Vetri Kodi Kattu
From Padaiyappa · 1999
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- Palakkad Sriram, Chorus
- Music director
- A. R. Rahman
- Details
- Padaiyappa1999
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| Oh ho ho ho | Oh ho ho ho |
| Oh ho ho ho | Oh ho ho ho |
| Oh ho ho ho..oh | Oh ho ho ho..oh |
| Chorus | |
| Vaazhkaiyil aayiram thadaikkallappa | There are a thousand obstacle stones in life, my friend |
| Thadaikkalum unakkoru padikallappa | Even those obstacles are stepping stones for you, my friend |
| Vaazhkaiyil aayiram thadaikkallappa | There are a thousand obstacle stones in life, my friend |
| Thadaikkalum unakkoru padikallappa | Even those obstacles are stepping stones for you, my friend |
| Male | |
| {Vetri kodi kaatu | { Show the flag of victory |
| Malaigalai muttumvarai muttu | Bump against mountains until you strike through them |
| Lathchiyam ettum varai ettu | Reach out until you achieve your aim |
| Padaiyedu padaiyappa } (2) | March forward like an army, Padaiyappa } (Repeat 2) |
| Male | |
| {Kaithattum ulipattu | { Chisel music applauds you |
| Nee vidum netri thulipattu | The sweat drop from your forehead strikes like a weapon |
| Paaraigal rettai pilavuttru | Rocks split into two halves |
| Udaipadum padaiyappa } (2) | And break down, Padaiyappa } (Repeat 2) |
| Male | |
| {Vettukkili alla | { You are not a grasshopper |
| Nee oru vettum puli endru | Prove that you are a fierce tiger |
| Pagaivarai vettithalaikondu | Sever the heads of your enemies |
| Nadaiyedu padaiyappa} (2) | And march ahead, Padaiyappa } (Repeat 2) |
| Male | |
| Mikka thunivundu | You possess immense courage |
| Ilainyargal pakka thunaiyundu | Youth stand beside you as support |
| Udanvara makkal padaiundu | An army of people accompanies you |
| Mudivedu padaiyappa | Take a decisive stance, Padaiyappa |
| Male | |
| Vetri kodi kaatu | Show the flag of victory |
| Malaigalai muttum varai muttu | Bump against mountains until you strike through them |
| Lathchiyam ettum varai ettu | Reach out until you achieve your aim |
| Padaiyedu padaiyappa | March forward like an army, Padaiyappa |
| Chorus | |
| Vaazhkaiyil aayiram thadaikkallappa | There are a thousand obstacle stones in life, my friend |
| Thadaikkalum unakkoru padikallappa | Even those obstacles are stepping stones for you, my friend |
| Vaazhkaiyil aayiram thadaikkallappa | There are a thousand obstacle stones in life, my friend |
| Thadaikkalum unakkoru padikallappa | Even those obstacles are stepping stones for you, my friend |
| Male | |
| Innor uyirai kondru | Killing another living soul |
| Pusippathu mirugamadaa | And feeding on it is the way of a beast |
| Innor uyirai kondru | Killing another living soul |
| Rasippavan arakkanadaa | And enjoying it makes one a demon |
| Male | |
| {Yaarukkum theengindri | { He who lives without harming anyone |
| Vaazhbhavan manidhan | Is a true human being |
| Oorukkae vaazhnthu | He who lives for the sake of his community |
| Uyardhavan punithan} (2) | And rises above is a saint } (Repeat 2) |
| Male | |
| Netruvaraikkum manidhanappa | You were a human until yesterday, my friend |
| Indru mudhal nee punidhanappa | From today onwards, you are a saint, my friend |
| Netruvaraikkum manidhanappa | You were a human until yesterday, my friend |
| Indru mudhal nee punidhanappa | From today onwards, you are a saint, my friend |
| Male | |
| {Vetri kodi kaatu | { Show the flag of victory |
| Malaigalai muttumvarai muttu | Bump against mountains until you strike through them |
