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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Theraattam Poguthu

From Kurangu Pedal · 2024

Lyricist
Bo. Manivannan
Singer
Gold Devaraj
Music director
Ghibran
Details
Kurangu Pedal2024

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Theraattam poguthu oththa cycle-luThe single bicycle moves like a grand temple chariot
Nalla car-raattam poguthu yaaru driver-ruWho is driving? It moves just like a fine car
Male
Ada raja dharpeesu mavan ivanOh, he is the king's son from Dharpees
Podi nadaiya poda maranthuttaanHe has completely forgotten how to walk on foot
Neththu korangu pedalu pottavanYesterday he was riding using the monkey pedal
Ippo gopuran yaera kelambittaanNow he has set off to conquer the temple tower
Male
Kaththiri veyil manda pozhakkuthuThe harsh summer sun splits the head open
Antha kandaantharaiyila vandi parakkuthuIn that barren wasteland, the vehicle flies
Male
Vaththiyaar sonna viththaiya kaththuLearning the skills taught by his teacher
Otturaan intha ilasuThis young lad rides along
Intha road-kku ivanum pudhusuHe is new to this road too
Male
Kaththu kittiyaa iruntha ivanHe who was just a novice learner
Keththaa kelambi poraanNow rides off with immense style
Ippo cycle-lu viththakkaaranNow he is a master of the bicycle
Male
Otta vandiyila poththikituHiding yourself riding on a single vehicle
Kattura neeyum pausuYou are striking such a stylish pose
Onnaa polaam vaadaa doublesCome on, let us go together riding doubles
Male
Rendu kaalu pedal mithikkaAs both feet press down on the pedals
Rekka katti manam parakkaThe mind takes flight on newly attached wings
Veyil kaalam jillunnuthaan poran thooramIn the hot summer, he travels far feeling cool
Male
Theraattam poguthu oththa cycle-luThe single bicycle moves like a grand temple chariot
Nalla car-raattam poguthu yaaru driver-ruWho is driving? It moves just like a fine car
Male
Aaththu medu aakkaatti kooduThe river bank and the lapwing's nest
Mann vaasam ketkkuthu manasuThe heart craves the fragrant smell of the wet earth
Idhu kondaadi theekkura vayasuThis is the age to celebrate and enjoy life
Male
Vaaikkaal oram vaasanai thoorumFragrance drizzles by the side of the irrigation canal
Sengaattu puzhuthi vayaluThe dusty fields of the red soil region
Idhu pedal vachcha rayilThis is a train fitted with pedals
Male
Unga disel-la ooththi engine-ah maaththiPouring your diesel and swapping the engine
Yaendaa intha paaduWhy go through all this struggle?
Idhu enga appan veettu road-uThis road belongs to my father's house
Ellaiyum yaedhum illaThere are no boundaries or limits here
Kodu thaandi poraan pillaiThe child crosses all lines and moves forward
Maariyappan pallaakkula selvaakkuthaanThere is grand status in Mariyappan's palanquin
Male
Theraattam poguthu oththa cycle-luThe single bicycle moves like a grand temple chariot
Nalla car-raattam poguthu yaaru driver-ruWho is driving? It moves just like a fine car
Male
Ada raja dharpeesu mavan ivanOh, he is the king's son from Dharpees
Podi nadaiya poda maranthuttaanHe has completely forgotten how to walk on foot
Neththu korangu pedalu pottavanYesterday he was riding using the monkey pedal
Ippo gopuran yaera kelambittaanNow he has set off to conquer the temple tower
Male
Kaththiri veyil manda pozhakkuthuThe harsh summer sun splits the head open
Antha kandaantharaiyila vandi parakkuthuIn that barren wasteland, the vehicle flies

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song encapsulates the boundless euphoria, sense of freedom, and simple triumphs of rural childhood during summer vacations. Centered around the iconic nostalgia of learning to ride an adult-sized bicycle, the lyrics trace a young boy's journey from struggling with the 'korangu pedal' (the awkward standing stance used when a child's legs cannot reach the seat) to effortlessly gliding down dirt tracks like a king in a chariot. Across dusty red fields, canal banks, and scorching sun, the simple bicycle transforms into a magical vehicle of infinite imagination—a car, a train, and a flying machine rolled into one.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Uvamai)

Theraattam poguthu oththa cycle-lu

Compares the motion of a humble single bicycle to the majestic movement of a temple chariot ('Theraattam poguthu oththa cycle-lu').

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Idhu pedal vachcha rayil

Directly metaphorizes the pedal-driven bicycle as a train equipped with pedals ('pedal vachcha rayil').

Hyperbole (Uyirvuyarvu Navitchi)

Rekka katti manam parakka

Exaggerates the speed and joy of the child riding the bicycle by describing his mind as having attached wings and flying.

Did you know?

Trivia

The term 'Korangu Pedal' (Monkey Pedal) refers to a nostalgic Indian childhood technique from the 1980s and 90s, where kids too short for adult bicycles would insert one leg through the central frame triangle to reach the pedals while standing sideways. The film 'Kurangu Pedal' (2024), presented by actor Sivakarthikeyan, pays tribute to this quintessential nostalgic experience.

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