Thuppaki Engal Tholile
From Vishwaroopam · 2012
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- Kamal Haasan, Benny Dayal
- Music director
- Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy
- Details
- Vishwaroopam2012
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| The ground and the dirt | The ground and the dirt |
| In the heat | In the sweltering heat |
| Senses dead and going blind | Senses dead and going blind |
| When you have war on your mind | When you have war on your mind |
| Male | |
| Feel the drums of battle | Feel the drums of battle |
| Beating in your head | Beating in your head |
| And the only song you are singing | And the only song you are singing |
| Is the song of the dead | Is the song of the dead |
| I am not a man | I am not a man |
| I am a shell | I am an empty shell |
| Thats waiting to explode | That is waiting to explode |
| On my shoulders gotta burning overload | On my shoulders, I have a burning overload |
| Male | |
| Thuppaaki engal tholilae | The gun rests on our shoulder |
| Chorus :Ohoo oooo | Ohoo oooo |
| Male :Thurbakkiyam than vazhvilae | Misfortune is what fills our lives |
| Chorus :Ohoo oooo | Ohoo oooo |
| Male :Eppothum saavu nerilae | Death is always right in front of us |
| Chorus :Ohoo oooo | Ohoo oooo |
| Male :Ippothu velvom porilae | Now we shall conquer in this war |
| Male | |
| Porgalai naangal | We did not |
| Chorus :Thenrthedukavillai | Choose these wars |
| Male :Porthaan emmai | It was war itself |
| Chorus :Thenrtheduthu kondathu | That chose us |
| Male | |
| Engalin kaiyil | In our hands |
| Chorus :Aaayuthangal illai | There are no weapons |
| Male :Aayuthathin kaiyil | In the hands of weapons |
| Chorus :Engal udal ullathu | Lies our very body |
| Male | |
| Oorai kaakkum porukku | For the war that protects our land |
| Chorus :Othigai seikindrom | We are conducting rehearsals |
| Male :Savae engal vaazhvendru | That death itself is our life |
| Chorus :Sathiyam seigindrom | We take a solemn oath |
| Male | |
| Ottagaa mudhugin mel | On the back of a camel |
| Chorus :Oru samaveli kidaiyaathu | There is no flat plain to be found |
| Male :Dollar ulagathil | In the world driven by dollars |
| Chorus :Samatharmam kidaiyathu | There is no true equality |
| Chorus | |
| Ho ho ho oh | Ho ho ho oh |
| Male :Needhi kaanaamal | Until justice is found |
| Chorus :Ho ho ho oh | Ho ho ho oh |
| Male :Porgal oyaadhu | Wars will never cease |
| Male | |
| Thuppaaki engal thozhanae | The gun is our companion |
| Chorus :Ho ho ho oh | Ho ho ho oh |
| Male :Thozh konda veeran dheivamae | The brave warrior with strong shoulders is our deity |
| Chorus :Ho ho ho oh | Ho ho ho oh |
| Male :Eppodhum engal koppayil | Always sitting beside our cup |
| Chorus :Ho ho ho oh | Ho ho ho oh |
| Male :Thaeneerum parugum maranamae | Is death, sipping tea with us |
| Male | |
| With a rifle in your hand | With a rifle in your hand |
| Its down to man to man | It comes down to man against man |
| To live you gotta let die | To live, you gotta let die |
| I ll bear the sky for a nine | I will bear the sky for a moment |
| You cant afford to fail | You cannot afford to fail |
| Gotta fight it to the nail | Gotta fight it tooth and nail |
| Gotta live by the warriors code | Gotta live by the warrior's code |
| Cant afford to look back down the road | Cannot afford to look back down the road |