| Lathchiyam ettum varai ettu | Reach out until you achieve your aim |
| Padaiyedu padaiyappa } (2) | March forward like an army, Padaiyappa } (Repeat 2) |
| Male | |
| Kaithattum ulipattu | Chisel music applauds you |
| Nee vidum netri thulipattu | The sweat drop from your forehead strikes like a weapon |
| Paaraigal rettai pilavuttru | Rocks split into two halves |
| Udaipadum padaiyappa | And break down, Padaiyappa |
| Male | |
| {Vettukkili alla | { You are not a grasshopper |
| Nee oru vettum puli endru | Prove that you are a fierce tiger |
| Pagaivarai vettithalaikondu | Sever the heads of your enemies |
| Nadaiyedu padaiyappa} (2) | And march ahead, Padaiyappa } (Repeat 2) |
| Male | |
| Mikka thunivundu | You possess immense courage |
| Ilainyargal pakka thunaiyundu | Youth stand beside you as support |
| Udanvara makkal padaiundu | An army of people accompanies you |
| Mudivedu padaiyappa | Take a decisive stance, Padaiyappa |
| Chorus | |
| Netruvaraikkum manidhanappa | You were a human until yesterday, my friend |
| Indru mudhal nee punidhanappa | From today onwards, you are a saint, my friend |
| Netruvaraikkum manidhanappa | You were a human until yesterday, my friend |
| Indru mudhal nee punidhanappa | From today onwards, you are a saint, my friend |
| Male | |
| Vetri kodi kaatu | Show the flag of victory |
| Malaigalai muttum varai muttu | Bump against mountains until you strike through them |
| Lathchiyam ettum varai ettu | Reach out until you achieve your aim |
| Padaiyedu padaiyappa | March forward like an army, Padaiyappa |
| Chorus | |
| Oh ho ho ho | Oh ho ho ho |
| Oh ho ho ho | Oh ho ho ho |
| Oh ho ho ho..oh | Oh ho ho ho..oh |
| Hoi hoi hoi hoi hoi… | Hoi hoi hoi hoi hoi… |
ஓ ஹோ ஓ ஹோ
ஓ ஹோ ஓ ஹோ
ஓ ஹோ ஓ ஹோ
ஓ ஹோ ஓ ஹோ
Oh ho ho ho
Oh ho ho ho
Oh ho ho ho..oh
வாழ்க்கையில் ஆயிரம் தடைக்கல்லப்பா
தடைக்கல்லும் உனக்கொரு படிக்கல்லப்பா
வாழ்க்கையில் ஆயிரம் தடைக்கல்லப்பா
தடைக்கல்லும் உனக்கொரு படிக்கல்லப்பா
There are a thousand obstacle stones in life, my friend
Even those obstacles are stepping stones for you, my friend
There are a thousand obstacle stones in life, my friend
Even those obstacles are stepping stones for you, my friend
{வெற்றி கொடி கட்டு
பகைவரை முட்டும் வரை முட்டு
லட்சியம் எட்டும் வரை எட்டு
படையெடு படையப்பா} (2)
{ Show the flag of victory
Bump against mountains until you strike through them
Reach out until you achieve your aim
March forward like an army, Padaiyappa } (Repeat 2)
{கைதட்டும் உளிபட்டு
நீ விடும் நெற்றித்துளி பட்டு
பாறைகள் ரெட்டை பிளவுற்று
உடைபடும் படையப்பா} (2)
{ Chisel music applauds you
The sweat drop from your forehead strikes like a weapon
Rocks split into two halves
And break down, Padaiyappa } (Repeat 2)
{வெட்டுக்கிளி அல்ல
நீ ஒரு வெட்டும் புலி என்று
பகைவரை வெட்டித்தலைகொண்டு
நடையெடு படையப்பா} (2)
{ You are not a grasshopper
Prove that you are a fierce tiger
Sever the heads of your enemies
And march ahead, Padaiyappa } (Repeat 2)
மிக்கத் துணிவுண்டு
இளைஞர்கள் பக்கத் துணையுண்டு
உடன்வர மக்கட்படையுண்டு
முடிவெடு படையப்பா
You possess immense courage
Youth stand beside you as support
An army of people accompanies you
Take a decisive stance, Padaiyappa
வெற்றி கொடி கட்டு
பகைவரை முட்டும் வரை முட்டு
லட்சியம் எட்டும் வரை எட்டு
படையெடு படையப்பா
Show the flag of victory
Bump against mountains until you strike through them
Reach out until you achieve your aim
March forward like an army, Padaiyappa
வாழ்க்கையில் ஆயிரம் தடைக்கல்லப்பா
தடைக்கல்லும் உனக்கொரு படிக்கல்லப்பா
வாழ்க்கையில் ஆயிரம் தடைக்கல்லப்பா
தடைக்கல்லும் உனக்கொரு படிக்கல்லப்பா
