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Padaiyappa album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Vetri Kodi Kattu

From Padaiyappa · 1999

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
Palakkad Sriram, Chorus
Music director
A. R. Rahman
Movie name
Padaiyappa
Movie release year
1999
Lyrics added on
7 Feb 2018

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Oh ho ho ho
Oh ho ho ho
Oh ho ho ho..oh
Vaazhkaiyil aayiram thadaikkallappa
Thadaikkalum unakkoru padikallappa
Vaazhkaiyil aayiram thadaikkallappa
Thadaikkalum unakkoru padikallappa
{Vetri kodi kaatu
Malaigalai muttumvarai muttu
Lathchiyam ettum varai ettu
Padaiyedu padaiyappa } (2)
{Kaithattum ulipattu
Nee vidum netri thulipattu
Paaraigal rettai pilavuttru
Udaipadum padaiyappa } (2)
{Vettukkili alla
Nee oru vettum puli endru
Pagaivarai vettithalaikondu
Nadaiyedu padaiyappa} (2)
Mikka thunivundu
Ilainyargal pakka thunaiyundu
Udanvara makkal padaiundu
Mudivedu padaiyappa
Vetri kodi kaatu
Malaigalai muttum varai muttu
Lathchiyam ettum varai ettu
Padaiyedu padaiyappa
Vaazhkaiyil aayiram thadaikkallappa
Thadaikkalum unakkoru padikallappa
Vaazhkaiyil aayiram thadaikkallappa
Thadaikkalum unakkoru padikallappa
Innor uyirai kondru
Pusippathu mirugamadaa
Innor uyirai kondru
Rasippavan arakkanadaa
{Yaarukkum theengindri
Vaazhbhavan manidhan
Oorukkae vaazhnthu
Uyardhavan punithan} (2)
Netruvaraikkum manidhanappa
Indru mudhal nee punidhanappa
Netruvaraikkum manidhanappa
Indru mudhal nee punidhanappa
{Vetri kodi kaatu
Malaigalai muttumvarai muttu
Lathchiyam ettum varai ettu
Padaiyedu padaiyappa } (2)
Kaithattum ulipattu
Nee vidum netri thulipattu
Paaraigal rettai pilavuttru
Udaipadum padaiyappa
{Vettukkili alla
Nee oru vettum puli endru
Pagaivarai vettithalaikondu
Nadaiyedu padaiyappa} (2)
Mikka thunivundu
Ilainyargal pakka thunaiyundu
Udanvara makkal padaiundu
Mudivedu padaiyappa
Netruvaraikkum manidhanappa
Indru mudhal nee punidhanappa
Netruvaraikkum manidhanappa
Indru mudhal nee punidhanappa
Vetri kodi kaatu
Malaigalai muttum varai muttu
Lathchiyam ettum varai ettu
Padaiyedu padaiyappa
Oh ho ho ho
Oh ho ho ho
Oh ho ho ho..oh
Hoi hoi hoi hoi hoi…
Oh ho ho ho
Oh ho ho ho
Oh ho ho ho... oh
There may be a thousand stumbling blocks in life, my friend,
but even a stumbling block is a stepping stone for you!
There may be a thousand stumbling blocks in life, my friend,
but even a stumbling block is a stepping stone for you!
{Wave the flag of victory!
Charge ahead until you hit the mountains!
Stride onward until your goal is reached!
March like an army, Padaiyappa!} (2)
{When your resounding chisel strikes,
and drops of sweat fall from your brow,
even mighty rocks will split in two
and shatter, Padaiyappa!} (2)
{Show them you are no grasshopper,
prove that you are a striking tiger,
cut down your foes, hold your head high,
and stride forward, Padaiyappa!} (2)
You have immense courage,
the youth stand by your side,
an army of people walks with you,
make your decision, Padaiyappa!
Wave the flag of victory!
Charge ahead until you hit the mountains!
Stride onward until your goal is reached!
March like an army, Padaiyappa!
There may be a thousand stumbling blocks in life, my friend,
but even a stumbling block is a stepping stone for you!
There may be a thousand stumbling blocks in life, my friend,
but even a stumbling block is a stepping stone for you!
Killing another living being
just to feed oneself is the way of a beast!
Killing another living being
and enjoying it is the mark of a monster!
{The one who lives without harming anyone
is a true human being,
and the one who lives for the good of all
and rises above is a saint!} (2)
Until yesterday, you were just a man,
from today onward, you are a saint, my friend!
Until yesterday, you were just a man,
from today onward, you are a saint, my friend!
{Wave the flag of victory!
Charge ahead until you hit the mountains!
Stride onward until your goal is reached!
March like an army, Padaiyappa!} (2)
When your resounding chisel strikes,
and drops of sweat fall from your brow,
the rocks will split in two
and shatter, Padaiyappa!
{Show them you are no grasshopper,
prove that you are a striking tiger,
cut down your foes, hold your head high,
and stride forward, Padaiyappa!} (2)
You have immense courage,
the youth stand by your side,
an army of people walks with you,
make your decision, Padaiyappa!
Until yesterday, you were just a man,
from today onward, you are a saint, my friend!
Until yesterday, you were just a man,
from today onward, you are a saint, my friend!
Wave the flag of victory!
Charge ahead until you hit the mountains!
Stride onward until your goal is reached!
March like an army, Padaiyappa!
Oh ho ho ho
Oh ho ho ho
Oh ho ho ho... oh
Hoy hoy hoy hoy hoy...
Chorus
Chorus
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Chorus
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Chorus
Male
Chorus

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Vetri Kodi Kaattu is an iconic motivational song from the blockbuster film Padaiyappa (1999), composed by A. R. Rahman and sung by Hariharan. The song serves as a powerful anthem of resilience, self-worth, and righteousness, celebrating the hero's journey from rock bottom to extraordinary success through sheer hard work, honesty, and determination.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (உவமை/உருவகம்)

Thadaikkalum unakkoru padikallappa

Comparing obstacle stones (thadaikkal) directly to stepping stones (padikkal) to convey overcoming adversity.

Contrast / Antithesis (முரண்)

Vettukkili alla / Nee oru vettum puli endru

Contrasting a harmless grasshopper (vettukkili) with a ferocious tiger (vettum puli) to inspire strength.

Ethical Definition & Rhyme (எதுகை)

Yaarukkum theengindri / Vaazhbhavan manidhan

Contrast of beastly, demonic, human, and saintly behavior using parallel rhyming ending phrases (manidhan / punithan).

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by A. R. Rahman with lyrics by Vairamuthu and sung by Hariharan, this song became an enduring anthem of inspiration across Tamil Nadu. The sequence in Padaiyappa visually depicts Rajinikanth's character building a granite factory business empire from scratch.

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