Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vetriyai Naalai

From Ulagam Sutrum Valiban · 1973

Lyricist
Pulavar Vedha
Singer
Seerkazhi Govindarajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Ulagam Sutrum Valiban
Movie release year
1973
Lyrics added on
8 Jun 2018

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Vettriyai naalai
Sarithiram sollum
Ippadai thorkkin yeppadai vellum
Namathu vettriyai
Naalai sarithiram sollum
Ippadai thorkkin yeppadai vellum
Needhikku ithu oru poraattam
Idhai nichaiyam ulagam paaraattum
Needhikku ithu oru poraattam
Idhai nichaiyam ulagam paaraattum
Aah.. aah.. aah.. aah..
Aaah.. aah..aaa…haaa…aaa
Vallorgal surandum
Pollaadha kodumai
Illaamal maarum oru thedhi
Aah.. aah.. aah.. aah.. aah.. aah..
Vallorgal surandum pollaadha kodumai
Illaamal maarum oru thedhi
Andru illaamai neengi
Ellorum vaazha
Innaattil malarum sama needhi
Nammai yeippavar kaiyil adhigaaram
Irundhidum ennum kadhai maarum
Nammai yeippavar kaiyil adhigaaram
Irundhidum ennum kadhai maarum
Aattralum arivum
Nanmaigal onga
Iyarkai thandha parisaagum
Aattralum arivum nanmaigal onga
Iyarkai thandha parisaagum
Idhil naattinai keduthu
Nanmaiyai azhikka
Ninaithaal yevarukkum azhivaagum
Nalladhai valarppathu arivaattral
Alladhai ninaippathu azhivaattral
Namathu vettriyai
Naalai sarithiram sollum
Ippadai thorkkin yeppadai vellum
Namathu vettriyai
Naalai sarithiram sollum
Ippadai thorkkin yeppadai vellum
Of our victory tomorrow,
History will tell!
If this army loses, what army can ever win?
Of our victory,
History will tell tomorrow!
If this army loses, what army can ever win?
This is a battle for justice,
And the world will surely applaud it!
This is a battle for justice,
And the world will surely applaud it!
Aa.. aa.. aa.. aa..
Aaa.. aa.. aaa... haa... aaa
The powerful who exploit others,
And their wicked cruelty—
A day will come when all of that ends!
Aa.. aa.. aa.. aa.. aa.. aa..
The wicked cruelty of the powerful who exploit,
A day will come when all of that ends!
On that day, when poverty disappears,
And everyone thrives,
Equal justice will blossom in this land!
Power remaining in the hands of those who cheat us—
That old story is going to change!
Power remaining in the hands of those who cheat us—
That old story is going to change!
Strength and intellect,
To make goodness thrive,
Are gifts given by nature.
Strength and intellect to make goodness thrive
Are gifts given by nature.
If anyone tries to ruin the country
And destroy what is good,
It will only bring about their own destruction!
Nurturing the good is true wisdom;
Dwelling on evil is the force of ruin!
Of our victory,
History will tell tomorrow!
If this army loses, what army can ever win?
Of our victory,
History will tell tomorrow!
If this army loses, what army can ever win?
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song is a high-energy motivational anthem centered on justice, righteous struggle, and social reform. It portrays a dedicated movement fighting against corruption, oppression, and societal exploitation. The narrator expresses unwavering confidence that history will remember their righteous battle and validate their victory, asking rhetorically how any other force could prevail if a force fighting for true justice were to fail. The lyrics call for an end to the tyrannical rule of deceivers and the exploitation of the weak by the powerful. It promises a future where equal rights, social justice, and prosperity flourish across the land. It emphasizes that human intelligence and energy are natural gifts meant to foster goodness, warning that those who misuse power for destructive ends will ultimately meet their own demise.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Rhetorical Question (எதிர்கூறல் / வினா நவிற்சி)

Ippadai thorkkin yeppadai vellum

The phrase 'Ippadai thorkkin yeppadai vellum' uses a rhetorical question to emphasize that no army can defeat a force standing for righteousness.

Antithesis / Contrast (முரண் தொடை)

Nalladhai valarppathu arivaattral / Alladhai ninaippathu azhivaattral

The lyrics contrast 'Nalladhai valarppathu' (nurturing good) as 'Arivaattral' (intellectual strength) against 'Alladhai ninaippathu' (thinking evil) as 'Azhivaattral' (destructive force).

Emoni / Rhyme (எதுகை)

Nalladhai valarppathu arivaattral

In 'Nalladhai' and 'Alladhai', the second letter consonant harmony ('ll') forms a traditional Tamil Ethugai rhyme scheme.

Did you know?

Trivia

This iconic song belongs to the blockbuster sci-fi/action film 'Ulagam Sutrum Valiban' (1973), produced, directed by, and starring M. G. Ramachandran (MGR). The song's political and egalitarian lyrics by Pulavar Vedha served as a major propaganda tool during MGR's political emergence in Tamil Nadu.

Keep listening

Songs with a similar feeling

From the same album

More songs from Ulagam Sutrum Valiban

View album

Spot an issue?

Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.