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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Por Thodu

From The Lion King · 2019

Lyricist
Madhan Karky
Singers
Mano, Aravind Swamy
Music director
Hans Zimmer
Details
The Lion King2019

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Mufaasaa thaan yaaru engaWho is Mufasa to decide where
Eppo vettaiyaadunon nu sattatha eluthunadhuand when to hunt, writing the law?
Naan raajavaana ellarkum elaam sondham nuWhen I become king, I will rewrite it so that
Maathi ezhudhuveneverything belongs to everyone.
Idhu oru kaludha puli oda koopaaduThis is the roar of a hyena,
Eppovum oyaadhuit will never cease.
Female
Mufaasaa va edhirkarathu onnumOpposing Mufasa is not at all
Avlo saadharna vishyam allasuch an easy task.
Male
Mufaasaa an naetrin pizhaiMufasa is yesterday's mistake,
Kaanaamal pogindra alaia wave that vanishes away.
Vaanmuttum tholvigaloo malaiHis failures are a mountain touching the sky,
Avan or udhirum ilaihe is a falling leaf.
Male
Andha singathin kaalam ini maarumThat lion's era will now change,
Kazhudhaippuligal vaazhumhyenas will thrive.
Ini ennaal ungal thunbam theerumFrom today, your suffering will end,
Naaldhorum ini um pasi aarum.every day from now, your hunger will be satisfied.
Male
Oru poar adhai naam thoduppomadaaLet us wage a war, my friends,
Padai ondrai thirattalaamadaa..let us assemble an army...
Thittam ondrai pottuDevising a plan,
Vaa kobathaikaattucome, show your rage!
Edhirgaalam theettuSharpen the future,
Simhaasanam ittuplace the throne!
Raajaa ena aavenI will become the King,
Immannai naan aalvenI will rule this land,
Neengaa pugazhodu vaazhven…I will live with everlasting glory...
Male
Undhan enathai nee serthuviduJoin your clan together,
Poar thoduwage war!
Chorus :Poar thodu (4)Chorus: Wage war! (4)
Male :Poar thoduMale: Wage war!
Chorus :Poar thodu (4)Chorus: Wage war! (4)
Male :Poar thoduMale: Wage war!
Chorus :Poar thodu (4)Chorus: Wage war! (4)
Male :Poar thodu uuuuu uuuu uuuu uuuMale: Wage war! uuuuu uuuu uuuu uuu
Chorus :Poar thodu (8)Chorus: Wage war! (8)
Male :Poar thodu….Male: Wage war....
Undhan enathai nee serthuviduJoin your clan together,
Poar thoduwage war!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is the Tamil dub of Scar's villainous anthem 'Be Prepared' from Disney's 2019 live-action remake of The Lion King. Scar addresses the marginalized hyenas, questioning Mufasa's authority and promising them equality, endless food, and absolute freedom under his reign. He incites their anger and urges them to form an army to overthrow Mufasa. As the song builds up intensity, Scar outlines his grand ambition to seize the throne, rule the Pride Lands, and reign with eternal glory. The repetitive call to arms ('Poar Thodu' / Wage War) highlights Scar's cunning manipulation and the impending military coup against Mufasa.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Mufaasaa an naetrin pizhai / Kaanaamal pogindra alai / Vaanmuttum tholvigaloo malai / Avan or udhirum ilai

The second letter 'lai/zhai' rhymes across consecutive lines: pizhai, alai, malai, ilai.

Hyperbole

Vaanmuttum tholvigaloo malai

Describing Mufasa's failures as a mountain that touches the sky exaggerates his shortcomings to persuade the hyenas.

Metaphor

Avan or udhirum ilai

Mufasa's waning authority is metaphorically described as a 'falling leaf' and a 'vanishing wave'.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Poar Thodu' is the Tamil adaptation of 'Be Prepared' from Disney's The Lion King (2019). Lyricist Madhan Karky adapted the original lyrics composed by Hans Zimmer and Elton John into Tamil, capturing Scar's dark, persuasive rhetoric.

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