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Isaimozhi
Dharmathin Thalaivan album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Othadi Othadi

From Dharmathin Thalaivan · 1988

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, Sunandha
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Dharmathin Thalaivan
Movie release year
1988
Lyrics added on
7 Jul 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Neelavizhi oram
Nilavae kaayum
Isaithaan ingae nathiyaai paayum
Rasiththaal podhum madimel saayum
Paavai naan…..
Hey ratharaa
Hey….ratharaa ratharaa…ratharaa
Ratharaa ratharaa…ratharaa..hoi
Othadi othadi
Oramaa othadi ammadi
Ettadi thullinaa
Paththadi paayuven ammadi
Pattanam arinja pokkiri
Adi pattiyam therinja pakkiri
Ada ennoda mothaama
Vaamaa paappamma
Aadi paapoma
Vettu than pottu thaan paapoma
Ada vaamaa paappamma
Aadi paapoma
Vettu than pottu thaan paapoma
Othadi othadi
Oramaa othadi ammadi
Villadhi villanadi ennaku ennaiya
Killaadi illaiyadi
Ada vechalum vechanadi unnaku
Sariyaagha thaan ..
Maachanum oththa vedi
Solanum vandhanam ila
Moolaiyil kundhanum
Makku pol nikkura
Sekku pol suthura
Sikkalil sikkalaaama…
Ada eppovum thullura
Sopana sundari
Ippadi muzhikaalama
Othadi othadi
Oramaa othadi ammadi
Ettadi thullinaa
Paththadi paayuven ammadi
Vettu than pottu thaan paapoma
Ada vaamaa paappamma
Aadi paapoma
Vettu than pottu thaan paapoma
Othadi othadi
Oramaa othadi ammadi
Thenmangu paadatuma mayilae
Jadhiyodu naan thillana aadatuma
Ada indhadi dappanguthu ithula
Periya aalu naan
Summa nee vaaya poththu
Vithaiyaa kathavan
Adi peru thaan pethavan
Paththu per madhiyil
Sothaiyaa sollaiyaa
Ennai nee ennalaama
Othadi othadi
Oramaa othadi ammadi
Nee ettadi thullinaa
Paththadi paayuven ammadi..
At the corner of blue eyes,
moonlight shines.
Music flows here like a river.
Just enjoy it, and she will rest on your lap—
this girl right here...
Hey radhara
Hey... radhara radhara... radhara
Radhara radhara... radhara.. hoy!
Step aside, step aside!
Move aside to the corner, girl!
If you jump eight feet,
I will leap ten feet, girl!
I'm a rogue known across the whole city,
girl, a street-smart master who knows every trick!
Hey, join in fully with me,
come on, Pappamma!
Shall we dance and see?
Shall we challenge each other with our moves?
Hey, come on, Pappamma!
Shall we dance and see?
Shall we challenge each other with our moves?
Step aside, step aside!
Move aside to the corner, girl!
I am the ultimate rogue, girl, who can match me?
There is no clever player like me!
Hey, when I set off a strike against you,
it lands just right...
like a matchstick hitting a firecracker!
You should greet me with respect, or else
you will have to go sit quietly in a corner!
You stand there looking clueless,
you spin around like an oil mill,
should you get tangled in such trouble?
Hey, you who are always so lively,
glamorous beauty,
should you be staring blankly like this?
Step aside, step aside!
Move aside to the corner, girl!
If you jump eight feet,
I will leap ten feet, girl!
Shall we challenge each other with our moves?
Hey, come on, Pappamma!
Shall we dance and see?
Shall we challenge each other with our moves?
Step aside, step aside!
Move aside to the corner, girl!
Shall I sing a rustic folk song, my peacock?
Shall I dance a classical thillana to the beat?
Hey, take this dappankuthu (energetic street dance)—in this,
I am the real master!
Just keep your mouth shut!
I have learned every trick,
girl, I have made a big name for myself!
In the middle of a crowd,
as someone weak and useless,
how can you look down on me?
Step aside, step aside!
Move aside to the corner, girl!
If you jump eight feet,
I will leap ten feet, girl!
Female
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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.

Keep listening

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View album

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