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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thappa Dhaan Theriyum

From Maari · 2015

Lyricist
Vignesh Shivan
Singers
Dhanush, Chinna Ponnu, Magizhini Manimaaran
Music director
Anirudh Ravichander
Details
Maari2015

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Thappa dhaan theriyumOur route will seem wrong
Namma routeOur route
Sariyana payalaa get outuIf you are a good boy, get out
Koncham wrongathan irukkumIt might look a bit wrong
Aaana rightuBut it is right
Puriyaadha varaikkum apeettuUntil you understand it, you are escape!
Chorus
Intha ooroda light-uHe is the light of this town
Maari the great-uMaari the great
Police adichathu da salute-uEven the police gave him a salute
Chorus
Nee irunthathaan correct-uOnly if you are there, it is correct
Illana reveett-uOtherwise, it will backfire
Inimeluthaan naala neram isstart-uFrom now on, good times start
Chorus
Haaah haaah haaah haaahHaaah haaah haaah haaah
Haaah haaah haaah haa haa hahahaHaaah haaah haaah haa haa hahaha
Haaah haaah haaah haaahHaaah haaah haaah haaah
Haaah haaah haaah haa haa hahahaHaaah haaah haaah haa haa hahaha
Male
GuniyumbothuWhen you bend down
Kuthum oorukullaIn this town that stabs you
Niminthethaan nadakanumYou must walk holding your head high
Vazhiyae illaThere is no other way
Thunai thediSeeking companion
Venai thaedum olagathulaIn a world that seeks trouble
Thaniyavae irunthaalumEven if you stay alone
Thappae illaThere is nothing wrong with it
Chorus
Summa ethachumDon't just say
Sollatha kannuRandom things, my dear
Ingae irukkum ellorumEveryone here
Eppothum onnuIs always one and equal
Unakku rite-nnu pattathaWhatever feels right to you
Mattum pannuDo only that
Ippo vanthu en vootlaNow come to my home
Vayirara thunnuAnd eat to your heart's content
Male
Thaniya vanthen thaniya povenI came alone, I will go alone
Sontha bantham theva illaNo need for relatives or relations
Thaena pesi thaana vanthaIf someone comes sweet-talking on their own
Veena pogum yenda thollaWhy unwanted trouble that leads to ruin?
Chorus
Haaah haaah haaah haaahHaaah haaah haaah haaah
Haaah haaah haaah haa haa hahahaHaaah haaah haaah haa haa hahaha
Haaah haaah haaah haaahHaaah haaah haaah haaah
Haaah haaah haaah haa haa hahahaHaaah haaah haaah haa haa hahaha
Male
Thappa dhaan theriyumOur route will seem wrong
Namma routeOur route
Sariyana payalaa get outuIf you are a good boy, get out
Koncham wrongathan irukkumIt might look a bit wrong
Aaana rightuBut it is right
Puriyaadha varaikkum apeettuUntil you understand it, you are escape!
Chorus
Intha ooroda light-uHe is the light of this town
Maari the great-uMaari the great
Police adichathu da salute-uEven the police gave him a salute
Chorus
Nee irunthathaan correct-uOnly if you are there, it is correct
Illana reveett-uOtherwise, it will backfire
Inimeluthaan naala neram isstart-uFrom now on, good times start
Chorus
Haaah haaah haaah haaahHaaah haaah haaah haaah
Haaah haaah haaah haa haa hahahaHaaah haaah haaah haa haa hahaha
Haaah haaah haaah haaahHaaah haaah haaah haaah
Haaah haaah haaah haa haa hahahaHaaah haaah haaah haa haa hahaha

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Thappa Dhaan Theriyum' (The Maari Swag track) from the movie 'Maari' (2015) serves as an unapologetic character anthem that embodies the rowdy yet righteous persona of the protagonist, Maari. The song highlights his unconventional lifestyle—warned as 'wrong' from the outside, but inherently 'right' according to his own moral code. It celebrates self-reliance, warning against superficial relationships and backstabbing people while encouraging a life lived with head held high. Despite his rough exterior and local Don status, the song also highlights his hospitality and street ethos, asserting that everyone in his domain is treated equally. With heavy Chennai street slang and stylized English loanwords, the track captures the local flavor, swagger, and defiant philosophy of living life strictly on one's own terms.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Tanglish Rhyme Scheme (Eybuka)

Sariyana payalaa get outu / Aaana rightu / Intha ooroda light-u / Maari the great-u

Extensive use of English words adapted with Tamil vocalic endings (-u) to create a rhythmic, street-smart rhyming pattern.

Monaai (Initial Alliteration)

Thaniya vanthen thaniya poven

Repetition of the initial consonant sound 'Th' across words in the same line for musical flow.

Ethukai (Second Letter Assonance)

Thaniya vanthen thaniya poven / Sontha bantham theva illa

Matching second consonants across consecutive lines, standard in Tamil poetic structure (Th-ani-ya / S-on-tha).

Metaphor

Intha ooroda light-u

Describing the protagonist metaphorically as the guiding light/star of the locality.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although listed as Unknown in the context prompt, the song was composed by Anirudh Ravichander for the film 'Maari' (2015) starring Dhanush. Lyricist Vignesh Shivan heavily utilized Madras Bashai (local Chennai dialect slang) combined with stylized English loanwords like 'reveett-u' (reverse/backfire), 'apeettu' (escaped/gone), and 'isstart-u' (start) to capture the authentic vibe of North Chennai streets.

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