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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thattungada Melatha

From Pattathu Yaanai · 2013

Lyricist
Na. Muthu Kumar
Singers
Rahul Nambiar, Manasi
Music director
S. Thaman
Details
Pattathu Yaanai2013

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
Yai yai yai yaeYai yai yai yae
Yaha yahi yaeYaha yahi yae
Male
Thattungada melathaBeat the drums, everyone!
Boomi alarattumLet the earth tremble!
Chorus :Yai yai yai yaeChorus: Yai yai yai yae
Yaha yahi yaeYaha yahi yae
Male
Ae muttungada vaanathaHey, hit the sky!
Megam odaiyatumLet the clouds burst open!
Chorus :Yai yai yai yaeChorus: Yai yai yai yae
Yaha yahi yaeYaha yahi yae
Male
Satta pocketula santhoshatha pottukoKeep happiness tucked inside your shirt pocket,
Pattamboochi pola rekka katti aadikoTie wings on and dance freely like a butterfly!
Sooda vayasirukku anubavipom daYouth is burning hot, let us live and enjoy it, my friend!
Dhinam kondattam kummalam vaada varinjukattuEvery day is a celebration and joy, come on, pull up your sleeves!
Chorus :{Yai yai yai yaeChorus: {Yai yai yai yae
Yaha yahi yae} (2)Yaha yahi yae} (x2)
Male
Thattungada melathaBeat the drums, everyone!
Boomi alarattumLet the earth tremble!
Chorus :Yai yai yai yaeChorus: Yai yai yai yae
Yaha yahi yaeYaha yahi yae
Male
Ae muttungada vaanathaHey, hit the sky!
Megam odaiyatumLet the clouds burst open!
Chorus :Yai yai yai yaeChorus: Yai yai yai yae
Yaha yahi yaeYaha yahi yae
Male
Kannukulla dhinam yeraalamEvery day, countless dreams enter the eyes,
Kanavugal varum thaaraalamDreams arrive in abundance.
Athan pinnaala pinnaalaPursuing those dreams continuously,
Thannaala nee ooduRun naturally on your own,
Ellamae aagum..Everything will come to pass...
Male
Uchanthalaiyila aagaayamThe sky sits above your head,
Kaalukadiyila boologamThe earth lies beneath your feet;
Ithil mannukkum ponnukkum pennukkumIn between, chasing endlessly after land, wealth, and women
Alaiyum vaazhvae poiyaagumMakes life spent in vain a lie.
Male
Nethu irunthavanaThe person who was alive yesterday
Innaikkuthaan kaanalaIs nowhere to be seen today.
Poda life-ah pathiSo go on, regarding life,
Vera ethuvum thonalaNothing else matters!
Mutta odanjuputta omlet aagumdaaIf an egg breaks, it turns into an omelet, my friend!
Dhinam kondattam kummalam vaada varinjukattu..Every day is a celebration and joy, come on, pull up your sleeves!
Chorus :{Yai yai yai yaeChorus: {Yai yai yai yae
Yaha yahi yae} (2)Yaha yahi yae} (x2)
Male
Thattungada melathaBeat the drums, everyone!
Boomi alarattumLet the earth tremble!
Chorus :Yai yai yai yaeChorus: Yai yai yai yae
Yaha yahi yaeYaha yahi yae
Chorus
………………………………....
Male
Chinna vayasula kaathaadiIn childhood, we flew kites
Noolu vittomada yammadiBy releasing threads, oh dear!
Ippa kannala nool vittuNow, releasing threads through glances,
Kaathala sollura ponnunga pinnadiRunning behind girls who express love.
Male
Figerunga oru kannadiAttractive girls are like glass;
Kaiya kizhichidum aathaadiOh dear, they can cut your hand!
Ithu alanju thirinju pattavanThis warning was left by one who roamed and suffered,
Sonnathu auto pinnadiWritten behind an auto-rickshaw!
Female
Saatai illaiyinaWithout a string/whip,
Bambaramthaan suthaathuA top will never spin.
Patta theetalenaWithout being cut and polished,
Vairam kooda minnaathuEven a diamond will not shine.
Saetai illaiyina ilamai illadaWithout a bit of mischief, there is no youth, man!
Ada nee onnum raaman illa vaada purinjukittu..Hey, you are no Lord Rama, come on, understand this!
Chorus
{Yai yai yai yae{Yai yai yai yae
Yaha yahi yae} (2)Yaha yahi yae} (x2)
Male
Ae thattungada melathaHey, beat the drums, everyone!
Boomi alarattumLet the earth tremble!
Chorus :Yai yai yai yaeChorus: Yai yai yai yae
Yaha yahi yaeYaha yahi yae
Male
Hey muttungada vaanathaHey, hit the sky!
Megam odaiyatumLet the clouds burst open!
Chorus :Yai yai yai yaeChorus: Yai yai yai yae
Yaha yahi yaeYaha yahi yae
Yai yai yai yaeYai yai yai yae
Yaha yahi yaeYaha yahi yae

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This high-energy anthem celebrates living life to the fullest, embracing the present moment, and refusing to dwell on failures or temporary setbacks. The lyrics advocate for joy, carefree youthful energy, and a philosophical detachment from worldly greed (land, wealth, and romance), pointing out the impermanence of human life. Through playful street metaphors like turning a broken egg into an omelet and referencing auto-rickshaw wisdom, the song encourages young people to stay active, embrace a bit of playful mischief, and celebrate every single day.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Pattamboochi pola rekka katti aadiko

Compares dancing freely to flying with butterfly wings ('Pattamboochi pola').

Metaphor / Philosophical Humor

Mutta odanjuputta omlet aagumdaa

Uses the humorous metaphor of a broken egg turning into an omelet to depict making the best out of mistakes or broken plans.

Internal Rhyme / Assonance (Monaai and Etukai)

Kannukulla dhinam yeraalam / Kanavugal varum thaaraalam

The poet uses internal rhyming words 'yeraalam' and 'thaaraalam' to create a catchy rhythm.

Alliteration (Monaai)

Satta pocketula santhoshatha pottuko

Repetition of the 'S' sound across 'Satta', 'santhoshatha' creates musical rhythm.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Pattathu Yaanai' (2013) features music composed by S. Thaman and starred Vishal and Aishwarya Arjun. The track's lyricist, Na. Muthu Kumar, was renowned for effortlessly blending colloquial street language and auto-rickshaw aphorisms with deep philosophical musings on life and youth.

Keep listening

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