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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Odivaavena Ulagathai

From Naangu Suvargal · 1971

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Naangu Suvargal1971

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Aaa….aaa….aaa….aaa…aaa…Aaa… aaa… aaa… aaa… aaa…
Haaa….aaa….aaa….aaa…aa…aaa…Haaa… aaa… aaa… aaa… aa… aaa…
Male
Odivaavena ulagathai azhaippomWe will call upon the world to come running,
Ulagam varaavidil pudhiyadhai amaippomIf the world doesn't come, we will build a new one!
Odivaavena ulagathai azhaippomWe will call upon the world to come running,
Ulagam varaavidil pudhiyadhai amaippomIf the world doesn't come, we will build a new one!
Yerumelana boomikku uraippomWe will tell the earth to rise up higher,
Irangi vaavena vaanathai izhuppomWe will pull the sky down, asking it to descend!
Yerumelana boomikku uraippomWe will tell the earth to rise up higher,
Irangi vaavena vaanathai izhuppomWe will pull the sky down, asking it to descend!
Male
Odivaavena ulagathai azhaippomWe will call upon the world to come running,
Ulagam varaavidil pudhiyadhai amaippomIf the world doesn't come, we will build a new one!
Chorus
……………………………
Male
Engu poividum indha samugamWhere can this society go,
Engal kottathai marandhuForgetting our fortress?
Engu poividum indha samugamWhere can this society go,
Engal kottathai marandhuForgetting our fortress?
Male
Enna poividum naangalum vaazhndhaalWhat will be lost if we live too?
Pangu poduvom thunindhuDaringly, we will share our portion!
Male :ThunindhuMale: Daringly,
Males :Pangu poduvom thunindhuMales: Daringly, we will share our portion!
Male
Engal kaigalil sattangal seivomWe will create laws with our own hands,
Unmai dharmathai kalandhuBlending truth and righteousness.
Male
Ellai pottoru kolgaiyai valarppomWe will set a boundary and cultivate our vision,
Engal thevaiyai ninaindhuKeeping our needs in mind.
Male :NinaindhuMale: In mind,
Males :Engal thevaiyai ninaindhuMales: Keeping our needs in mind.
Male
Odivaavena ulagathai azhaippomWe will call upon the world to come running,
Ulagam varaavidil pudhiyadhai amaippomIf the world doesn't come, we will build a new one!
Chorus
……………………………
Male
Naangu suvargalai siraiyilum kandomWe saw four walls in prison as well,
Nalalvar aanom angaeAnd we became good people there.
Naangu suvargalai siraiyilum kandomWe saw four walls in prison as well,
Nalalvar aanom angaeAnd we became good people there.
Male
Naangu suvargalai naangal amaithuNow we set up four walls ourselves,
Nanbargal aanom ingaeAnd we became friends here.
Male :IngaeMale: Here,
Males :Nanbargal aanom ingaeMales: And we became friends here.
Male
Ongi adithaal malaiyum odaiyumIf struck hard, even a mountain will shatter,
Urudhi adaindhom indruWe have gained that determination today!
Male
Thaangida kidandha vaazhkaiyai maatriChanging a life that merely endured hardship,
Thaakidum thunivum unduWe have the courage to strike back now!
Male :UnduMale: We have!
Males :Thaakidum thunivum unduMales: We have the courage to strike back now!
Male
Odivaavena ulagathai azhaippomWe will call upon the world to come running,
Ulagam varaavidil pudhiyadhai amaippomIf the world doesn't come, we will build a new one!
Yerumelana boomikku uraippomWe will tell the earth to rise up higher,
Irangi vaavena vaanathai izhuppomWe will pull the sky down, asking it to descend!
Irangi vaavena vaanathai izhuppomWe will pull the sky down, asking it to descend!
Chorus
……………………………………..

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Odivaavena ulagathai azhaippom' is an empowering and revolutionary anthem from the 1971 film 'Naangu Suvargal', penned by lyricist Kannadasan. The song portrays the determination of reformed individuals who have served time behind prison walls ('naangu suvargal') and are now uniting to rebuild their lives. Rather than waiting for an indifferent society to accept them, they declare their intent to build a new world on their own terms, guided by truth, justice, and self-reliance. The emotional arc transitions from social alienation to fiery defiance and solidarity. The protagonists assert that their past experiences have forged an unshakeable inner strength, transforming them from passive sufferers into proactive architects of their own destiny.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Muran (Antithesis)

Yerumelana boomikku uraippom / Irangi vaavena vaanathai izhuppom

Contrasting ideas of 'Yeru' (rising up) and 'Irangi' (descending/coming down) are paired together to highlight the grand ambition of changing the natural order.

Hyperbole (Atisayokthi Ani)

Irangi vaavena vaanathai izhuppom

Exaggerating human capability by claiming they will pull down the sky to demonstrate absolute boldness.

Ethugai (Second-letter rhyme)

Naangu suvargalai siraiyilum kandom / Nalalvar aanom angae

The second consonant sound 'ng' / 'l' creates a rhythmic harmony in Tamil poetry structure.

Metaphor

Ongi adithaal malaiyum odaiyum

Breaking a mountain represents overcoming monumental socio-economic obstacles through sheer unity and force of will.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Naangu Suvargal' (1971) was directed by legendary filmmaker K. Balachander and starred Jaishankar, Ravichandran, Nagesh, and Major Sundarrajan as four prison inmates who attempt to lead honest lives after release. Although the music director is listed as unknown in the prompt, the soundtrack for this film was composed by the iconic duo M. S. Viswanathan (MSV) with vocals performed by T. M. Soundararajan, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, and chorus.

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