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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Neethiyin Kurale

From Makkal Kural · 1976

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
V. Kumar
Details
Makkal Kural1976

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Needhiyin kuralae makkal kuralThe voice of justice is the voice of the people
Adhu ketkira kelvikku enna badhilWhat is the answer to the question it asks?
Male
Needhiyin kuralae makkal kuralThe voice of justice is the voice of the people
Adhu ketkira kelvikku enna badhilWhat is the answer to the question it asks?
Male
Needhiyin kuralae makkal kuralThe voice of justice is the voice of the people
Male
Uzhaippavar kaigal uyarnthidumpothuWhen the hands of the working class rise up
Thaduppavar yaaringae adhai edhirppavar yaaringaeWho is there to stop them, who is there to oppose them?
Uzhaippavar kaigal uyarnthidumpothuWhen the hands of the working class rise up
Thaduppavar yaaringae adhai edhirppavar yaaringaeWho is there to stop them, who is there to oppose them?
Male
Needhiyin kuralae makkal kuralThe voice of justice is the voice of the people
Adhu ketkira kelvikku enna badhilWhat is the answer to the question it asks?
Male
Naattilae thittam unduThere are welfare plans in the nation
Nalinthorkku vaazhvum unduThere is a good life for the downtrodden
Nallorgal kolgai unduGood people have principles
Niraiverum naalum unduAnd there is a day when they will be fulfilled
Male
Naattilae thittam unduThere are welfare plans in the nation
Nalinthorkku vaazhvum unduThere is a good life for the downtrodden
Nallorgal kolgai unduGood people have principles
Niraiverum naalum unduAnd there is a day when they will be fulfilled
Male
Thannalam kondavarThose who are driven by selfishness
Nimmathiyaaga vaazhnthida mudiyaathuCannot live in peaceful contentment
Thaayagam vaazhnthida sevaigal seithorThose who served for the motherland to thrive
Thaazhnthathu kidaiyaathuHave never been degraded or defeated
Male
Podhunalam kandu samanalam konduEstablishing public good and achieving social equality
Vaazhnthidum naalandroIs this not the day we live for?
Vaazhnthidum naalandroIs this not the day we live for?
Male
Podhunalam kandu samanalam konduEstablishing public good and achieving social equality
Vaazhnthidum naalandroIs this not the day we live for?
Naattin valathu kai naamandroAre we not the right hand of the nation?
Male
Needhiyin kuralae makkal kuralThe voice of justice is the voice of the people
Adhu ketkira kelvikku enna badhilWhat is the answer to the question it asks?
Male
Needhiyin kuralae makkal kuralThe voice of justice is the voice of the people
Male
Saththiyam dharmam ellaamTruth and righteousness
Sabai yaerum kaalamadaaWill take center stage in the assembly, my friend!
Ellorukkum ellaam unduEverything belongs to everyone
Endru uruvaagum neramadaaIs the new era that is dawning, my friend!
Male
Saththiyam dharmam ellaamTruth and righteousness
Sabai yaerum kaalamadaaWill take center stage in the assembly, my friend!
Ellorukkum ellaam unduEverything belongs to everyone
Endru uruvaagum neramadaaIs the new era that is dawning, my friend!
Male
Yaezhaigal enbavar kozhaigalaagaThose who are called poor
Vaazhnthida maattaargalWill no longer live as cowards
Yaen enum kelvigal ketkum naalilOn the day they raise questions of 'why?'
Thoongida maattaargalThey will not stay silent or passive
Male
Kadamaigal munnae urimaigal pinnaeDuties first, rights second
Endroru vithi seivomWe shall establish such a rule
Adhu evarukkum podhu enbomAnd declare it common to all people
Male
Kadamaigal munnae urimaigal pinnaeDuties first, rights second
Endroru vithi seivomWe shall establish such a rule
Adhu evarukkum podhu enbomAnd declare it common to all people
Male
Needhiyin kuralae makkal kuralThe voice of justice is the voice of the people
Adhu ketkira kelvikku enna badhilWhat is the answer to the question it asks?
Male
Needhiyin kuralae makkal kuralThe voice of justice is the voice of the people
Makkal kural…..Voice of the people...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Needhiyin Kuralae Makkal Kural is a stirring socio-political anthem centered on egalitarianism, labor rights, and democratic duty. The song proclaims that true justice resides in the collective voice of the masses, asserting that when workers unite to claim their dignity, no oppressive force can stand in their way. It envision a welfare state where truth and social equality prevail. Furthermore, the lyricist Pulamaipithan emphasizes the principle of putting civic duties ahead of individual rights to ensure a balanced, just society. Sung with high energy by T.M. Soundararajan, the track serves as a call to awakening for the underprivileged to abandon fear, question authority, and build an equitable nation.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Mohnai (Initial Alliteration)

Naattilae thittam undu / Nalinthorkku vaazhvum undu / Nallorgal kolgai undu

Repetition of initial consonant sounds ('N') across consecutive lines creates rhythmic flow and rhetorical emphasis.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Naattilae thittam undu ... Nalinthorkku vaazhvum undu

Repetition of the ending word 'undu' across multiple stanzas reinforces certainty and hope.

Rhetorical Question

Thaduppavar yaaringae adhai edhirppavar yaaringae

Asking who can dare to stop the rising hands of laborers highlights their unstoppable collective power.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by Pulamaipithan and set to music by V. Kumar, 'Needhiyin Kuralae Makkal Kural' served as the title-defining anthem for the 1976 film 'Makkal Kural', starring Jaishankar. The song heavily reflects socialist and civic duty philosophies prominent in Tamil cinema political discourse during the 1970s.

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