Naan Sethu Pulachavanda
From Engal Thangam · 1970
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Engal Thangam1970
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Naan sethu pozhachavandaa | I am a man who died and came back to life, |
| Yemanai paarthu sirippavandaa | I am one who laughs in the face of Yama, the God of Death. |
| Haahaahaahaahaa… | Ha ha ha ha ha... |
| Male | |
| Naan sethu pozhachavandaa | I am a man who died and came back to life, |
| Yemanai paarthu sirippavandaa | I am one who laughs in the face of Yama. |
| Male | |
| Vaazhai pola vetta vetta mulaichu | Like a banana tree that sprouts anew no matter how much it is cut, |
| Sangu pola suda suda veluthu | Like a conch shell that turns whiter the more it is heated, |
| Valarum jaadhiyadaa vandhaal | We belong to a resilient community that grows; when we arrive, |
| Theriyum saedhiyadaa | You will hear the news! |
| Male | |
| Naan sethu pozhachavandaa | I am a man who died and came back to life, |
| Yemanai paarthu sirippavandaa | I am one who laughs in the face of Yama. |
| Male | |
| Siluvaiyil yaesu marainjaaru | Jesus departed this world on the cross, |
| Makkal sithamellaam vandhu nirainjaaru… | Yet he came to reside in the minds of all people... |
| Siluvaiyil yaesu marainjaaru | Jesus departed this world on the cross, |
| Makkal sithamellaam vandhu nirainjaaru | Yet he came to reside in the minds of all people. |
| Male | |
| Gundugal pottu thulaichaanga | They shot bullets and pierced through their bodies, |
| Aanaa gaandhiyum linconum nilaichaanga | Yet Gandhi and Lincoln remained timeless in glory. |
| Sandhana pettiyil urangugiraar… | He sleeps inside a sandalwood casket... |
| Annaa… annaa… | Anna... Anna... |
| Sandhana pettiyil urangugiraar | He sleeps inside a sandalwood casket, |
| Annaa sarithira pughazhudan vilangugiraar | Anna shines bright with historical renown! |
| Edhaiyum thaangum idhayam kondu | Possessing a heart that can bear anything, |
| Annan engalai vaazhndhida sonnadhundu | Our elder brother Anna asked us to live courageously. |
| Male | |
| Annan andru nalla nalla karuthu | Back then, Anna taught us fine and noble ideals, |
| Azhaghu thamizhil solli solli koduthu | Explaining them repeatedly in beautiful Tamil. |
| Valarndha pillaiyadaa adhanaal | I am a child nurtured by those principles, and therefore, |
| Tholvi illaiyadaa | There is no defeat for me! |
| Male | |
| Naan sethu pozhachavandaa | I am a man who died and came back to life, |
| Yemanai paarthu sirippavandaa | I am one who laughs in the face of Yama. |
| Male | |
| Odum rayilai idai marithu | Intercepting a moving train, |
| Adhan paadhaiyil thanadhu thalai vaithu… | And placing one's head across its tracks... |
| Odum rayilai idai marithu | Intercepting a moving train, |
| Adhan paadhaiyil thanadhu thalai vaithu… | And placing one's head across its tracks... |
| Male | |
| Uyiraiyum thurumbaai thaan madhithu | Treating even life itself as light as a blade of straw, |
| Thamizh peyarai kaatha koottam idhu | This is the group that safeguarded the honor of the Tamil language. |
| Parambarai ratham udambilae thaan | Ancestral blood flows within this body, |
| Adhu murukkaeri kidappadhu narambilae thaan | And it surges with vigor through every vein! |
| Parambarai ratham udambilae thaan | Ancestral blood flows within this body, |
| Adhu murukkaeri kidappadhu narambilae thaan | And it surges with vigor through every vein! |
| Koduppadhai koduthaa theriyumadaa | If we deliver what needs to be delivered, you will understand, |
| Un iduppaiyum odichaa puriyumadaa | If your back is broken in fight, you will truly comprehend! |
| Male | |
| Kaalam thorum kutta kutta kuninji | Having bowed down down through the ages under constant blows, |
| Kodumaikkellaam kattuppattu kidandhu | Having remained bound by all kinds of oppression, |
| Nimirndha koottamadaa edhirthaal | This is a community that has stood tall; if confronted, |
| Vaalai narukkumadaa | It will chop off your tail! |
| Male | |
| Naan sethu pozhachavandaa | I am a man who died and came back to life, |
| Yemanai paarthu sirippavandaa | I am one who laughs in the face of Yama. |
| Male | |
| Naan sethu pozhachavandaa | I am a man who died and came back to life, |
| Sethu pozhachavandaa | Died and came back to life, |
| Sethu pozhachavandaa | Died and came back to life. |
நான் செத்துப் பொழச்சவன்டா
எமனை பார்த்து சிரிச்சவன்டா
ஹாஹாஹாஹாஹா.....
