Pottathalem
From Bharathan · 1992
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| Rappapaaraa rap rappapaaraa rappap | Rappapaaraa rap rappapaaraa rappap |
| Rappapaaraa rap rappapaaraa rappap | Rappapaaraa rap rappapaaraa rappap |
| Rarararaa rarararaa | Rarararaa rarararaa |
| Male | |
| Pottadhellaam vetri kallu | Every step laid down is a milestone of victory |
| Ketpadhellaam vaazhthu chollu thamizhanae | Every word heard is a word of praise, O Tamilian! |
| Ahaa potti enna yetti nillu | Aha, stand tall with confidence against any competition |
| Thootruvorai vittu thallu thamizhanae | Ignore those who defame or slander you, O Tamilian! |
| Kottu kottu murasu kotti paadu | Beat the drums and sing aloud |
| Ettu thikkum kaigal ettum etti paaru | Reach out your hands in all eight directions and look far |
| Thunivudan ini | With courage from now on |
| Male | |
| Pottadhellaam vetri kallu | Every step laid down is a milestone of victory |
| Ketpadhellaam vaazhthu chollu thamizhanae | Every word heard is a word of praise, O Tamilian! |
| Ahaa potti enna yetti nillu | Aha, stand tall with confidence against any competition |
| Thootruvorai vittu thallu thamizhanae | Ignore those who defame or slander you, O Tamilian! |
| Male | |
| Pattu thaegam thaekku pola | Protect your body like strong teak wood |
| Katti kaakka thittam podu | Make plans to safeguard and maintain it |
| Noigal thaanaaga odum | Diseases will run away on their own |
| Vattillaadha sittu pola | Like an endlessly roaming sprightly bird |
| Mettu paadi vattam podu | Sing a tune and circle around joyfully |
| Kaatrum poo maalai podum | Even the breeze will adorn you with a flower garland |
| Achamenna achamenna ettu podu | What is fear? What is fear? Take bold steps forward |
| Unmaiyulla nenjukkaedhu kattuppaadu | What restrictions can exist for a truthful heart? |
| Gangai pola ullam kondu | Having a heart pure and vast like the Ganges river |
| Vellam pola engum sendru karaigal kadakkalaam | Flowing everywhere like a flood, one can cross all boundaries |
| Male | |
| Pottadhellaam vetri kallu | Every step laid down is a milestone of victory |
| Ketpadhellaam vaazhthu chollu thamizhanae | Every word heard is a word of praise, O Tamilian! |
| Ahaa potti enna yetti nillu | Aha, stand tall with confidence against any competition |
| Thootruvorai vittu thallu thamizhanae | Ignore those who defame or slander you, O Tamilian! |
| Kottu kottu murasu kotti paadu | Beat the drums and sing aloud |
| Ettu thikkum kaigal ettum etti paaru | Reach out your hands in all eight directions and look far |
| Thunivudan ini | With courage from now on |
| Male | |
| Pottadhellaam vetri kallu | Every step laid down is a milestone of victory |
| Ketpadhellaam vaazhthu chollu thamizhanae | Every word heard is a word of praise, O Tamilian! |
| Ahaa potti enna yetti nillu | Aha, stand tall with confidence against any competition |
| Thootruvorai vittu thallu thamizhanae | Ignore those who defame or slander you, O Tamilian! |
| Male | |
| Cricket aadu battai thookki | Play cricket holding up the bat |
| Wicket vaangu pandhai veesi | Take wickets by bowling the ball |
| Vaadaa neeyum thaan billgates | Come on, you too can become Bill Gates! |
| Pop song paadu beattu pottu | Sing pop songs to a lively beat |
| Michale jackson aattam pottu | Dance like Michael Jackson |
| Odu P T ushaa pol | Run fast like P. T. Usha |
| Endha naalum endha yaedum unnai potrum | Any day, any history book will praise you |
| Indha naattin mannan endru maalai soottum | They will crown you with garlands as the king of this land |
