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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ponvidhi

From Vizhithiru · 2017

Lyricist
Subramaniam Nandi
Singer
Santhosh Narayanan
Music director
Sathyan Mahalingam
Details
Vizhithiru2017

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Pon vidhi ondrum boomiyil illaiThere is no golden destiny written on this earth.
Valiyathae pizaithirukkumOnly the strongest will survive.
Un arivondrae udan varum deivamYour intelligence alone is the god that stays with you.
Verethu nilaithirukumWhat else will remain forever?
Male
Pagalil vellum kakkaiyenilIf a crow can win during the day,
Iravil vellum anthaigal thaanIt is the owl that reigns supreme in the night.
Pagai mel paya poruthiru neeWait patiently for the right time to pounce on your enemy.
Balamae valvu ezlunthidu neeStrength is life; arise and stand tall!
Balaveenam than maranamWeakness itself is death.
Vizhithiru.. vizhithiru……Stay awake.. stay vigilant...
Chorus
………………………
Male
Poochiyai unnum thavalaiThe frog eats the insect,
Thavalaiyai vizungum paambuThe snake swallows the frog,
Paambai adikkum parundhuThe eagle strikes down the snake,
Ithuthaan iyarkai niyathiThis is the law of nature.
Ha ha ha…ha ha..Ha ha ha... ha ha..
Male
Thunivae etharkum thodakkam manithaCourage is the beginning of everything, O man!
Bayanthaal ethuthaan nadakkum ezhudaIf you live in fear, what can ever be accomplished? Rise up!
Thadaiyai thoolaaki eridaa…Shatter all obstacles into dust and cast them away...
Male
Theeyendralum kaatrendralumWhether it is fire or fierce wind,
Nerkondethaan modhu.. soodhai vellaConfront it head-on to conquer deceit!
Vizhithiru…… vizhithiru……Stay awake... stay vigilant...
Male
Nenchai nimirthu nerpada nindruHold your chest high and stand straight with conviction,
Vanchathai adi norukkuSmash and destroy treachery!
Naanuthal illai nadunguthal illaiNo shyness, no trembling in fear,
Rowthiram nee pazhaguTrain yourself in righteous fury!
Male
Kunnithae kidanthaal manithanillaiIf you lie down cowering, you are not a human being,
Kozhaikku ethuvum kidaipathillaiA coward receives nothing in life,
Purkkalai puligal unpathillaiTigers do not feed on grass,
Puzhuthiyil sooriyan maravathillaiThe sun does not hide beneath dust,
Jeyam ondrae ne arivaiKnow that victory alone is your ultimate goal,
Vizhithiru…… vizhithiru……Stay awake... stay vigilant...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Vizhithiru' serves as a high-octane motivational anthem emphasizing vigilance, self-reliance, physical and mental strength, and ultimate survival. It borrows heavily from classical Tamil philosophical thoughts, asserting that strength and intellect are one's true companions and that nature operates on the law of survival of the fittest. The lyrics urge the listener to shed fear, stand tall against adversity, and conquer obstacles with fearless determination. Throughout the track, references to nature's food chain and timing emphasize strategy—knowing when to act and when to wait. Drawing inspiration from Mahakavi Bharathiyar's principles of righteous anger ('Rowthiram pazhagu') and upright posture ('Nenchai nimirthu'), the song commands individual empowerment, declaring that weakness leads to demise while courage leads to victory.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Literary Allusion (Thirukkural)

Pagalil vellum kakkaiyenil / Iravil vellum anthaigal thaan / Pagai mel paya poruthiru nee

Literary Allusion (Mahakavi Bharathiyar)

Nenchai nimirthu nerpada nindru ... Rowthiram nee pazhagu

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Nenchai nimirthu nerpada nindru

Antithesis / Contrast

Balamae valvu ezlunthidu nee / Balaveenam than maranam

Chain Metaphor (Food Chain / Natural Law)

Poochiyai unnum thavalai / Thavalaiyai vizungum paambu / Paambai adikkum parundhu

Did you know?

Trivia

The song contains direct literary nods to Thiruvalluvar's Thirukkural (Kural 481 regarding the crow defeating the owl by choosing the right timing) as well as Subramania Bharati's famous 'Pudhiya Aathichudi' line 'Rowthiram pazhagu'. The film 'Vizhithiru' (2017) was scored by music director C. Sathya.

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