There are a thousand obstacle stones in life, my friend
Even those obstacles are stepping stones for you, my friend
There are a thousand obstacle stones in life, my friend
Even those obstacles are stepping stones for you, my friend
இன்னோர் உயிரை கொன்று
புசிப்பது மிருகமடா
இன்னோர் உயிரை கொன்று
ரசிப்பவன் அரக்கனடா
Killing another living soul
And feeding on it is the way of a beast
Killing another living soul
And enjoying it makes one a demon
{யாருக்கும் தீங்கின்றி
வாழ்பவன் மனிதன்
ஊருக்கே வாழ்ந்து
உயர்ந்தவன் புனிதன்} (2)
{ He who lives without harming anyone
Is a true human being
He who lives for the sake of his community
And rises above is a saint } (Repeat 2)
நேற்றுவரைக்கும் மனிதனப்பா
இன்று முதல் நீ புனிதனப்பா
நேற்றுவரைக்கும் மனிதனப்பா
இன்று முதல் நீ புனிதனப்பா
You were a human until yesterday, my friend
From today onwards, you are a saint, my friend
You were a human until yesterday, my friend
From today onwards, you are a saint, my friend
{வெற்றி கொடி கட்டு
பகைவரை முட்டும் வரை முட்டு
லட்சியம் எட்டும் வரை எட்டு
படையெடு படையப்பா} (2)
{ Show the flag of victory
Bump against mountains until you strike through them
Reach out until you achieve your aim
March forward like an army, Padaiyappa } (Repeat 2)
கைதட்டும் உளிபட்டு
நீ விடும் நெற்றித்துளி பட்டு
பாறைகள் ரெட்டை பிளவுற்று
உடைபடும் படையப்பா
Chisel music applauds you
The sweat drop from your forehead strikes like a weapon
Rocks split into two halves
And break down, Padaiyappa
{வெட்டுக்கிளி அல்ல
நீ ஒரு வெட்டும் புலி என்று
பகைவரை வெட்டித்தலைகொண்டு
நடையெடு படையப்பா} (2)
{ You are not a grasshopper
Prove that you are a fierce tiger
Sever the heads of your enemies
And march ahead, Padaiyappa } (Repeat 2)
மிக்கத் துணிவுண்டு
இளைஞர்கள் பக்கத் துணையுண்டு
உடன்வர மக்கட்படையுண்டு
முடிவெடு படையப்பா
You possess immense courage
Youth stand beside you as support
An army of people accompanies you
Take a decisive stance, Padaiyappa
நேற்றுவரைக்கும் மனிதனப்பா
இன்று முதல் நீ புனிதனப்பா
நேற்றுவரைக்கும் மனிதனப்பா
இன்று முதல் நீ புனிதனப்பா
You were a human until yesterday, my friend
From today onwards, you are a saint, my friend
You were a human until yesterday, my friend
From today onwards, you are a saint, my friend
வெற்றி கொடி கட்டு
பகைவரை முட்டும் வரை முட்டு
லட்சியம் எட்டும் வரை எட்டு
படையெடு படையப்பா
Show the flag of victory
Bump against mountains until you strike through them
Reach out until you achieve your aim
March forward like an army, Padaiyappa
ஓ ஹோ ஓ ஹோ
ஓ ஹோ ஓ ஹோ
ஓ ஹோ ஓ ஹோ
ஓ ஹோ ஓ ஹோ
ஹோய் ஹோய்
ஹோய் ஹோய்
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 ho ho ho
Oh ho ho ho..oh
Oh ho ho ho..oh
Vaazhkaiyil aayiram thadaikkallappa
There are a thousand obstacle stones in life, my friend
Thadaikkalum unakkoru padikallappa
Even those obstacles are stepping stones for you, my friend
Vaazhkaiyil aayiram thadaikkallappa
There are a thousand obstacle stones in life, my friend
Thadaikkalum unakkoru padikallappa
Even those obstacles are stepping stones for you, my friend
{Vetri kodi kaatu
{ Show the flag of victory
Malaigalai muttumvarai muttu
Bump against mountains until you strike through them
Lathchiyam ettum varai ettu
Reach out until you achieve your aim
Padaiyedu padaiyappa } (2)
March forward like an army, Padaiyappa } (Repeat 2)
{Kaithattum ulipattu
{ Chisel music applauds you
Nee vidum netri thulipattu
The sweat drop from your forehead strikes like a weapon
Paaraigal rettai pilavuttru
Rocks split into two halves
Udaipadum padaiyappa } (2)
And break down, Padaiyappa } (Repeat 2)
{Vettukkili alla
{ You are not a grasshopper
Nee oru vettum puli endru
