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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Potta Padiyudhu

From Sathya · 1988

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Kamal Haasan, T. Sunderrajan, Saibaba
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Sathya1988

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
……………………………....
Male
{Rapppa{ Rapppa
Chorus :Thaguthigu thagu thighuChorus : Thaguthigu thagu thighu
Male :Raba raba rappaaMale : Raba raba rappaa
Chorus :Thigthakku thagu thighu} (2)Chorus : Thigthakku thagu thighu } (2)
Male
PottaWhen drawn / marked
Chorus :Padiyudhu padiyudhuChorus : It settles, it settles
Male :Thuninjavan kettaMale : When a brave person asks
Chorus :Vidiyudhu vidiyudhu vidiyudhuChorus : Dawn breaks, dawn breaks, dawn breaks
Male
PaarthaaWhen observed
Chorus :Theriyudhu theriyudhuChorus : It becomes visible, it becomes visible
Male :Unnakidhu late-aMale : For you, this is late
Chorus :Puriyudhu puriyudhu puriyudhuChorus : It becomes clear, it becomes clear, it becomes clear
Male
Bhaaratha naattukoruFor the nation of Bharat
Kottai suvar naamaaghaLet us become a fortress wall
Chorus :Thigthakku thagu thighuChorus : Thigthakku thagu thighu
Male :Aayiram bhedhangalumMale : A thousand differences
Vaadhangalum thoolaaghaAnd arguments turned to dust
Chorus :Thigthakku thagu thighuChorus : Thigthakku thagu thighu
Male
PottaWhen drawn / marked
Chorus :Padiyudhu padiyudhuChorus : It settles, it settles
Male :Thuninjavan kettaMale : When a brave person asks
Chorus :Vidiyudhu vidiyudhu vidiyudhuChorus : Dawn breaks, dawn breaks, dawn breaks
Male
PaarthaaWhen observed
Chorus :Theriyudhu theriyudhuChorus : It becomes visible, it becomes visible
Male :Unnakidhu late-aMale : For you, this is late
Chorus :Puriyudhu puriyudhu puriyudhuChorus : It becomes clear, it becomes clear, it becomes clear
Male
Nermaiyai therndheduthuChoosing honesty
Vaakalippom ..mmm..mm..Let us vote ..mmm..mm..
Needhiyai kaappadharkkuTo protect justice
Thee kulippomWe will walk through fire
Male
VaasalAt the doorway
Chorus :Kadhavugal thirakattumChorus : Let the doors open
Male :Namakkoru vaazhkaiMale : For us, a life
Chorus :Vasadhigal pirakkatum pirakkattumChorus : Let amenities be born, let them be born
Male :OozhalMale : Corruption
Chorus :Ozhiyattum ozhiyattumChorus : Let it cease, let it cease
Male :Dharmathin paadalMale : The song of righteousness
Chorus :Olikkattum olikkattum olikkattumChorus : Let it resound, resound, resound
Male
Kaalam neram naalum koodum vaa..The time and moment are aligning, come..
Vaanam bhoomi vaazhththu paadum vaa..The sky and earth will sing praises, come..
Male
Aaaa…..aaa….pottaAaaa…..aaa….when drawn
Chrous :Padiyudhu padiyudhuChorus : It settles, it settles
Male :Thuninjavan kettaMale : When a brave person asks
Chorus :Vidiyudhu vidiyudhu vidiyudhuChorus : Dawn breaks, dawn breaks, dawn breaks
Male
PaarthaaWhen observed
Chorus :Theriyudhu theriyudhuChorus : It becomes visible, it becomes visible
Male :Unnakidhu late-aMale : For you, this is late
Chorus :Puriyudhu puriyudhu puriyudhuChorus : It becomes clear, it becomes clear, it becomes clear
Male
Bhaaratha naattukoruFor the nation of Bharat
Kottai suvar naamaaghaLet us become a fortress wall
Chorus :Thigthakku thagu thighuChorus : Thigthakku thagu thighu
Male :Aayiram bhedhangalumMale : A thousand differences
Vaadhangalum thoolaaghaAnd arguments turned to dust
Chorus :Thigthakku thagu thighuChorus : Thigthakku thagu thighu
Male
PottaWhen drawn / marked
Chorus :Padiyudhu padiyudhuChorus : It settles, it settles
Male :Thuninjavan kettaMale : When a brave person asks
Chorus :Vidiyudhu vidiyudhu vidiyudhuChorus : Dawn breaks, dawn breaks, dawn breaks
Male
PaarthaaWhen observed
Chorus :Theriyudhu theriyudhuChorus : It becomes visible, it becomes visible
