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Lyrics & meaning

Vetri Murase Vetri Murase

From Puthiya Theerpu · 1985

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
Malaysia Vasudevan
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Puthiya Theerpu1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Poo ondru puyalodu poraadudhae…A flower is struggling against the storm…
Aadhaaram illaiyae…There is no support or refuge…
Poo ondru ippodhu theeyaanadhae…That single flower has now turned into fire…
Ezhugiradhae… valargiradhae… varugiradhae…It rises… it grows… it approaches…
Male
Vetri murasae vetri murasaeDrum of victory, drum of victory!
Kottu murasae kottu murasaeBeat the drum, beat the drum!
Dhevi ival ambu ingu thulli varumaeThe arrow of this Goddess comes leaping here,
Paavigalin aavigalai alli varumaeIt will gather and snatch away the souls of the sinners.
Kayavargalin kadhai mudiyumaeThe story of the wicked will come to an end,
Pudhu ulagam ini vidiyumaeA new world will now dawn.
Kayavargalin kadhai mudiyumaeThe story of the wicked will come to an end,
Pudhu ulagam ini vidiyumaeA new world will now dawn.
Male
Vetri murasae vetri murasaeDrum of victory, drum of victory!
Kottu murasae kottu murasaeBeat the drum, beat the drum!
Male
Kettavarai chuttu vidaTo shoot down the wicked,
Sattam edhum illaiThere is no law.
Thandanaigal thandhu vidaTo hand out punishments,
Dharmam varavillaiRighteousness has not stepped forward.
Male
Oomaigalai kaathu varaTo protect the mute and helpless,
Utharavu illaiThere is no order.
Needhigalum nermaigalumJustice and honesty
Oththu varavillaiAre not prevailing.
Male
{Thakka badhil thandhu viduGive a fitting reply,
Raththa mazhai sindhi vidu kaaliShed a rain of blood, O Goddess Kali!
Tharuthalaiyai vetti viduCut down the scoundrel,
Than kodiyai nattu vidu thaedi} (2)Plant her flag, seeking justice!
Male
Penn unadhu kann asaivilGive a fitting reply,
Mannulagam pilavu padumShed a rain of blood, O Goddess Kali!
Sooriyanum rendu padumaeCut down the scoundrel,
Kodiyavarai oda viduPlant her flag, seeking justice!
Kurudhigalil aada viduWoman, with a mere glance of your eyes,
Kettavanai itru vizha sitru magalae…The earthly realm will split open,
Male
Vetri murasae vetri murasaeEven the sun will split in two!
Kottu murasae kottu murasaeMake the cruel ones run away,
Male
Paandiyanai vendradhadiLet them dance in pools of blood,
Kannagiyin saabamCause the evil man to crumble and fall, young daughter…
Paavigalai kollumadiDrum of victory, drum of victory!
Unnudaiya kobamBeat the drum, beat the drum!
Needhi thadumaarudhadiIt conquered the Pandyan king,
Enna parigaaramThe curse of Kannagi!
Indru ingu vendum oruIt will destroy the sinners,
Kaali avadhaaramYour fierce anger!
Male
{Kondru vida ambu viduJustice is faltering,
Indru mudhal vendru vidu neeyaeWhat is the remedy?
Acham madam naanam yenumWhat is needed here today is
Ellaigalai thaandi vidu thaayae} (2)An avatar of Goddess Kali!
Male
Ezhaigalin vamsam idhuShoot the arrow to slay,
Kozhaigalin vamsam allaFrom today, emerge victorious yourself!
Endru oru vedham ezhudhuFear, bashfulness, and modesty—
Gaganam engum mazhai varudhuTranscend these boundaries, O mother!
Karai kadandhu puyal varudhuShoot the arrow to slay,
Thunbam keda vambu keda ambu varudhu…From today, emerge victorious yourself!
Male
Vetri murasae vetri murasaeFear, bashfulness, and modesty—
Kottu murasae kottu murasaeTranscend these boundaries, O mother!
Dhevi ival ambu ingu thulli varumaeThis is the lineage of the poor,
Paavigalin aavigalai alli varumaeNot a lineage of cowards,
Kayavargalin kadhai mudiyumaeWrite this down as sacred scripture!
Pudhu ulagam ini vidiyumaeRain falls across the entire sky,
Kayavargalin kadhai mudiyumaeA storm breaches its shores and surges,
Pudhu ulagam ini vidiyumaeTo end sorrow and eradicate evil, an arrow is coming…
Male
Vetri murasae vetri murasaeDrum of victory, drum of victory!
Kottu murasae kottu murasaeBeat the drum, beat the drum!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This fiery song from Puthiya Theerpu (1985), penned by Vairamuthu, serves as a powerful anthem of female empowerment and social justice. It depicts a fragile and vulnerable woman—metaphorically described as a flower—who, when driven to the edge by systemic failure and oppression, transforms into a raging storm and an avatar of Goddess Kali to vanquish evil and corrupt elements of society. The lyricist highlights the breakdown of formal justice, urging women to break free from traditional societal constraints such as fear, bashfulness, and modesty. By invoking legendary figures like Kannagi, who burned Madurai in anger over injustice, the song calls for righteous wrath to usher in a new dawn where the poor are vindicated and wickedness is eradicated.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Poo ondru ippodhu theeyaanadhae…

The transformation of a fragile flower ('Poo') into destructive fire ('Thee') metaphorically signifies a gentle woman rising up in fierce fury against injustice.

Alliteration / Rhyme (Monai and Iyaiybu)

Vetri murasae vetri murasae / Kottu murasae kottu murasae

The rhythmic repetition of 'murasae' at line ends evokes the resounding beat of war drums celebrating victory.

Mythological / Historical Allusion

Paandiyanai vendradhadi / Kannagiyin saabam

Refers to Kannagi from the Tamil epic Silappatikaram, whose wrath defeated the mighty Pandyan king, drawing a parallel to divine retribution against present-day oppressors.

Did you know?

Trivia

Puthiya Theerpu (1985) was directed by C. V. Rajendran and starred Vijayakanth alongside Ambika. The lyrics were penned by Vairamuthu, delivering an intense narrative driven by themes of vigilantism and divine justice.

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