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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vathikuchi Pathikadhuda

From Dheena · 2001

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Yuvan Shankar Raja
Details
Dheena2001

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Vathi kuchi pathikaadhudaA matchstick will not catch fire,
Yarum vandhu urasura varaiyilaeUntil someone comes and rubs against it.
Vambu thumbu vachukaadhadaDo not get into unnecessary trouble,
Yaarum unnai usupura varaiyilaeUntil someone provokes you.
Male
Eekuchiya illaama nee theekuchiya irudaDon't be a mere broomstick, be a matchstick!
Ullae oru ushnam vandhaa un vaazhvil velicham varumIf an inner warmth arises, light will illuminate your life.
Male
Vathi kuchi pathikaadhudaA matchstick will not catch fire,
Yarum vandhu urasura varaiyilaeUntil someone comes and rubs against it.
Vambu thumbu vachukaadhadaDo not get into unnecessary trouble,
Yaarum unnai usupura varaiyilaeUntil someone provokes you.
Male
Manasu uduthina kavalai thuniThe clothes of worry worn by the heart,
Eduthu avizhtheri edharku iniTake them off and throw them away, why wear them anymore?
Male
Irukum kanneeraiyumEven the existing tears,
Yetham nee potteduPump them out and drain them.
Azhavaa ingae vandhomDid we come into this world to cry?
Aadu paadu aanandhamaa … aaaaaDance and sing with bliss... aaaaa
Male
Vathi kuchi pathikaadhudaA matchstick will not catch fire,
Yarum vandhu urasura varaiyilaeUntil someone comes and rubs against it.
Vambu thumbu vachukaadhadaDo not get into unnecessary trouble,
Yaarum unnai usupura varaiyilaeUntil someone provokes you.
Male
Muyarchi seithaal samayathulaeIf you make an effort, in due time,
Mudhuku thaangum imayathaiyaeYour back can carry even the mighty Himalayas.
Male
Manasa irumbaakanumYou must turn your mind into iron,
Malaiya thurumbaakanumYou must treat a huge mountain like a tiny piece of straw.
Aazhkadal koodathaanEven the deep sea itself
Aaru polae maarumadaa …. ooo ooo ohWill change and flow like a gentle river... ooo ooo oh
Male
Vathi kuchi pathikaadhudaA matchstick will not catch fire,
Yarum vandhu urasura varaiyilaeUntil someone comes and rubs against it.
Vambu thumbu vachukaadhadaDo not get into unnecessary trouble,
Yaarum unnai usupura varaiyilaeUntil someone provokes you.
Male
Eekuchiya illaama nee theekuchiya irudaDon't be a mere broomstick, be a matchstick!
Ullae oru ushnam vandhaa un vaazhvil velicham varumIf an inner warmth arises, light will illuminate your life.
Male
Vathi kuchi pathikaadhudaA matchstick will not catch fire,
Yarum vandhu urasura varaiyilaeUntil someone comes and rubs against it.
Vambu thumbu vachukaadhadaDo not get into unnecessary trouble,
Yaarum unnai usupura varaiyilaeUntil someone provokes you.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Vathi Kuchi Pathikaadhuda is a high-energy philosophical mass song from the 2001 Tamil movie Dheena. Through vibrant matchstick metaphors, veteran lyricist Vaali urges the protagonist (and listeners) to remain calm and composed until provoked, but to unleash inner strength when challenged. The song serves as a motivational anthem advising one to cast aside worries, remain resilient against life's hardships, and develop an unbreakable iron mindset capable of overcoming mountain-sized obstacles.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Manasu uduthina kavalai thuni

'Kavalai thuni' (clothes of worry) metaphors negative emotions as removable garments, encouraging the listener to shed sadness easily.

Metaphor & Hyperbole (Uruvagam & Uruvagaparamaartham)

Manasa irumbaakanum / Malaiya thurumbaakanum

Comparing the mind to iron ('Manasa irumbaakanum') and a mountain to a piece of straw ('Malaiya thurumbaakanum') highlights mental fortitude and resilience.

Second-letter Rhyme (Edhugai)

Eekuchiya illaama nee theekuchiya iruda

Matching second consonants in 'Eekuchiya' and 'Theekuchiya' creates a rhythmic contrast between fragile coconut leaf stems and potent matchsticks.

Alliteration (Monai)

Vathi kuchi pathikaadhuda / Vambu thumbu vachukaadhada

Repetition of initial consonant sounds 'Va' in 'Vathi kuchi' and 'Vambu thumbu' enhances rhythmic cadence.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja and rendered by SP Balasubrahmanyam, this song played a pivotal role in cementing Ajith Kumar's onscreen 'mass' persona and earned him the moniker 'Thala' through AR Murugadoss's directorial debut movie Dheena (2001).

Keep listening

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