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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Oruviral Puratchi

From Sarkar · 2018

Lyricist
Vivek
Singers
A. R. Rahman, Srinidhi Venkatesh
Music director
A. R. Rahman
Details
Sarkar2018

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
{Nethu vara…aa…Until yesterday...
Chorus :Yemaali yemaali yemaali…..}(2)Chorus: Duped, duped, duped... (x2)
Male
{Indru mudhalFrom today onwards...
Chorus :Poraali poraali poraali…Chorus: Fighter, fighter, fighter...
Poraali poraali poraali} (2)Fighter, fighter, fighter (x2)
Chorus
Poraali poraali… (4)Fighter, fighter... (x4)
Male
{Oru viral puratchiyaeA single-finger revolution!
Irukkudhaa unarchiyae} (2)Do you feel any emotion/awakening? (x2)
Male
YezhmaiyaiPoverty...
Chorus :OlikkavaeChorus: To eradicate it,
Male :SeiyadaMale: Make...
Chorus :MuyarchiyaeChorus: An effort!
Male
YezhaiyaiThe poor...
Chorus :OlipathaeChorus: Erasing them,
Male :UngalinMale: Is that your...
Chorus :Valarchiyaa…Chorus: Idea of progress/development?
Male
Thiruppi adikka irukku neruppuThere is a spark inside to strike back,
Viralin nuniyil vilattum karuppuThe dark ink on the fingertip will chase away the darkness!
Male
Oru viral puratchiyaeA single-finger revolution,
Irukkudhaa unarchiyae…Do you feel any emotion/awakening?
Male
Naam ondraai kelvigal kettalaeIf we stand united and ask questions,
Adakkum kai angu nadungaathooWon't the oppressing hand tremble over there?
Yezhiya manithan ezhuthum vithiyilaeIn the destiny written by the common man,
Puthiya ulagam thodangaathooWon't a brand new world begin?
Chorus
Oooooo ooooo hooo ooo ooooOooooo ooooo hooo ooo oooo
Female
Karai vettigal angangu silaiPoliticians in bordered dhotis stand like stone statues everywhere,
Engal vervaiyum raththamum vilaiOur sweat and blood are the price they extract,
Verum vedhanaiyae ingae nilaiMere agony has become the permanent condition here.
Male
Neethiyai kolgiraanThey murder justice,
Mounamaai pogiromYet we walk away in silence.
Oomaigal desathilIn this land of the mute,
Kaadhaiyum moodinomWe have covered our ears as well.
Male
Makkalin aatchiyaamThey call it a government of the people,
Endru naam vaalgiromAnd we blindly live believing that.
Porgalai thaandi thaanOnly after fighting endless battles,
Sottraiyae kaangiromDo we even get to see a morsel of food.
Male
Dhorgangal thaakiyaeBattered by cruel injustices,
Veedhiyil saagiromWe end up dying on the streets.
Aluthidum kangalilIn eyes full of tears,
Theeyana vaazhgiromWe live with fiery rage!
Male
Oru viral puratchiyaeA single-finger revolution,
Irukkudhaa unarchiyaeDo you feel any emotion/awakening?
Chorus
YezhmaiyaiPoverty...
Male :OlikkavaeMale: To eradicate it,
Chorus :SeiyadaChorus: Make...
Male :MuyarchiyaeMale: An effort!
Chorus :EzhaiyaiChorus: The poor...
Male :OlipathaeMale: Erasing them,
Chorus :UngalinChorus: Is that your...
Male :Valarchiyaa……Male: Idea of progress/development?
Male
Ooooo hooo ooooo hooo oooOoooo hooo ooooo hooo ooo
Ooooo hooo ooooo hooo oooOoooo hooo ooooo hooo ooo
Chorus
Maanam vittru yedhai vaanginaaiWhat did you gain after selling your dignity?
Ethirkalathai soorai aadinaaiYou have plundered the future of the next generation!
Maanam vittru yedhai vaanginaaiWhat did you gain after selling your dignity?
Ethirkalathai soorai aadinaaiYou have plundered the future of the next generation!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Oru Viral Puratchi' (A Single-Finger Revolution) is an energetic political anthem from the movie Sarkar (2018). The song serves as a clarion call to citizens, urging them to break their silence and transform from passive victims ('Yemaali') into active fighters ('Poraali'). It strongly condemns political corruption, highlighting how politicians in silk dhotis thrive by suppressing the poor rather than eradicating poverty itself. The core motif of the song centers around the ink-marked index finger used in voting, framing democratic franchise as a silent yet explosive weapon capable of shaking corrupt regimes. It challenges voters against accepting cash for votes, warning them that compromising their self-respect destroys the future of coming generations and calling for a united democratic uprising.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Muran (Antithesis)

Nethu vara... Yemaali / Indru mudhal... Poraali

Contrasts the state of being a 'Yemaali' (duped victim) yesterday with becoming a 'Poraali' (revolting fighter) today.

Metaphor

Oru viral puratchiyae

Compares the act of casting a vote with an inked index finger to an entire social and political revolution.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Olikkavae / Muyarchiyae / Olipathae / Valarchiyaa

The rhythmic rhyming ending sound '-ae / -aa' across consecutive lines creates an engaging, chant-like call to action.

Metaphor / Imagery

Viralin nuniyil vilattum karuppu

The indelible black electoral ink at the tip of the finger is metaphorically presented as a force driving away political dark forces.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed and sung by A. R. Rahman with lyricist Vivek, 'Oru Viral Puratchi' created a massive social impact prior to the release of *Sarkar*. The song was widely praised for bringing election awareness, specifically popularizing Section 49P of the Conduct of Elections Rules in India, which allows a voter to cast a ballot if someone else has illegally voted in their name.

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