I am a man who died and came back to life,
I am one who laughs in the face of Yama, the God of Death.
Ha ha ha ha ha...
நான் செத்துப் பொழச்சவன்டா
எமனை பார்த்து சிரிப்பவன்டா
I am a man who died and came back to life,
I am one who laughs in the face of Yama.
வாழைப்போல வெட்ட வெட்ட முளைச்சு
சங்கு போல சுடச்சுட வெளுத்து
வளரும் ஜாதியடா வந்தால்
தெரியும் சேதியடா
Like a banana tree that sprouts anew no matter how much it is cut,
Like a conch shell that turns whiter the more it is heated,
We belong to a resilient community that grows; when we arrive,
You will hear the news!
நான் செத்துப் பொழச்சவன்டா
எமனை பார்த்து சிரிப்பவன்டா
I am a man who died and came back to life,
I am one who laughs in the face of Yama.
சிலுவையில் ஏசு மறைஞ்சாரு
மக்கள் சித்தமெல்லாம் வந்து நிறைஞ்சாரு.....
சிலுவையில் ஏசு மறைஞ்சாரு
மக்கள் சித்தமெல்லாம் வந்து நிறைஞ்சாரு.....
Jesus departed this world on the cross,
Yet he came to reside in the minds of all people...
Jesus departed this world on the cross,
Yet he came to reside in the minds of all people.
குண்டுகள் போட்டு துளைச்சாங்க
ஆனா காந்தியும் லிங்கனும் நிலைச்சாங்க
சந்தன பெட்டியில் உறங்குகிறார்
அண்ணா......அண்ணா.....
சந்தன பெட்டியில் உறங்குகிறார்
அண்ணா சரித்திர புகழுடன் விளங்குகிறார்
எதையும் தாங்கும் இதயம் கொண்டு
அண்ணன் எங்களை வாழ்ந்திட சொன்னதுண்டு
They shot bullets and pierced through their bodies,
Yet Gandhi and Lincoln remained timeless in glory.
He sleeps inside a sandalwood casket...
Anna... Anna...
He sleeps inside a sandalwood casket,
Anna shines bright with historical renown!
Possessing a heart that can bear anything,
Our elder brother Anna asked us to live courageously.
அண்ணன் அன்று நல்ல நல்ல கருத்து
அழகு தமிழில் சொல்லி சொல்லி கொடுத்து
வளர்ந்த பிள்ளையடா அதனால்
தோல்வி இல்லையடா
Back then, Anna taught us fine and noble ideals,
Explaining them repeatedly in beautiful Tamil.
I am a child nurtured by those principles, and therefore,
There is no defeat for me!
நான் செத்துப் பொழச்சவன்டா
எமனை பார்த்து சிரிப்பவன்டா
I am a man who died and came back to life,
I am one who laughs in the face of Yama.
ஓடும் ரயிலை இடைமறித்து
அதன் பாதையில் தனது தலை வைத்து.....
ஓடும் ரயிலை இடைமறித்து
அதன் பாதையில் தனது தலை வைத்து......
Intercepting a moving train,
And placing one's head across its tracks...
Intercepting a moving train,
And placing one's head across its tracks...
