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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Odunga Kalaigala

From Senthamizh Selvan · 1994

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
M. Vasu
Music directors
K. V. Mahadevan, Ilayaraja
Details
Senthamizh Selvan1994

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Odunga kaalaigalaaRun, my bulls!
Pachamala pathu kallu dhoorathulaPachamalai is ten stone-lengths away,
Poganum naerathulaWe must reach there on time.
Sindhuven sindhugalaI will sing folk tunes,
SIndhai allum senthamizh raagathulaIn mind-captivating pure Tamil ragas,
Naanum thaan thaalathulaI too will keep the rhythm.
Oru mandhiram pol idhai kettadhuHearing this like a chant,
Nenjula thannaalaInside the heart automatically,
Vegam porandhu thulli thulliSpeed is born, leaping and bounding,
Thaava sollidum munnaalaUrging us to leap ahead.
Male
Kaalam thaan kanaanadhuTime is precious like a dream,
Naeram thaan ponnaanadhuTime has turned to gold,
Nenachaa edhaiyum mudippomIf we set our mind, we can achieve anything.
Nallavan vallavan seiyira kaariyam nikkaadhuThe work done by a good and capable person never stops,
Naalum therinju thittam ittuKnowing everything and planning well,
Potta pulliyum thappaadhuEven the dot laid out will not miss its mark.
Male
Odunga kaalaigalaaRun, my bulls!
Pachamala pathu kallu dhoorathulaPachamalai is ten stone-lengths away,
Poganum naerathulaWe must reach there on time.
Male
Thaaya thaan kumbidurenI worship my mother,
Dheivamunnu nambidurenI place my faith in God.
Naan ingu thottadhellaamEverything I touch here,
Ponnaa vilangumWill shine bright like gold.
Paadhaiyila mullum illaeThere are no thorns on the path,
Kaala kutha kallum illaeNor stones to pierce our feet.
Kaaladi patta idam panjaa irukkumThe spot where our feet touch will feel soft as cotton.
Male
Kadakkanum ellaigalaWe must cross boundaries,
Kaangaeyam kaalaigalaO mighty Kangayam bulls!
Kaathadikkum namma pakkam thaan hoiThe wind blows in our favor, hey!
Achamum kichamumFear and hesitation,
Michamum illaiyae nammoduNothing remains with us.
Nee odu ooru vandhadhumYou run, and once we reach the village,
Joraa vekkiren punnaakkuI will feed you delicious oil-cake treats.
Male
Odunga kaalaigalaaRun, my bulls!
Pachamala pathu kallu dhoorathulaPachamalai is ten stone-lengths away,
Poganum naerathulaWe must reach there on time.
Male
Odunga romba thembaaRun with high spirit!
Uchi veyil yerudhappaaThe afternoon sun is climbing high, man!
Rekka thaan illaamalaeEven without wings,
Chittaa parappomWe shall fly like swift sparrows.
Koodavae vaanam varumThe sky will accompany us,
Kodai mazhai megam varumSummer rain clouds will follow.
Ooru thaan dhooramunnu ennaadhiruppomWe won't think that the town is far away.
Male
Kazhuthula katti vechaTied around your necks,
Kothu mani osai idaAs the cluster of beads makes music,
Paanjidunga ambu kanakkaa hoiRush forward like an arrow, hey!
Vandhidum vandhidumIt will come, it will come,
Vetriyum vandhidum kai maelaVictory will arrive right into our hands.
Podaa po mettu chollurenGo on, go on, I am setting the rhythm,
Ettu vechidu munnaala dur durraaTake long strides forward, dur-durra!
Male
Odunga kaalaigalaaRun, my bulls!
Pachamala pathu kallu dhoorathulaPachamalai is ten stone-lengths away,
Poganum naerathulaWe must reach there on time.
Sindhuven sindhugalaI will sing folk tunes,
SIndhai allum senthamizh raagathulaIn mind-captivating pure Tamil ragas,
Naanum thaan thaalathulaI too will keep the rhythm.
Male
Oru mandhiram pol idhai kettadhuHearing this like a chant,
Nenjula thannaalaInside the heart automatically,
Vegam porandhu thulli thulliSpeed is born, leaping and bounding,
Thaava sollidum munnaalaUrging us to leap ahead.
Male
Kaalam thaan kanaanadhuTime is precious like a dream,
Naeram thaan ponnaanadhuTime has turned to gold,
Nenachaa edhaiyum mudippomIf we set our mind, we can achieve anything.
Nallavan vallavan seiyira kaariyam nikkaadhuThe work done by a good and capable person never stops,
Naalum therinju thittam ittuKnowing everything and planning well,
Potta pulliyum thappaadhuEven the dot laid out will not miss its mark.
Male
Haei odunga kaalaigalaaHey, run, my bulls!
Pachamala pathu kallu dhoorathulaPachamalai is ten stone-lengths away,
Poganum naerathulaWe must reach there on time.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This energetic rural track expresses the deep bond between a cart driver and his Kangayam bulls as they journey toward Pachamalai. The protagonist encourages his bulls to run swiftly, setting the pace with rhythmic songs and promises of rewarding treats once they arrive at their destination. The lyrics highlight optimism, determination, and the idea that hard work and clear planning guarantee success. Throughout the journey, the singer reflects on faith, motherly devotion, and perseverance. Nature itself seems to align with their enthusiasm—the wind, clouds, and sky companion them along the way. The song serves as an uplifting anthem celebrating rural life, speed, determination, and ultimate victory over obstacles.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upama)

Paanjidunga ambu kanakkaa hoi

Compares the speed and direction of the running bulls to an arrow shot from a bow using the word 'kanakkaa' (like).

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Pachamala pathu kallu dhoorathula

The repetition of the initial consonant sound 'Pa' in 'Pachamala' and 'pathu'.

Metaphor

Naeram thaan ponnaanadhu

Directly equates time to gold ('ponn'), emphasizing its immense value and importance.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Kaalam thaan kanaanadhu / Naeram thaan ponnaanadhu

The matching rhyming endings 'kanaanadhu' and 'ponnaanadhu' create a melodious rhythmic flow.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by legendary lyricist Vaali, 'Odunga Kaalaigalaa' uses authentic Tamil rural idioms such as 'kallu dhooram' (a traditional measurement of distance in countryside parlance) and references the famous Kangayam bull breed known for strength and endurance.

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