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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nee Pottu Vacha

From Ponmana Selvan · 1989

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
Mano, Malaysia Vasudevan, K. S. Chithra
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Ponmana Selvan1989

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Nee pottu vacha thanga kudamYou are a pot of gold placed here
Oorukku nee magudamYou are the crown of this town
Male
Naanga thottu thottu izhuthu varumThat we pull together side by side
Jooraaana thanga rathamA splendid golden chariot
Male
Ada nee thanga katti singa kuttiOh, you are a gold ingot, a brave lion cub
Chorus
Thnatha thanatha thanatha thanathaThanatha thanatha thanatha thanatha
Male
Ini om pera sollum patti thottiFrom now on, every hamlet and village will speak your name
Chorus
Thanatha thanatha thanatha thanathaThanatha thanatha thanatha thanatha
Male
Nee pottu vacha thanga kudamYou are a pot of gold placed here
Oorukku nee magudamYou are the crown of this town
Male
Naanga thottu thottu izhuthu varumThat we pull together side by side
Jooraaana thanga rathamA splendid golden chariot
Male
Aa pethavanga senja punniyam thaanAh, the good deeds performed by parents
Pillaigala vandhu serum aiyaaWill surely reach their children, sir
Uthamaru romba usanthavaruHe is a noble person, highly revered
Enna pethavaru indha periyavaruThis elder is the one who raised me
Avara pola ingaarum illaThere is no one like him here
Alasi paaru nee olagathulaEven if you search across the entire world
Male
Annanunaa annan aiyaaIf one speaks of an elder brother, he is the true brother, sir
Chorus :Hooi hooiChorus: Hooi hooi
Male :Anbu ulla mannanaiyaaMale: A loving king, sir
Chorus :Hooi hooiChorus: Hooi hooi
Female
Annanunaa annan aiyaaIf one speaks of an elder brother, he is the true brother, sir
Chorus :Hooi hooiChorus: Hooi hooi
Female :Anbu ulla mannanaiyaaFemale: A loving king, sir
Chorus :Hooi hooiChorus: Hooi hooi
Male
Oorellaam kondaadum un peraiyaaThe whole town celebrates your name, sir
Chorus :Ada nee thanga katti singa kuttiChorus: Oh, you are a gold ingot, a brave lion cub
Male :Thanatha thanatha thanatha thanathaMale: Thanatha thanatha thanatha thanatha
Male
Nee pottu vacha thanga kudamYou are a pot of gold placed here
Oorukku nee magudamYou are the crown of this town
Male
Naanga thottu thottu izhuthu varumThat we pull together side by side
Jooraaana thanga ratham heiA splendid golden chariot, hey
Female
Vetri ellam un kooda varumAll success will follow you
Neenga pora edam nalla peruma perumWherever you go will gain great honor
Male
Sathiyatha dhenam kaathu varumUphold truth every single day
Andha saami tharum pala nooru varamGod will bestow hundreds of blessings upon you
Male
Manasu ellaamae koyil aiyaaHis heart itself is a sacred temple, sir
Adhula nee thaanae saami aiyaaIn it, you are the deity itself, sir
Male
Nallavan ivan vallavan thaanHe is a good man, a capable leader indeed
Chorus :Hooi hooiChorus: Hooi hooi
Male
Nallathellam ingae solla vandhaanHe came here to spread goodness everywhere
Chorus :Hooi hooiChorus: Hooi hooi
Female
Nallavan ivan vallavan thaanHe is a good man, a capable leader indeed
Chorus :Hooi hooiChorus: Hooi hooi
Female
Nallathellam ingae solla vandhaanHe came here to spread goodness everywhere
Chorus :Hooi hooiChorus: Hooi hooi
Male
Naadellaam naadelllaam vella vandhaanHe came to win over every land and realm
Chorus :Ada nee thanga katti singa kuttiChorus: Oh, you are a gold ingot, a brave lion cub
Male :Thanatha thanatha thanatha thanathaMale: Thanatha thanatha thanatha thanatha
Male
Nee pottu vacha thanga kudamYou are a pot of gold placed here
Oorukku nee magudamYou are the crown of this town
Male
Naanga thottu thottu izhuthu varumThat we pull together side by side
Jooraaana thanga rathamA splendid golden chariot
Male
Ada nee thanga katti singa kuttiOh, you are a gold ingot, a brave lion cub
Chorus
Thnatha thanatha thanatha thanathaThanatha thanatha thanatha thanatha
Male
Ini om pera sollum patti thottiFrom now on, every hamlet and village will speak your name
Chorus
Thanatha thanatha thanatha thanathaThanatha thanatha thanatha thanatha
Chorus
…………………………………...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This upbeat, celebratory song serves as a joyous hymn of praise for a beloved elder brother and leader figure in the village. The villagers and family members shower him with deep respect and affection, comparing him to a crown upon the town, a golden chariot, and a living deity residing in the temple of his own pure heart. They praise his righteousness, strength, and noble lineage, asserting that his good deeds bring blessings to all. Throughout the track, the lyrics emphasize unity, respect, and triumph. The protagonist's virtue and unwavering commitment to truth are predicted to bring glory, success, and prosperity to the entire community, ensuring his name will be celebrated across every hamlet and village for generations to come.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Nee pottu vacha thanga kudam / Oorukku nee magudam

Directly equates the hero to precious and royal objects ('Thanga kudam' - pot of gold, 'Magudam' - crown, 'Thanga ratham' - golden chariot).

Rhyme and Assonance (Edhukai / Maothai)

Ada nee thanga katti singa kutti... Ini om pera sollum patti thotti

Use of matching rhythmic sounds and internal rhyming pairs such as 'Thanga katti' / 'Singa kutti' and 'Patti' / 'Thotti'.

Repetition / Rhythm (Adukkuthodar)

Naanga thottu thottu izhuthu varum / Thanatha thanatha thanatha thanatha

Repetition of words ('thottu thottu', 'naadellaam naadellaam') and rhythmic beat-syllables ('thanatha thanatha') to create infectious momentum.

Did you know?

Trivia

The 1989 Tamil film 'Ponmana Selvan' starred Vijayakanth and Shobana in lead roles, directed by P. Vasu. The music for the film was composed by maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with popular folk-infused lyrics penned by Gangai Amaran.

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