உயிரையும் துரும்பாய் தான் மதித்து
தமிழ் பெயரை காத்த கூட்டம் இது
பரம்பரை ரத்தம் உடம்பிலதான்
அது முறுக்கேறி கிடப்பது நரம்பிலதான்
பரம்பரை ரத்தம் உடம்பிலதான்
அது முறுக்கேறி கிடப்பது நரம்பிலதான்
கொடுப்பதை கொடுத்தா தெரியுமடா
உன் இடுப்பையும் ஒடிச்சா புரியுமடா
Treating even life itself as light as a blade of straw,
This is the group that safeguarded the honor of the Tamil language.
Ancestral blood flows within this body,
And it surges with vigor through every vein!
Ancestral blood flows within this body,
And it surges with vigor through every vein!
If we deliver what needs to be delivered, you will understand,
If your back is broken in fight, you will truly comprehend!
காலம்தோறும் குட்டக் குட்ட குனிஞ்சி
கொடுமைக்கெல்லாம் கட்டுப்பட்டு கிடந்து
நிமிர்ந்த கூட்டமடா எதிர்த்தால்
வாலை நறுக்குமடா
Having bowed down down through the ages under constant blows,
Having remained bound by all kinds of oppression,
This is a community that has stood tall; if confronted,
It will chop off your tail!
நான் செத்துப் பொழச்சவன்டா
எமனை பார்த்து சிரிப்பவன்டா
I am a man who died and came back to life,
I am one who laughs in the face of Yama.
நான் செத்துப் பொழச்சவன்டா
செத்துப் பொழச்சவன்டா
செத்துப் பொழச்சவன்டா
I am a man who died and came back to life,
Died and came back to life,
Died and came back to life.
Naan sethu pozhachavandaa
I am a man who died and came back to life,
Yemanai paarthu sirippavandaa
I am one who laughs in the face of Yama, the God of Death.
Haahaahaahaahaa…
Ha ha ha ha ha...
Naan sethu pozhachavandaa
I am a man who died and came back to life,
Yemanai paarthu sirippavandaa
I am one who laughs in the face of Yama.
Vaazhai pola vetta vetta mulaichu
Like a banana tree that sprouts anew no matter how much it is cut,
Sangu pola suda suda veluthu
Like a conch shell that turns whiter the more it is heated,
Valarum jaadhiyadaa vandhaal
We belong to a resilient community that grows; when we arrive,
Theriyum saedhiyadaa
You will hear the news!
Naan sethu pozhachavandaa
I am a man who died and came back to life,
Yemanai paarthu sirippavandaa
I am one who laughs in the face of Yama.
Siluvaiyil yaesu marainjaaru
Jesus departed this world on the cross,
Makkal sithamellaam vandhu nirainjaaru…
Yet he came to reside in the minds of all people...
Siluvaiyil yaesu marainjaaru
Jesus departed this world on the cross,
Makkal sithamellaam vandhu nirainjaaru
Yet he came to reside in the minds of all people.
Gundugal pottu thulaichaanga
They shot bullets and pierced through their bodies,
Aanaa gaandhiyum linconum nilaichaanga
Yet Gandhi and Lincoln remained timeless in glory.
Sandhana pettiyil urangugiraar…
He sleeps inside a sandalwood casket...
Annaa… annaa…
Anna... Anna...
Sandhana pettiyil urangugiraar
He sleeps inside a sandalwood casket,
Annaa sarithira pughazhudan vilangugiraar
Anna shines bright with historical renown!
Edhaiyum thaangum idhayam kondu
Possessing a heart that can bear anything,
Annan engalai vaazhndhida sonnadhundu
Our elder brother Anna asked us to live courageously.
Annan andru nalla nalla karuthu
Back then, Anna taught us fine and noble ideals,
Azhaghu thamizhil solli solli koduthu
Explaining them repeatedly in beautiful Tamil.
Valarndha pillaiyadaa adhanaal
I am a child nurtured by those principles, and therefore,
Tholvi illaiyadaa
There is no defeat for me!
Naan sethu pozhachavandaa
I am a man who died and came back to life,
Yemanai paarthu sirippavandaa
I am one who laughs in the face of Yama.
