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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Theeratha Rakkalam

From Vasantha Mullai · 2023

Lyricist
Arivu
Singer
Arivu
Music director
Rajesh Murugesan
Details
Vasantha Mullai2023

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Sei sei kadama kadamaDo, do your duty, your duty
Innum innum innum unduThere is still more, more, more
Kanna mudathaDon't close your eyes
Male
Sei sei kadama kadamaDo, do your duty, your duty
Akkam pakkam paaka kudaWithout even looking around
Neram illamaWithout having any time
Male
Kaala sakkarathilIn the wheel of time
Sikki konda mulluA hand trapped inside
Molla kattadathilIn a slow-rising structure
Ottikonda solluA word stuck onto it
Male
Yarai patriumAbout anyone else
Un ennam illai selluYou have no thought, go on
Velai mudikiraFinishing the work
Vegathukul vegam dhegamSpeed within speed, body
Male
Vida maaten vida maatenI won't give up, I won't give up
Vida maatenI won't give up
Vetri kaanum varai varaiUntil seeing victory
Male
Vida maaten vida maatenI won't give up, I won't give up
Vida maatenI won't give up
Vetri kaanum varai varaiUntil seeing victory
Male
Sei… sei… sei…Do... do... do...
Odu… odu… odu…Run... run... run...
Sei… sei… sei…Do... do... do...
Odu… odu… odu…Run... run... run...
Male
Sei… sei…Do... do...
Sei..sei…Do... do...
Odu… odu… odu…Run... run... run...
Male
Un iru vizhigalilIn your two eyes
Oru kanavirukkuthuThere lies a dream
Aanalum yeno vandhuYet for some reason
Irukkamum thadukkuthuTension comes and holds you back
Male
Munneri pogum neramAt the time of moving forward
Moochu vanngi tholaikkuthuBreath gets lost in exhaustion
Kannoodu kanavugalDreams along with the eyes
Virattuthu mirattuthuChase and intimidate you
Male
Yaeno unnoduFor some reason with you
Yaarum illai indha iravuThere is no one tonight
Sollaamal vanthu kollumComes silently and haunts
Pala kanavuMany a dream
Male
Poraadum kanamThe moment of struggle
Endru varum mudivuWhen will the end come?
Aanaalum nindruEven so, standing firm
Oyaamal poraaduvaanHe will fight endlessly
Male
Konda kadamaikkuFor the duty undertaken
Udal ingu urugaAs the body melts here
Sonna bathillukkuFor the answers given
Sumaigalum perugaAs burdens multiply
Male
Thalli vidukiraanHe pushes away
Than uyirai edharko?His own life for what purpose?
Patri erivathuIs it burning bright,
Anaikira vilakkooA lamp about to go out?
Male
Pagal iravethuWhich is day, which is night
Purinthida villayaeIs not understood
Natpu kaadhalFriendship, love
Edhum thernthida villaiyaeNothing has been chosen or understood
Male
Vetri kaanum variUntil seeing victory
Vilaguvathillai iniWill not step away anymore
Vaa… vaa…Come... come...
Unakku munnaeIn front of you
Kai kattudhaeStanding with folded hands
Izhakka ondrum ilayaeThere is nothing left to lose
Bayatthai oththiSet fear
Vaitthu paruAside and see
Unnai minja yaaruWho is there to excel beyond you?
YaarumillaThere is no one
Male
Urakkam thevai illayaeSleep is not needed
Velicham dhooram illayaeThe light is not far away
Thayakkam thallivittu oduPush hesitation aside and run
Naalai yengu theduSearch for where tomorrow is
Neram illayaeThere is no time
Male
Theeraatha raakkaalamEndless night time
Engu pogumWhere will it go?
Vaaraatha kaarkalamThe unarriving rainy season
EnnavaagumWhat will happen to it?
Thoongaadha un thaegamaeYour sleepless body
TheeyagudhaeIs turning into fire
Male
Theeraatha raakkaalamEndless night time
Engu pogumWhere will it go?
Vaaraatha kaarkalamThe unarriving rainy season
EnnavaagumWhat will happen to it?
Thoongaadha un thaegamaeYour sleepless body
TheeyagudhaeIs turning into fire
Male
Kadamai mudithidaTo complete the duty
Udal uyir uruikidum yennaBody and life melt away, what is this?
Seyal mudikka suyandhanaiSelf-reflection to finish the task
Elzithidum vinaiKarma that rises up
Male
Nerungi vandhu nerukudhuApproaches closely and squeezes
Thodangiya kadhaiThe story that began
Mudithu vidum mudivulaAt the end that will finish it
Irukkura thoongamalaeHe remains sleepless
Male
Irukaan oodi oodiHe is running and running
OyamalaeWithout stopping
Ulzaikkum indha paaviThis sinner who works hard
PaalaagutheIs going to waste
Odambu kullaInside the body
Needhi poraduthaeJustice is fighting
Odaindhu pogum munnaeBefore breaking apart

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song serves as an intense, high-octane anthem depicting a man consumed by an extreme sense of duty and ambition. Trapped within the relentless gears of time, the protagonist pushes past physical and mental exhaustion, abandoning sleep, personal relationships, and health to achieve victory. The lyrics capture the psychological pressure of modern rat races where duty turns into a hyper-focused obsession. Written and performed by Arivu, the track highlights the dark side of productivity culture, where the body turns to fire and life melts away in pursuit of goals. Despite the impending physical collapse and existential dread, there is an uncompromising determination to keep running until reaching the end.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Adukku Thodar (Repetition for Emphasis)

Vida maaten vida maaten

Repetition of words like 'Sei', 'Vida maaten', and 'Odu' creates a rhythmic, urgent cadence driving the narrative forward.

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Kaala sakkarathil sikki konda mullu

Comparing a person trapped in relentless routine to a clock's pin/hand stuck in the wheel of time.

Ethirai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Theeraatha raakkaalam / Vaaraatha kaarkalam

Matching second consonants across lines ('Theeraatha', 'Vaaraatha', 'Thoongaadha') enhancing the poetic meter.

Visual Imagery

Thoongaadha un thaegamae theeyagudhae

Metaphorically visualizes physical burnout as a sleepless body transforming into fire.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Vasantha Mullai' (2023) is a Tamil psychological action thriller film starring Bobby Simha. The track features lyrics and vocal performance by prominent Tamil indie hip-hop artist Arivu, with music composed by Rajesh Murugesan (of 'Premam' fame).

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