Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thayagathin Sudhanthiramae

From Madhuraiyai Meetta Sundharapandiyan · 1978

Lyricist
Muthulingam
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Madhuraiyai Meetta Sundharapandiyan1978

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Thaayagathin sudhandhiramaeThe freedom of our motherland
Engal kolgaiIs our principle
Thanmaanam ondrae thaanSelf-respect alone
Engal selvamIs our true wealth
Thaayagathin sudhandhiramaeThe freedom of our motherland
Engal kolgaiIs our principle
Thanmaanam ondrae thaanSelf-respect alone
Engal selvamIs our true wealth
Male
{Ottrumaiyaal pagaivargalaiThrough unity, our enemies
Oda vaippomWe shall chase away
Uzhaippaalae nam naattaiThrough hard work, our country
Uyarthi vaippom} (2)We shall elevate
Male
Thaayagathin sudhandhiramaeThe freedom of our motherland
Engal kolgaiIs our principle
Thanmaanam ondrae thaanSelf-respect alone
Engal selvamIs our true wealth
Male
{Kottaiyilae namadhu kodiAtop the fort, our flag
Parandhida vendumMust fly high
Kolgai veerar thyaagangalaiThe sacrifices of principled heroes
Yaetrida vendum} (2)Must be accepted and honored
Male
{Puratchiyilae sarithirathaiThrough revolution, history
Maattrida vaendumMust be rewritten
Podhuvudamai samudhaayamAn egalitarian, socialist society
Malarndhida vendum} (2)Must bloom here
Male
Kan kavarum kalaigal ellaamEye-catching arts of all kinds
Valarndhadhu ingaeFlourished here
Kalangamulla pagaivaraalaeBecause of tainted enemies
Thaazhndhadhu ingaeIt suffered a decline here
Needhiyodu naermai kaakkumUpholding justice and honesty
Maravargal ingaeWarriors stand here
Nimirndhezhundhaal thadaigal ellaamIf they rise up tall, all obstacles
Udaindhidum ingaeWill shatter here
Male
Veeramundu vettri unduThere is valor, there is victory
Vilaiyaadum kalam ingae unduHere is the battleground to play
Vaa vaa en thozhaaCome, come, my friend
Veeramundu vettri unduThere is valor, there is victory
Vilaiyaadum kalam ingae unduHere is the battleground to play
Vaa vaa en thozhaaCome, come, my friend
Poonaigal inam polaeLike the feline breed of cats
Padhungudhal izhivaaghumCowering in hiding is disgraceful
Puli inam nee yenil porudhida vaaraaiIf you are of the tiger breed, come forth to fight
Male
Veeramundu vettri unduThere is valor, there is victory
Vilaiyaadum kalam ingae unduHere is the battleground to play
Vaa vaa en thozhaaCome, come, my friend
Male
{Thenpaangu thendralIn the land where southern breeze
Pan paadum naattilSings sweet melodies
Theeraadha puyal vandhadhaeno} (2)Why has an endless storm arrived?
Neer vaazhum meengalLike fish living in water
Nilam veezhal polaeFalling onto dry land
Nenjangal thudithaengalaamoShould our hearts suffer and yearn in distress?
Male
Vaa vaa en thozhaaCome, come, my friend
Veeramundu vettri unduThere is valor, there is victory
Vilaiyaadum kalam ingae unduHere is the battleground to play
Vaa vaa en thozhaa…Come, come, my friend...
Male
Podhum paadiyadhuEnough of singing now!
Male
Thaayagathin sudhandhiramaeThe freedom of our motherland
Engal kolgaiIs our principle
Thanmaanam ondrae thaanSelf-respect alone
Engal selvamIs our true wealth
Male
Ottrumaiyaal pagaivargalaiThrough unity, our enemies
Oda vaippomWe shall chase away
Uzhaippaalae nam naattaiThrough hard work, our country
Uyarthi vaippomWe shall elevate

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Thaayagathin Sudhandhiramae is a powerful patriotic and revolutionary anthem from the 1978 Tamil film Madhuraiyai Meetta Sundharapandiyan. The song asserts that liberation of the homeland and preservation of self-respect are the ultimate principles of a righteous society. It inspires unity, labor, and sacrifice to defeat tyrannical forces, dismantle injustice, and foster an egalitarian community where culture and freedom thrive. Urging the youth to cast off fear and act like fierce tigers rather than cowering cats, the song transitions from a musical plea into a call for direct, decisive action to reclaim the nation's lost dignity.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai (Simile)

Poonaigal inam polae padhungudhal izhivaaghum, Puli inam nee yenil porudhida vaaraai

Compares cowards hiding in fear to cats, and brave individuals fighting for liberation to tigers.

Uvamai (Simile)

Neer vaazhum meengal nilam veezhal polae, Nenjangal thudithaengalaamo

Compares the anguish of oppressed people to fish thrown out of water onto dry land.

Moonaai (Initial Rhyme/Alliteration)

Kan kavarum kalaigal ellaam ... Kalangamulla pagaivaraalae

Repetition of the initial 'Ka' sound across consecutive phrases.

Metaphor

Vilaiyaadum kalam ingae undu

Refers to the battlefield as a 'playfield' (vilaiyaadum kalam) to trivialize fear and inspire heroism.

Did you know?

Trivia

Madhuraiyai Meetta Sundharapandiyan (1978) was the last movie starring M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) to be released during his active career after he assumed office as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu in 1977. The music was composed by M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics written by Muthulingam.

Keep listening

More from Madhuraiyai Meetta Sundharapandiyan