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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Potten Oru Medai

From Inimai Idho Idho · 1983

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singer
Malaysia Vasudevan
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Inimai Idho Idho1983

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
………………….....
Male
Kizhakka vaara sooriyanaThe sun rising in the east
Kelambaama thaduththidalaamCan be stopped from emerging,
Kenaththu thaneer ooththakoodaEven the spring water in a well
keduvu solli maraichidalaamCan be hidden under some pretext,
Varatharaasan thambi paadum….mm…The variety of songs sung...
Vagaiyaana paattukalai...by the younger brother of Varadarajan,
Vakkanaiyaa kuththam solliBy cunningly finding faults,
Vazhi marikka mudiyaathudaaCannot be blocked, hey fellow!
Dei…..dei………dei…..Hey... hey... hey...
Male
Pottaen oru maedai muttaappaya oodaI set up a stage to make the fool run away,
Pottaen oru maedai muttaappaya oodaI set up a stage to make the fool run away,
Pottaen oru maedai muttaappaya oodaI set up a stage to make the fool run away,
Intha kaalaththila ennai edhirththu nikkaTo stand against me in these modern times,
Naan vaai thoranthaa adha vazhi marikkaTo block my path when I open my mouth to sing,
Oru payagalum porakkala neeyoru podippayaNo man has been born yet; you are just a small boy,
Podaa…..muttaappaya moodaa…..Get lost... fool, shut your mouth...
Male
Pottaen oru maedai muttaappaya oodaI set up a stage to make the fool run away,
Jaaldra potraa thookudaa koojaaPlay the cymbals and carry the flattery water-pot!
Hae sangeetha naattukku naanoru raajaaHey, I am the undisputed king of the musical realm!
Jaaldra potraa thookudaa koojaaPlay the cymbals and carry the flattery water-pot!
Male
Edhirvaatha paeyae….aei….aei….aeiiiYou hostile demon... hey... hey... hey!
Aayi….ooyi….yaeyiAayi... ooyi... yaeyi
Edhirvaatha paeyaeYou hostile demon,
Naayae edhirththe neeyum pesaathaeYou dog, do not dare oppose me and talk back,
En pakkam niyaayam unduJustice and rightness are on my side,
Istam pola veesaathaeDo not lash out as you please,
Podaa…..muttaappaya moodaa…..Get lost... fool, shut your mouth...
Male
Intha kaalaththila ennai edhirththu nikkaTo stand against me in these modern times,
Naan vaai thoranthaa adha vazhi marikkaTo block my path when I open my mouth to sing,
Oru payagalum porakkala neeyoru podippayaNo man has been born yet; you are just a small boy,
Podaa…..muttaappaya moodaa…..Get lost... fool, shut your mouth...
Male
Saamikku pudikkira sangeetham padippenI will sing classical music that pleases the Almighty,
Janangalum rasikkira paattaiyum padippenI will also sing popular songs that the general public enjoys,
En paatil kuththam sollaTo find fault in my musical craft,
evanum ingae kidaiyaathuThere is nobody capable here,
Yaendaappaa….vaendaamppaa…Why man... stop it man...
Edhuvum unnaala mudiyaathuYou are incapable of doing anything,
Podaa…..muttaappaya moodaa…..Get lost... fool, shut your mouth...
Male
Intha kaalaththila ennai edhirththu nikkaTo stand against me in these modern times,
Naan vaai thoranthaa adha vazhi marikkaTo block my path when I open my mouth to sing,
Oru payagalum porakkala neeyoru podippayaNo man has been born yet; you are just a small boy,
Podaa…..muttaappaya moodaa…..Get lost... fool, shut your mouth...
Male
………………...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This energetic and defiant song from 'Inimai Idho Idho' (1983) serves as a dramatic musical confrontation. The protagonist boldly asserts his supremacy in music, warning his opponent that no one can suppress true artistic talent, just as no one can stop the sun from rising in the east. He self-referentially boasts about his lineage and musical mastery, declaring himself the king of the kingdom of music capable of pleasing both the divine with classical music and the masses with popular tunes. Throughout the song, the singer aggressively dismisses his rival as an inexperienced brat ('podippaya') and a foolish challenger who lacks the skill to critique his art. With sharp insults and energetic rhythmic refrains, he claims moral and creative righteousness, establishing his musical dominance while urging his antagonist to step down and stay silent.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navitchi Ani)

Kizhakka vaara sooriyana Kelambaama thaduththidalaam

Exaggerating one's ability to stop the sun from rising or hiding well water to emphasize that even impossible things might happen, but stopping the protagonist's music is impossible.

Metaphor (Uruvagak Katchi)

Hae sangeetha naattukku naanoru raajaa

Describing himself as the supreme ruler of the realm of music.

Alliteration (Moonaith Thodai)

Vagaiyaana paattukalai / Vakkanaiyaa kuththam solli

Repetition of the 'Va' initial sound across lines ('Vagaiyaana', 'Vakkanaiyaa', 'Vazhi').

Idiomatic Expression

Jaaldra potraa thookudaa koojaa

'Jaaldra potraa thookudaa koojaa' uses Tamil folk idioms referring to sycophancy and flatterers.

Did you know?

Trivia

The self-referential line 'Varatharaasan thambi paadum' (sung by the younger brother of Varadarajan) directly references Gangai Amaran and Ilaiyaraaja's elder brother, Pavalar Varadarajan, a prominent Communist folk singer and cultural icon in Tamil Nadu.

Keep listening

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