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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nanban Mattum Pothum Da

From Vanakkamda Mappilei · 2021

Lyricist
Saravedi Saran
Singers
Arivu, Saravedi Saran
Music director
G. V. Prakash Kumar
Details
Vanakkamda Mappilei2021

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Daarra kizhichuduven daar aducha darranaI will tear it up if someone acts tough,
Gearra ayiduven nanban anga vaarannaI'll gear up if my friend comes calling over there,
Darrana nanban vaarannaTough guy, my friend is coming!
Darrana nanban vaarannaTough guy, my friend is coming!
Male
College life-u adhu vera mari scene-u daCollege life is a whole different scene, man!
Moonu varusham enga vazhkka thaaru maarudaThree years of our life were totally wild and amazing!
College life-u adhu vera mari scene-u daCollege life is a whole different scene, man!
Moonu varusham enga vazhkka thaaru maarudaThree years of our life were totally wild and amazing!
Male
Konjam konjam saptukuvom lunch-laWe share and eat little by little during lunch,
Naanga molam adippom last-u bench-u-laWe play drums on the last bench!
Konjam konjam saptukuvom lunch-laWe share and eat little by little during lunch,
Naanga molam adippom last-u bench-u-laWe play drums on the last bench!
Male
Andha maadi vudum venamI don't need a multi-story house,
Andha audi car-um venamI don't need an Audi car,
Endha sondhakaran venamI don't need any relatives,
En nanban mattum podhum daJust my friend is enough for me, man!
Male
Andha maadi vudum venamI don't need a multi-story house,
Andha audi car-um venamI don't need an Audi car,
Endha sondhakaran venamI don't need any relatives,
En nanban mattum podhum daJust my friend is enough for me, man!
Male
Exam-la bittu adichu yethi povom daWe'll boost our knowledge by cheating in exams,
Knowledge-ahKnowledge!
Culture’s vanduchuna alaravuduvomIf the cultural fest comes, we'll make the whole college shake!
College-ahCollege!
Male
Hey navuru navuru navuru navuru navuru navuru heyHey, move aside, move aside, move aside, move aside, move aside, move aside, hey!
Male
Exam-la bittu adichu yethi povom daWe'll boost our knowledge by cheating in exams,
Knowledge-ahKnowledge!
Culture’s vanduchuna alaravuduvomIf the cultural fest comes, we'll make the whole college shake!
College-ahCollege!
Male
Figure-ah ushaar panni suthuradhu perusillaWooing a girl and roaming around isn't a big deal,
Friend oda photo irukkum engaloda purse-laIn our wallet, we carry our friend's photo!
Figure-ah ushaar panni suthuradhu perusillaWooing a girl and roaming around isn't a big deal,
Friend oda photo irukkum engaloda purse-laIn our wallet, we carry our friend's photo!
Engaloda purse-laIn our wallet!
Male
Perukku padippomWe study just for the sake of it,
Beer-aiyum kudippomAnd we drink beer too,
En friend-ah ni thottaIf you touch my friend,
Un kaiya kaala odaippomWe will break your hands and legs!
Male
Perukku padippomWe study just for the sake of it,
Beer-aiyum kudippomAnd we drink beer too,
En friend-ah ni thottaIf you touch my friend,
Un kaiya kaala odaippomWe will break your hands and legs!
Male
……………………...
Male
Pakkathu colleg-u ponnungaThe girls from the neighboring college,
Irukuthuda pakkavaLook totally perfect and awesome,
Enga college ponnunga mattumOnly the girls in our college,
Pazhaya moonju akkavaLook like old-faced older sisters,
Male
Hey sumathi unnai thaandi…Hey Sumathi, crossing you...
Male
Pakkathu colleg-u ponnungaThe girls from the neighboring college,
Irukuthuda pakkavaLook totally perfect and awesome,
Enga college ponnunga mattumOnly the girls in our college,
Pazhaya moonju akkavaLook like old-faced older sisters,
Male
Kuppai polla serndhu pochuThey have accumulated like trash,
Avalukkidhu arrear-uHer backlog of arrears,
Engathanda poga podhuWhere on earth is it going to go,
Engaloda career-uOur career?
Male
Kuppai polla serndhu pochuThey have accumulated like trash,
Avalukkidhu arrear-uHer backlog of arrears,
Engathanda poga podhuWhere on earth is it going to go,
Engaloda career-uOur career?
Haan engaloda career-uAha, our career!
Male
En machanum nee thaanYou are my brother-in-law,
En mamavum nee thaanYou are my uncle,
En nanbanum nee thaanYou are my friend,
Ennakku ellamae nee thaanYou are everything to me!
Male
En machanum nee thaanYou are my brother-in-law,
En mamavum nee thaanYou are my uncle,
En nanbanum nee thaanYou are my friend,
Ennakku ellamae nee thaanYou are everything to me!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This energetic song captures the chaotic, fun-filled spirit of college life and celebrates unconditional male friendship. It highlights typical college experiences such as sitting at the back bench, sharing lunch, cheating during exams, participating in cultural events, and complaining humorously about academic backlog arrears and future career uncertainty. Above all material wealth or romantic pursuits, the lyrics prioritize deep brotherhood, declaring that a friend is worth more than status, cars, or relatives.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Rhyme (Iyaibu / Monnai)

Perukku padippom / Beer-aiyum kudippom

End rhymes and internal rhymes like 'padippom' and 'kudippom' create a rhythmic, catchy folk flow.

Simile (Uvamai)

Kuppai polla serndhu pochu

Comparing accumulated college exam arrears to piles of trash.

Repetition (Anaphora)

En machanum nee thaan / En mamavum nee thaan

Repetition of possessive declarations 'En ... nee thaan' to emphasize deep camaraderie.

Hyperbole

En friend-ah ni thotta / Un kaiya kaala odaippom

Exaggerating defensive loyalty by threatening to break limbs if anyone hurts their friend.

Did you know?

Trivia

The track is from the 2021 Tamil romantic comedy film 'Vanakkamda Mappilei', directed by M. Rajesh and starring G. V. Prakash Kumar (who also composed the music). The lyrics were written by Saravedi Saran, known for his local gaana and Chennai slang style, and features vocals by independent artist Arivu.

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