Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Samar album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Poikkaal Kuthirai

From Samar · 2013

Lyricist
Na. Muthu Kumar
Singer
Yuvan Shankar Raja
Music director
Yuvan Shankar Raja
Movie name
Samar
Movie release year
2013
Lyrics added on
13 Apr 2018

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Poikkaal gudhirai vaazhkkaiyadaa
Pogum vazhiyo thooramada
Irulum oliyum idaiyinilae
Sadugudu nadathidum neramadaa
Kaalaiyil kan vizhikaiyil
Indru enna varum yaarukkum
Therivadhillai
Saalaiyil kal modhinaal
Naam marubadi nadandhida
Maruppadhillai
Kodutha idangalai nirappa
Vaazhkkai ondrum kelviyillai
Iruttinil nadhigal nagarndhaalum
Saththam adhai sollividum
Sudalaiyilae eriyum varai
Sooththiram idhai thaan katruppaar
Un udalai vittu veliyeri
Unnai neeyae utruppaar
Indha keladioscopil
Kannaadi thundugalai
Uruttuvadhu yaar mirattuvadhu yaar
Thurathuvadhu yaar purattuvadhu yaar
Yaar yaar yaar yaar
Ivan paarththa kaatchigal
Pizhaithaanaa
Illai thodarndhu thurathidum
Mazhaithaanaa
Moochu vaangudhae
Moochu vaangudhae
Vittu vittu vittu moochu vaangudhae
Kaatchi maarudhae
Kaatchi maarudhae
Kannai kattivittu saatchi maarudhae
Ivan maaya theeyilae
Vizhundhaanaa
Ini kaayam indriyae ezhuvaanaa
Moochu vaangudhae
Moochu vaangudhae
Vittu vittu vittu moochu vaangudhae
Kaatchi maarudhae
Kaatchi maarudhae
Kannai kattivittu saatchi maarudhae
Ivan paadhai engilum valithaanaa
Idhu thedi vandhadhil vilai thaanaa
Life is like a dummy horse dance, my friend,
and the road ahead is long.
In the space between darkness and light,
it is time for a game of tag.
When we open our eyes in the morning,
what today will bring,
nobody knows.
If we stumble on a stone in the road,
to get up and walk again,
we never refuse.
Just to fill in the blank spaces,
life is not an exam question.
Even if a river flows in the dark,
its sound will give it away.
Before you burn in the cremation ground,
try learning this secret rule:
step outside your own body
and take a good look at yourself.
Inside this kaleidoscope,
the pieces of glass—
who rolls them? Who threatens?
Who chases? Who flips them around?
Who? Who? Who? Who?
Were the scenes he saw
all a mistake?
Or is it a relentless rain
that keeps chasing him?
Gasping for breath,
gasping for breath,
panting and gasping for breath!
The scene keeps changing,
the scene keeps changing,
blindfolding the eyes, the witness keeps changing!
Into this fire of illusion,
did he fall?
Will he rise again without any wounds?
Gasping for breath,
gasping for breath,
panting and gasping for breath!
The scene keeps changing,
the scene keeps changing,
blindfolding the eyes, the witness keeps changing!
Is there only pain along his path?
Is this the price for what he came seeking?
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Poikkaal Gudhirai from the movie Samar (2013) is an intense, philosophical, and atmospheric track that delves into themes of existential uncertainty, illusion, and psychological tension. The song metaphorically portrays life as a dummy horse dance and a kaleidoscope where scenes and circumstances constantly shift beyond one's control. The lyrics reflect the protagonist's inner turmoil, questioning who is manipulating his reality while he struggles through pain, breathlessness, and confusion. Written by Na. Muthu Kumar, the song asks profound questions about identity and self-awareness, encouraging one to step outside of oneself to observe life's true nature. Despite the dark mystery and obstacles represented by the metaphor of rivers flowing silently in the night, the song emphasizes resilience—reminding us that just as tripping on a stone doesn't stop us from walking, one must navigate through life's illusions without surrendering.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Poikkaal gudhirai vaazhkkaiyadaa

Compares human life to a dummy horse dance ('Poikkaal gudhirai vaazhkkaiyadaa') and a kaleidoscope ('Indha keladioscopil'), highlighting life's illusory and rapidly shifting nature.

Rhyme & Rhythm (Iyaibu & Antaathi-like Repetition)

Uruttuvadhu yaar mirattuvadhu yaar

Uses rhythmic rhyming words 'Uruttuvadhu', 'mirattuvadhu', 'Thurathuvadhu', and 'purattuvadhu' to create psychological urgency and dramatic tempo.

Rhetorical Question (Vinaa Aani)

Uruttuvadhu yaar mirattuvadhu yaar

Employs persistent questions asking 'Who?' to heighten mystery, uncertainty, and paranoia.

Imagery & Contrast

Iruttinil nadhigal nagarndhaalum

Contrasts darkness and light ('Irulum oliyum') and invisible motion detected by sound ('Iruttinil nadhigal nagarndhaalum saththam adhai sollividum').

Did you know?

Trivia

The song 'Poikkaal Gudhirai' was composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja for the mystery thriller Samar (2013), directed by Thiru and starring Vishal and Trisha. Na. Muthu Kumar's philosophical lyrics mirror the central plot of the film, where the protagonist is trapped in a orchestrated mystery game by unseen handlers.

Keep listening

Songs with a similar feeling

From the same album

More songs from Samar

View album

Spot an issue?

Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.