| Male | |
| Boomiyai thaanga | To hold up the Earth |
| Chorus :Konja veeram ketkindrom | We ask for a bit of valor |
| Male :Puyalai swasikka | To breathe in a storm |
| Chorus :Nurai eeral ketkindrom | We ask for resilient lungs |
| Male :Ettu dhisaigalal | From all eight directions |
| Chorus :Oru imaiyam ketkindrom | We ask for a grand Himalaya |
| Male :Irul moolaadhu | So darkness does not engulf us |
| Chorus :Elamai ketkindrom | We ask for eternal youth |
| Male | |
| Thuppaakiyum thalayanaiyaai | Using guns as our pillows |
| Chorus :Thooki thirikindrom | We carry them around everywhere |
| Male :Thozhodum en maranathai | Along with our shoulders, our death |
| Chorus :Thooki thirikindrom | We carry around everywhere |
| Male | |
| Ottagam mudhugin mel | On the back of a camel |
| Chorus :Oru samaveli kidaiyaadhu | There is no flat plain to be found |
| Male :Dollar ulagathil | In the world driven by dollars |
| Chorus :Sama dharmam kidaiyaadhu | There is no true equality |
| Chorus | |
| Ho ho ho oh | Ho ho ho oh |
| Male :Needhi kaanaamal | Until justice is found |
| Chorus :Ho ho ho oh | Ho ho ho oh |
| Male :Porgal oyaadhu | Wars will never cease |
தி கிரௌண்ட்
அண்ட் தி டிர்ட் இன் தி
ஹீட் சென்செஸ் டெட்
அண்ட் கோயிங் ப்ளின்ட்
வென் யூ ஹவ் வார் ஆன்
யுவர் மைன்ட்
The ground and the dirt
In the sweltering heat
Senses dead and going blind
When you have war on your mind
பீல் தி ட்ரம்ஸ் ஆப்
பட்டல் பீட்டிங் இன் யுவர்
ஹெட் அண்ட் தி ஒன்லி
சாங் யூ ஆர் சிங்கிங் இஸ்
தி சாங் ஆப் தி டெட் ஐ எம்
நாட் எ மேன் ஐ எம் எ ஷெல்
தட்ஸ் வெயிட்டிங் டு
எக்ஸ்ப்ளோட் ஆன் மை
ஷோல்ஜர்ஸ் கோட்டா
பர்னிங் ஓவர்லோட்
Feel the drums of battle
Beating in your head
And the only song you are singing
Is the song of the dead
I am not a man
I am an empty shell
That is waiting to explode
On my shoulders, I have a burning overload
துப்பாக்கி
எங்கள் தோளிலே
குழு :
ஓஹோ ஓஓ
துர்பாக்கியம்
தான் வாழ்விலே
குழு :
ஓஹோ ஓஓ
எப்போதும்
சாவு நேரிலே
குழு :
ஓஹோ ஓஓ
இப்போது
வெல்வோம் போரிலே
The gun rests on our shoulder
Ohoo oooo
Misfortune is what fills our lives
Ohoo oooo
Death is always right in front of us
Ohoo oooo
Now we shall conquer in this war
போர்களை நாங்கள்
குழு :
தேர்ந்தெடுக்கவில்லை
போர் தான் எம்மை
குழு :
தேர்ந்தெடுத்து கொண்டது
We did not
Choose these wars
It was war itself
That chose us
எங்களின் கையில்
குழு :
ஆயுதங்கள் இல்லை
ஆயுதத்தின் கையில்
குழு :
எங்கள் உடல் உள்ளது
In our hands
There are no weapons
In the hands of weapons
Lies our very body
ஊரை
காக்கும் போருக்கு
குழு :
ஒத்திகை
செய்கின்றோம்
சாவே
எங்கள் வாழ்வென்று
குழு :
சத்தியம்
செய்கின்றோம்
For the war that protects our land
We are conducting rehearsals
That death itself is our life
We take a solemn oath
ஒட்டக
முதுகின் மேல்
குழு :
ஒரு
சமவெளி கிடையாது
டாலர்
உலகத்தில்
குழு :
சமதர்மம்
கிடையாது
On the back of a camel
There is no flat plain to be found
In the world driven by dollars
There is no true equality
ஹோ
ஹோ ஹோ ஓ
நீதி
காணாமல்
குழு :
ஹோ
ஹோ ஹோ ஓ
போர்கள்
ஓயாது
Ho ho ho oh
Until justice is found
Ho ho ho oh
Wars will never cease
துப்பாக்கி
எங்கள் தோழனே
குழு :
ஹோ ஹோ
ஹோ ஓ
தோள் கொண்ட
வீரன் தெய்வமே
குழு :
ஹோ ஹோ
ஹோ ஓ
எப்போதும்
எங்கள் கோப்பையில்
குழு :
ஹோ ஹோ
ஹோ ஓ
தேநீரும்
பருகும் மரணமே
The gun is our companion
Ho ho ho oh
The brave warrior with strong shoulders is our deity
Ho ho ho oh
Always sitting beside our cup
Ho ho ho oh
Is death, sipping tea with us
................................
