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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Theruvilakku

From Kaala · 2018

Lyricist
Dopeadelicz
Singers
Dopeadelicz, Muthamil
Music director
Santhosh Narayanan
Details
Kaala2018

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Theru velakku velachutulaIn the light of the street lamps,
Naanga munneri varuvoom uyarathulaWe will rise forward to great heights.
Vaazhndha kooda varumaiyilaEven if we live in poverty,
Varalaaru padaipom intha nagarathulaWe will create history in this city.
Male
Theru velakku velachutulaIn the light of the street lamps,
Naanga munneri varuvoom uyarathulaWe will rise forward to great heights.
Vaazhndha kooda varumaiyilaEven if we live in poverty,
Varalaaru padaipom intha nagarathulaWe will create history in this city.
Male
Welcome to my hoodWelcome to my hood,
Ithuthanae namma idamThis is our place.
Azhukku sakkadai irundhalumEven if there are dirty drains,
Enga manam sutha manamOur hearts are pure hearts.
Kannu podathae namma idamDon't cast an evil eye on our place,
City-ila naduvulaIn the middle of the city,
Jathi matham ellam thaandiTranscending all caste and religion,
Onna vaazhuvomae theruvulaWe will live together on the street.
Male
Kondaattam nikkaathu ingaThe celebration won't stop here,
Hip hop kalachaaram ingaeHip hop culture is right here.
Unnal mudiyum thozha balathodaYou can do it, my friend, with strength,
Vaada melae melaeCome on up and higher.
Sevvurukullae paaruLook inside the walls,
Pala oviyamthaan unnai kattumMany paintings will captivate you.
Nee paakkuriyae namma idathulaYou can see it in our place,
Pala maatramMany changes are happening.
Male
Veetukkul irundhaal pulambi pulambiJust complaining inside the house,
Irundha mattum pattathuIs not enough at all.
Unakkenna thevai thozhaWhat do you need, my friend?
Athaiyum neeyum endrum marakaathaeNever forget that either.
Munna dhan neeyum vanthuOnly if you step forward,
Un idam dhan munnae varumYour place will also move forward.
Otrumaiyaga ninnu paaruStand united and see,
Athupola illa oru balamThere is no strength like that.
Male
En raagam thaniyaagaListen to my melody,
Isaiyoda kettukoAlong with the music separately.
En paadal unnidathilListen to my song at your place,
Nanban phone-il kettukkoOn a friend's phone.
Puratchiyaa pesum bodhuWhen talking about revolution,
Atha neeyum kettukoListen to that as well.
Nambikkai illaiyendral ingaeIf you don't have faith,
Vanthu paathukkoCome here and see for yourself.
Male
Theru velakku velachutulaIn the light of the street lamps,
Naanga munneri varuvoom uyarathulaWe will rise forward to great heights.
Vaazhndha kooda varumaiyilaEven if we live in poverty,
Varalaaru padaipom intha nagarathulaWe will create history in this city.
Male
Theru velakku velachutulaIn the light of the street lamps,
Naanga munneri varuvoom uyarathulaWe will rise forward to great heights.
Vaazhndha kooda varumaiyilaEven if we live in poverty,
Varalaaru padaipom intha nagarathulaWe will create history in this city.
Male
Thala kuninja kaalam pooyiThe days of hanging our heads down are gone,
Nenjai nimithi ippa vaazhuromlaNow we live with our heads held high and chest forward.
Othumaiya irukkura varaikkumAs long as we remain united,
Yaaru uthaviyum thevai illaWe don't need anyone's help.
Maadi mela maadi illattiyumEven if we don't have multistoried buildings,
Onna iruppom therukkodiyilaWe will stay together at the street corner.
Uzhaippa nambi vaazhura naangaWe who live believing in hard work,
Saathi paakkura saathi illaAre not the kind to look at caste.
Male
Samathuvam piranthidaSo that equality is born,
Viduthalai kidaithidaSo that freedom is obtained,
Thozha kaiyinainthu pooraduMy friend, join hands and fight.
Kanavugal palithidumDreams will come true,
Sarithiram thiruthuvomWe will rewrite history,
Uyarnthu nirkkum ini naam naaduFrom now on, our country will stand tall.
Male
Unavu aadai veedu polaJust like food, clothing, and shelter,
Kalviyum unathu adippadai thevaiEducation is also your basic need.
Athai nee unarnthu padithuUnderstand this and study well,
Paritchai mudithu yeru medaiFinish your exams and step onto the stage.
Vangu kaithattal parisuReceive applause and prizes.
Male
Theru velakku velachutulaIn the light of the street lamps,
Naanga munneri varuvoom uyarathulaWe will rise forward to great heights.
Vaazhndha kooda varumaiyilaEven if we live in poverty,
Varalaaru padaipom intha nagarathulaWe will create history in this city.
Male
Theru velakku velachutulaIn the light of the street lamps,
Naanga munneri varuvoom uyarathulaWe will rise forward to great heights.
Vaazhndha kooda varumaiyilaEven if we live in poverty,
Varalaaru padaipom intha nagarathulaWe will create history in this city.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This track from Kaala is an empowering urban hip-hop anthem that celebrates the resilience, unity, and self-respect of slum dwellers living in Dharavi. Performed by Dopeadelicz, the song asserts that despite living amidst poor infrastructure and financial hardship, the residents possess pure hearts, dignity, and a strong sense of community across religious and caste lines.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

End Rhyme (Iyaibo)

Theru velakku velachutula / Naanga munneri varuvoom uyarathula

The lines end with rhythmic matching sounds like 'velachutula', 'uyarathula', 'varumaiyila', and 'nagarathula' to establish a hip-hop beat and flow.

Antithesis (Contrast)

Azhukku sakkadai irundhalum / Enga manam sutha manam

Contrasts filthy physical surroundings with the moral purity of the people living there.

Metaphor

Theru velakku velachutula / Naanga munneri varuvoom uyarathula

Street lamps symbolize the meager resources and humble beginnings under which the community strives for a bright future.

Did you know?

Trivia

The track is performed by Dopeadelicz, a real-life hip-hop crew originating from Mumbai's Dharavi slum. Their inclusion in Pa. Ranjith's 'Kaala' added authentic street hip-hop culture and grassroots political voice to the film's soundtrack composed by Santhosh Narayanan.

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