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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Raman Aandaalum

From Mullum Malarum · 1978

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, L. R. Anjali, Chorus
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Mullum Malarum1978

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
Yele le lelellele lelelele…..Yele le lelellele lelelele…..
Lelellele lelelele…..Lelellele lelelele…..
Lelellele lelelele…..Lelellele lelelele…..
Ammanae kumbitta namakellamIf we worship the Goddess Mother, for all of us
Naladhae nadakkumaeOnly good things will happen
Kettadha ammanum kudukathaeThe Mother Goddess will never grant anything bad
Lelellele lelelele…..Lelellele lelelele…..
Lelellele lelelele…..Lelellele lelelele…..
Male
Raaman aandaalumWhether Lord Rama rules
Raavanan aandaalumOr Ravana rules
Enakkoru kavalaiyillaeI don't have a single care!
Male
Naan thaanda en manasukku raajaI am the king of my own mind!
Vaangungada velliyil koojaGo buy a silver water jug, guys!
Nee ketta kettatha koduppenI will grant whatever bad thing you ask for
Ketkura varathai kettukodaAsk for the boon you desire!
Male
Raaman aandaalumWhether Lord Rama rules
Raavanan aandaalumOr Ravana rules
Enakkoru kavalaiyillae..hoiI don't have a single care!..hoi
Male
{Yaanaiya kondaanga{ Bring the elephant,
Kuthiraiya kondaangaBring the horse,
Naanum oorkolam poga} (2)For me to go in a grand procession } (2)
Male
Vaazhai thennai maavilai ellaamBanana, coconut, and mango leaves, all of them
Thonganum thoranamaagaShould hang as festive festoons
Enda dei raaniya koopiduHey man, call the queen!
Avaloda sediyum koopiduCall her companion too!
Yeh mathurai raajiyam ennuthuHey, the kingdom of Madurai is mine,
Onakkoru paathiyai kodukkirendaI'll grant half of it to you, man!
Male
Raaman aandaalumWhether Lord Rama rules
Raavanan aandaalumOr Ravana rules
Enakkoru kavalaiyillae….ae..ae…I don't have a single care….ae..ae…
Chorus
………………………………
Male
{Ponnaa poo poothu{ Flowering with gold,
Vairam kaayagaBearing diamonds as fruit,
Kaikkum ennoda thottam} (2)My garden will yield fruit } (2)
Male
Maasam moonu bhogam vilaiyumThree harvests a year will yield crops,
Laabam melum koodumAnd profits will rise even more!
kaiyirukku uzhaichi kaatturenI have hands, I will work and prove myself!
Manasirukku pozhaichi paakkurenI have heart, I will survive and see!
Yeh pona poguthu velaiHey, let it go, it's work,
Unakkoru velaiya kodukkirendaI will give you a job, man!
Male
Raaman aandaalumWhether Lord Rama rules
Raavanan aandaalumOr Ravana rules
Enakkoru kavalaiyillae….ae..ae…I don't have a single care….ae..ae…
Chorus
………………………………
Male
{Oorum kondaada{ For the town to celebrate,
Ulagam kondaadaFor the world to celebrate,
Oorkolam pogum saami} (2)The deity goes on procession } (2)
Male
Naadum veedum nalla vaazhaFor the country and home to live well,
Nee thaan ner vazhi kaamiYou show us the righteous path!
Saathi sanam onnaaga sernthathuKith and kin gathered as one,
Saamiya thaan ellorum ketkuthuEveryone is praying to God now.
Nee ketta kettathai kodukkaraYou grant whatever you ask,
Saamiyai paarthu kelungadaLook at God and make your wish, guys!
Male
Raaman aandaalumWhether Lord Rama rules
Raavanan aandaalumOr Ravana rules
Enakkoru kavalaiyillae….hoi…I don't have a single care….hoi…
Male
Naan thaanda en manasukku raajaI am the king of my own mind!
Vaangungada velliyil koojaGo buy a silver water jug, guys!
Nee ketta kettatha koduppenI will grant whatever bad thing you ask for
Ketkura varathai kettukodaAsk for the boon you desire!
Male
Raaman aandaalumWhether Lord Rama rules
Raavanan aandaalumOr Ravana rules
Enakkoru kavalaiyillae..hoiI don't have a single care..hoi

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Raaman Aandaalum' expresses a philosophy of radical self-reliance, defiant freedom, and carefree joy. The protagonist asserts that regardless of who holds political power or rules the country—whether it be Rama or Ravana—his inner sovereignty remains intact because he is the king of his own mind. He celebrates hard work, community festivities, generosity towards others, and living on his own terms.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyming)

Raaman aandaalum / Raavanan aandaalum

Matching of the second consonant in consecutive lines ('aand-aalum' / 'aand-aalum').

Monaai (Alliteration)

Ponnaa poo poothu

Repetition of initial consonant sounds ('Ponnaa' / 'Poothu').

Metaphor

Ponnaa poo poothu, Vairam kaayaga

Comparing a garden's harvest to gold blossoms and diamond fruits to symbolise immense prosperity through hard work.

Refrain / Anaphora

Raaman aandaalum Raavanan aandaalum

Repetition of the signature chorus lines throughout the song to reinforce the central theme of independence.

Did you know?

Trivia

This iconic song from Mahendran's classic 'Mullum Malarum' (1978) features Rajinikanth in his landmark role as Kali. Composed by Ilaiyaraaja and sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam along with L. R. Anjali, the song became a timeless anthem of self-respect and nonchalance in Tamil popular culture.

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