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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ullathile Uram

From Vijayapuri Veeran · 1960

Lyricist
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Singers
A. M. Raja, Chorus
Music director
T. R. Pappa
Details
Vijayapuri Veeran1960

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Ullathilae uram venumadaOne must possess mental fortitude in the heart, my friend.
Ullathilae uram venumadaOne must possess mental fortitude in the heart, my friend.
Unmaiyilae thiram kaanumadaTrue capability is revealed through honesty, my friend.
Ottrumaiyal vetri oongumadaVictory flourishes through unity, my friend.
Male
Vallavan polae pesakoodathuOne should not talk grandly like an all-powerful person.
Vaanaram polae seerakoodathuOne should not snarl and rage like a wild monkey.
Male
Vallavan polae pesakoodathuOne should not talk grandly like an all-powerful person.
Vaanaram polae seerakoodathuOne should not snarl and rage like a wild monkey.
Male
Vaazha theriyamalae kozhaithanamagavaeWithout understanding how to live, out of sheer cowardice,
Vaalibathai vittuvida koodathuOne must not waste or throw away one's youth.
Vaazha theriyamalae kozhaithanamagavaeWithout understanding how to live, out of sheer cowardice,
Vaalibathai vittuvida koodathuOne must not waste or throw away one's youth.
Male
Vandiyum oru naal odathil yerumA cart too will ride on a boat one day,
Odamum oru naal vandiyil yerumAnd a boat too will ride on a cart one day.
Male
Vandiyum oru naal odathil yerumA cart too will ride on a boat one day,
Odamum oru naal vandiyil yerumAnd a boat too will ride on a cart one day.
Male
Yettu suraikaai ellam moottai kattiyaganumTheoretical bookish knowledge must all be packed and set aside,
Naatilae veeram pongum naal varanumA day must arrive when bravery overflows in our nation.
Yettu suraikaai ellam moottai kattiyaganumTheoretical bookish knowledge must all be packed and set aside,
Naatilae veeram pongum naal varanumA day must arrive when bravery overflows in our nation.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic motivational track serves as a call to action for the youth, urging them to cultivate inner strength, honesty, and unity rather than relying on empty bravado or impulsive anger. The song advises against cowardice and wasting the vitality of youth, reminding listeners that fortune is cyclical and tides constantly turn. Using traditional Tamil proverbs, such as 'a cart riding a boat and a boat riding a cart' (symbolizing life's changing fortunes) and 'Yettu suraikkai' (meaning useless theoretical knowledge that cannot be cooked), lyricist Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass emphasizes practical courage and collective harmony as the true foundation for national pride and personal success.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Ullathilae uram venumada / Unmaiyilae thiram kaanumada / Ottrumaiyal vetri oongumada

Lines end with the rhyming suffix '-ada' ('venumada', 'kaanumada', 'oongumada'), creating a rhythmic, direct conversational tone.

Moonaiz / Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Vaazha theriyamalae kozhaithanamagavae / Vaalibathai vittuvida koodathu

Alliteration of the initial letter 'Va' across consecutive words ('Vaazha', 'Vaalibathai').

Proverbial Metaphor (Pazhamozhi)

Vandiyum oru naal odathil yerum / Odamum oru naal vandiyil yerum

The line uses the traditional Tamil idiom 'Vandiyum odathil yerum, odamum vandiyil yerum' to illustrate how human circumstances and power dynamics flip over time.

Cultural Idiom / Metaphor

Yettu suraikaai ellam moottai kattiyaganum

'Yettu suraikkai' (a bottle gourd drawn on paper) refers to purely theoretical knowledge that lacks real-world utility.

Did you know?

Trivia

Vijayapuri Veeran (1960) was a swashbuckling Tamil adventure film starring C. L. Anandan, inspired by Alexandre Dumas's classic novel 'The Three Musketeers'. Written by veteran lyricist Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass with music composed by T. R. Pappa, this energetic song sung by A. M. Raja became an enduring motivational anthem known for its seamless integration of folk wisdom and proverbs.

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