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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Varaan Paar Pettaikaali

From Pettaikaali · 2022

Lyricist
La. Rajkumar
Singer
Santhosh Narayanan
Music director
Santhosh Narayanan
Details
Pettaikaali2022

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Ye varaan paar varaan paarLook, he is coming, look, he is coming
Varaan paar pettaikaaliHere comes Pettaikaali
Male
Vaadaa thamizhaCome on, Tamizha
Unna thimiri odum kaalaThe bull runs wild with pride before you
Adhu thimila pidikkum velaAt the moment of grabbing its hump
Andha saami irangum melaThe deity descends upon the arena
Male
Kaaththa kizhichiTearing through the wind
Avan kombu seevi vaaraanHe comes with his horns sharpened
Unna thookki veesa poraanHe is going to lift and throw you
Veri aattam podum sooranA valiant warrior performing a frenzied dance
Male
Onnaam.. padiyedukkumFirst step... taking a stance
Rendaam… paanji varumSecond step... pouncing forward
Moonaam… suththi nikkumThird step... circling around
Naalaam… puzhuthi parakkumFourth step... dust flies in the air
Anjaam… padiyeduppaamFifth step... taking the stride
Aaraam…ananjiruvaanSixth step... embracing and holding tight
Yezhaam… niminthu nippaanSeventh step... standing tall with pride
Ettaan… thagidathagidaEighth step... to the victorious beat of thagidathagida
Male
Vaadaa thamizhaCome on, Tamizha
Vaadaa thamizha heyCome on, Tamizha, hey
Male
Kaala pudidaGrab the bull!
Un nenjukku thaan neraaStraight facing your chest
Oru pannaruva kooraaSharp like a billhook blade
Idha pazhagi paaru poraaTest your mettle in this fight
Male
Paappom usiraaLet us witness it with our life on the line
Un kovil pola vaadiThe arena is revered like your temple
Antha kaala enga saamiThat bull is our deity
Ithu jallikkattu bhoomiThis is the sacred land of Jallikattu
Male
Onnaam.. padiyedukkumFirst step... taking a stance
Rendaam… paanji varumSecond step... pouncing forward
Moonaam… suththi nikkumThird step... circling around
Naalaam… puzhuthi parakkumFourth step... dust flies in the air
Anjaam… padiyeduppaamFifth step... taking the stride
Aaraam…ananjiruvaanSixth step... embracing and holding tight
Yezhaam… niminthu nippaanSeventh step... standing tall with pride
Ettaan… thagidathagidaEighth step... to the victorious beat of thagidathagida
Male
Vaadaa thamizhaCome on, Tamizha
Unna thimiri odum kaalaThe bull runs wild with pride before you
Adhu thimila pidikkum velaAt the moment of grabbing its hump
Andha saami irangum melaThe deity descends upon the arena
Male
Vaadaa thamizhaCome on, Tamizha
Unna thimiri odum kaalaThe bull runs wild with pride before you
Adhu thimila pidikkum velaAt the moment of grabbing its hump
Andha saami irangum melaThe deity descends upon the arena
Hey hey heyHey hey hey
Male
Yeru thazhuvum karamaeThe hands that embrace the bull
Saami thandha varamaeAre a divine blessing bestowed by God
Vaadaa thamizhaCome on, Tamizha
Male
Yeru thazhuvum karamaeThe hands that embrace the bull
Saami thandha varamaeAre a divine blessing bestowed by God
Vaadaa thamizhaCome on, Tamizha
Male
Varaan paar… varaan paarLook, he is coming... look, he is coming
Varaan paar ..varaan paar pettaikaaliLook, he is coming... Pettaikaali is coming

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Pettaikaali is a high-energy Tamil folk anthem celebrating Jallikattu, the ancient traditional bull-taming sport of Tamil Nadu. The song evokes the raw courage, cultural pride, and adrenaline of standing in the arena (Vaadi Majal). It invites young Tamil men to test their bravery against the mighty, sacred bull, which is treated with high reverence akin to a deity rather than a mere animal.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Anaphora / Repetition

Vaadaa thamizha

The phrase 'Vaadaa thamizha' and 'Varaan paar' are repeated rhythmically to build intensity and serve as a passionate call to action.

Metaphor

Antha kaala enga saami

The bull is elevated to the status of a divinity, emphasizing the spiritual connection and worshipful respect Tamil culture accords to bulls in Jallikattu.

Onomatopoeia & Rhythm (Solkattu)

Ettaan… thagidathagida

The use of folk rhythmic sound words like 'thagidathagida' simulates the sound of percussion and the energetic footwork of bull taming.

Simile

Oru pannaruva kooraa

Compares the danger and thrill of facing the bull directly to a razor-sharp billhook knife directed at one's chest.

Did you know?

Trivia

Pettaikaali is the title song of the 2022 Aha Tamil web series 'Pettaikaali', directed by La. Rajkumar and presented by acclaimed filmmaker Vetrimaaran. It is notable for being the first web series solely focused on the subculture and heritage surrounding Jallikattu. Santhosh Narayanan composed and sang this track, infusing authentic rural percussion and native folk vocal stylings.

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