Sandhu Pottu
From Thevar Magan · 1992
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Kamal Haasan
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Thevar Magan1992
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Saandhu pottu… | Black paste tilak... |
| Sandhana pottu… | Sandalwood tilak... |
| Saandhu pottu | Black paste tilak |
| Oru sandhana pottu | A sandalwood tilak |
| Eduthu vachikka vachikka maama | Put it on yourself, uncle |
| Male | |
| Poo mudichu | Adorn flowers in your hair |
| Oru selaiyai kattu | Drape a saree |
| Ini nee vettiya kattikkalaama | Can you wear a dhoti anymore? |
| Male | |
| Kambedutha solli adippen hoi | If I pick up a stick, I hit right where I say, hey! |
| Jalli kaalaiyai pol thulli kudhippen | I will leap and jump like a Jallikattu bull |
| Oru bamabaramaai suthi adippen hoi | I will spin and strike like a top, hey! |
| Unga paattanukkum kathu koduppen | I can even teach your grandfather! |
| Male | |
| Saandhu pottu | Black paste tilak |
| Oru sandhana pottu | A sandalwood tilak |
| Eduthu vachikka vachikka maama | Put it on yourself, uncle |
| Poo mudichu | Adorn flowers in your hair |
| Oru selaiyai kattu | Drape a saree |
| Ini nee vettiya kattikkalaama | Can you wear a dhoti anymore? |
| Male | |
| Suththa thamizh veeram | Pure Tamil bravery |
| Raththaththula oorum | Runs deep in his blood |
| Singa thamizhan sanga thamizhan | A lion-like Tamilian, a Tamilian of Sangam heritage |
| Eththanaiyo naadu | So many countries |
| Suththi vandha aalu | He is a man who has traveled around |
| Buddhi irukku sakthi irukku | He possesses intellect and strength |
| Chorus | |
| Ooraarum annanaa | Looking at all the villagers |
| Thambiyaa paarkkum | As elder and younger brothers |
| Anbaana ullamdhaan ullavaru | He is one who possesses a loving heart |
| Yaaraachum muttina | If anyone messes with him |
| Modhinaa pochu | Or collides with him, they are done for |
| Anjaama kuttuvaar thattuvaaru | Fearlessly he will knock and strike them down |
| Male | |
| Oru vaaikkozhuppeduthaa | If someone gets overly arrogant |
| Aduthavan varattizhu pizhuthaa | Or unnecessarily picks a fight with others |
| Avan thol uruippavandaa | He is the one who will peel their skin off |
| Thamizhachi paal kudichavandaa | He is raised on Tamil mother's milk |
| Male | |
| Ada vishayangal pala | Ah, many matters |
| Arinjavan naan | I am one who knows them |
| Vevarangal pala purinjavan naan | Many details, I am one who understands them |
| Sandaikku vandhaa savaal vitta | If you come for a fight and issue a challenge |
| Thadiyathaan pudichithaan | Holding the staff firmly |
| Kai viralila suthura suthula | With the spin I make with my fingers |
| Annaachi unna naan | Brother, I will make you |
| Punnaakku thinnaveppen | Eat humble pie! |
| Male | |
| Saandhu pottu | Black paste tilak |
| Oru sandhana pottu | A sandalwood tilak |
| Eduthu vachikka vachikka maama | Put it on yourself, uncle |
| Poo mudichu | Adorn flowers in your hair |
| Oru selaiyai kattu | Drape a saree |
| Ini nee vettiya kattikkalaama…haa.. | Can you wear a dhoti anymore? Haa... |
| Male | |
| Enkitta thaan potti | The one who dares to compete with me |
| Poduravan vaetti | His dhoti |
