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Isaimozhi
Mandela album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Mic Testing

From Mandela · 2021

Lyricist
Arivu
Singers
Mano Eswaran, Dhanush
Music director
Bharath Sankar
Movie name
Mandela
Movie release year
2021
Lyrics added on
24 Feb 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Hmm mm…
Hmm mm…
Hmm mm…
Hmm mm… mm mm
{Para para para para para para
Pap pap paa ra
Para para para para para para
Pap pap paa} (4)
Mic testing
Onnu rendu moonu
Set-ah pottu solla poren naanu
Nadakkuthu de kedaikkuthu de
Nenachathellaam ippo palikkuthu de
Kai thatti kumbala thaan kootti
Onnu serndhu weight-ah konjam kaatti
Adaikkanum de mudikkanum de
Thadukka vandha etti othaikkanum de
Kandukkaama thalli nikkathae
Sindhikkaama maiyum vaikkathae
Nadathanume ranagalamae
Thirunthanumae illai thiruthanumae
Oruthan vote-ukku thaan thaalae thillaalae
Nadakkum aattathukku podu thillaalae
Kedutha koottathukku thaalae thillaalae
Izhuthu gate-ah podu udanae udanae
{Para para para para para para
Pap pap paa ra
Para para para para para para
Pap pap paa} (4)
Ilasaana pattalamum pakkuvama onnaachu
Pazhasana thathuvamum thappunnu thaan aayachu
Hey hey hey hey…
Anju varusham kenji kedappom
Nenja nimithi eppo kanji kudippom
Enni paaru ellarukkaaga
Sandai podu un sandhathikkaaga
Nelaikkanum de thazhaikkanum de
Thadukka vandha etti odhaikkanum de
Oruthan vote-ukku thaan thaalae thillaalae
Nadakkum aattathukku podu thillaalae
Kedutha koottathukku thaalae thillaalae
Izhuthu gate-ah podu udanae udanae udanae
{Para para para para para para
Pap pap paa ra
Para para para para para para
Pap pap paa} (4)
Mmm.. mm..
Mmm mm..
Mmm mm..
Mmm mm.. mm mm
{Fly, fly, fly, fly, fly, fly
Pap pap paa raa
Fly, fly, fly, fly, fly, fly
Pap pap paa} (4)
Mic testing
One, two, three
I'm setting up the speakers to speak my mind
It's finally happening, we're getting what we need!
Everything we dreamed of is coming true now!
Clapping our hands, gathering the crowd,
Uniting together to show our power,
We must shut them down and finish this!
If anyone comes to stop us, kick them aside!
Don't just stand aside, ignoring it all,
Don't get your finger inked to vote without thinking!
We must stir up a storm of change!
They must mend their ways, or we must set them straight!
Just for one man's vote, thaale thillaale!
For this whole game being played, sing thillaale!
To the corrupt crowd that ruined us, thaale thillaale!
Shut the gate on them right away, right now!
{Fly, fly, fly, fly, fly, fly
Pap pap paa raa
Fly, fly, fly, fly, fly, fly
Pap pap paa} (4)
The army of youth has united with wisdom,
The outdated dogmas have been proven wrong!
Hey hey hey hey...
For five long years we beg and plead,
When will we hold our heads high and drink our meal with dignity?
Think carefully, for the sake of everyone,
Put up a fight for your future generations!
We must endure and flourish!
If anyone comes to stop us, kick them aside!
Just for one man's vote, thaale thillaale!
For this whole game being played, sing thillaale!
To the corrupt crowd that ruined us, thaale thillaale!
Shut the gate on them right away, right now, right now!
{Fly, fly, fly, fly, fly, fly
Pap pap paa raa
Fly, fly, fly, fly, fly, fly
Pap pap paa} (4)
Male
Male
Chorus
Male
Male
Male
Chorus
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This energetic political satire track from the movie Mandela (2021) captures the power of a single vote in a democratic society. The lyrics, written by Arivu, highlight how ordinary citizens are often neglected for five years between elections, begging for basic rights, while political elites suddenly bow down when they desperately need every single vote. The song calls for social awareness, unity among the youth, and righteous anger against corrupt politicians. It urges voters to think critically before casting their vote and to fight for the dignity and future of coming generations rather than succumbing to false promises.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyming)

“Anju varusham kenji kedappom / Nenja nimithi eppo kanji kudippom”

Rhyming of the second letter ('n-ja' and 'n-ji') across consecutive lines to create a punchy rhythmic cadence.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

“Nadakkuthu de kedaikkuthu de / Nenachathellaam ippo palikkuthu de”

Repetition of the colloquial ending 'de' across multiple lines to give a conversational, street-style musicality.

Adukkuthodar & Onomatopoeia

“Para para para para para para / Pap pap paa ra”

Fast-paced rhythmic vocalizations that set an energetic folk beat and street-play tone.

Political Metaphor

“Izhuthu gate-ah podu udanae udanae”

Using the expression of pulling down gates to metaphorically lock out corrupt political leaders from entering power.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song features in the critically acclaimed political satire Mandela (2021), directed by Madonne Ashwin and starring Yogi Babu. The movie's plot revolves around a neutral villager whose single vote becomes the sole tie-breaker in a local election, leading politicians to absurdly pamper him. Lyricist Arivu and composer Bharath Sankar used traditional folk rhythms combined with modern brass arrangements to highlight the absurdity and power of democratic franchise.

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