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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vetri Kani Nam Kaikalil

From Unnidathil Naan · 1986

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Thayanban
Details
Unnidathil Naan1986

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Vettri kani nam kaigalil vara vendumThe fruit of victory must reach our hands
Edhirkaalam namakkaagaththaanThe future belongs to us alone
Vettri kani nam kaigalil vara vendumThe fruit of victory must reach our hands
Edhirkaalam namakkaagaththaanThe future belongs to us alone
Male
Thaanaai kanivathillaiIt does not ripen on its own
Muyandraal tholvi illaiIf you try, there is no failure
Athu thaanaai kanivathillaiIt does not ripen on its own
Muyandraal tholvi illaiIf you try, there is no failure
Male
Vettri kani nam kaigalil vara vendumThe fruit of victory must reach our hands
Edhirkaalam namakkaagaththaanThe future belongs to us alone
Male
Ulagil nadakkum nadappuThe occurrences in this world
Thalaiyil varaintha ezhuththaaAre they lines of destiny written on the forehead?
Ulagil nadakkum nadappuThe occurrences in this world
Thalaiyil varaintha ezhuththaaAre they lines of destiny written on the forehead?
Yaetra thaazhvu irandumAre inequality and social disparity
Iraivan ninaiththa karuththaaIdeas intended by God?
Male
Vaazhlaam yaarum vaazhalaamAnyone can live well
Valaralaam neeyum valaralaamYou too can grow and succeed
Sinthidum nettri vervaiThe sweat dripping from the forehead
Saernthidum pudhiya vaazhvaiWill bring forth a new life
Male
Vettri kani nam kaigalil vara vendumThe fruit of victory must reach our hands
Edhirkaalam namakkaagaththaanThe future belongs to us alone
Male
Vithiyai edhirththu neenthu iniSwim against fate from now on
Vilagi pogum thadaigalObstacles will step aside
Vithiyai edhirththu neenthu iniSwim against fate from now on
Vilagi pogum thadaigalObstacles will step aside
Viraivil thondra koodumSoon they will appear
Vasantha vaazhvin karaigalThe shores of a spring-like prosperous life
Male
Arivuthaan manithaan aayuthamIntellect is human's true weapon
Idhayamthaan unathu kedayamThe heart is your protective shield
Ullangal uruthiyaanaalIf the mind becomes resolute
Oonangal odipogumDefects and disabilities will run away
Nee kettathu kidaikkumaeYou will obtain whatever you ask for
Male
Vettri kani nam kaigalil vara vendumThe fruit of victory must reach our hands
Edhirkaalam namakkaagaththaanThe future belongs to us alone
Athu thaanaai kanivathillaiIt does not ripen on its own
Muyandraal tholvi illaiIf you try, there is no failure
Male
Vettri kani nam kaigalil vara vendumThe fruit of victory must reach our hands
Edhirkaalam namakkaagaththaanThe future belongs to us alone

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This uplifting motivational song from the film 'Unnidathil Naan' (1986) serves as an anthem of hope, resilience, and self-reliance. Lyricist Vaali questions passive fatalism, challenging the idea that inequality or human suffering is pre-ordained by God or written on one's forehead. Instead, he asserts that the future belongs to those who actively strive to shape it. The song emphasizes that true victory does not happen by chance; it is earned through sweat, intellect, and mental resolve, encouraging everyone to swim against the current of fate to reach prosperous shores.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvam)

Vettri kani nam kaigalil vara vendum

Compares success to a fruit ('Vettri kani') that needs active effort to ripen.

Metaphor (Uruvam)

Arivuthaan manithaan aayutham / Idhayamthaan unathu kedayam

Compares human intellect to a weapon and the heart to a shield in the battle of life.

Rhetorical Question

Thalaiyil varaintha ezhuththaa / Iraivan ninaiththa karuththaa

Questions traditional fatalistic beliefs regarding destiny and social inequality.

Ezhukai / Rhyme

Ullangal uruthiyaanaal / Oonangal odipogum

Uses rhyming sound structures ('Ullangal' / 'Oonangal') to emphasize the triumph of mental strength over physical limitations.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Thayanban and rendered with characteristic vigor by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, this song stands out among 1980s Tamil cinema motivational tracks for Vaali's rationalist lyrics challenging fatalistic traditions.

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