ooo..ohoo..oooo | Chorus :Ohooo..ooo..ohoo..oooo |
| Chorus | |
| Acham illai | There is no fear, |
| Acham illaiyae… | There is no fear at all... |
ஓஹோ ஓஓஓ
ஓஹோ ஓஓஓ
குழு :
ஓஹோ ஓஓஓ
ஓஹோ ஓஓஓ
Ohooo..ooo..ohoo..oooo
Chorus :Ohooo..ooo..ohoo..oooo
மேற்கே விதைத்த
சூரியனே உன்னை கிழக்கே
முளைக்க ஆணையிட்டோம்
ஓஹோ ஓஓஓ ஓஹோ ஓஓஓ
குழு :
ஓஹோ ஓஓஓ
ஓஹோ ஓஓஓ
Oh Sun sown in the West,
We command you to sprout in the East!
Ohooo..ooo..ohoo..oooo
Chorus :Ohooo..ooo..ohoo..oooo
மேற்கே விதைத்த
சூரியனே உன்னை கிழக்கே
முளைக்க ஆணையிட்டோம்
தோன்றிட ஏதும் தடை இருந்தால்
உன்னை தோண்டி எடுக்கவே
துணிந்து விட்டோம்
Oh Sun sown in the West,
We command you to sprout in the East!
If there is any obstacle to your emergence,
We have resolved to dig you out!
இடர் நீங்கவே
வந்த இருள் போகவே
கையில் ஒளிசாட்டை
எடுத்தால் என்ன
To eliminate distress,
To dispel the darkness that arrived,
A whip made of light,
What if we take it in hand?
விஸ்வ ரூபம்
கொண்டு விண்ணை
இடிப்போம் நண்பா
சில விண்மீன்கள்
விழுந்தால் என்ன
Taking a grand cosmic form,
We will break the sky, my friend!
A few stars,
So what if they fall?
மின்னல் ஒன்றை
மின்னல் ஒன்றை கை
வாளாய் எடுத்து இன்னல்
தீர இன்னல் தீர போராட்டம்
நடத்து
Taking lightning,
Taking lightning,
As a sword in hand,
To end all sorrow, to end all sorrow,
Wage a revolution!
ஓஹோ ஓஓஓ
ஓஹோ ஓஓஓ
குழு :
ஓஹோ ஓஓஓ
ஓஹோ ஓஓஓ
........................................
Ohooo..ooo..ohoo..oooo
Chorus :Ohooo..ooo..ohoo..oooo
[Vocalizing / Music]
கூட்டுப்புழு
கட்டிக்கொண்ட கூடு
கல்லறைகள் அல்ல
சில பொழுது போனால்
சிறகு வரும் மெல்ல
The cocoon built by the caterpillar
Is not a grave;
Once a little time passes,
Wings will emerge slowly.
ரெக்கை கட்டி
ரெக்கை கட்டி வாடா
வானம் உண்டு வெல்ல
வண்ண சிறகின் முன்னே
வானம் பெரிதல்ல ஓஹோ
ஓஓஓ ஓஹோ ஓஓஓ
Strap on wings, strap on wings,
Come on!
There is a sky to conquer!
Before colorful wings,
The sky is not that vast.
Ohooo..ooo..ohoo..oooo
இதயம் துணிந்து
எழுந்த பின்னாலே இமய
மலை உந்தன் இடுப்புக்கு
கீழே
Once the heart rises up
With bravery,
The Himalayan mountains
Will lie beneath your feet!
நரம்புகள் வரம்புகள்
மீறி துடிக்கட்டும் விரல்களில்
எரிமலை ஒன்று வெடிக்கட்டும்
முட்டுங்கள் திறக்கும் என்னும்
புதுமைகள் கேட்கட்டும்
Let nerves and veins
Throb beyond limits,
In your fingers, let a volcano
Erupt as one!
Let obstacles open,
Let news of modern wonders be heard!
ஆஆ ஆஆ
ஆஆ ஆஆ
ஓஹோ ஓஓஓ
ஓஹோ ஓஓஓ
குழு :
ஓஹோ ஓஓஓ
ஓஹோ ஓஓஓ
Aaaa..aaaaa..aaaa…aaa…
Male :Ohooo..ooo..ohoo..oooo
Chorus :Ohooo..ooo..ohoo..oooo
சின்ன சின்ன
தீக்குச்சிகள் சேர்ப்போம்
தீ வளர்த்து பார்ப்போம்
விடியல் வரும் முன்னே
இருள் எதிர்த்து கொள்வோம்
Small, small
Matchsticks we shall gather,
Let us build a fire and see!
Before the dawn arrives,
We shall confront the darkness!
குட்டுப்பட்ட
குட்டுப்பட்ட கூட்டம்
குனிந்த கதை போதும்
பொறுமை நீளும் போது
புழுவும் புலி ஆகும்
ஓஹோ ஓஓஓ
ஓஹோ ஓஓஓ
An oppressed,
An oppressed crowd,
Enough of bowing down!