With a rifle in your hand
It comes down to man against man
To live, you gotta let die
I will bear the sky for a moment
You cannot afford to fail
Gotta fight it tooth and nail
Gotta live by the warrior's code
Cannot afford to look back down the road
பூமியை தாங்க
குழு :
கொஞ்சம் வீரம்
கேட்கின்றோம்
புயலை சுவாசிக்க
குழு :
நுரை ஈரல்
கேட்கின்றோம்
எட்டு திசைகளால்
குழு :
ஒரு இமயம்
கேட்கின்றோம்
இருள் மூளாது
குழு :
இளமை கேட்கின்றோம்
To hold up the Earth
We ask for a bit of valor
To breathe in a storm
We ask for resilient lungs
From all eight directions
We ask for a grand Himalaya
So darkness does not engulf us
We ask for eternal youth
துப்பாக்கியும்
தலையணையாய்
குழு :
தூக்கி திரிகின்றோம்
தோளோடும்
என் மரணத்தை
குழு :
தூக்கி திரிகின்றோம்
Using guns as our pillows
We carry them around everywhere
Along with our shoulders, our death
We carry around everywhere
ஒட்டக முதுகின் மேல்
குழு :
ஒரு சமவெளி கிடையாது
டாலர் உலகத்தில்
குழு :
சமதர்மம் கிடையாது
On the back of a camel
There is no flat plain to be found
In the world driven by dollars
There is no true equality
ஹோ ஹோ ஹோ ஓ
நீதி காணாமல்
குழு :
ஹோ ஹோ ஹோ ஓ
போர்கள் ஓயாது
Ho ho ho oh
Until justice is found
Ho ho ho oh
Wars will never cease
The ground and the dirt
The ground and the dirt
In the heat
In the sweltering heat
Senses dead and going blind
Senses dead and going blind
When you have war on your mind
When you have war on your mind
Feel the drums of battle
Feel the drums of battle
Beating in your head
Beating in your head
And the only song you are singing
And the only song you are singing
Is the song of the dead
Is the song of the dead
I am not a man
I am not a man
I am a shell
I am an empty shell
Thats waiting to explode
That is waiting to explode
On my shoulders gotta burning overload
On my shoulders, I have a burning overload
Thuppaaki engal tholilae
The gun rests on our shoulder
Chorus :Ohoo oooo
Ohoo oooo
Male :Thurbakkiyam than vazhvilae
Misfortune is what fills our lives
Chorus :Ohoo oooo
Ohoo oooo
Male :Eppothum saavu nerilae
Death is always right in front of us
Chorus :Ohoo oooo
Ohoo oooo
Male :Ippothu velvom porilae
Now we shall conquer in this war
Porgalai naangal
We did not
Chorus :Thenrthedukavillai
Choose these wars
Male :Porthaan emmai
It was war itself
Chorus :Thenrtheduthu kondathu
That chose us
Engalin kaiyil
In our hands
Chorus :Aaayuthangal illai
There are no weapons
Male :Aayuthathin kaiyil
In the hands of weapons
Chorus :Engal udal ullathu
Lies our very body
Oorai kaakkum porukku
For the war that protects our land
Chorus :Othigai seikindrom
We are conducting rehearsals
Male :Savae engal vaazhvendru
That death itself is our life
Chorus :Sathiyam seigindrom
We take a solemn oath
Ottagaa mudhugin mel
On the back of a camel
Chorus :Oru samaveli kidaiyaathu
There is no flat plain to be found
Male :Dollar ulagathil
In the world driven by dollars
Chorus :Samatharmam kidaiyathu
There is no true equality
Ho ho ho oh
Ho ho ho oh
Male :Needhi kaanaamal
Until justice is found
Chorus :Ho ho ho oh
Ho ho ho oh
Male :Porgal oyaadhu
Wars will never cease
Thuppaaki engal thozhanae
The gun is our companion
Chorus :Ho ho ho oh
Ho ho ho oh
Male :Thozh konda veeran dheivamae
The brave warrior with strong shoulders is our deity
Chorus :Ho ho ho oh
Ho ho ho oh
Male :Eppodhum engal koppayil
Always sitting beside our cup
Chorus :Ho ho ho oh
Ho ho ho oh
Male :Thaeneerum parugum maranamae
