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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thottathu

From Enga Ooru Mappillai · 1989

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
Malaysia Vasudevan
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Enga Ooru Mappillai1989

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Ahaa…aahaaa….ahaa aaaAhaa... aahaaa... ahaa aaa
Yeh heyy ..eh hey..yeh hey ey heyyyyYeh heyy... eh hey... yeh hey ey heyyyy
Male
ThottadhanaithilumIn everything you touch,
Vetri kidaithidumVictory will be attained,
Vaadaa en raajaaCome on, my king!
Nenjil unmai irukkudhuThere is truth in your heart,
Nermai irukkudhuThere is honesty,
Vaadaadhae raajaaDo not wither, my king!
Ezhai naan andru kozhai thaanI was a poor man back then, indeed a coward,
Veeran naan indru sooran thaanToday I am a warrior, indeed a hero!
Male
Kai thottadhanaithilumIn everything your hand touches,
Vetri kidaithidumVictory will be attained,
Vaadaa en raajaaCome on, my king!
Nenjil unmai irukkudhuThere is truth in your heart,
Nermai irukkudhuThere is honesty,
Vaadaadhae raajaaDo not wither, my king!
Male
Achathil vaazhum per thaanThose who live in fear,
Achaani illaa thaer thaanAre like a chariot without an linchpin,
Muchandhi munnaal nirkkumIt will just stand at the three-way junction,
Engum odaadhuAnd move nowhere.
Male
Veerathil vaazhum yaarumAnyone who lives with bravery,
Vaengaikku ner thaan aagumIs equal to a tiger,
Manjathai poril vellumIt conquers fear in battle,
Anji saagathuAnd does not die scared.
Male
Mun vaitha kaalai neeyumThe step you have taken forward,
Pinnaal vaikkaadhae..hae haeDo not take it backward... hae hae!
Thanmaanam kettu ponaalIf your self-respect is ruined,
Summaa nikkaadhaeDo not stand idle!
Male
{Etti nindru kutram sollum{Those who blame from a distance,
Per varattumLet them come,
Nalla rattham ullavargalThose with good blood,
Ner varattum} (2)Let them face me directly}
Uram irundhaal thiram irundhaalIf there is strength, if there is skill,
Varam irundhaalIf there is a boon,
Male
ThottadhanaithilumIn everything you touch,
Vetri kidaithidumVictory will be attained,
Vaadaa en raajaaCome on, my king!
Nenjil unmai irukkudhuThere is truth in your heart,
Nermai irukkudhuThere is honesty,
Vaadaadhae raajaaDo not wither, my king!
Ezhai naan andru kozhai thaanI was a poor man back then, indeed a coward,
Veeran naan indru sooran thaanToday I am a warrior, indeed a hero!
Male
Ullathil kallam vaithuHiding deceit in their hearts,
Oor sothil kannam vaikkumAnd stealing food belonging to the village,
Pollaarai thatti ketkumTo question such wicked people,
Kaalam vandhaachu..uuThe time has come... oo!
Male
Ezhaigal oomai allaThe poor are not mute,
Ennaalum aamai allaThey are not slow turtles forever,
Muppaattan kaalam ippoThe era of forefathers,
Kaatril poyaachuHas now blown away in the wind!
Male
Kuthukkal vaangi vaangiReceiving blows continuously,
Rosam undaachu..hu huSelf-respect was born... hu hu!
Kottaigal yegiri pogumFor fortresses to fly away,
Velai vandhaachuThe time has come!
Male
{Dharmathukku sakthi{The power of righteousness,
Enna paakkuriyaaAre you seeing it?
Sathiyathin thathuvathai kekkuriyaa} (2)Are you listening to the philosophy of truth?}
Padai eduthen pagai mudippenI have marched my army, I will finish the enmity,
Adhil jeyippenI will win in that!
Male
ThottadhanaithilumIn everything you touch,
Vetri kidaithidumVictory will be attained,
Vaadaa en raajaaCome on, my king!
Nenjil unmai irukkudhuThere is truth in your heart,
Nermai irukkudhuThere is honesty,
Vaadaadhae raajaaDo not wither, my king!
Ezhai naan andru kozhai thaanI was a poor man back then, indeed a coward,
Veeran naan indru sooran thaanToday I am a warrior, indeed a hero!
Male
Kai thottadhanaithilumIn everything your hand touches,
Vetri kidaithidumVictory will be attained,
Vaadaa en raajaaCome on, my king!
Nenjil unmai irukkudhuThere is truth in your heart,
Nermai irukkudhuThere is honesty,
Vaadaadhae raajaaDo not wither, my king!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song serves as an empowering anthem about overcoming fear, poverty, and oppression through courage, self-respect, and righteousness. The speaker reflects on their transformation from a meek and quiet person into a bold hero ready to challenge injustice and fight against corrupt elements who exploit the poor.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Achaani illaa thaer thaan

Compares a fearful person to a chariot without an axle/linchpin ('Achaani illaa thaer'), highlighting their inability to move forward or achieve anything.

Simile / Comparison

Vaengaikku ner thaan aagum

Compares brave people to tigers ('Vaengaikku ner thaan aagum'), symbolizing strength and fearlessness.

Emona / Rhyme (Monai and Ethirai)

Uram irundhaal thiram irundhaal

Uses matching sound patterns like 'Uram irundhaal / thiram irundhaal / Varam irundhaal' to build rhythmic momentum and emphasis.

Did you know?

Trivia

Enga Ooru Mappillai is a 1989 Tamil film starring Ramarajan and Gautami. The lyrics penned by legendary lyricist Vaali carry his signature motivational rhythm, blending rural folk idioms with powerful themes of self-assertion and justice.

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