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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Othadi Othadi

From Dharmathin Thalaivan · 1988

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, Sunandha
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Dharmathin Thalaivan1988

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics↻ English translation
Female
Neelavizhi oramIn the corner of blue eyes
Nilavae kaayumThe moon shines bright
Isaithaan ingae nathiyaai paayumMusic flows here like a river
Rasiththaal podhum madimel saayumIf enjoyed, she will rest in your lap
Paavai naan…..I am a maiden...
Male
Hey ratharaaHey ratharaa
Hey….ratharaa ratharaa…ratharaaHey... ratharaa ratharaa... ratharaa
Ratharaa ratharaa…ratharaa..hoiRatharaa ratharaa... ratharaa.. hoi
Male
Othadi othadiMove aside, move aside
Oramaa othadi ammadiMove aside to the edge, my dear girl
Ettadi thullinaaIf you leap eight feet
Paththadi paayuven ammadiI will pounce ten feet, my dear girl
Male
Pattanam arinja pokkiriA rogue known throughout the city
Adi pattiyam therinja pakkiriA clever man with complete mastery
Ada ennoda mothaamaWithout directly clashing with me
Vaamaa paappammaCome on, girl Paappamma
Aadi paapomaShall we dance and see?
Vettu than pottu thaan paapomaShall we challenge each other and see?
Male
Ada vaamaa paappammaCome on, girl Paappamma
Aadi paapomaShall we dance and see?
Vettu than pottu thaan paapomaShall we challenge each other and see?
Male
Othadi othadiMove aside, move aside
Oramaa othadi ammadiMove aside to the edge, my dear girl
Male
Villadhi villanadi ennaku ennaiyaI am the villain of villains, to me
Killaadi illaiyadiThere is no master player better than me
Ada vechalum vechanadi unnakuHey, I matched you perfectly
Sariyaagha thaan ..Just in the right way...
Maachanum oththa vediYour brother-in-law is a single cracker
Male
Solanum vandhanam ilaNo need to offer greetings
Moolaiyil kundhanumSitting in a corner
Makku pol nikkuraStanding like a fool
Sekku pol suthuraSpinning like an oil press
Sikkalil sikkalaaama…Can we get caught in troubles?
Male
Ada eppovum thulluraHey, always jumping around
Sopana sundariDream beauty
Ippadi muzhikaalamaCan you stare wide-eyed like this?
Male
Othadi othadiMove aside, move aside
Oramaa othadi ammadiMove aside to the edge, my dear girl
Ettadi thullinaaIf you leap eight feet
Paththadi paayuven ammadiI will pounce ten feet, my dear girl
Vettu than pottu thaan paapomaShall we challenge each other and see?
Male
Ada vaamaa paappammaCome on, girl Paappamma
Aadi paapomaShall we dance and see?
Vettu than pottu thaan paapomaShall we challenge each other and see?
Male
Othadi othadiMove aside, move aside
Oramaa othadi ammadiMove aside to the edge, my dear girl
Male
Thenmangu paadatuma mayilaeShall I sing a folk song, oh peacock?
Jadhiyodu naan thillana aadatumaShall I dance a Thillana with rhythmic beats?
Ada indhadi dappanguthu ithulaHey, listen to this street dance, in this
Periya aalu naanI am a grand figure
Summa nee vaaya poththuJust keep your mouth shut
Male
Vithaiyaa kathavanAs one who learned tricks
Adi peru thaan pethavanOh girl, as one who earned a big name
Paththu per madhiyilAmong ten people
Sothaiyaa sollaiyaaAs weak or useless
Ennai nee ennalaamaCan you consider me like that?
Male
Othadi othadiMove aside, move aside
Oramaa othadi ammadiMove aside to the edge, my dear girl
Nee ettadi thullinaaIf you leap eight feet
Paththadi paayuven ammadi..I will pounce ten feet, my dear girl..

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Othadi Othadi' from Dharmathin Thalaivan is a playful, high-energy duet showcasing a duel of wits, dance, and street-smart banter. The lyrics transition from a soft, melodious female introduction into a fast-paced folk-style challenge where the male protagonist boasts about his agility, swagger, and street cleverness, daring the female lead to match his energy in dance.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

“Pattanam arinja pokkiri / Adi pattiyam therinja pakkiri”

Matching of the second consonant in consecutive lines ('tt' sound in Pattanam / Pattiyam).

Simile (Upamai)

“Makku pol nikkura / Sekku pol suthura”

Comparing a person's behavior to inanimate objects using 'pol' (like a fool / like an oil press).

Hyperbole (Uruvagim/Uyarvu Navortchi)

“Ettadi thullinaa / Paththadi paayuven ammadi”

Exaggerated claim of outperforming the opponent by leaping ten feet if they leap eight.

Moonaai (Initial Alliteration)

“Othadi othadi / Oramaa othadi ammadi”

Repetition of initial sound 'O' across adjacent words.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although listed as unknown in the prompt, the soundtrack for 'Dharmathin Thalaivan' (1988) was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics penned by Vaali. The film stars Rajinikanth, Prabhu, Suhasini, and Kushboo, and this song features iconic high-energy choreography typical of 1980s Tamil commercial cinema.

Keep listening

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