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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thondan Thondan

From Thondan · 2017

Lyricist
Yugabharathi
Singer
Diwakar
Music director
Justin Prabhakaran
Details
Thondan2017

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
Thagida thaga thagaRhythmic beats (Thagida thaga thaga)
Thagida thaga thagaRhythmic beats (Thagida thaga thaga)
Thagida thaga thagaRhythmic beats (Thagida thaga thaga)
Thagida thaga thagaRhythmic beats (Thagida thaga thaga)
Thagida thaga thagaRhythmic beats (Thagida thaga thaga)
Thagida thaga thagaRhythmic beats (Thagida thaga thaga)
Thagida thaga thagaRhythmic beats (Thagida thaga thaga)
Thaga…..Thaga.....
Male
{Thondan thondan thondan{Volunteer, volunteer, volunteer
Thondan.. thondan thondan} (2)Volunteer.. volunteer, volunteer} (2)
Male
Yezhai vaalavaeFor the poor to thrive,
Eluvomm nodiyilaeWe shall rise in a second.
Yaarum ondruthaanEveryone is one and the same,
Unarvom mudivilaeWe will realize this in the end.
Male
Uthiraatha anbil oruIn an undying, endless love,
Nooru kodi sugamaeLies a billion forms of joy.
Pirar sogam therkkaTo relieve the pain of others,
Azhagaaga maarum jagamaeThe world will transform beautifully.
Chorus
Maaramal yethum illaiyaeThere is nothing that stays permanent
Mann melae melaeUpon this earth, rising high.
Thozaa nee porai vellavaaO friend, will you go and win the battle?
MunnaalaeStep forward!
Chorus
Poraada veeram kondu vaaaBring forth courage to fight!
Nam maalai thaanaeThe victory garland is ours.
Setharam nengi sellumaeDestruction will fade away
ThannalaeAll on its own.
Vaa munne vaaCome, step forward, come!
Male
Oomai pesinaal urulumIf the silent speak up, heads will
ThalaigalaeRoll down!
Kelvi ketkaiyil vilagumWhen questions are asked, mistakes will
PilaigalaeDisappear!
Male
Kalamaadum pothu kadal koodaWhen entering the battlefield, even the ocean
Aagum thidalaeTurns into solid ground!
Yethiraali yaarum paliyaagaAny enemy could become a casualty
Koodum athilaeRight there!
Chorus
{Thondan thondan thondan{Volunteer, volunteer, volunteer
Thagida thagida thagaRhythmic beats (Thagida thagida thaga)
Thondan thondan thondanVolunteer, volunteer, volunteer
Thagida thagida thaga} (2)Rhythmic beats (Thagida thagida thaga)} (2)
Male
Kaatru polavaeJust like the wind,
Suzhalvom ulagilaeWe shall swirl across the world.
Kaigal sernthu naamHolding hands together,
Kalappom uravilaeWe shall unite in relationship.
Male
ThanthaasaikkaagaFor the sake of rightful cause,
Thadumaaridaatha oruvanA person who does not stumble,
Nilai thaalnthidaamal avanWithout letting his character fall,
Aaguvaanae thalaivanWill ultimately become the leader.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Thondan' is an empowering, social-activism anthem celebrating selfless service, justice, and community leadership. It asserts that true leadership is not born from power or title, but from being a humble volunteer ('thondan') who stands up for the poor, questions corruption, and remains steadfast in moral righteousness. The lyrics encourage unity, boldness, and compassionate action, emphasizing that when ordinary people unite and raise their voice against injustice, even insurmountable obstacles will crumble like ocean waves turning into solid ground.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Kaatru polavae

'Kaatru polavae' (Like the wind) compares the movement and swiftness of united citizens to the free force of nature.

Hyperbole (Uruvam / Adukku Metaphor)

Kalamaadum pothu kadal kooda / Aagum thidalae

'kadal kooda Aagum thidalae' dramatically asserts that even an entire ocean turns into solid ground when people march with determination into battle.

Rhythmic Repetition (Adukku Thodar)

{Thondan thondan thondan / Thagida thagida thaga}

Repetition of 'Thondan' and 'Thagida' creates an energetic, pulse-driven call to action appropriate for a social movement anthem.

Did you know?

Trivia

The title song of the 2017 Tamil film 'Thondan' (directed by Samuthirakani) features music composed by Justin Prabhakaran with lyrics written by Yugabharathi. The movie centers around a middle-class hero working as an ambulance driver who practices non-violent social intervention.

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