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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Puli Puli Paayum Puli

From Paayum Puli · 2015

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
Malgudi Subha
Music director
D. Imman
Details
Paayum Puli2015

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
Hara hara hara haraChant invoking Lord Shiva (Hara)
Heeraara heeraara hara haraRhythmic vocal chant
Heeraara heeraara hara haraRhythmic vocal chant
Female
Puli puli puli payum puliTiger, tiger, tiger, pouncing tiger!
Vettaiyada ingae vantha puliThe tiger that has arrived here to hunt
Pagaivan nadunga padaiyum odungaAs the enemy trembles and the opposing army flees
Paayum puliya paaruLook at the pouncing tiger!
Atha thakkum pozhuthuWhen it strikes,
Malaiyum norungumEven a mountain will crumble into dust
Thadukka povadhu yaruWho is going to stop it?
Puli puli puliTiger, tiger, tiger!
Payum puli puliPouncing tiger, tiger!
Female
Puli puli puli payum puliTiger, tiger, tiger, pouncing tiger!
Vettaiyada ingae vantha puliThe tiger that has arrived here to hunt
Pagaivan nadunga padaiyum odungaAs the enemy trembles and the opposing army flees
Paayum puliya paaruLook at the pouncing tiger!
Atha thakkum pozhuthuWhen it strikes,
Malaiyum norungumEven a mountain will crumble into dust
Thadukka povadhu yaruWho is going to stop it?
Puli puli puli..Chorus :Hara haraTiger, tiger, tiger.. Chorus: Hara hara
Payum puli puli..Chorus :Hara haraPouncing tiger, tiger.. Chorus: Hara hara
Female
{Sandaiyae illa ulagam{A world completely free of war and conflict,
Kandathu unda bhoomiHas this earth ever witnessed?
Bharatha maha yuthamThe epic battle of Mahabharata,
Innum mudiyela saami} (2)Has still not ended, O Lord!} (2)
Chorus
Heeraara heeraara hara haraRhythmic vocal chant
Female
Puli puli puli payum puliTiger, tiger, tiger, pouncing tiger!
Vettaiyada ingae vantha puliThe tiger that has arrived here to hunt
Pagaivan nadunga padaiyum odungaAs the enemy trembles and the opposing army flees
Paayum puliya paaruLook at the pouncing tiger!
Atha thakkum pozhuthuWhen it strikes,
Malaiyum norungumEven a mountain will crumble into dust
Thadukka povadhu yaruWho is going to stop it?
Puli puli puliTiger, tiger, tiger!
Payum puli puliPouncing tiger, tiger!
Chorus
………………………….[Musical interlude]
Female
Mathu mayakathil ullavanumA person intoxicated by alcohol,
Pugazh mayakathil ullavanumAnd a person intoxicated by fame,
Adhutha uyira kudithu mudikkaTo destroy and drain the life of another,
Ennaikkum thayanga mattanWill never hesitate for a moment
Female
Antha kadavul thaduthuEven if God Himself intervenes
Azhudha pozhuthumAnd weeps before him,
Karunai ethuvum kaattanHe will show no mercy whatsoever
Mathu mayakkamaIs it intoxication from alcohol?
Pugazh mayakkamaOr intoxication from fame?
Female
{Sandaiyae illa ulagam{A world completely free of war and conflict,
Kandathu unda bhoomiHas this earth ever witnessed?
Bharatha maha yuthamThe epic battle of Mahabharata,
Innum mudiyela saami} (2)Has still not ended, O Lord!} (2)
Chorus
Heeraara heeraara hara haraRhythmic vocal chant
Hara hara hara haraChant invoking Lord Shiva
Hara hara hara haraChant invoking Lord Shiva
Female
Puli puli puli payum puliTiger, tiger, tiger, pouncing tiger!
Vettaiyada ingae vantha puliThe tiger that has arrived here to hunt
Pagaivan nadunga padaiyum odungaAs the enemy trembles and the opposing army flees
Paayum puliya paaruLook at the pouncing tiger!
Atha thakkum pozhuthuWhen it strikes,
Malaiyum norungumEven a mountain will crumble into dust
Thadukka povadhu yaruWho is going to stop it?
Puli puli puliTiger, tiger, tiger!
Payum puli puliPouncing tiger, tiger!
Female
{Sandaiyae illa ulagam{A world completely free of war and conflict,
Kandathu unda bhoomiHas this earth ever witnessed?
Bharatha maha yuthamThe epic battle of Mahabharata,
Innum mudiyela saami} (2)Has still not ended, O Lord!} (2)
Chorus
Heeraara heeraara hara haraRhythmic vocal chant
Heeraara heeraara hara haraRhythmic vocal chant
Female :Paayum pulii…eee…ehh..Female Singer: Pouncing tiger...
Chorus :Heeraara heeraara hara haraChorus: Heeraara heeraara hara hara
Heeraara heeraara hara haraRhythmic vocal chant

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The title song of 'Paayum Puli' is a powerful, energetic anthem that portrays the protagonist as a fierce, unstoppable tiger on a mission to hunt down injustice and crime. The lyrics emphasize the protagonist's overwhelming force, comparing his charge to a force of nature so strong that even mountains would crumble before him, leaving enemies trembling in fear.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)

Puli puli puli payum puli / Vettaiyada ingae vantha puli

Comparing the relentless undercover police protagonist directly to a pouncing tiger hunting its prey.

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navitchi)

Atha thakkum pozhuthu / Malaiyum norungum

Exaggerating the impact of the hero's strike by claiming it can crumble mountains.

Alliteration & Rhyme (Monaai & Edhugai)

Pagaivan nadunga padaiyum odunga

Rhythmic repetition of sounds across line starts and internal words ('Mathu', 'Pugazh', 'Nadunga', 'Odunga').

Allusion

Bharatha maha yutham / Innum mudiyela saami

Referencing Mahabharata ('Bharatha maha yutham') to illustrate that the perpetual conflict between good and evil is an ongoing battle in modern human society.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by D. Imman for the 2015 action film 'Paayum Puli' starring Vishal and directed by Suseenthiran, this energetic track features lyrics by Vairamuthu that blend spiritual chants ('Hara Hara') with high-octane action imagery.

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