Male :Unnakidhu late-aMale : For you, this is late
Chorus :Puriyudhu puriyudhu puriyudhuChorus : It becomes clear, it becomes clear, it becomes clear
Male
Oorsanam vaazhvadharkkuFor the townspeople to live
Thol koduppomWe will lend our shoulder
Por varakoodum endraalIf a war comes upon us
Vaal eduppomWe will draw our swords
Male
EzhaiThe poor
Chorus :Dhinam dhinam sirikkanumChorus : Must smile every single day
Male :Oru pidi soruMale : A handful of rice
Chorus :Avanukku kidaikkanum kidaikkanumChorus : Must be available to him, available
Male
MaayamIllusion
Chorus :Vilaganum vilaganumChorus : Must fade away, fade away
Male :Arasiyal saayamMale : Political colors
Chorus :Velukkanum velukkanum velukkanumChorus : Must wash away, wash away, wash away
Male
Medai pechum vaarthai veechum yenWhy stage speeches and sharp wordplay?
Theemai engae thaedi theerppom vaa..Where evil resides, let us seek and destroy it, come..
Male
{Potta{ When drawn
Chorus :Padiyudhu padiyudhuChorus : It settles, it settles
Male :Thuninjavan kettaMale : When a brave person asks
Chorus :Vidiyudhu vidiyudhu vidiyudhuChorus : Dawn breaks, dawn breaks, dawn breaks
Male
PaarthaaWhen observed
Chorus :Theriyudhu theriyudhuChorus : It becomes visible, it becomes visible
Male :Unnakidhu late-aMale : For you, this is late
Chorus :Puriyudhu puriyudhu puriyudhu} (2)Chorus : It becomes clear, it becomes clear, it becomes clear } (2)
Male
Bhaaratha naattukoruFor the nation of Bharat
Kottai suvar naamaaghaLet us become a fortress wall
Chorus :Thigthakku thagu thighuChorus : Thigthakku thagu thighu
Male :Aayiram bhedhangalumMale : A thousand differences
Vaadhangalum thoolaaghaAnd arguments turned to dust
Chorus :Thigthakku thagu thighuChorus : Thigthakku thagu thighu
Male
PottaWhen drawn / marked
Chrous :Padiyudhu padiyudhuChorus : It settles, it settles
Male :Thuninjavan kettaMale : When a brave person asks
Chorus :Vidiyudhu vidiyudhu vidiyudhuChorus : Dawn breaks, dawn breaks, dawn breaks
Male
PaarthaaWhen observed
Chorus :Theriyudhu theriyudhuChorus : It becomes visible, it becomes visible
Male :Unnakidhu late-aMale : For you, this is late
Chorus :Puriyudhu puriyudhu puriyudhuChorus : It becomes clear, it becomes clear, it becomes clear
Male
{Rapppa{ Rapppa
Chorus :Thaguthigu thagu thighuChorus : Thaguthigu thagu thighu
Male :Raba raba rappaaMale : Raba raba rappaa
Chorus :Thigthakku thagu thighu} (2)Chorus : Thigthakku thagu thighu } (2)

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Potta Padiyudhu' from Sathya (1988), composed by Ilaiyaraaja and penned by Vaali, is a fiery revolutionary anthem centered around youth awakening and civic responsibility. The song serves as a rallying cry against political corruption, empty platform speeches, and social injustice, urging citizens to stand united as a human fortress wall to protect the nation and uplift the underprivileged.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Bhaaratha naattukoru Kottai suvar naamaagha

Compares united citizens to a protective fortress wall guarding the nation.

Repetition (Adukkuthodar)

Chorus :Vidiyudhu vidiyudhu vidiyudhu

Repetition of words like 'Vidiyudhu' and 'Puriyudhu' to emphasize urgency and clarity.

Rhyme (Iyaibu)

Vaakalippom ..mmm..mm.. / Needhiyai kaappadharkku Thee kulippom

Matching end rhymes between 'Vaakalippom' (we will vote) and 'Thee kulippom' (we will face fire) emphasizing commitment.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although the prompt lists music and singer as unknown, Sathya (1988) featured music by Ilaiyaraaja, and this song was sung by Kamal Haasan along with a chorus. The film is famous for establishing Kamal Haasan's iconic angry young man persona fighting systemic corruption.

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