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Lyrics & meaning

Raga Raga Ragalada

From Kodiveeran · 2017

Lyricist
Ra. Thanikodi
Singers
Ayappan, Jagatheesh, Velu, Sinduri
Music director
N. R. Raghunanthan
Details
Kodiveeran2017

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
{Raga raga ragaladaHey, it is a commotion!
Ivan ragalayoda sagaladaHe is the master of all commotions!
Jega jega jegamadaHey, it is the whole wide world!
Pala jegajaalaga mugamadaHe has many faces of magical illusions!
Male
Nila nila nilamadaHey, it is the land and earth!
Ivan neruppu neeru kalavadaHe is a blend of fire and water!
Kala kala kalamadaHey, it is the battlefield of time!
Ivan kalamaadiya kulamada} (2)He belongs to the clan that fought in the arena!
Female
Veththalaiyila azhukkirunthaHey, it is a commotion!
Veettiyila thudaikkanumHe is the master of all commotions!
Puththiyila azhukkirunthaaHey, it is the whole wide world!
Pothuvulathaan udaikkanumHe has many faces of magical illusions!
Female
Nellu kaanju allum pothuHey, it is the land and earth!
Kalliruntha pudaikkanumHe is a blend of fire and water!
Yellukkaai vedippathu polHey, it is the battlefield of time!
Nyaayam solli mudikkanumHe belongs to the clan that fought in the arena!
Chorus
Nallavanaa vaazhurathuIf there is dirt on a betel leaf,
Siramththilum siramamadaOne should wipe it on their dhoti.
Konja kaalam vaazhnthu paaruIf there is impurity in one's mind,
Sigarangalum pallamadaOne must shatter it open in public.
Chorus
Illaatha perukkuWhile gathering dried paddy,
Yeppothum thondandaIf there are stones, one must sift them out.
Pollatha payalukkuJust like a sesame seed pod bursts open,
Ivanaalae kandamdaOne must speak and settle justice decisively.
Male
{Raga raga ragaladaLiving as a good human being
Ivan ragalayoda sagaladaIs the hardest task of all!
Jega jega jegamadaTry living like that for a short while,
Pala jegajaalaga mugamadaEven mountain peaks will feel like low valleys!
Male
Nila nila nilamadaFor those who have nothing,
Ivan neruppu neeru kalavadaHe is always a humble servant!
Kala kala kalamadaFor wicked and evil men,
Ivan kalamaadiya kulamada} (2)He himself is their ultimate doom!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This energetic song serves as a hero-glorification track celebrating the protagonist's fierce yet compassionate nature in Kodiveeran. The lyrics emphasize that he is a unique force—gentle like water to the needy, yet destructive like fire to evil-doers. Through traditional folk proverbs and rural imagery (such as sifting stones from dried grain or wiping betel leaves), the lyricist conveys moral principles about integrity, swift justice, and the sheer difficulty of living an upright life. Ultimately, the song establishes the hero as a protector of the poor and an unstoppable threat to villains.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monaai (Initial Alliteration)

Raga raga ragalada

Repetition of initial consonant sounds within a line creates a rhythmic beat (e.g., 'Raga raga ragalada', 'Jega jega jegamada', 'Nila nila nilamada').

Edhukai (Second Letter Rhyming)

Veththalaiyila azhukkiruntha / Puththiyila azhukkirunthaa

Matching second consonants across consecutive lines, standard in Tamil prosody (e.g., 'Veththalaiyila' and 'Puththiyila', both having 'th' in the second position).

Upamai (Simile)

Yellukkaai vedippathu pol Nyaayam solli mudikkanum

Comparing the swift and definitive declaration of justice to the sharp, sudden popping sound of a dry sesame seed pod bursting open.

Oxymoron / Metaphor

Ivan neruppu neeru kalavada

Combining two contrasting natural elements, fire ('neruppu') and water ('neeru'), to describe the protagonist's dual temperament.

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Trivia

Kodiveeran (2017) is an action drama starring M. Sasikumar, written and directed by M. Muthaiah. The soundtrack was composed by N. R. Raghunanthan. Lyricist Ra. Thanikodi is well-known for embedding authentic rural idioms and Southern Tamil folklore into his song writing.

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