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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ram Ram

From Hey Ram · 2000

Lyricist
Kamal Haasan
Singers
Kamal Haasan, Sruthi Haasan
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Hey Ram2000

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Raghupathi raagavRaghupati Raghav (Chief of Raghu clan)
Raaja ramKing Ram
Patheetha paavanuPurifier of the fallen
Seetha ramSita Ram
Male
{Ram ram{Ram ram
Hey heyHey hey
Ram ramRam ram
Ram ramRam ram
SalaameSalutations
Ram ram} (2)Ram ram} (2)
Male
Nadanthathai ninaithiduThink about what happened
Nallathai thodangiduStart doing good deeds
Izhanthathai unarnthiduRealize what you have lost
Iruppathai kaathiduProtect what remains
Anbenum or sol ithuThis word called love
Naththigam sol inbamaaiSpeak atheism or truth joyfully
Ingae yaarum illaiyaeThere is nobody here (above humanity)
Male
Ram ramRam ram
Hey heyHey hey
Ram ramRam ram
Ram ramRam ram
SalaameSalutations
Ram ramRam ram
Male
MarumuraiOnce again
Female :MarumuraiFemale: Once again
Male :Varuvathaai solliMale: Promising to return
Female :Varuvathaai solliFemale: Promising to return
Male
MaainthavarThose who perished
Female :MaainthavarFemale: Those who perished
Male :Vanthathae illaiMale: Have never returned
Female :Vanthathae illaiFemale: Have never returned
Male
Oh hoOh ho
ThodarvathuWhat continues
Female :ThodarvathuFemale: What continues
Male :Naamae naalaiMale: Is us tomorrow
Female :Naamae naalaiFemale: Is us tomorrow
Male
VaruvathuWhat comes next
Female :VaruvathuFemale: What comes next
Male :Ver oru aalaeMale: Is someone else entirely
Male
Naalae anbenumIf today itself, the lamp of love
TheebaththaiThe lamp
Ettri nee vaiththaalYou light up and keep
NaalaiyumTomorrow as well
Eriyum un per sollumIt will burn and speak your name
Jothi …jothiFlame... flame
Male
Ram ramRam ram
Hey heyHey hey
Ram ramRam ram
Ram ramRam ram
SalaameSalutations
Ram ramRam ram
Male
OruvanumNeither a man
Female :OruvanumFemale: Neither a man
Male :Oruththiyum koodaMale: Nor even a woman
Female :Oruththiyum koodaFemale: Nor even a woman
Male
VaruvathaeComes along with you in the end
Female :VaruvathaeFemale: Comes along with you in the end
Male :Naanum neeyum thaan..ohMale: It is only you and I.. oh
Female :Naanum neeyumFemale: You and I
Male
ManithanaiA human being
Female :ManithanaiFemale: A human being
Male :Manithanaai paaruMale: Look at a human as just a human
Female :Manithanaai paaruFemale: Look at a human as just a human
Male
MathangalumReligions too
Female :MathangalumFemale: Religions too
Male :Kan kaana odumMale: Will run far away out of sight
Male
Thannaalae thayagamAutomatically the homeland
Naalaiyai nokkiyaeTowards tomorrow
SellumWill march forward
Naalaiyum namathenaThat tomorrow is ours too
SaatchchiyamTestimony
Sollum sollumWill tell, will tell
AhhaAhha
Male
Anbenum or sol ithuThis word called love
Naththigam sol inbamaaiSpeak rational thoughts joyfully
Ingae yaarum illaiyaeThere is nobody here
Male
Raghupathi raagavRaghupati Raghav
Raaja ramKing Ram
Patheetha paavanuPurifier of the fallen
Seetha ramSita Ram

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This title track from 'Hey Ram' (2000) encapsulates the core humanistic and anti-communal philosophy of the film. Written by Kamal Haasan, the song weaves Mahatma Gandhi's iconic devotional chant 'Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram' together with introspective Tamil verses that call for unity, peace, and rational thinking in the aftermath of religious violence. The lyrics remind us that those lost to religious fanaticism never return, and that future generations must learn from past tragedies. It urges society to look at fellow individuals as human beings first rather than through the lens of religious identity. By lighting the enduring lamp of love and humanism today, humanity can progress toward a harmonious and enlightened tomorrow.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyai (End Rhyme)

Nadanthathai ninaithidu / Nallathai thodangidu / Izhanthathai unarnthidu / Iruppathai kaathidu

Use of matching verbal suffixes (-idu) creates a rhythmic, instructional cadence.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Naalae anbenum / Theebaththai / Ettri nee vaiththaal

Comparing love to an enduring flame/lamp ('anbenum theebaththai') that outlasts individual lives.

Repetition (Anaphora / Erattai Kilavi)

Jothi …jothi / Sollum sollum

Rhythmic repetition of 'Ram ram', 'Jothi', and 'Sollum sollum' for musical emphasis and spiritual/philosophical weight.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Hey Ram' (2000) was written, directed, and produced by Kamal Haasan, with music composed by Ilaiyaraaja. The soundtrack uniquely integrates Gandhian philosophy with secular humanism. Kamal Haasan wrote the lyrics for this theme track to highlight how secularism, love, and rational thought are essential remedies for religious fanaticism.

Keep listening

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