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Isaimozhi
Kaala album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Nikkal Nikkal

From Kaala · 2018

Lyricist
Dopeadelicz
Singers
Dopeadelicz, Vivek, Arunraja Kamaraj
Music director
Santhosh Narayanan
Movie name
Kaala
Movie release year
2018
Lyrics added on
28 Mar 2018

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Ithu enga koottai
Ulla vandha vettai
Oru whistle onnu adichakaa
Kelambum pettai
Inga sirusu kooda
Pannum periya settai
Enga perusunga vanthakka
Maathu route-eh
Nikkal nikkal chalth tere
Nikkal nikkal
Nikkal nikkal chalth tere
Nikkal nikkal
Nikkal nikkal chalth tere
Nikkal nikkal
Nikkal nikkal chalth tere
Nikkal nikkal…chalth tere
Nikkal nikkal…chalth tere
Nikkal nikkal…chalth tere
Nikkal nikkal…chalth tere
Nikkal nikkal
Dei
Kelambu kelambu
Kelambu da
Kelambu kelambu
Andhu pochu
Kelambu da
Pathungi adangi vaazha
Naanga innum slave ah…
Thuninju ethirthu nippomda
Naanga ippo brave ah
Nelamaiya maathurennu
Nelatha aattaiya podura
Nambikkai mosadi senjuputtu
Enga olinju odura
Ezhaiyoda vayithula adichu
Bank balance-ah yethatha
Mogamoodi pottukittu
Poi pithalaattam pesatha
Engaloda othumai thurumbu
Pidikkatha irumbuda
Un kanavu ellaam inga palikkathu
Kela kela kela kelambu da
Nikkal nikkal chalth tere
Nikkal nikkal
Nikkal nikkal chalth tere
Nikkal nikkal
Nikkal nikkal…chalth tere
Nikkal nikkal…chalth tere
Nikkal nikkal…chalth tere
Nikkal nikkal…chalth tere
Nikkal nikkal
Dei
Kelambu kelambu
Kelambu da
Poda
Vidinjiruchu
Aama kelambu da
Kelambu
Inga nadakathu unga alumbu
Romba vachukkaatha oram othungu
Summa tie-ah katti
Nalla file thooki vandhu
Sikkikaatha veenaa velagu
Nee adangu
Maassu
Ithu enga kaalam
Atha unarndhu
Thoda nenaikkaatha
Indha odambu
Thiruppi kudutha
Thaanga maatta dei
Vandha vazhiya paathu kelambu
Dei
{Kelambu kelambu
Andhu pochu
Kelambu kelambu
Kelambu kelambu
Vidinjiruchu
Kelambu kelambu} (2)
Dei
{Thagakira thakkita
Nikkalu nikkalu
Thagakira thakkita
Kelambu da
Thagakira thakkita
Nikkalu nikkalu
Thagakira thakkita
Kelambu da} (2)
Sikkitta sikkitta sikkitta
Indhaa daa indhaa daa
Sikkitta sikkitta sikkitta
Indhaa daa indhaa daa
Sikkitta sikkitta sikkitta
Indhaa daa indhaa daa
Dei
This is our fort
Step inside and you'll be hunted down
If we blow just one whistle
The whole hood will rise up
Even the kids here
Will pull off major mischief
If our elders step in
You'd better change your route
Get out, get out, get lost!
Get out, get out!
Get out, get out, get lost!
Get out, get out!
Get out, get out, get lost!
Get out, get out!
Get out, get out, get lost!
Get out, get out... get lost!
Get out, get out... get lost!
Get out, get out... get lost!
Get out, get out... get lost!
Get out, get out!
Hey!
Get out, get out
Get lost, man!
Get out, get out
The thread has snapped
Get lost, man!
To live cowering and subdued
Are we still slaves?
We will boldly stand and fight back
We are brave now!
Claiming you'll change our lives
You're trying to steal our land!
After betraying our trust
Where are you running to hide?
By stealing food from the poor man's stomach
Don't fatten your bank balance!
Wearing a fake mask
Don't speak deceit and lies!
Our unity is solid iron
That will never catch rust, man!
None of your schemes will work here
Down, down, down, get lost, man!
Get out, get out, get lost!
Get out, get out!
Get out, get out, get lost!
Get out, get out!
Get out, get out... get lost!
Get out, get out... get lost!
Get out, get out... get lost!
Get out, get out... get lost!
Get out, get out!
Hey!
Get out, get out
Get lost, man!
Go away, man!
Dawn has broken
Yeah, get lost, man!
Get out
Your arrogance won't work here
Don't mess with us, step aside
Just putting on a necktie
And carrying fancy files
Don't get trapped for nothing, back away
You stay in your place
Mass power!
This is our era
Realize that
Don't even think of touching
Any of us here
If we strike back
You won't be able to take it, man!
Go back the way you came and get lost
Hey!
Get out, get out
The thread has snapped
Get out, get out
Get out, get out
Dawn has broken
Get out, get out
Hey!
Thagira thakkida
Get out, get out
Thagira thakkida
Get lost, man!
Thagira thakkida
Get out, get out
Thagira thakkida
Get lost, man!
You're trapped, trapped, trapped
Take this, man! Take this!
You're trapped, trapped, trapped
Take this, man! Take this!
You're trapped, trapped, trapped
Take this, man! Take this!
Hey!
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Chorus
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This energetic anthem from Kaala represents a fierce declaration of resistance against land grabbers, corporate exploitation, and political oppression. The track blends Dharavi street hip-hop culture with Tamil revolutionary lyricism, voicing the defiance of working-class people who refuse to be treated as helpless victims or slaves any longer.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Ithu enga koottai / Ulla vandha vettai

The second consonant sound 'th' (த்) matches across 'Ithu' and 'Ulla' (or '-tt-' in 'koottai' and 'vettai'), creating a rhythmic flow.

Metaphor

Engaloda othumai thurumbu pidikkatha irumbuda

The solidarity of the people is metaphorically compared to rust-free iron, symbolizing unbreakable strength and unity.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Nelamaiya maathurennu / Nelatha aattaiya podura

Line endings maintain a conversational rhyming rhythm emphasizing the hypocrisy of the oppressors.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Nelamaiya maathurennu / Nelatha aattaiya podura

The initial syllable 'Ne' repeats at the start of consecutive lines.

Did you know?

Trivia

The track blends Mumbai Hindi/Bambaiya slang ('Nikkal', 'Chalth tere') with Tamil hip-hop, reflecting the unique socio-cultural atmosphere of Dharavi where Tamil and Hindi speaking communities coexist and resist political land grabs together in Pa. Ranjith's movie Kaala.

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Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.