Is death, sipping tea with us
With a rifle in your hand
With a rifle in your hand
Its down to man to man
It comes down to man against man
To live you gotta let die
To live, you gotta let die
I ll bear the sky for a nine
I will bear the sky for a moment
You cant afford to fail
You cannot afford to fail
Gotta fight it to the nail
Gotta fight it tooth and nail
Gotta live by the warriors code
Gotta live by the warrior's code
Cant afford to look back down the road
Cannot afford to look back down the road
Boomiyai thaanga
To hold up the Earth
Chorus :Konja veeram ketkindrom
We ask for a bit of valor
Male :Puyalai swasikka
To breathe in a storm
Chorus :Nurai eeral ketkindrom
We ask for resilient lungs
Male :Ettu dhisaigalal
From all eight directions
Chorus :Oru imaiyam ketkindrom
We ask for a grand Himalaya
Male :Irul moolaadhu
So darkness does not engulf us
Chorus :Elamai ketkindrom
We ask for eternal youth
Thuppaakiyum thalayanaiyaai
Using guns as our pillows
Chorus :Thooki thirikindrom
We carry them around everywhere
Male :Thozhodum en maranathai
Along with our shoulders, our death
Chorus :Thooki thirikindrom
We carry around everywhere
Ottagam mudhugin mel
On the back of a camel
Chorus :Oru samaveli kidaiyaadhu
There is no flat plain to be found
Male :Dollar ulagathil
In the world driven by dollars
Chorus :Sama dharmam kidaiyaadhu
There is no true equality
Ho ho ho oh
Ho ho ho oh
Male :Needhi kaanaamal
Until justice is found
Chorus :Ho ho ho oh
Ho ho ho oh
Male :Porgal oyaadhu
Wars will never cease
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This powerful track serves as a dark, intense anthem portraying the gritty reality of soldiers and operatives caught in global warfare. It emphasizes how combatants become instruments of war rather than choosing war themselves, living in constant proximity to death and destruction. The lyrics contrast the philosophical realities of conflict—such as the absence of equality in a capitalist-driven world ('Dollar ulagathil samadharmam kidaiyaadhu')—with the physical toll of living on the edge of mortality where guns become pillows and death is a constant tea-time companion.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Second letter rhyming in Tamil poetry)
“Thuppaaki engal tholilae / Thurbakkiyam than vazhvilae”
Rhyming of the second consonant in consecutive lines, seen in 'Thuppaaki' and 'Thurbakkiyam', where 'p' sound repeats.
Personification
“Thaeneerum parugum maranamae”
Death is personified as a companion sitting by the soldiers' cup and drinking tea with them.
Metaphor
“Ottagaa mudhugin mel oru samaveli kidaiyaathu / Dollar ulagathil samatharmam kidaiyathu”
Comparing the uneven camel's back to the lack of equality in a dollar-driven capitalist world.
Paradox / Irony
“Engalin kaiyil aaayuthangal illai / Aayuthathin kaiyil engal udal ullathu”
Expressing that they do not hold weapons, but rather weapons hold control over their bodies.
Did you know?
Trivia
The track features Kamal Haasan singing alongside Benny Dayal with a blend of English rock/metal vocals and high-octane Tamil lyrics written by Vairamuthu. The song was recorded at the famous Synchron Stage and Abbey Road Studios setup during the sound production phase of Vishwaroopam, establishing the dark, global espionage atmosphere of the film.
Keep listening
More from Vishwaroopam
Vishwaroopam
Vishwaroopam
Vishwaroopam
Vishwaroopam