When patience wears thin,
Even a worm turns into a tiger!
Ohooo..ooo..ohoo..oooo
தீயின் புதல்வர்கள்
உறங்குதல் முறையா
சிங்கத்தின் மீசையில்
சிலந்தியின் வலையா
Children of fire,
Is it proper to slumber?
On the mustache of a lion,
Can a spider weave a web?
புஜத்திலே வலுத்தவர்
ஒன்றாய் திரட்டுவோம்
நிஜத்திலே பூமியை
முட்டி புரட்டுவோம்
வறுமைக்கு பிறந்த கூட்டம்
வயதை ஆளட்டும்
Those strong in shoulders,
Let us gather together!
In reality, the earth
We shall flip over with our force!
The crowd born into poverty,
Let them rule the world!
மேற்கே விதைத்த
சூரியனே உன்னை கிழக்கே
முளைக்க ஆணையிட்டோம்
தோன்றிட ஏதும் தடை இருந்தால்
உன்னை தோண்டி எடுக்கவே
துணிந்து விட்டோம்
Oh Sun sown in the West,
We command you to sprout in the East!
If there is any obstacle to your emergence,
We have resolved to dig you out!
இடர் நீங்கவே
வந்த இருள் போகவே
கையில் ஒளிசாட்டை
எடுத்தால் என்ன
To eliminate distress,
To dispel the darkness that arrived,
A whip made of light,
What if we take it in hand?
விஸ்வ ரூபம்
கொண்டு விண்ணை
இடிப்போம் நண்பா
சில விண்மீன்கள்
விழுந்தால் என்ன
Taking a grand cosmic form,
We will break the sky, my friend!
A few stars,
So what if they fall?
மின்னல் ஒன்றை
மின்னல் ஒன்றை கை
வாளாய் எடுத்து இன்னல்
தீர இன்னல் தீர போராட்டம்
நடத்து
Taking lightning,
Taking lightning,
As a sword in hand,
To end all sorrow, to end all sorrow,
Wage a revolution!
ஓஹோ ஓஓஓ
ஓஹோ ஓஓஓ
குழு :
ஓஹோ ஓஓஓ
ஓஹோ ஓஓஓ
Ohooo..ooo..ohoo..oooo
Chorus :Ohooo..ooo..ohoo..oooo
அச்சம் இல்லை
அச்சம் இல்லையே
There is no fear,
There is no fear at all...
Ohooo..ooo..ohoo..oooo
Ohooo..ooo..ohoo..oooo
Chorus :Ohooo..ooo..ohoo..oooo
Chorus :Ohooo..ooo..ohoo..oooo
Merkkae vithaitha suriyanae
Oh Sun sown in the West,
Unnai kilakkae mulaikka aanaiyittom
We command you to sprout in the East!
Ohooo..ooo..ohoo..oooo
Ohooo..ooo..ohoo..oooo
Chorus :Ohooo..ooo..ohoo..oooo
Chorus :Ohooo..ooo..ohoo..oooo
Merkkae vithaitha suriyanae
Oh Sun sown in the West,
Unnai kilakkae mulaikka aanaiyittom
We command you to sprout in the East!
Thondrida ethum thadai irunthaal
If there is any obstacle to your emergence,
Unnai thondi edukkavae thunithuvittom
We have resolved to dig you out!
Idar neengavae
To eliminate distress,
Vantha irul pogavae
To dispel the darkness that arrived,
Kaiyil oli chaattai
A whip made of light,
Eduthaal enna
What if we take it in hand?
Viswaroopam kondu
Taking a grand cosmic form,
Vinnai idippom nanbaa
We will break the sky, my friend!
Sila vinmeengal
A few stars,
Vilunthaal enna
So what if they fall?
Minnal ondraai
Taking lightning,
Minnal ondraai
Taking lightning,
Kai vaalaai eduthu
As a sword in hand,
Innal theera innal theera
To end all sorrow, to end all sorrow,
Poraattam nadathu
Wage a revolution!
Ohooo..ooo..ohoo..oooo
Ohooo..ooo..ohoo..oooo
Chorus :Ohooo..ooo..ohoo..oooo
Chorus :Ohooo..ooo..ohoo..oooo
……………………………………………..
[Vocalizing / Music]
Koottupuzhu kattikonda koodu
The cocoon built by the caterpillar
Kallaraigal alla
Is not a grave;
Sila poluthu ponaal
Once a little time passes,
Siraguvarum mella
Wings will emerge slowly.
Rekkai ketti rekkai ketti
Strap on wings, strap on wings,
Vaadaa
Come on!
Vaanam undu vella
There is a sky to conquer!
Vanna chiragin munnae
Before colorful wings,
Vaanam perithalla
The sky is not that vast.
