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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Oor Pesum Ulagam Pesum

From Kazhugumalai Kallan · 1988

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
Malaysia Vasudevan
Music director
Chandrabose
Details
Kazhugumalai Kallan1988

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Oor pesum ulagam pesumThe town talks, the world talks,
Uththamanthaan kazhugumalai kallanThat the bandit of Kazhugumalai is a truly noble man!
Ullaththilae nalla ullaamWithin his heart, a pure soul,
Ullavanthaan kazhugu malai kallanThe bandit of Kazhugumalai possesses a good heart!
Male
Ellaarum kondaadum nallavanthaanHe is a good man celebrated by everyone,
Pollaatha puliyaanaanYet he became a fierce tiger!
Illaatha yaezhaikku eppozhuthumFor the poor who have nothing, always,
Nambikkai oliyaanaanHe became the light of hope!
Male
Oor pesum ulagam pesumThe town talks, the world talks,
Uththamanthaan kazhugumalai kallanThat the bandit of Kazhugumalai is a noble man!
Male
Vizhuntha pinnum vidhaiyai polaeEven after falling, like a seed,
Ezhunthu ninnaanaeHe stood up and rose,
Virutchamaagi oorukellaamGrowing into a grand tree, for the entire town,
Nizhalai thanthaanaeHe provided shade!
Male
Makkalellaam kumbuttu vanangumThe king whom all the people bow down and worship,
Mannan ivan thaanaeHe indeed is that king!
Manthaikellaam meippanai polaLike a shepherd to the flock,
Kaaval iruppaanae…..He stands as a guardian!...
Thunbaththil yaarukkum kai koduppaanIn times of distress, he lends a helping hand to anyone,
Thukkaththai theerththu kann thudaippaanHe removes their sorrow and wipes their tears!
Male
Oor pesum ulagam pesumThe town talks, the world talks,
Uththamanthaan kazhugumalai kallanThat the bandit of Kazhugumalai is a noble man!
Male
Irunda veettil vilakka eduththuTaking a lamp into a pitch-black house,
Yaeththi vaippaanaeHe lights it up!
Ivana nambi ulaiyai vaippaalTrusting him, she places the pot on the hearth to cook,
Yaezhi thaaithaanaeThe poor mother!
Male
Illaarukkellaam vallalap polaLike a legendary philanthropist to those with nothing,
Ellaam tharuvaanaeHe bestows everything!
Enga needhi kangal moodum anga varuvaanaeWherever the eyes of justice remain closed, he arrives there!
Male
Veeraththil ivan pol vengai illaiIn valor, there is no tiger/leopard like him,
Ullaththa paaththa pachcha pullaYet look at his heart, he is an innocent child!
Male
Oor pesum ulagam pesumThe town talks, the world talks,
Uththamanthaan kazhugumalai kallanThat the bandit of Kazhugumalai is a noble man!
Ullaththilae nalla ullaamWithin his heart, a pure soul,
Ullavanthaan kazhugu malai kallanThe bandit of Kazhugumalai possesses a good heart!
Male
Ellaarum kondaadum nallavanthaanHe is a good man celebrated by everyone,
Pollaatha puliyaanaanYet he became a fierce tiger!
Illaatha yaezhaikku eppozhuthumFor the poor who have nothing, always,
Nambikkai oliyaanaanHe became the light of hope!
Male
Oor pesum ulagam pesumThe town talks, the world talks,
Uththamanthaan kazhugumalai kallan….That the bandit of Kazhugumalai is a noble man!...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a heroic ballad celebrating the protagonist of 'Kazhugumalai Kallan' as a benevolent Robin Hood figure. Though branded as an outlaw or bandit by society, he is revered by the common folk for his righteous soul, immense bravery, and compassion for the destitute. The lyrics emphasize his role as a protector, guardian, and savior of the poor, bringing hope and justice where system failure or hardship prevails.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Vizhuntha pinnum vidhaiyai polae... Virutchamaagi oorukellaam Nizhalai thanthaanae

Compares the hero's resilience after a fall to a seed that sprouts into a massive tree providing shade to the whole town.

Simile (Upamai)

Manthaikellaam meippanai pola

Compares the protagonist's protective nature over the townspeople to a shepherd caring for his flock.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Ullaththa paaththa pachcha pulla

Metaphorically describes the hero's heart as a 'pachcha pulla' (innocent infant/child) despite his fierce outward bravery.

Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Vizhuntha pinnum... / Ezhunthu ninnaanae

The second letter 'zh' (ழ்) matches between 'Vizhuntha' and 'Ezhunthu', creating a harmonious Tamil rhythmic flow.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Oor pesum ulagam pesum

The repetition of the initial vowel sounds 'Oo' and 'u' creates initial alliteration (Monai).

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by the iconic lyricist Vaali, this song relies on classical Tamil heroic tropes often seen in late 1980s action drama films. It frames the central protagonist—a bandit—as a righteous guardian of the poor, echoing the popular Robin Hood narrative tradition in South Indian cinema.

Keep listening

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