Odum rayilai idai marithu
Intercepting a moving train,
Adhan paadhaiyil thanadhu thalai vaithu…
And placing one's head across its tracks...
Odum rayilai idai marithu
Intercepting a moving train,
Adhan paadhaiyil thanadhu thalai vaithu…
And placing one's head across its tracks...
Uyiraiyum thurumbaai thaan madhithu
Treating even life itself as light as a blade of straw,
Thamizh peyarai kaatha koottam idhu
This is the group that safeguarded the honor of the Tamil language.
Parambarai ratham udambilae thaan
Ancestral blood flows within this body,
Adhu murukkaeri kidappadhu narambilae thaan
And it surges with vigor through every vein!
Parambarai ratham udambilae thaan
Ancestral blood flows within this body,
Adhu murukkaeri kidappadhu narambilae thaan
And it surges with vigor through every vein!
Koduppadhai koduthaa theriyumadaa
If we deliver what needs to be delivered, you will understand,
Un iduppaiyum odichaa puriyumadaa
If your back is broken in fight, you will truly comprehend!
Kaalam thorum kutta kutta kuninji
Having bowed down down through the ages under constant blows,
Kodumaikkellaam kattuppattu kidandhu
Having remained bound by all kinds of oppression,
Nimirndha koottamadaa edhirthaal
This is a community that has stood tall; if confronted,
Vaalai narukkumadaa
It will chop off your tail!
Naan sethu pozhachavandaa
I am a man who died and came back to life,
Yemanai paarthu sirippavandaa
I am one who laughs in the face of Yama.
Naan sethu pozhachavandaa
I am a man who died and came back to life,
Sethu pozhachavandaa
Died and came back to life,
Sethu pozhachavandaa
Died and came back to life.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This powerful hero-introduction song from 'Engal Thangam' (1970) serves as both a cinematic declaration and a political manifesto for M. G. Ramachandran (MGR). The lyrics express indestructible resilience, comparing the protagonist to a banana tree that regrows stronger after being chopped down and a conch shell that shines brighter under heat. The song references historic revolutionary figures like Jesus, Abraham Lincoln, Mahatma Gandhi, and specifically DMK founder C. N. Annadurai ('Anna'), highlighting how true leaders live on in people's hearts beyond physical death. Furthermore, the song pays homage to the Dravidian anti-Hindi agitation movements, referencing the historical anti-Hindi train blockades where protesters risked their lives on railway tracks. Through Vaali's sharp lyrics, MGR asserts that his movement represents an oppressed populace that has finally stood upright and possesses the courage to resist any force, making it an iconic anthem of Dravidian political culture.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Upamai (Simile)
“Vaazhai pola vetta vetta mulaichu”
Comparing the endurance of the movement/protagonist to a banana tree that sprouts when cut ('Vaazhai pola vetta vetta mulaichu') and a conch shell that turns whiter when burnt ('Sangu pola suda suda veluthu').
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Vaazhai pola vetta vetta mulaichu / Sangu pola suda suda veluthu”
Repetition of the second consonant sound 'tt' across consecutive lines ('vetta' / 'suda').
Monaai (Alliteration / Initial Rhyme)
“Annan andru nalla nalla karuthu / Azhaghu thamizhil solli solli koduthu”
Matching starting consonant sounds ('Annan' / 'Azhaghu').
Historical & Historical Allusion
“Aanaa gaandhiyum linconum nilaichaanga”
Alludes to global leaders (Jesus, Gandhi, Lincoln) and Dravidian leader C. N. Annadurai to evoke themes of martyrdom and immortal legacy.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song's line 'Naan sethu pozhachavandaa' carries significant real-life resonance, as MGR survived a near-fatal gunshot wound in 1967 inflicted by actor M. R. Radha. Additionally, the line referencing laying down on train tracks ('Odum rayilai idai marithu') directly refers to M. Karunanidhi and DMK cadres' famous Kallakudi (Dalmiapuram) train blockade protest during the 1953 anti-Hindi agitations.
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