| Kaathil parakkum ooru sirikkum | Will fly in the wind, and the whole town will laugh |
| Ettadi nee paanja | If you leap eight feet |
| Paththadi naan paanju | I will leap ten feet |
| Palla udappen sillai udappen | I will break your teeth and smash you to pieces |
| Chorus | |
| Sooraadhi soorarum | Who is the bravest of the brave |
| Theerarum yaaru | And the most valiant? |
| Godhaavil othaiyaa nikkiraaru | He stands alone in the fighting arena |
| Vandhaakka neththiyin | If anyone approaches, right in the center |
| Maththiyil joraa | Of their forehead, grandly |
| Sunnaambu pottadhaan vakkiraaru | He puts a mark of defeat |
| Male | |
| Kambu saathiram theriyum | He knows the martial science of stick fighting |
| Adhil ulla sootchamam theriyum | He knows the subtle secrets hidden within it |
| Oru aathiram porandha | When rage is sparked within him |
| Appo ivan yaarunnu puriyum | Then you will realize who he really is |
| Male | |
| Ada padapadavena adikkattuma | Ah, shall I strike you rapidly? |
| Podipada unna norukkattuma | Shall I crush you into dust? |
| Aththiri achcha | Furious and raging |
| Kaththiri bachcha | Oh young boy |
| Odhingikka olinjikka | Step aside, go hide yourself! |
| Un iduppula podura podula | With the blow I land on your waist |
| Okkaaththi unna naan | I will knock you down and make you |
| Mukkaadu poda veippen | Cover your head in shame! |
| Male | |
| Saandhu pottu | Black paste tilak |
| Oru sandhana pottu | A sandalwood tilak |
| Eduthu vachikka vachikka maama | Put it on yourself, uncle |
| Poo mudichu | Adorn flowers in your hair |
| Oru selaiyai kattu | Drape a saree |
| Ini nee vettiya kattikkalaama | Can you wear a dhoti anymore? |
| Male | |
| Kambedutha solli adippen hoi | If I pick up a stick, I hit right where I say, hey! |
| Jalli kaalaiyai pol thulli kudhippen..hai | I will leap and jump like a Jallikattu bull..hai |
| Oru bamabaramaai suthi adippen hoi | I will spin and strike like a top, hoi |
| Unga paattanukkum kathu koduppen.. | I can even teach your grandfather.. |
| Hoi hoi hoi | Hoi hoi hoi |
| Male | |
| Saandhu pottu | Black paste tilak |
| Oru sandhana pottu | A sandalwood tilak |
| Eduthu vachikka vachikka maama | Put it on yourself, uncle |
| Poo mudichu | Adorn flowers in your hair |
| Oru selaiyai kattu | Drape a saree |
| Ini nee vettiya kattikkalaama | Can you wear a dhoti anymore? |
| Hahahahahaha | Hahahahahaha |
சாந்து பொட்டு
ஒரு சந்தன பொட்டு
சாந்து பொட்டு
ஒரு சந்தன பொட்டு
எடுத்து வச்சிக்க வச்சிக்க மாமா
Black paste tilak...
Sandalwood tilak...
Black paste tilak
A sandalwood tilak
Put it on yourself, uncle
பூ முடிச்சு
ஒரு சேலையை கட்டு
இனி நீ வேட்டிய கட்டிக்கலாமா
Adorn flowers in your hair
Drape a saree
Can you wear a dhoti anymore?
கம்பெடுத்தா சொல்லி
அடிப்பேன் ஹோய்
ஜல்லி காளையைப் போல்
துள்ளிக் குதிப்பேன்
ஒரு பம்பரமாய்
சுத்தி அடிப்பேன் ஹோய்
உங்க பாட்டனுக்கும்
கத்துக் கொடுப்பேன்
If I pick up a stick, I hit right where I say, hey!
I will leap and jump like a Jallikattu bull
I will spin and strike like a top, hey!
I can even teach your grandfather!
சாந்து பொட்டு
ஒரு சந்தன பொட்டு
எடுத்து வச்சிக்க வச்சிக்க மாமா
பூ முடிச்சு
ஒரு சேலையை கட்டு
இனி நீ வேட்டிய கட்டிக்கலாமா
Black paste tilak
A sandalwood tilak
Put it on yourself, uncle
Adorn flowers in your hair
Drape a saree
Can you wear a dhoti anymore?