| Sattam pottum thittam pottu | Even by making laws and formulating schemes |
| Kozhai thannai veeran endru aakka mudiyumaa | Can a coward ever be turned into a brave hero? |
| Male | |
| Pottadhellaam vetri kallu | Every step laid down is a milestone of victory |
| Ketpadhellaam vaazhthu chollu thamizhanae | Every word heard is a word of praise, O Tamilian! |
| Ahaa potti enna yetti nillu | Aha, stand tall with confidence against any competition |
| Thootruvorai vittu thallu thamizhanae | Ignore those who defame or slander you, O Tamilian! |
| Kottu kottu murasu kotti paadu | Beat the drums and sing aloud |
| Ettu thikkum kaigal ettum etti paaru | Reach out your hands in all eight directions and look far |
| Thunivudan ini | With courage from now on |
| Male | |
| Pottadhellaam vetri kallu | Every step laid down is a milestone of victory |
| Ketpadhellaam vaazhthu chollu thamizhanae | Every word heard is a word of praise, O Tamilian! |
| Ahaa potti enna yetti nillu | Aha, stand tall with confidence against any competition |
| Thootruvorai vittu thallu thamizhanae | Ignore those who defame or slander you, O Tamilian! |
ரப்பபாரா ரப் ரப்பபாரா ரப்பப்
ரப்பபாரா ரப் ரப்பபாரா ரப்பப்
ரரரரா ரரரரா
Rappapaaraa rap rappapaaraa rappap
Rappapaaraa rap rappapaaraa rappap
Rarararaa rarararaa
போட்டதெல்லாம் வெற்றிக் கல்லு
கேட்பதெல்லாம் வாழ்த்துச் சொல்லு தமிழனே
ஆஹா போட்டி என்ன எட்டி நில்லு
தூற்றுவோரை விட்டுத் தள்ளு தமிழனே
கொட்டு கொட்டு முரசு கொட்டிப் பாடு
எட்டு திக்கும் கைகள் எட்டும் எட்டிப் பாரு
துணிவுடன் இனி
Every step laid down is a milestone of victory
Every word heard is a word of praise, O Tamilian!
Aha, stand tall with confidence against any competition
Ignore those who defame or slander you, O Tamilian!
Beat the drums and sing aloud
Reach out your hands in all eight directions and look far
With courage from now on
போட்டதெல்லாம் வெற்றிக் கல்லு
கேட்பதெல்லாம் வாழ்த்துச் சொல்லு தமிழனே
ஆஹா போட்டி என்ன எட்டி நில்லு
தூற்றுவோரை விட்டுத் தள்ளு தமிழனே
Every step laid down is a milestone of victory
Every word heard is a word of praise, O Tamilian!
Aha, stand tall with confidence against any competition
Ignore those who defame or slander you, O Tamilian!
பட்டுத் தேகம் தேக்குப் போல
கட்டிக் காக்க திட்டம் போடு
நோய்கள் தானாக ஓடும்
வட்டில்லாத சிட்டுப் போல
மெட்டுப் பாடி வட்டம் போடு
காற்றும் பூ மாலை போடும்
அச்சமென்ன அச்சமென்ன எட்டிப் போடு
உண்மையுள்ள நெஞ்சுக்கேது கட்டுப்பாடு
கங்கை போல உள்ளம் கொண்டு
வெள்ளம் போல எங்கும் சென்று
கரைகள் கடக்கலாம்
Protect your body like strong teak wood
Make plans to safeguard and maintain it
Diseases will run away on their own
Like an endlessly roaming sprightly bird
Sing a tune and circle around joyfully
Even the breeze will adorn you with a flower garland
What is fear? What is fear? Take bold steps forward
What restrictions can exist for a truthful heart?
Having a heart pure and vast like the Ganges river
Flowing everywhere like a flood, one can cross all boundaries
போட்டதெல்லாம் வெற்றிக் கல்லு
கேட்பதெல்லாம் வாழ்த்துச் சொல்லு தமிழனே
ஆஹா போட்டி என்ன எட்டி நில்லு
தூற்றுவோரை விட்டுத் தள்ளு தமிழனே
கொட்டு கொட்டு முரசு கொட்டிப் பாடு
எட்டு திக்கும் கைகள் எட்டும் எட்டிப் பாரு
துணிவுடன் இனி
Every step laid down is a milestone of victory
Every word heard is a word of praise, O Tamilian!
Aha, stand tall with confidence against any competition
Ignore those who defame or slander you, O Tamilian!
Beat the drums and sing aloud
Reach out your hands in all eight directions and look far
With courage from now on
போட்டதெல்லாம் வெற்றிக் கல்லு
கேட்பதெல்லாம் வாழ்த்துச் சொல்லு தமிழனே
ஆஹா போட்டி என்ன எட்டி நில்லு
தூற்றுவோரை விட்டுத் தள்ளு தமிழனே
Every step laid down is a milestone of victory
Every word heard is a word of praise, O Tamilian!
