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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Rattakka Rattakka

From Kadapuraa Kalaikuzhu · 2023

Lyricist
Raja Gurusamy
Singer
Anthony Daasan
Music director
Henry
Details
Kadapuraa Kalaikuzhu2023

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Vandha kadha boomiyilaThe story of arriving on this earth is the same for everyone, my friend.
Ellorukkum onnappaaThe story of arriving on this earth is the same for everyone, my friend.
Vaazhndha kadha ennaanuWhat the lived story was, will be told by the departing story, my friend.
Pogum kadha sollumappaaWhat the lived story was, will be told by the departing story, my friend.
Male
AdraaBeat it!
Hey…Hey...
Rattakku rattakkuRattakku rattakku
Rattakku rattakkuRattakku rattakku
Valayapatti melamThe drum beat of Valayapatti
Adi…Beat it...
Thaththakku thaththakkuThaththakku thaththakku
Thaththakku thaththakkuThaththakku thaththakku
Thaathaavoda thaalamThe rhythm passed down from grandfather
Male
HeyHey
Rattakku.. thaththakku…Rattakku.. thaththakku...
Male
HoiHoi
Rattakku rattakkuRattakku rattakku
Rattakku rattakkuRattakku rattakku
Valayapatti melamThe drum beat of Valayapatti
Adi…Beat it...
Thaththakku thaththakkuThaththakku thaththakku
Thaththakku thaththakkuThaththakku thaththakku
Thaathaavoda thaalamThe rhythm passed down from grandfather
Chorus
Hey…Hey...
Rattakku rattakkuRattakku rattakku
Rattakku rattakkuRattakku rattakku
Rattakku rattakkuRattakku rattakku
RattakkuRattakku
Hey…Hey...
Thaththakku thaththakkuThaththakku thaththakku
Thaththakku thaththakkuThaththakku thaththakku
Thaththakku thaththakkuThaththakku thaththakku
ThaththakkuThaththakku
Male
Munnangaala munna vachuStep your front foot forward,
Manna thottu muthamittuTouch the soil and kiss it.
Munnangaala munna vachuStep your front foot forward,
Manna thottu muthamittuTouch the soil and kiss it.
Male
Vaathiyaththa kaachi vachuWarm up the musical instruments,
Valuvaa roundu kattuForm a strong round circle.
Soodethi suthiyethum themmanguA catchy folk tune that heats up the spirit,
Poovaala alangaricha pallaakuA palanquin decorated with flowers.
Male
HeyHey
Adukki kattu veeduMulti-storeyed buildings,
Idhu aiyya pogum roaduThis is the road the master travels on.
HeyHey
Adukki kattu veeduMulti-storeyed buildings,
Idhu aiyya pogum roaduThis is the road the master travels on.
Chorus
Hey….Hey....
Rattakku rattakkuRattakku rattakku
Rattakku rattakkuRattakku rattakku
Rattakku rattakkuRattakku rattakku
RattakkuRattakku
Hey…Hey...
Thaththakku thaththakkuThaththakku thaththakku
Thaththakku thaththakkuThaththakku thaththakku
Thaththakku thaththakkuThaththakku thaththakku
ThaththakkuThaththakku
Chorus
Rattakku rattakkuRattakku rattakku
Rattakku rattakkuRattakku rattakku
Rattakku rattakkuRattakku rattakku
RattakkuRattakku
Hey…Hey...
Thaththakku thaththakkuThaththakku thaththakku
Thaththakku thaththakkuThaththakku thaththakku
Thaththakku thaththakkuThaththakku thaththakku
ThaththakkuThaththakku
Chorus
…………............
Chorus
Rattakku rattakkuRattakku rattakku
Rattakku rattakkuRattakku rattakku
Thaththakku thaththakkuThaththakku thaththakku
Thaththakku thaththakkuThaththakku thaththakku
Male
Moothavuga sonnadhellaamInclude the wise words of elders
Paatula konjam seruA little bit into the song.
Munna pona aalukellaamTo the ones who departed before us,
Solli anuppu thoodhuSend a message across.
Male
Aattam potta manusa vaazhkaHuman life that danced with energy
Aattathula mudiyuthuEnds right in the dance.
Male
Hey……Hey......
Male
Aattam potta manusa vaazhkaHuman life that danced with energy
Aattathula mudiyuthuEnds right in the dance.
Male
Naiyaandi saththam kettaaHearing the sounds of Naiyaandi melam,
Naaka madikka thonuthuMakes one want to fold their tongue and whistle.
Naiyaandi saththam kettaaHearing the sounds of Naiyaandi melam,
Naaka madikka thonuthuMakes one want to fold their tongue and whistle.
Male
Adidaa adidaaBeat it, beat it!
Vaaru pudidaa… pudidaa…Hold the leather strap tightly... hold it!
Hey…Hey...
Chorus :Adidaa adidaaChorus: Beat it, beat it!
Vaaru pudidaa pudidaaHold the leather strap tightly, hold it!
Chorus
Rattakku rattakkuRattakku rattakku
Rattakku rattakkuRattakku rattakku
Rattakku rattakkuRattakku rattakku
RattakkuRattakku
Hey…Hey...
Thaththakku thaththakkuThaththakku thaththakku
Thaththakku thaththakkuThaththakku thaththakku
Thaththakku thaththakkuThaththakku thaththakku
ThaththakkuThaththakku
Chorus
Rattakku rattakkuRattakku rattakku
Rattakku rattakkuRattakku rattakku
Rattakku rattakkuRattakku rattakku
RattakkuRattakku
Hey…Hey...
Thaththakku thaththakkuThaththakku thaththakku
Thaththakku thaththakkuThaththakku thaththakku
Thaththakku thaththakkuThaththakku thaththakku
ThaththakkuThaththakku
Male
End kuthuFinal energetic folk dance beat,
Eppavum yethi kuthanum…Always turn up the energy and dance...
Hey… kuthudaaHey... dance hard!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This energetic song reflects the philosophy of life and death wrapped in traditional folk dance and music performance. It notes that while birth is a universal starting point for everyone, a person's life story is judged by how they lived when they depart. The lyrics honor folk music traditions, referencing the iconic drum rhythms of Valayapatti, ancestral beats, warming up the percussion instruments, and performing in a circle.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Onomatopoeia / Solkattu

Rattakku rattakku

Use of rhythmic phonetic words 'Rattakku' and 'Thaththakku' to imitate folk drum beats (Melam/Thavil).

Edugai (Rhyme on second letter)

Munnangaala munna vachu / Manna thottu muthamittu

The second consonant 'n' matches in 'Munnangaala' and 'Manna', creating auditory harmony.

Imagery

Vaathiyaththa kaachi vachu / Valuvaa roundu kattu

Creates vivid visual imagery of traditional folk artists warming up instruments, forming circles, and dancing.

Metaphor

Aattam potta manusa vaazhka / Aattathula mudiyuthu

Life is metaphorically described as a dance ('Aattam') that starts and concludes in the performance itself.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is sung by popular Tamil folk artist Anthony Daasan, known for bringing traditional folk energy to mainstream Tamil film soundtracks. The track highlights traditional Tamil folk performance arts, featuring references to Valayapatti style drumming and Naiyaandi Melam.

Keep listening

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