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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Oodhura Sanga Neeyum

From Thenpandi Seemaiyile · 1988

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
K. Bhagyaraj
Music director
K. Bhagyaraj
Details
Thenpandi Seemaiyile1988

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Oodhura sanga neeyum oodhi vaiBlow the conch that needs to be blown,
Paadura paatta neeyum paadi vaiSing the song that needs to be sung.
Niyaayamunnu yaeththukittaaIf truth and justice are accepted,
Naalaikkoru vaasal thorakkumA new doorway will open tomorrow.
Thoranthuttaa yaezhaikkellaam motcham kedaikkumIf it opens, salvation will be attained for all the poor.
Male
Oodhura sanga neeyum oodhi vaiBlow the conch that needs to be blown,
Paadura paatta neeyum paadi vaiSing the song that needs to be sung.
Niyaayamunnu yaeththukittaaIf truth and justice are accepted,
Naalaikkoru vaasal thorakkumA new doorway will open tomorrow.
Thoranthuttaa yaezhaikkellaam motcham kedaikkumIf it opens, salvation will be attained for all the poor.
Naalaikkoru vaasal thorakkumA new doorway will open tomorrow.
Thoranthuttaa yaezhaikkellaam motcham kedaikkumIf it opens, salvation will be attained for all the poor.
Male
Kottinaaththaan theala ooru mathikkumOnly if it stings will the town respect a scorpion,
Illa pulla poochchinny pottu mithikkumOtherwise, they will treat it as a harmless insect and trample it.
Kutta kutta kuninjaa enna nadakkumIf you keep ducking every time you are struck, what will happen?
Konjam thatti kelu appo needhi kidaikkumDemand firmly, and then you will receive justice.
Male
Soodu onnu pottu vachchaaIf you brand it with a hot iron,
Maattukkoru soranai varumEven a cow will gain a sense of awareness.
Sollu onnu solliputtaaIf a sharp word is spoken,
Yaarukkumae rosham varumAnyone will feel a spark of self-respect.
Pollaappa vittuputtu ellaarum onnupattuPutting aside petty feuds, let everyone unite,
Puratchi paathaiyil ezhuchchi kaanavaeTo witness a grand uprising on the path of revolution!
Male
Oodhura sanga neeyum oodhi vaiBlow the conch that needs to be blown,
Paadura paatta neeyum paadi vaiSing the song that needs to be sung.
Niyaayamunnu yaeththukittaaIf truth and justice are accepted,
Naalaikkoru vaasal thorakkumA new doorway will open tomorrow.
Thoranthuttaa yaezhaikkellaam motcham kedaikkumIf it opens, salvation will be attained for all the poor.
Male
Yaeniyai pola oora yaeththividanum aanaaLike a ladder, we should help people rise up, but
Etti udhaippavana mutti thattanumIf someone kicks us down, we must strike back at their knees.
Thoniyai pola palarai sumanthidanumLike a boat, we should carry many people across, but
Kavukka nenaippavana aaththil vidanumIf someone tries to capsize it, leave them in the river.
Male
Nallavanga perai dhinamWe can praise the names of good people
Oorukulla naam sollalaam aanaaIn our town every single day, but
Nalla nalla kaariyaththa naama koodaWe too must do good deeds
Senju kaattanumAnd lead by example.
Veen vambu pesikittu verum vaaya mennukittuTalking useless gossip and chewing on empty words,
Kosham poduravan vesham kalaiyavaeMay the facade of the one raising empty slogans fall away!
Male
Oodhura sanga neeyum oodhi vaiBlow the conch that needs to be blown,
Paadura paatta neeyum paadi vaiSing the song that needs to be sung.
Niyaayamunnu yaeththukittaaIf truth and justice are accepted,
Naalaikkoru vaasal thorakkumA new doorway will open tomorrow.
Thoranthuttaa yaezhaikkellaam motcham kedaikkumIf it opens, salvation will be attained for all the poor.
Male
Naalaikkoru vaasal thorakkumA new doorway will open tomorrow.
Thoranthuttaa yaezhaikkellaam motcham kedaikkumIf it opens, salvation will be attained for all the poor.
Oodhura sanga neeyum oodhi vaiBlow the conch that needs to be blown,
Paadura paatta neeyum paadi vaiSing the song that needs to be sung.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Oodhura Sanga' is a revolutionary and philosophical song from the 1988 film 'Thenpandi Seemaiyile', featuring music composed and sung by K. Bhagyaraj with lyrics by Vaali. The song acts as a clarion call for the marginalized and oppressed to wake up, demand justice, and fight for their rights rather than silently enduring mistreatment.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Uvamaani)

Yaeniyai pola oora yaeththividanum

Comparing oneself to a ladder ('yaeniyai pola') that helps elevate others in society.

Simile (Uvamaani)

Thoniyai pola palarai sumanthidanum

Comparing a helpful person to a boat ('thoniyai pola') that safely carries many people across waters.

Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyming)

Kottinaaththaan / Illa

The second consonant sound 't' / 'l' creates folk rhythm across the couplet lines.

Metaphor

Kottinaaththaan theala ooru mathikkum

Uses the metaphor of a stinging scorpion to illustrate that people only respect those who stand up for themselves aggressively.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Thenpandi Seemaiyile' (1988) is one of the rare films where actor-director K. Bhagyaraj himself stepped into the role of a full-fledged music director. He composed all the songs and rendered this particular track in his iconic, conversational folk-singing style. Lyricist Vaali skillfully blended folk proverbs with socio-political messages tailored to Bhagyaraj's screen image.

Keep listening

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