Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Odathey

From Annadurai · 2017

Lyricist
Arun Bharathi
Singers
Ananthu, Andrew
Music director
Vijay Antony
Details
Annadurai2017

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
…………………………….
Male
Odathae.. odathae..Don't run... don't run...
Nyaayangal thedathae..Don't search for justice...
Ingae nallavanaai vaazhnthaal pothathae..It is not enough to just live as a good person here...
Bhoomi kettavanai kelvi ketkaathaeThis world does not question the evil ones.
Chorus
Thoolaagum soodhuDeceit will shatter into dust,
Thimiraaga modhuClash with arrogance!
Nee thirunthida ninaithaalIf you think of reforming yourself,
Ulagam thirunthaathuThe world will not reform.
Unai thurathiya koottamThe mob that chased you,
Therithida vilaiyaaduPlay in a way that scatters them away!
Chorus
Odathae.. odathae..Don't run... don't run...
Nyaayangal thedathae..Don't search for justice...
Chorus
Hoi hoi hoi hoiHoi hoi hoi hoi
………………………………
Male
Needhiyum nermaiyumJustice and honesty,
Vaazhvil thevai endruThat they are needed in life,
Saathiram sonnathu unmai illayo..Is what the scriptures said not the truth?
Male
Poliyum poigalumWhen fakes and lies
Potti podum podhuCompete with each other,
Bhoomiyil nyaayamae vaazhvathillayoDoes justice fail to survive on this earth?
Male
Iruttil naam nadakkum pothuWhen we walk in the dark,
Nizhalum illaiEven our shadow is not there.
Nee vaazha unmai thaviraTo live, except for the truth,
Thunaiyum illaiThere is no other companion.
Chorus
Thunbam inbam vaazhvil paadhiSorrow and happiness are each half of life,
Thuvalaamal mutti modhiWithout giving up, collide and fight!
Thirunthida ninaithaalIf you think of reforming yourself,
Ulagam thirunthaathuThe world will not reform.
Male
Odathae.. odathae..Don't run... don't run...
Nyaayangal thedathae..Don't search for justice...
Chorus
………………………………
Male
Nanmaigal theemaigalVirtues and vices,
Rendum unmai illaiNeither of them is real;
Thevaigal mattumae nyaayamaanathaeOnly needs become justified.
Male
Inbamum thunbamumPleasure and pain,
Thooram ondrum illaiAre not far apart at all;
Vaazhkkaiyil rendumae paadamaanathae..In life, both are lessons learned.
Male
Thiruppangal illaavittalIf there are no turns,
Paadhai illaiThere is no path;
Thirumbaamal neeyum sendraalAnd if you walk without turning back,
Payanam illaiThere is no journey.
Chorus
Kondraalum paavam enbaarThey say it is a sin even if you kill,
Thindraal adhu pogum enbaarThey say that sin goes away if atoned.
Thirunthida ninaithaalIf you think of reforming yourself,
Ulagam thirunthaathuThe world will not reform.
Male
Odathae.. odathae..Don't run... don't run...
Nyaayangal thedathae..Don't search for justice...
Ingae nallavanaai vaazhnthaal pothathae..It is not enough to just live as a good person here...
Bhoomi kettavanai kelvi ketkaathaeThis world does not question the evil ones.
Chorus
Thoolaagum soodhuDeceit will shatter into dust,
Thimiraaga modhuClash with arrogance!
Nee thirunthida ninaithaalIf you think of reforming yourself,
Ulagam thirunthaathuThe world will not reform.
Unai thurathiya koottamThe mob that chased you,
Therithida vilaiyaaduPlay in a way that scatters them away!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Odathae' from the movie 'Annadurai' is a philosophical and action-oriented track centered around the harsh realities of life. It rejects naive idealism, emphasizing that simply being a good person is not enough in a world that often ignores evil and rewards deceit. The lyrics call on the listener not to run away from problems or expect justice to be handed to them on a silver platter, but to stand tall and face life's challenges head-on. Exploring themes of morality, survival, and dualism, the song points out that joy and sorrow, virtue and vice are closely linked and often defined merely by circumstances and human needs. It inspires resilience, urging the protagonist to fight back against oppression and understand that true growth comes from standing one's ground rather than waiting for society to reform itself.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Needhiyum nermaiyum

Repetition of the initial 'Ne' sound in 'Needhiyum' and 'nermaiyum'.

Muran (Antithesis / Contrast)

Thunbam inbam vaazhvil paadhi

Juxtaposition of opposing concepts 'Thunbam' (sorrow) and 'Inbam' (happiness) within the same line.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Thoolaagum soodhu / Thimiraaga modhu

Rhyming end sounds in 'soodhu' and 'modhu'.

Muran (Antithesis / Contrast)

Nanmaigal theemaigal

Direct contrast between 'Nanmaigal' (virtues/good deeds) and 'Theemaigal' (vices/evil deeds).

Did you know?

Trivia

'Annadurai' (2017) is an action-drama film starring Vijay Antony in a dual role. Vijay Antony himself composed the music and edited the film. The lyrics for this track were penned by Arun Bharathi.

Keep listening

More from Annadurai

Song2017
GST

Annadurai