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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vettakaara Kootam

From Jai Bhim · 2021

Lyricist
Yugabharathi
Singers
Anthony Daasan, Niranjana Ramanan
Music director
Sean Roldan
Details
Jai Bhim2021

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Ingadoi angadoiHere it is, there it is
Ingadoi ingadoi angadoiHere it is, here it is, there it is
Male
Vaettakaara kootam naangaWe are the hunter community
Villiyarum naanga thaangaWe are also the Villiyar (Irula) tribe
Otta kooraiyila vaanatha paakkuraLooking at the open sky through our leaky thatched roof
Raasa dhesingu naangaWe are kings like Raja Desingu
Male
Andha kaata metta kaapom naangaWe will protect those forests and high mounds
Potti pottu uzhaippom thaangaWe work hard, competing heartily with each other
Potta kaattilum ootha surakkuraMaking natural springs flow even in barren drylands
Viththa kaaranga naangaWe are the skilled, magical people
Male
Vaazha porandha koottam naangaWe are a community born to live happily
Veguliyaana jananga thaangaWe are innocent and simple-hearted people
Kooda kuraiya irundha koodaEven whether we have more or less
Pangu poduvom naangaWe share everything among ourselves
Male
Andha vaettakaaranThat hunter
Andha villiyarumAnd that Villiyar person
Male
Hey vaettakaara kootam naangaHey, we are the hunter community
Villiyarum naanga thaangaWe are also the Villiyar (Irula) tribe
Otta kooraiyila vaanatha paakkuraLooking at the open sky through our leaky thatched roof
Raasa dhesingu naangaWe are kings like Raja Desingu
Male
Andha kaata metta kaapom naangaWe will protect those forests and high mounds
Potti pottu uzhaippom thaangaWe work hard, competing heartily with each other
Potta kaattilum ootha surakkuraMaking natural springs flow even in barren drylands
Viththa kaaranga naanga….aaa….haaa…We are the skilled, magical people... aaa... haaa...
Male
Ingadoi angadoi…Here it is, there it is...
Male
Aalaana.. un pechulaIn your mature speech
Aagasatha kaanomThe sky disappears from sight
Poo pola un ..kai thodaWhen your flower-like hand touches me
Bhoologamae kaanomThe entire world vanishes
Female
En maarula.. saanjidaWhen you lean on my chest
Un thookkatha kaanomYour sleep vanishes
Sodaana un… moochulaIn your warm, paired breath
En kochathaa kaanomMy hesitation disappears
Male
Potta kozhi nee ..menjidaAs you graze around like a hen
Moththa kaattaiyum kaanomThe entire forest vanishes
Female :Katti pottu nee thaangidaFemale: When you hold and cherish me
Janmam ezhaiyum kaanomEven seven lifetimes disappear
Male
Hmm mm mmHmm mm mm
Hmm mm mm……Hmm mm mm......
Hey vaettakaara kootam naangaHey, we are the hunter community
Villiyarum naanga thaangaWe are also the Villiyar (Irula) tribe
Otta kooraiyila vaanatha paakkuraLooking at the open sky through our leaky thatched roof
Raasa dhesingu naangaWe are kings like Raja Desingu
Male
Andha kaata metta kaapom naangaWe will protect those forests and high mounds
Potti pottu uzhaippom thaangaWe work hard, competing heartily with each other
Potta kaattilum ootha surakkuraMaking natural springs flow even in barren drylands
Viththa kaaranga naanga….aaa….haaa…We are the skilled, magical people... aaa... haaa...
Male
Vaazha porandha koottam naangaWe are a community born to live happily
Veguliyaana jananga thaangaWe are innocent and simple-hearted people
Kooda kuraiya irundha koodaEven whether we have more or less
Pangu poduvom naangaWe share everything among ourselves

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song serves as a cultural anthem celebrating the self-respect, innocence, and communal lifestyle of the Irula tribal community (referred to as Villiyar and Vettaikkaaran). Despite enduring severe poverty where their thatched huts have holes exposing them to the sky, they hold their heads high like legendary kings, living in harmony with nature and sharing whatever little they possess.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor & Contrast

Otta kooraiyila vaanatha paakkura Raasa dhesingu naanga

Compares living under a broken, leaky roof directly to royalty (Raja Desingu), finding glory and freedom in stargazing through poverty.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Vaettakaara kootam naanga / Villiyarum naanga thaanga

The repetitive ending 'naanga' and 'thaanga' creates a rhythmic cadence traditional to tribal folk songs.

Hyperbole

Poo pola un ..kai thoda Bhoologamae kaanom

Exaggerates the overwhelming feeling of love by claiming that the world vanishes upon a gentle touch.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song highlights the identity and heritage of the Irula tribe, who form the backbone of the narrative in Jai Bhim (2021). Lyricist Yugabharathi used authentic local vernacular terms like 'Villiyar' and 'Ingadoi' to portray the indigenous heritage and culture of the tribe accurately.

Keep listening

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