சுத்தத் தமிழ் வீரம்
ரத்தத்துல ஊறும்
சிங்கத் தமிழன் சங்கத் தமிழன்
எத்தனையோ நாடு
சுத்தி வந்த ஆளு
புத்தி இருக்கு சக்தி இருக்கு
Pure Tamil bravery
Runs deep in his blood
A lion-like Tamilian, a Tamilian of Sangam heritage
So many countries
He is a man who has traveled around
He possesses intellect and strength
ஊராரும் அண்ணனா
தம்பியா பார்க்கும்
அன்பான உள்ளம்தான் உள்ளவரு
யாராச்சும் முட்டின
மோதினா போச்சு
அஞ்சாமக் குட்டுவார் தட்டுவாரு
Looking at all the villagers
As elder and younger brothers
He is one who possesses a loving heart
If anyone messes with him
Or collides with him, they are done for
Fearlessly he will knock and strike them down
ஒரு வாய்க் கொழுப்பெடுத்தா
அடுத்தவன் வரட்டிழுப்பிழுத்தா
அவன் தோலுரிப்பவண்டா
தமிழச்சி பால் குடிச்சவண்டா
If someone gets overly arrogant
Or unnecessarily picks a fight with others
He is the one who will peel their skin off
He is raised on Tamil mother's milk
அட விஷயங்கள் பல
அறிஞ்சவன் நான்
வெவரங்கள் பல புரிஞ்சவன் நான்
சண்டைக்கு வந்தா சவால் விட்டா
தடியத்தான் புடிச்சித்தான்
கை விரலில சுத்துற சுத்துல
அண்ணாச்சி உன்ன நான்
புண்ணாக்கு தின்ன வைப்பேன்
Ah, many matters
I am one who knows them
Many details, I am one who understands them
If you come for a fight and issue a challenge
Holding the staff firmly
With the spin I make with my fingers
Brother, I will make you
Eat humble pie!
சாந்து பொட்டு
ஒரு சந்தன பொட்டு
எடுத்து வச்சிக்க வச்சிக்க மாமா
பூ முடிச்சு
ஒரு சேலையை கட்டு
இனி நீ வேட்டிய கட்டிக்கலாமா ஹா..
Black paste tilak
A sandalwood tilak
Put it on yourself, uncle
Adorn flowers in your hair
Drape a saree
Can you wear a dhoti anymore? Haa...
எங்கிட்ட தான் போட்டி
போடுறவன் வேட்டி
காத்தில் பறக்கும் ஊரு சிரிக்கும்
எட்டடி நீ பாஞ்சா
பத்தடி நான் பாஞ்சு
பல்ல ஒடப்பேன் சில்லை ஒடப்பேன்
The one who dares to compete with me
His dhoti
Will fly in the wind, and the whole town will laugh
If you leap eight feet
I will leap ten feet
I will break your teeth and smash you to pieces
சூராதி சூரரும்
தீரரும் யாரு
கோதாவில் ஒத்தையா நிக்கிறாரு
வந்தாக்கா நெத்தியின்
மத்தியில் ஜோரா
சுண்ணாம்பு பொட்டதான் வக்கிறாரு
Who is the bravest of the brave
And the most valiant?
He stands alone in the fighting arena
If anyone approaches, right in the center
Of their forehead, grandly
He puts a mark of defeat
கம்பு சாத்திரம் தெரியும்
அதில் உள்ள சூட்சமம் தெரியும்
ஒரு ஆத்திரம் பொறந்தா
அப்போ இவன் யாருன்னு புரியும்
He knows the martial science of stick fighting
He knows the subtle secrets hidden within it
When rage is sparked within him
Then you will realize who he really is
அட படபடவென அடிக்கட்டுமா
பொடிபட ஒன்ன நொறுக்கட்டுமா
அத்திரி பச்சா கத்திரி பச்சா
ஒதுங்கிக்க ஒளிஞ்சிக்க
ஒன் இடுப்புல போடுற போடுல
ஒக்காத்தி உன்ன நான்
முக்காடு போட வப்பேன்
Ah, shall I strike you rapidly?
Shall I crush you into dust?
Furious and raging
Oh young boy
Step aside, go hide yourself!
With the blow I land on your waist
I will knock you down and make you
Cover your head in shame!
சாந்து பொட்டு
ஒரு சந்தன பொட்டு
எடுத்து வச்சிக்க வச்சிக்க மாமா
பூ முடிச்சு
ஒரு சேலையை கட்டு
இனி நீ வேட்டிய கட்டிக்கலாமா
Black paste tilak
A sandalwood tilak
Put it on yourself, uncle
Adorn flowers in your hair
Drape a saree
Can you wear a dhoti anymore?