Aha, stand tall with confidence against any competition
Ignore those who defame or slander you, O Tamilian!
கிரிக்கட் ஆடு பேட்டை தூக்கி
விக்கட் வாங்கு பந்தை வீசி
வாடா நீயும் தான் பில்கேட்ஸ்
பாப் சாங் பாடு பீட்டுப் போட்டு
மைக்கேல் ஜாக்ஸன் ஆட்டம் போட்டு
ஓடு பி டி உஷா போல்
எந்த நாளும் எந்த ஏடும் உன்னைப் போற்றும்
இந்த நாட்டின் மன்னன் என்று மாலை சூட்டும்
சட்டம் போட்டும் திட்டம் போட்டு
கோழை தன்னை வீரன் என்று
ஆக்க முடியுமா
Play cricket holding up the bat
Take wickets by bowling the ball
Come on, you too can become Bill Gates!
Sing pop songs to a lively beat
Dance like Michael Jackson
Run fast like P. T. Usha
Any day, any history book will praise you
They will crown you with garlands as the king of this land
Even by making laws and formulating schemes
Can a coward ever be turned into a brave hero?
போட்டதெல்லாம் வெற்றிக் கல்லு
கேட்பதெல்லாம் வாழ்த்துச் சொல்லு தமிழனே
ஆஹா போட்டி என்ன எட்டி நில்லு
தூற்றுவோரை விட்டுத் தள்ளு தமிழனே
கொட்டு கொட்டு முரசு கொட்டிப் பாடு
எட்டு திக்கும் கைகள் எட்டும் எட்டிப் பாரு
துணிவுடன் இனி
Every step laid down is a milestone of victory
Every word heard is a word of praise, O Tamilian!
Aha, stand tall with confidence against any competition
Ignore those who defame or slander you, O Tamilian!
Beat the drums and sing aloud
Reach out your hands in all eight directions and look far
With courage from now on
போட்டதெல்லாம் வெற்றிக் கல்லு
கேட்பதெல்லாம் வாழ்த்துச் சொல்லு தமிழனே
ஆஹா போட்டி என்ன எட்டி நில்லு
தூற்றுவோரை விட்டுத் தள்ளு தமிழனே
Every step laid down is a milestone of victory
Every word heard is a word of praise, O Tamilian!
Aha, stand tall with confidence against any competition
Ignore those who defame or slander you, O Tamilian!
Rappapaaraa rap rappapaaraa rappap
Rappapaaraa rap rappapaaraa rappap
Rappapaaraa rap rappapaaraa rappap
Rappapaaraa rap rappapaaraa rappap
Rarararaa rarararaa
Rarararaa rarararaa
Pottadhellaam vetri kallu
Every step laid down is a milestone of victory
Ketpadhellaam vaazhthu chollu thamizhanae
Every word heard is a word of praise, O Tamilian!
Ahaa potti enna yetti nillu
Aha, stand tall with confidence against any competition
Thootruvorai vittu thallu thamizhanae
Ignore those who defame or slander you, O Tamilian!
Kottu kottu murasu kotti paadu
Beat the drums and sing aloud
Ettu thikkum kaigal ettum etti paaru
Reach out your hands in all eight directions and look far
Thunivudan ini
With courage from now on
Pottadhellaam vetri kallu
Every step laid down is a milestone of victory
Ketpadhellaam vaazhthu chollu thamizhanae
Every word heard is a word of praise, O Tamilian!
Ahaa potti enna yetti nillu
Aha, stand tall with confidence against any competition
Thootruvorai vittu thallu thamizhanae
Ignore those who defame or slander you, O Tamilian!
Pattu thaegam thaekku pola
Protect your body like strong teak wood
Katti kaakka thittam podu
Make plans to safeguard and maintain it
Noigal thaanaaga odum
Diseases will run away on their own
Vattillaadha sittu pola
Like an endlessly roaming sprightly bird
Mettu paadi vattam podu
Sing a tune and circle around joyfully
Kaatrum poo maalai podum
Even the breeze will adorn you with a flower garland
Achamenna achamenna ettu podu
What is fear? What is fear? Take bold steps forward
Unmaiyulla nenjukkaedhu kattuppaadu
What restrictions can exist for a truthful heart?
