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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Pona Pogattum

From Master · 2020

Lyricist
Vishnu Edavan
Singer
CB Vinith
Music director
Anirudh Ravichander
Details
Master2020

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Tharuthala kadharunaIf a delinquent cries out,
Ketkuma ketkumaWill anyone listen? Will anyone listen?
Tharuthala kadharunaIf a delinquent cries out,
Ketkuma ketkumaWill anyone listen? Will anyone listen?
Male
Iruttu araiyulaInside a dark room,
Ada onnum maravilaAh, nothing was forgotten.
Naan siraga virikka thaanJust to spread my wings,
Konjam aasa valarthuttenI nurtured a small desire.
Velicham therinjathuLight became visible,
Mela vaanam vidinjathuThe sky above brightened.
Aana parakka mudiyalaBut I couldn't fly,
Adi nagara mudiyalaOh, I couldn't even move.
Male
Pacha mannu pulla renduTwo innocent children,
Moochu ninnu poyaachu ingaHave lost their breath here.
Thangurathum thongurathumLiving on and hanging to death,
Rendum onnu aayaachiBoth have become one and the same.
Male
Kannu rendum kalanguthaaAre your eyes welling up with tears?
Neeyae thodachukko ingaeWipe them yourself here.
Appan aathaa yaarum illaeThere is no father or mother,
Thaniyae thavichukkoSuffer all alone.
Male
Ponaa pogattumIf it goes, let it go,
Pichaa usuru thaanaeIt is merely a begged life.
Thiruntha mudiyaathaIncapable of reforming,
Tharuthala thaan naamaeWe are just delinquents.
Ponaa pogattumIf it goes, let it go,
Pichaa usuru thaanaeIt is merely a begged life.
Thiruntha aasai ullaYet possessing a desire to reform,
Tharuthala thaan naamaeWe are just delinquents.
Male
Tharuthala kadharunaIf a delinquent cries out,
Ketkuma ketkumaWill anyone listen? Will anyone listen?
Tharuthala kadharunaIf a delinquent cries out,
Ketkuma ketkumaWill anyone listen? Will anyone listen?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant song from the movie Master captures the deep grief, remorse, and existential anguish surrounding the tragic loss of two innocent lives in a juvenile detention center. The lyrics reflect the hopelessness felt by troubled youths who are labeled as society's write-offs or delinquents (Tharuthala). Despite nursing a faint desire to reform and break free from their dark past, they feel trapped by circumstances and ignored by society. The song serves as a turning point of emotional awakening and self-realization, questioning whether society ever truly listens to the desperate pleas of reformed troublemakers.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Epizeuxis / Repetition

Ketkuma ketkuma

The repetition of 'Ketkuma ketkuma' emphasizes the agonizing doubt over whether anyone in society cares to hear the cries of troubled youth.

Metaphor

Pacha mannu pulla rendu

'Pacha mannu pulla' (child of green/wet clay) is a metaphor used to represent pure, innocent, and uncorrupted young children.

Contrast / Visual Imagery

Iruttu araiyula / Velicham therinjathu

The contrast between 'Iruttu araiyula' (in a dark room) and 'Velicham therinjathu' (light became visible) symbolizes the shift from confinement and depression to a momentary glimmer of hope.

Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Ponaa pogattum / Pichaa usuru thaanae

Tamil poetic device where the second letter of consecutive lines rhyme ('Iruttu' and 'Ada' / 'Ponaa' and 'Pichaa').

Did you know?

Trivia

'Ponaa Pogattum' was penned by Vishnu Edavan, who also served as an assistant director to director Lokesh Kanagaraj on Master (2020). Sung by CB Vinith with music composed by Anirudh Ravichander, the song marks the emotional turning point of the protagonist JD.

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