Ohooo..ooo..ohoo..oooo
Ohooo..ooo..ohoo..oooo
Idhayam thuninthu
Once the heart rises up
Eluntha pinnaalae
With bravery,
Imaya malai unthan
The Himalayan mountains
Idippukku keelae
Will lie beneath your feet!
Narumbungal varumbungal
Let nerves and veins
Meeri thoodikkattum,
Throb beyond limits,
Viralgalil eri malai
In your fingers, let a volcano
Ondru vedikkattum
Erupt as one!
Muttungal thirakkum
Let obstacles open,
Ennum pudhumaigal ketkattum
Let news of modern wonders be heard!
Aaaa..aaaaa..aaaa…aaa…
Aaaa..aaaaa..aaaa…aaa…
Male :Ohooo..ooo..ohoo..oooo
Male :Ohooo..ooo..ohoo..oooo
Chorus :Ohooo..ooo..ohoo..oooo
Chorus :Ohooo..ooo..ohoo..oooo
Chinna chinna
Small, small
Theekuchigal serppom
Matchsticks we shall gather,
Thee valarthu paarppom
Let us build a fire and see!
Vidiyal varum munnae
Before the dawn arrives,
Irul edhirthu kolvom
We shall confront the darkness!
Kuttu patta
An oppressed,
Kuttu patta koottam
An oppressed crowd,
Kunintha kathai podhum
Enough of bowing down!
Porumai neelum bodhu
When patience wears thin,
Puluvum puliyaagum
Even a worm turns into a tiger!
Ohooo..ooo..ohoo..oooo
Ohooo..ooo..ohoo..oooo
Theeyin pudhalvargal
Children of fire,
Oranguthal muraiyaa
Is it proper to slumber?
Singathin meesaiyil
On the mustache of a lion,
Silanthiyin valaiyaa
Can a spider weave a web?
Pujathilae valuthavar
Those strong in shoulders,
Ondraai thirattuvom
Let us gather together!
Nijathilae bhoomiyai
In reality, the earth
Mutti purattuvom
We shall flip over with our force!
Varumaikku pirantha koottam
The crowd born into poverty,
Vaiyathai aalattum
Let them rule the world!
Merkkae vithaitha suriyanae
Oh Sun sown in the West,
Unnai kilakkae mulaikka aanaiyittom
We command you to sprout in the East!
Thondrida ethum thadai irunthaal
If there is any obstacle to your emergence,
Unnai thondi edukkavae thunithuvittom
We have resolved to dig you out!
Idar neengavae
To eliminate distress,
Vantha irul pogavae
To dispel the darkness that arrived,
Kaiyil oli chaattai
A whip made of light,
Eduthaal enna
What if we take it in hand?
Viswaroopam kondu
Taking a grand cosmic form,
Vinnai idippom nanbaa
We will break the sky, my friend!
Sila vinmeengal
A few stars,
Vilunthaal enna
So what if they fall?
Minnal ondraai
Taking lightning,
Minnal ondraai
Taking lightning,
Kai vaalaai eduthu
As a sword in hand,
Innal theera innal theera
To end all sorrow, to end all sorrow,
Poraattam nadathu
Wage a revolution!
Ohooo..ooo..ohoo..oooo
Ohooo..ooo..ohoo..oooo
Chorus :Ohooo..ooo..ohoo..oooo
Chorus :Ohooo..ooo..ohoo..oooo
Acham illai
There is no fear,
Acham illaiyae…
There is no fear at all...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Merkkae Vithaitha Suriyanae from the 2001 movie Citizen is a high-energy, motivational revolution anthem written by Vairamuthu. The song serves as an empowering rallying cry for the oppressed and downtrodden to break free from societal injustice, stand tall, and reclaim their rights. Using cosmic and heroic imagery—such as commanding the sun to rise, wielding lightning as a sword, and crumbling the Himalayas—the lyrics encourage individuals to realize their unlimited strength.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uvamaatutogai)
“Koottupuzhu kattikonda koodu Kallaraigal alla”
Comparing the cocoon of a caterpillar to a grave to illustrate that temporary hardship is a prelude to transformation rather than an end.
Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navortchi)
“Imaya malai unthan Idippukku keelae”
An exaggeration claiming that even the mighty Himalayas will fall beneath a courageous person's feet.
Visual Imagery
“Kaiyil oli chaattai Eduthaal enna”
Paints a vivid picture of taking a whip made of light to scatter the surrounding darkness and oppression.
Proverbial Metaphor
“Porumai neelum bodhu Puluvum puliyaagum”
Uses the popular motif of a worm turning into a tiger to symbolize how extreme patience eventually turns into fierce rebellion.
Did you know?
Trivia
While the prompt lists music and singers as unknown, the soundtrack of Citizen (2001) was composed by Deva, with this song sung powerfully by Shankar Mahadevan. The ending lines pays direct homage to Mahakavi Subramania Bharati's famous anthem of fearlessness, Acham Illai Acham Illai.
Keep listening