Gangai pola ullam kondu
Having a heart pure and vast like the Ganges river
Vellam pola engum sendru karaigal kadakkalaam
Flowing everywhere like a flood, one can cross all boundaries
Pottadhellaam vetri kallu
Every step laid down is a milestone of victory
Ketpadhellaam vaazhthu chollu thamizhanae
Every word heard is a word of praise, O Tamilian!
Ahaa potti enna yetti nillu
Aha, stand tall with confidence against any competition
Thootruvorai vittu thallu thamizhanae
Ignore those who defame or slander you, O Tamilian!
Kottu kottu murasu kotti paadu
Beat the drums and sing aloud
Ettu thikkum kaigal ettum etti paaru
Reach out your hands in all eight directions and look far
Thunivudan ini
With courage from now on
Pottadhellaam vetri kallu
Every step laid down is a milestone of victory
Ketpadhellaam vaazhthu chollu thamizhanae
Every word heard is a word of praise, O Tamilian!
Ahaa potti enna yetti nillu
Aha, stand tall with confidence against any competition
Thootruvorai vittu thallu thamizhanae
Ignore those who defame or slander you, O Tamilian!
Cricket aadu battai thookki
Play cricket holding up the bat
Wicket vaangu pandhai veesi
Take wickets by bowling the ball
Vaadaa neeyum thaan billgates
Come on, you too can become Bill Gates!
Pop song paadu beattu pottu
Sing pop songs to a lively beat
Michale jackson aattam pottu
Dance like Michael Jackson
Odu P T ushaa pol
Run fast like P. T. Usha
Endha naalum endha yaedum unnai potrum
Any day, any history book will praise you
Indha naattin mannan endru maalai soottum
They will crown you with garlands as the king of this land
Sattam pottum thittam pottu
Even by making laws and formulating schemes
Kozhai thannai veeran endru aakka mudiyumaa
Can a coward ever be turned into a brave hero?
Pottadhellaam vetri kallu
Every step laid down is a milestone of victory
Ketpadhellaam vaazhthu chollu thamizhanae
Every word heard is a word of praise, O Tamilian!
Ahaa potti enna yetti nillu
Aha, stand tall with confidence against any competition
Thootruvorai vittu thallu thamizhanae
Ignore those who defame or slander you, O Tamilian!
Kottu kottu murasu kotti paadu
Beat the drums and sing aloud
Ettu thikkum kaigal ettum etti paaru
Reach out your hands in all eight directions and look far
Thunivudan ini
With courage from now on
Pottadhellaam vetri kallu
Every step laid down is a milestone of victory
Ketpadhellaam vaazhthu chollu thamizhanae
Every word heard is a word of praise, O Tamilian!
Ahaa potti enna yetti nillu
Aha, stand tall with confidence against any competition
Thootruvorai vittu thallu thamizhanae
Ignore those who defame or slander you, O Tamilian!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Pottadhellaam Vetri Kallu' from the movie Bharathan (1992) is a high-energy motivational song that urges the youth—specifically Tamilian youth—to overcome fear, build physical and mental strength, and achieve global success. Lyricist Vaali weaves contemporary pop-culture references alongside traditional metaphors to inspire self-confidence and perseverance. The song encourages breaking boundaries in sports, business, arts, and athletics, referencing figures like Bill Gates, Michael Jackson, and P. T. Usha. It emphasizes that true victory stems from courage, honesty, and inner determination rather than mere rules or external schemes.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Uwamai)
“Pattu thaegam thaekku pola”
Compares physical strength to teak wood ('thaekku pola') and mental purity/flow to the Ganges river ('Gangai pola').
Alliteration & Rhyme (Emoni / Ethirai)
“Pottadhellaam vetri kallu / Ketpadhellaam vaazhthu chollu”
Use of 'Pottadhellaam' and 'Ketpadhellaam' to maintain rhythm and flow across stanzas.
Allusion
“Vaadaa neeyum thaan billgates”
Direct references to real-world global personalities (Bill Gates, Michael Jackson, P.T. Usha) to serve as benchmarks of success.
Rhetorical Question
“Kozhai thannai veeran endru aakka mudiyumaa”
Asks whether laws and schemes alone can make a coward into a hero, highlighting that true courage comes from within.
Did you know?
Trivia
Bharathan (1992) starred Vijayakanth and Bhanupriya, with music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja. Sung dynamically by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, this song stood out for its unique blend of traditional Tamil motivational lyrics by Vaali with modern pop-culture imagery, referencing contemporary 90s icons like Bill Gates, Michael Jackson, and Indian athlete P. T. Usha.
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