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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Sangu Chakkara Saami

From Thaimel Aanai · 1988

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, S. P. Sailaja, Chorus
Music director
Chandrabose
Details
Thaimel Aanai1988

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Puttiyila kallirukka porichchu vachchu meenirukkaWith arrack in the bottle and fried fish ready,
Saarayam koodaathunnu saththiyaththil naanirukkenI stay bound by my oath that alcohol is forbidden.
Pechchu muththu kada sarakku em pera solli koopiduthuThe liquor shop at the corner calls out my name,
Vaasanaiya thoodhu vittu enna vaa vaa vaannu kooppiduthuSending its aroma as a messenger, calling me to come, come.
Chorus
……………
Male
Sangu chakkara sami vanthuThe god with the conch and discus arrives,
Jingu jingunnu aadumaamIt dances dynamically with a jingle,
Ulagam moonum alakkumaamIt measures all the three worlds,
Adhu ongi vaanam pilakkumaamIt rises tall and splits the sky apart,
Male
Sangu chakkara sami vanthuThe god with the conch and discus arrives,
Jingu jingunnu aadumaamIt dances dynamically with a jingle,
Ulagam moonum alakkumaamIt measures all the three worlds,
Adhu ongi vaanam pilakkumaamIt rises tall and splits the sky apart,
Chorus
……………
Male
Thulli thulli nadakkumaamIt walks leaping and bounding,
Meen alli alli kodukkumaamIt gathers and distributes fish in abundance,
Thulli thulli nadakkumaamIt walks leaping and bounding,
Meen alli alli kodukkumaamIt gathers and distributes fish in abundance,
Chorus
Thaathimithimi thgathimithimi tharigidathomThaathimithimi thgathimithimi tharigidathom
Thaathimithimi thgathimithimi tharigidathomThaathimithimi thgathimithimi tharigidathom
Chorus
……………
Male
Valaiya nambiTrusting the fishing net,
Olaiya vaikkum yaezhai janangalaeO poor people whose homes face poverty,
Ini vaazhkkaiyilae tholvi illaiThere will be no more failure in life now,
Nimirnthu nillungalaenStand tall and hold your heads high!
Female
Meen pidikka viriththa valaiyiliIn the net cast to catch fish,
Vizhuntha janangalaeO people who fell into hardship,
Nammala vaazha vaikka oruththan vanthaanSomeone has arrived to make us thrive,
Vaazhththu sollungalaenSing his praises and give your blessings!
Male
Kaalam koodum ellaarkkumGood times will dawn for everyone,
Chorus :Hoi hoiChorus: Hoi hoi
Male :Kattu maramum pooppookkumMale: Even a wooden catamaran will blossom with flowers,
Chorus :Hoi hoiChorus: Hoi hoi
Female :Kadalu thanni enga bhoomiFemale: The ocean water is our land,
Male :HoiMale: Hoi
Female :Kaaval kaakka vanthaan saami yaelaeloFemale: The lord has come to stand guard, Yaelaelo,
Chorus :Yaelaelo…. yaelaelo…. yaelaelo….hoi yaelaeloChorus: Yaelaelo… yaelaelo… yaelaelo…hoi yaelaelo
Male
Sangu chakkara sami vanthuThe god with the conch and discus arrives,
Jingu jingunnu aadumaamIt dances dynamically with a jingle,
Female :Thulli thulli nadakkumaamFemale: It walks leaping and bounding,
Meen alli alli kodukkumaamIt gathers and distributes fish in abundance,
Male
Thulli thulli nadakkumaamIt walks leaping and bounding,
Meen alli alli kodukkumaamIt gathers and distributes fish in abundance,
Female :Thulli thulli nadakkumaamFemale: It walks leaping and bounding,
Meen alli alli kodukkumaamIt gathers and distributes fish in abundance,
Chorus
……………
Male
Kadalukkullae thanniyilae uppu velaiyuthaaIs salt produced in the sea water?
Unga kannukkulla kanneerila uppu veIs salt being made in the tears of your eyes?
Female :Engalukku pasi eduththaa kadalu kodukkuthuFemale: When we feel hungry, the ocean feeds us,
Antha kadalukkoru pasiyeduththaa engala thinnuthuWhen that ocean gets hungry, it consumes us,
Male
Alli koduppaa kadal maathuMother Ocean bestows fish generously,
Chorus :Hoi hoiChorus: Hoi hoi
Male :Achcham inimael aagaathuMale: Fear shall no longer exist,
Chorus :Hoi hoiChorus: Hoi hoi
Unna paarththa veeram porakkumSeeing you instills courage in us,
Female :Enakku kooda meesai molaikkumFemale: Even I might grow a mustache!
Chorus :Yaelaelo…. yaelaelo…. yaelaelo….hoi yaelaeloChorus: Yaelaelo… yaelaelo… yaelaelo…hoi yaelaelo
Male
Sangu chakkara sami vanthuThe god with the conch and discus arrives,
Jingu jingunnu aadumaamIt dances dynamically with a jingle,
Ulagam moonum alakkumaamIt measures all the three worlds,
Adhu ongi vaanam pilakkumaamIt rises tall and splits the sky apart,
Female
Sangu chakkara sami vanthuThe god with the conch and discus arrives,
Jingu jingunnu aadumaamIt dances dynamically with a jingle,
Ulagam moonum alakkumaamIt measures all the three worlds,
Adhu ongi vaanam pilakkumaamIt rises tall and splits the sky apart,
Male
Thulli thulli nadakkumaamIt walks leaping and bounding,
Meen alli alli kodukkumaamIt gathers and distributes fish in abundance,
Female :Thulli thulli nadakkumaamFemale: It walks leaping and bounding,
Meen alli alli kodukkumaamIt gathers and distributes fish in abundance,
Chorus
Thaathimithimi thgathimithimi tharigidathomThaathimithimi thgathimithimi tharigidathom
Thaathimithimi thgathimithimi tharigidathomThaathimithimi thgathimithimi tharigidathom

