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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vetriyai Naalai

From Ulagam Sutrum Valiban · 1973

Lyricist
Pulavar Vedha
Singer
Seerkazhi Govindarajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Ulagam Sutrum Valiban1973

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Vettriyai naalaiTomorrow, of victory
Sarithiram sollumHistory will speak
Ippadai thorkkin yeppadai vellumIf this army loses, which army can win?
Namathu vettriyaiOur victory
Naalai sarithiram sollumTomorrow history will speak
Ippadai thorkkin yeppadai vellumIf this army loses, which army can win?
Male
Needhikku ithu oru poraattamThis is a struggle for justice
Idhai nichaiyam ulagam paaraattumThe world will surely praise this
Needhikku ithu oru poraattamThis is a struggle for justice
Idhai nichaiyam ulagam paaraattumThe world will surely praise this
Male
Aah.. aah.. aah.. aah..Aah.. aah.. aah.. aah..
Aaah.. aah..aaa…haaa…aaaAaah.. aah..aaa…haaa…aaa
Male
Vallorgal surandumExploitation by the powerful
Pollaadha kodumaiWicked cruelty
Illaamal maarum oru thedhiA date when it will cease to exist
Aah.. aah.. aah.. aah.. aah.. aah..Aah.. aah.. aah.. aah.. aah.. aah..
Vallorgal surandum pollaadha kodumaiThe wicked cruelty of exploitation by the powerful
Illaamal maarum oru thedhiA day when it will disappear
Male
Andru illaamai neengiOn that day, poverty will vanish
Ellorum vaazhaFor everyone to live
Innaattil malarum sama needhiEqual justice will blossom in this land
Nammai yeippavar kaiyil adhigaaramPower resting in the hands of those who deceive us
Irundhidum ennum kadhai maarumThat story will soon change
Nammai yeippavar kaiyil adhigaaramPower resting in the hands of those who deceive us
Irundhidum ennum kadhai maarumThat story will soon change
Male
Aattralum arivumMight and wisdom
Nanmaigal ongaFor goodness to flourish
Iyarkai thandha parisaagumIs a gift bestowed by nature
Aattralum arivum nanmaigal ongaMight and wisdom flourish for goodness
Iyarkai thandha parisaagumIs a gift bestowed by nature
Male
Idhil naattinai keduthuIn this, by ruining the nation
Nanmaiyai azhikkaTo destroy goodness
Ninaithaal yevarukkum azhivaagumIf anyone thinks to do so, it will cause their own destruction
Nalladhai valarppathu arivaattralNurturing the good is true intellectual power
Alladhai ninaippathu azhivaattralHarboring evil is destructive force
Male
Namathu vettriyaiOur victory
Naalai sarithiram sollumTomorrow history will speak
Ippadai thorkkin yeppadai vellumIf this army loses, which army can win?
Namathu vettriyaiOur victory
Naalai sarithiram sollumTomorrow history will speak
Ippadai thorkkin yeppadai vellumIf this army loses, which army can win?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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

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