கம்பெடுத்தா சொல்லி
அடிப்பேன் ஹொய்
ஜல்லி காளையைப் போல்
துள்ளிக் குதிப்பேன் ஹோய்
ஒரு பம்பரமாய்
சுத்தி அடிப்பேன் ஹொய்
ஒங்க பாட்டனுக்கும்
கத்துக் கொடுப்பேன்
ஹோய் ஹோய் ஹோய்
If I pick up a stick, I hit right where I say, hey!
I will leap and jump like a Jallikattu bull..hai
I will spin and strike like a top, hoi
I can even teach your grandfather..
Hoi hoi hoi
சாந்து பொட்டு
ஒரு சந்தன பொட்டு
எடுத்து வச்சிக்க வச்சிக்க மாமா
பூ முடிச்சு
ஒரு சேலையை கட்டு
இனி நீ வேட்டிய கட்டிக்கலாமா
ஹஹ ஹ ஹஹா
Black paste tilak
A sandalwood tilak
Put it on yourself, uncle
Adorn flowers in your hair
Drape a saree
Can you wear a dhoti anymore?
Hahahahahaha
Saandhu pottu…
Black paste tilak...
Sandhana pottu…
Sandalwood tilak...
Saandhu pottu
Black paste tilak
Oru sandhana pottu
A sandalwood tilak
Eduthu vachikka vachikka maama
Put it on yourself, uncle
Poo mudichu
Adorn flowers in your hair
Oru selaiyai kattu
Drape a saree
Ini nee vettiya kattikkalaama
Can you wear a dhoti anymore?
Kambedutha solli adippen hoi
If I pick up a stick, I hit right where I say, hey!
Jalli kaalaiyai pol thulli kudhippen
I will leap and jump like a Jallikattu bull
Oru bamabaramaai suthi adippen hoi
I will spin and strike like a top, hey!
Unga paattanukkum kathu koduppen
I can even teach your grandfather!
Saandhu pottu
Black paste tilak
Oru sandhana pottu
A sandalwood tilak
Eduthu vachikka vachikka maama
Put it on yourself, uncle
Poo mudichu
Adorn flowers in your hair
Oru selaiyai kattu
Drape a saree
Ini nee vettiya kattikkalaama
Can you wear a dhoti anymore?
Suththa thamizh veeram
Pure Tamil bravery
Raththaththula oorum
Runs deep in his blood
Singa thamizhan sanga thamizhan
A lion-like Tamilian, a Tamilian of Sangam heritage
Eththanaiyo naadu
So many countries
Suththi vandha aalu
He is a man who has traveled around
Buddhi irukku sakthi irukku
He possesses intellect and strength
Ooraarum annanaa
Looking at all the villagers
Thambiyaa paarkkum
As elder and younger brothers
Anbaana ullamdhaan ullavaru
He is one who possesses a loving heart
Yaaraachum muttina
If anyone messes with him
Modhinaa pochu
Or collides with him, they are done for
Anjaama kuttuvaar thattuvaaru
Fearlessly he will knock and strike them down
Oru vaaikkozhuppeduthaa
If someone gets overly arrogant
Aduthavan varattizhu pizhuthaa
Or unnecessarily picks a fight with others
Avan thol uruippavandaa
He is the one who will peel their skin off
Thamizhachi paal kudichavandaa
He is raised on Tamil mother's milk
Ada vishayangal pala
Ah, many matters
Arinjavan naan
I am one who knows them
Vevarangal pala purinjavan naan
Many details, I am one who understands them
Sandaikku vandhaa savaal vitta
If you come for a fight and issue a challenge
Thadiyathaan pudichithaan
Holding the staff firmly
Kai viralila suthura suthula
With the spin I make with my fingers
Annaachi unna naan
Brother, I will make you
Punnaakku thinnaveppen
Eat humble pie!
Saandhu pottu
Black paste tilak
Oru sandhana pottu
A sandalwood tilak
Eduthu vachikka vachikka maama
Put it on yourself, uncle
Poo mudichu
Adorn flowers in your hair
Oru selaiyai kattu
Drape a saree
Ini nee vettiya kattikkalaama…haa..
