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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Salaam Chennai

From Album Songs 2020 · 2020

Lyricist
Karthik Netha
Singer
Sathya Prakash
Music director
Ghibran
Details
Album Songs 20202020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics↻ English translation
Male
Salaam chennaiyaeSalute, O Chennai!
Male :Salaam chennaiyaeSalute, O Chennai!
Male :Sellga munnalaeMove forward,
Male :Sellga munnalaeMove forward,
Male :Yaavum anbaalaeEverything through love,
Male :AnbaalaeThrough love,
Male :Maarum thannaalaeWill change on its own,
Male :ThannaalaeOn its own,
Male
Thodaamal vazhum bothumEven while living without physical touch,
Thannerai theendum vaanamThe sky touches the water at the horizon,
Neenda thanimai neenda thanimaiLong solitude, long solitude,
Vaazhvin valimai kaattumWill reveal the true strength of life,
Male
Eppodhum pola vaazhaTo live as we always used to,
Appodhai meendum kaanaTo see those days return once more,
Perunarvil theendi tholavai kaanaTouching through deep empathy to overcome distance,
Iyalbu naalai thondrumNormalcy will dawn tomorrow,
Male
Neethaanae maatramYou alone are the change,
Neethaanae maatramYou alone are the change,
Neethaanae yettramYou alone are the elevation,
Neethaanae yettramYou alone are the elevation,
Neethaanae thevaiYou alone are the necessity,
Neethaanae thevaiYou alone are the necessity,
Neethaanae naalaiYou alone are tomorrow,
Neethaanae naalaiYou alone are tomorrow,
Male
Salaam chennaiyaeSalute, O Chennai!
Male :Salaam chennaiyaeSalute, O Chennai!
Male :Sellga munnalaeMove forward,
Male :Sellga munnalaeMove forward,
Male :Yaavum anbaalaeEverything through love,
Male :Yaavum anbaalaeEverything through love,
Male :Maarum thannaalaeWill change on its own,
Male :Maarum thannaalaeWill change on its own,
Male
Pookadaiyum neezh theruvumThe flower bazaar and long streets,
Naam illaamal yengalaamMay yearn in our absence,
Oor ulagil naam inayaFor us to reunite safely in the world,
Peridarai pookalaamWe can eradicate this great disaster,
Male
Vaa vaa vaa vanthuCome, come, step forward,
Nee unnai maathikkoAnd adapt yourself,
No no no solli koottathai neengikkoSay no no no and steer clear of crowds,
Ma ma mask kondu nee konjum maatikkoWear your mask with care,
Hey you kannaal pesikko seendikkoHey you, speak and playfully tease with your eyes,
Male
Theedaamai eppodhumUntouchability has always been,
Perum theemaiyaeA great evil,
Peranbil theendalaamYet we can touch each other through great love,
Chorus
Neethaanae maatramYou alone are the change,
Neethaanae yettramYou alone are the elevation,
Neethaanae thevaiYou alone are the necessity,
Neethaanae naalaiYou alone are tomorrow,
Male
{Neethaanae maatramYou alone are the change,
Chorus :Neethaanae maatramYou alone are the change,
Male :Neethaanae yettramYou alone are the elevation,
Chorus :Neethaanae yettramYou alone are the elevation,
Male :Neethaanae thevaiYou alone are the necessity,
Chorus :Neethaanae thevaiYou alone are the necessity,
Male :Neethaanae naalaiYou alone are tomorrow,
Chorus :Neethaanae naalai} (2)You alone are tomorrow

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song serves as a motivational awareness anthem written during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, dedicated to the city of Chennai and its resilient people. It encourages citizens to follow safety precautions such as practicing social distancing, avoiding crowds, wearing masks, and communicating safely through eyes and gestures rather than physical contact. The lyrics highlight that while physical separation is essential during tough times, emotional solidarity and shared love will bring back normalcy and help society defeat the crisis.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Anaphora / Epinome

“Neethaanae maatram / Neethaanae yettram”

The phrase 'Neethaanae' (You alone are) is repeated continuously across lines to emphasize that individual discipline and responsibility are key to driving societal change.

Edukku (Second-letter Rhyme)

“Thodaamal vazhum bothum / Thannerai theendum vaanam”

The second consonant sound 'd' is matched in 'Thodaamal' and 'Thannerai', a classic Tamil poetic rhythm technique.

Metaphor

“Thannerai theendum vaanam”

Comparing the horizon where the sky appears to touch the sea ('Thannerai theendum vaanam') to illustrate how connection exists even across physical distance.

Did you know?

Trivia

This track was produced as an independent awareness single during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic lockdown to boost public morale in Chennai, utilizing Karthik Netha's uplifting lyrical style to promote safety practices like mask-wearing.

Keep listening

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