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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Polladha Boomi

From Asuran · 2019

Lyricist
Yugabharathi
Singers
Dhanush, G. V. Prakash Kumar, Ken Karunas, Teejay
Music director
G. V. Prakash Kumar
Details
Asuran2019

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Polladha boomi bolippodum aalaThis wicked land will sacrifice a person,
Munnaala ponaa narukkaatho kaalaIf you step forward, won't it chop off your legs?
Anboda ninnaa thala vanangum ooruIf you stand with love, the whole village will bow its head,
Aavesam aana uyiredukkum paaruBut if it gets enraged, look, it will take your life!
Male
Veeraapputhaan venaam aiyyaWe don't need false pride and bravado, sir,
Veettoda iru nee thonaiyaagaStay at home as a supporting companion.
Soolaayutham nee thookkunaaIf you pick up a trident weapon,
Villangam varumae vinaiyaagaTrouble will come back at you as a fateful consequence.
Male
{Un meesa murukkaalaBy twirling your mustache with pride,
Kodi yethu yethuHoist the flag, hoist it!
Muppaattan kolam kaakkaTo safeguard the lineage of our ancestors,
Varalaara maathu} (2)Change history!
Male
Aagaasama ninna namaBy twirling your mustache with pride,
Annaanthu paakkum jillaavaeHoist the flag, hoist it!
Appaaviya thallaadunaTo safeguard the lineage of our ancestors,
Mallaandhu povom mannaaveChange history!
Oottaandiya aanaalumaeWe who stood tall like the open sky,
Ulloora venum oru dhilluThe whole district looks up to us in awe!
Yemaathura aala ellaamIf we stagger innocently,
Enkuda modhavara solluWe will fall flat on the dirt.
Male
Yaar mela yaar keezhaEven if you become completely penniless,
Podaatha ruleuDeep inside your heart, you need guts!
Poraada ennaatti maaraathae naaluAll those who cheat others,
Kuththeetti mela paanjaalumTell them to come and face me in a fight!
Goyyaala keezha saanjaalumWho is above and who is below?
Veththaana aalaa naanumDo not lay down such unfair rules!
Aaga maatten moochae ponaalumUnless you fight back, days will never change.
Male
Heyy polladha boomi bolippodum aalaEven if a sharp spear lunges into me,
Munnaala ponaa narukkaatho kaalaEven if I fall down defeated,
Male
Kattaariyum kodaaliyumA worthless, useless person, I
Kaiyendhum vaazhva maathaathoWill never become, even if my last breath leaves!
Pachchondhiyaa vaazhaathaHey, this wicked land will sacrifice a person,
Un thanmaanam oora kaakkaathoIf you step forward, won't it chop off your legs?
Male
Manvaasana unmelathaanWon't picking up a dagger and an axe
Makkaama veesum kudikonduChange a life lived with outstretched begging hands?
Un perula paththooraiyumDo not live like a spineless chameleon,
Pattaavaa podum governmentuWon't your self-respect protect the entire village?
Male
Aathaadi en mavan thaanaethe fragrance of the soil on you
Asagaaya sooranWill waft unfading, taking deep root.
Kaatteri vandhaalumIn your name, across ten villages,
Kalangaatha veeranThe government itself will grant land titles!
Male
Komberi mookkan un koottuOh my, isn't he my son after all?
Koottaavae serum en paattuAn matchless, unbeatable hero!
Gummaalam poda naanumEven if a forest demon approaches,
Serndhae vaaren okay alrightuHe is a fearless warrior who never falters.
Male
{Un meesa murukkaalaEven the deadly bronze-back snake joins your crew,
Kodi yethu yethuMy song joins in unison as part of your team!
Muppaattan kolam kaakkaTo celebrate and make merry,
Varalaara maathu} (2)I am joining along too, okay, alright!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Polladha Bhoomi' serves as an intense anthem of rebellion, resilience, and self-respect set against the backdrop of agrarian oppression. The initial lines warn about the harsh reality of a cruel society that punishes the downtrodden for rising up, advising caution and restraint. However, as the song progresses, the tone shifts into a fiery call to arms, urging the oppressed class to break free from servitude, stand up against caste hierarchy, and reclaim their dignity and land.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Polladha boomi bolippodum aala / Munnaala ponaa narukkaatho kaala

Rhyming words at the end of consecutive lines, such as 'aala' and 'kaala', creating a driving rhythmic beat characteristic of Tamil folk music.

Metaphor & Personification

Polladha boomi bolippodum aala

The land ('boomi') is personified as a ruthless entity that demands human sacrifices ('bolippodum'), depicting the severe socio-economic oppression of the setting.

Etukai (Second-Letter Alliteration)

Aagaasama ninna nama / Annaanthu paakkum jillaavae

Matching second consonants across lines, like 'Aagaasama' and 'Annaanthu' (consonant 'gg' / 'nn' agreement rhythm), traditional to Tamil poetry.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Polladha Bhoomi' is a high-energy folk rebellion track from Vetri Maaran's acclaimed film Asuran (2019), composed by G.V. Prakash Kumar. The track is sung by lead actor Dhanush alongside composer G.V. Prakash, Ken Karunas (who plays Dhanush's son in the film), and TeeJay Arunasalam. The song captures the fierce spirit of defiance and self-determination that drives the narrative of the movie.

Keep listening

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