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Sangu Chakkara Sami from the film Thaimel Aanai (1988) is an energetic Tamil folk song centered around the fishing community. The lyrics compare a courageous hero arriving in their hamlet to Lord Vishnu (holding the conch and discus, who measured the three worlds in his Vamana avatar). The hero brings hope, strength, and protection to the struggling fisherfolk who face extreme hardship at sea. Written by Vairamuthu and tuned by Chandrabose, the track balances lighthearted dialogue and self-restraint (like swearing off alcohol) with poignant truths about coastal life—how the sea both feeds them and endangers them. Ultimately, the song celebrates triumph over poverty, community solidarity, and fearless hope for the future.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Adukkuthodar (Repetition)

Thulli thulli nadakkumaam / Meen alli alli kodukkumaam

Repetition of words like 'Thulli thulli' and 'alli alli' enhances the rhythmic folk structure and mimic the bouncing movement of fish and waves.

Mythological Allusion

Sangu chakkara sami vanthu... Ulagam moonum alakkumaam

Refers to Lord Vishnu's attributes (Conch, Discus, and Vamana avatar measuring three worlds) to elevate the savior image of the protagonist.

Hyperbole (Exaggeration)

Enakku kooda meesai molaikkum

Exaggerated imagery used to express ultimate transformation and intense inspiration of bravery.

Contrast / Paradox

Engalukku pasi eduththaa kadalu kodukkuthu / Antha kadalukkoru pasiyeduththaa engala thinnuthu

Juxtaposes the sea as a life-giver and a life-taker, highlighting the complex relationship between fisherfolk and the ocean.

Did you know?

Trivia

Thaimel Aanai (1988) stars Action King Arjun and features music composed by Chandrabose, who was immensely popular in the late 1980s for delivering energetic folk and rhythm-heavy tracks representing working-class communities.

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