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Naangu Suvargal album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Odivaavena Ulagathai

From Naangu Suvargal · 1971

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Naangu Suvargal
Movie release year
1971
Lyrics added on
17 Nov 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Aaa….aaa….aaa….aaa…aaa…
Haaa….aaa….aaa….aaa…aa…aaa…
Odivaavena ulagathai azhaippom
Ulagam varaavidil pudhiyadhai amaippom
Odivaavena ulagathai azhaippom
Ulagam varaavidil pudhiyadhai amaippom
Yerumelana boomikku uraippom
Irangi vaavena vaanathai izhuppom
Yerumelana boomikku uraippom
Irangi vaavena vaanathai izhuppom
Odivaavena ulagathai azhaippom
Ulagam varaavidil pudhiyadhai amaippom
……………………………
Engu poividum indha samugam
Engal kottathai marandhu
Engu poividum indha samugam
Engal kottathai marandhu
Enna poividum naangalum vaazhndhaal
Pangu poduvom thunindhu
Male :Thunindhu
Males :Pangu poduvom thunindhu
Engal kaigalil sattangal seivom
Unmai dharmathai kalandhu
Ellai pottoru kolgaiyai valarppom
Engal thevaiyai ninaindhu
Male :Ninaindhu
Males :Engal thevaiyai ninaindhu
Odivaavena ulagathai azhaippom
Ulagam varaavidil pudhiyadhai amaippom
……………………………
Naangu suvargalai siraiyilum kandom
Nalalvar aanom angae
Naangu suvargalai siraiyilum kandom
Nalalvar aanom angae
Naangu suvargalai naangal amaithu
Nanbargal aanom ingae
Male :Ingae
Males :Nanbargal aanom ingae
Ongi adithaal malaiyum odaiyum
Urudhi adaindhom indru
Thaangida kidandha vaazhkaiyai maatri
Thaakidum thunivum undu
Male :Undu
Males :Thaakidum thunivum undu
Odivaavena ulagathai azhaippom
Ulagam varaavidil pudhiyadhai amaippom
Yerumelana boomikku uraippom
Irangi vaavena vaanathai izhuppom
Irangi vaavena vaanathai izhuppom
……………………………………..
Ah... ah... ah... ah... ah...
Ha... ah... ah... ah... ah... ah...
We will call the world to run to us!
If the world doesn't come, we will build a new one!
We will call the world to run to us!
If the world doesn't come, we will build a new one!
We will tell the earth to rise up high!
We will pull down the sky, asking it to descend!
We will tell the earth to rise up high!
We will pull down the sky, asking it to descend!
We will call the world to run to us!
If the world doesn't come, we will build a new one!
...
Where can this society go,
ignoring our little world?
Where can this society go,
ignoring our little world?
What is lost if we too live well?
We will boldly claim our share!
Boldly!
We will boldly claim our share!
With our own hands we will make laws,
guided by truth and justice!
Setting our limits, we will build our values,
keeping our needs in mind!
In mind!
Keeping our needs in mind!
We will call the world to run to us!
If the world doesn't come, we will build a new one!
...
We saw four walls inside the prison,
and we became good men there!
We saw four walls inside the prison,
and we became good men there!
Building four walls of our own,
we have become friends here!
Right here!
We have become friends right here!
Even a mountain will break if struck with force—
we have found that resolve today!
Changing a life that only endured suffering,
we now have the courage to fight back!
We do!
We now have the courage to fight back!
We will call the world to run to us!
If the world doesn't come, we will build a new one!
We will tell the earth to rise up high!
We will pull down the sky, asking it to descend!
We will pull down the sky, asking it to descend!
...
Male
Male
Male
Chorus
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Chorus
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Chorus

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

'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.

Keep listening

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