Prove that you are a fierce tiger
Pagaivarai vettithalaikondu
Sever the heads of your enemies
Nadaiyedu padaiyappa} (2)
And march ahead, Padaiyappa } (Repeat 2)
Mikka thunivundu
You possess immense courage
Ilainyargal pakka thunaiyundu
Youth stand beside you as support
Udanvara makkal padaiundu
An army of people accompanies you
Mudivedu padaiyappa
Take a decisive stance, Padaiyappa
Vetri kodi kaatu
Show the flag of victory
Malaigalai muttum varai muttu
Bump against mountains until you strike through them
Lathchiyam ettum varai ettu
Reach out until you achieve your aim
Padaiyedu padaiyappa
March forward like an army, Padaiyappa
Vaazhkaiyil aayiram thadaikkallappa
There are a thousand obstacle stones in life, my friend
Thadaikkalum unakkoru padikallappa
Even those obstacles are stepping stones for you, my friend
Vaazhkaiyil aayiram thadaikkallappa
There are a thousand obstacle stones in life, my friend
Thadaikkalum unakkoru padikallappa
Even those obstacles are stepping stones for you, my friend
Innor uyirai kondru
Killing another living soul
Pusippathu mirugamadaa
And feeding on it is the way of a beast
Innor uyirai kondru
Killing another living soul
Rasippavan arakkanadaa
And enjoying it makes one a demon
{Yaarukkum theengindri
{ He who lives without harming anyone
Vaazhbhavan manidhan
Is a true human being
Oorukkae vaazhnthu
He who lives for the sake of his community
Uyardhavan punithan} (2)
And rises above is a saint } (Repeat 2)
Netruvaraikkum manidhanappa
You were a human until yesterday, my friend
Indru mudhal nee punidhanappa
From today onwards, you are a saint, my friend
Netruvaraikkum manidhanappa
You were a human until yesterday, my friend
Indru mudhal nee punidhanappa
From today onwards, you are a saint, my friend
{Vetri kodi kaatu
{ Show the flag of victory
Malaigalai muttumvarai muttu
Bump against mountains until you strike through them
Lathchiyam ettum varai ettu
Reach out until you achieve your aim
Padaiyedu padaiyappa } (2)
March forward like an army, Padaiyappa } (Repeat 2)
Kaithattum ulipattu
Chisel music applauds you
Nee vidum netri thulipattu
The sweat drop from your forehead strikes like a weapon
Paaraigal rettai pilavuttru
Rocks split into two halves
Udaipadum padaiyappa
And break down, Padaiyappa
{Vettukkili alla
{ You are not a grasshopper
Nee oru vettum puli endru
Prove that you are a fierce tiger
Pagaivarai vettithalaikondu
Sever the heads of your enemies
Nadaiyedu padaiyappa} (2)
And march ahead, Padaiyappa } (Repeat 2)
Mikka thunivundu
You possess immense courage
Ilainyargal pakka thunaiyundu
Youth stand beside you as support
Udanvara makkal padaiundu
An army of people accompanies you
Mudivedu padaiyappa
Take a decisive stance, Padaiyappa
Netruvaraikkum manidhanappa
You were a human until yesterday, my friend
Indru mudhal nee punidhanappa
From today onwards, you are a saint, my friend
Netruvaraikkum manidhanappa
You were a human until yesterday, my friend
Indru mudhal nee punidhanappa
From today onwards, you are a saint, my friend
Vetri kodi kaatu
Show the flag of victory
Malaigalai muttum varai muttu
Bump against mountains until you strike through them
Lathchiyam ettum varai ettu
Reach out until you achieve your aim
Padaiyedu padaiyappa
March forward like an army, Padaiyappa
Oh ho ho ho
Oh ho ho ho
Oh ho ho ho
Oh ho ho ho
Oh ho ho ho..oh
Oh ho ho ho..oh
Hoi hoi hoi hoi hoi…
Hoi hoi hoi hoi hoi…
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
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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