Can you wear a dhoti anymore? Haa...
Enkitta thaan potti
The one who dares to compete with me
Poduravan vaetti
His dhoti
Kaathil parakkum ooru sirikkum
Will fly in the wind, and the whole town will laugh
Ettadi nee paanja
If you leap eight feet
Paththadi naan paanju
I will leap ten feet
Palla udappen sillai udappen
I will break your teeth and smash you to pieces
Sooraadhi soorarum
Who is the bravest of the brave
Theerarum yaaru
And the most valiant?
Godhaavil othaiyaa nikkiraaru
He stands alone in the fighting arena
Vandhaakka neththiyin
If anyone approaches, right in the center
Maththiyil joraa
Of their forehead, grandly
Sunnaambu pottadhaan vakkiraaru
He puts a mark of defeat
Kambu saathiram theriyum
He knows the martial science of stick fighting
Adhil ulla sootchamam theriyum
He knows the subtle secrets hidden within it
Oru aathiram porandha
When rage is sparked within him
Appo ivan yaarunnu puriyum
Then you will realize who he really is
Ada padapadavena adikkattuma
Ah, shall I strike you rapidly?
Podipada unna norukkattuma
Shall I crush you into dust?
Aththiri achcha
Furious and raging
Kaththiri bachcha
Oh young boy
Odhingikka olinjikka
Step aside, go hide yourself!
Un iduppula podura podula
With the blow I land on your waist
Okkaaththi unna naan
I will knock you down and make you
Mukkaadu poda veippen
Cover your head in shame!
Saandhu pottu
Black paste tilak
Oru sandhana pottu
A sandalwood tilak
Eduthu vachikka vachikka maama
Put it on yourself, uncle
Poo mudichu
Adorn flowers in your hair
Oru selaiyai kattu
Drape a saree
Ini nee vettiya kattikkalaama
Can you wear a dhoti anymore?
Kambedutha solli adippen hoi
If I pick up a stick, I hit right where I say, hey!
Jalli kaalaiyai pol thulli kudhippen..hai
I will leap and jump like a Jallikattu bull..hai
Oru bamabaramaai suthi adippen hoi
I will spin and strike like a top, hoi
Unga paattanukkum kathu koduppen..
I can even teach your grandfather..
Hoi hoi hoi
Hoi hoi hoi
Saandhu pottu
Black paste tilak
Oru sandhana pottu
A sandalwood tilak
Eduthu vachikka vachikka maama
Put it on yourself, uncle
Poo mudichu
Adorn flowers in your hair
Oru selaiyai kattu
Drape a saree
Ini nee vettiya kattikkalaama
Can you wear a dhoti anymore?
Hahahahahaha
Hahahahahaha
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Saandhu Pottu' from 'Thevar Magan' (1992) is a playful yet fiercely competitive folk taunt song centered around traditional Tamil martial arts (Silambam stick fighting) and pride. The singer humorously mocks his opponent's lack of courage, telling him to give up his manhood, wear a saree, and apply tilak/bindi like a woman, while boasting about his own agility, wisdom, and combat skills.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Upamai (Simile)
“Jalli kaalaiyai pol thulli kudhippen”
Compares the speaker's agility to a wild Jallikattu bull and a spinning top using the word 'pol' (like).
Monai (Alliteration)
“Singa thamizhan sanga thamizhan”
Repetition of the initial letter 'S' across words creating a rhythmic effect.
Edugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Ettadi nee paanja / Paththadi naan paanju”
Rhyming second letters in adjacent lines ('tt' sound in Ettadi and Paththadi).
Metaphor / Idiom
“Punnaakku thinnaveppen”
'Punnaakku thinnaveppen' (literally 'making someone eat cattle cake') is a colloquial idiom for utterly humiliating or defeating an opponent.
Did you know?
Trivia
Although listed as Unknown in the context prompt, this iconic song was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, written by lyricist Vaali, and sung dynamic dual vocals by Kamal Haasan and S. P. Balasubrahmanyam. The track vividly depicts rural Tamil stick-fighting culture (Silambam).
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