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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Veerathin Chinname

From Veerapandiya Kattabomman · 1959

Lyricist
Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniam
Singer
Seerkazhi Govindarajan
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Details
Veerapandiya Kattabomman1959

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Veerathin chinnamae viduthalai porukkuO symbol of bravery, for the freedom struggle,
Vithaaga uruveduthaaiYou took form as the seed!
Vinnaeru pol thamizhar than maanam kakkaveLike a thunderbolt, to protect the honor of Tamils,
Vilaiyaaga uyir koduthaaiYou offered your life as the price!
Male
Pooritha maarbanae thokku kayitrilaeO warrior with a proud chest, in a hanging rope,
Polladha mudivu kandaaiYou met a cruel end!
Boomiyum vaanamum ullalavum azhiyadhaAs long as the earth and the sky endure,
Pugazhennum vaazhvu kondaaiYou attained an undying life of fame!
Azhiyadha pugazhennum vaazhvu kondaaiYou attained an undying life of fame!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This eulogy honors the heroic Tamil chieftain Veerapandiya Kattabomman as the prime symbol of valor who laid the groundwork for the freedom movement. He fearlessly sacrificed his life to uphold the pride and honor of the Tamil people, meeting a tragic fate at the gallows. Though his earthly life ended cruelly, his sacrifice immortalized him, granting him eternal glory that will endure as long as the earth and sky exist.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagama)

Vithaaga uruveduthaai

Kattabomman is metaphorically compared to a seed ('Vithu') that sprouts into the freedom movement.

Simile (Uwamai)

Vinnaeru pol thamizhar than maanam kakkave

Kattabomman's strike for Tamil honor is compared using 'pol' (like) to a thunderbolt ('vinnaeru') descending from the sky.

Moona (Initial Rhyme/Alliteration)

Veerathin chinnamae viduthalai porukku

Repetition of the 'V' sound at the beginning of words/lines (Veerathin, Viduthalai, Vithaaga, Vinnaeru, Vilaiyaaga).

Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Pooritha maarbanae thokku kayitrilae / Polladha mudivu kandaai

The second consonant 'ii' sound matches in 'Boomiyum' and 'Pugazhennum' (or 'Pooritha' and 'Polladha').

Did you know?

Trivia

Veerapandiya Kattabomman (1959) is a landmark biographical film starring Sivaji Ganesan. Seerkazhi Govindarajan's resonant, high-pitched voice became the definitive voice of patriotic grandeur in Tamil cinema, and this piece powerfully encapsulates the dramatic climax of Kattabomman's martyrdom.

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