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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vezhuthu Kattikadaa

From Shenbagamae Shenbagamae · 1988

Lyricist
Isaignani Ilayaraja
Singer
Ilayaraja
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Shenbagamae Shenbagamae1988

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Veluththu kattikadaa en thambi thangakambiShow your prowess, my younger brother, precious like a golden wire!
Kodiyai yaeththikadaa en thambi thangakambiHoist the flag, my younger brother, precious like a golden wire!
Velichcham unnoda munnaalaeLight is ahead of you.
Vettri unnoda munnaalae…..Victory is ahead of you...
Velichcham unnoda munnaalaeLight is ahead of you.
Vettri unnoda munnaalae….Victory is ahead of you...
Male
Veluththu kattikadaa en thambi thangakambi hoiShow your prowess, my younger brother, precious like a golden wire, hey!
Male
Koottamo katchiyo unakku yaedhu kidaiyaathuYou have no crowd, nor any political party.
Vaattamo varumaiyo unnai kannaal paarkkaathuNeither sorrow nor poverty will ever set eyes on you.
Eduththatha mudikkira unnaipola aal yaedhuWho is like you, someone who finishes whatever he takes up?
Eduththatha maraikkira vazhakkam un kita kidaiyaathuYou do not have the habit of hiding what you take up.
Male
Kottai vittuputtu thoongaathaeDo not fall asleep leaving your fort unguarded!
Thoongi appuramaa yaengaathaeDo not sleep and then yearn in regret later!
Paattai thappu thappaa paadaathaeDo not sing the song incorrectly!
Veettai vittuputtu odaathaeDo not run away abandoning your home!
Male
Anbaana annanukkuFor a loving elder brother...
Chorus :Azhaga thambiyadaaChorus: You are a wonderful younger brother!
Male :Anbodu paasam vachchiMale: Holding onto affection and love...
Chorus :Pala naalum vaazhnthukkadaaChorus: Live prosperous for many days!
Male :En thambi thambi thanga kambithaanMale: My brother, brother, is indeed made of pure gold!
Male
Veluththu kattikadaa en thambi thangakambiShow your prowess, my younger brother, precious like a golden wire!
Kodiyai yaeththikadaa en thambi thangakambi hoiHoist the flag, my younger brother, precious like a golden wire, hey!
Male
Iruppatha koduppathil thambi neethaan karnan illaiIn giving away what you possess, brother, you are no Karna.
Ilavatta vayasuthaan aanaa neethaan kannan illaYou are in your youthful prime, but you are no Krishna.
Vaariththaan vazhangathtahan unakku adhukku manasu illaYou do not have the heart to shower wealth on others.
Vaazhththathaan pottraththaan unakku adhuku vayasu illaYou do not have the age yet to be revered and praised.
Male
Koduththu sivakkira kaiyum illaYou do not have hands turned red from generous charity.
Eduththu kodukkira paiyum illaYou do not carry a bag to take wealth out and give away.
Vambu sandai pottathunduYou have picked unnecessary quarrels before.
Vantha sandaikku ninnathillaYet you never stood around to engage in real fights.
Male
Penaavai neeyeduththuTaking up the pen...
Chorus :Ezhuthaatha poiyyummillaChorus: There is no lie you have not written!
Male :Aanaalum un ezhuththuMale: Even so, your writings...
Chorus :Aniyaayam seiyavillaChorus: Have never caused any injustice!
Male :En thambi thambi thanga kambithaanMale: My brother, brother, is indeed made of pure gold!
Male
Veluththu kattikadaa en thambi thangakambiShow your prowess, my younger brother, precious like a golden wire!
Kodiyai yaeththikadaa en thambi thangakambiHoist the flag, my younger brother, precious like a golden wire!
Velichcham unnoda munnaalaeLight is ahead of you.
Vettri unnoda munnaalae…..Victory is ahead of you...
Velichcham unnoda munnaalaeLight is ahead of you.
Vettri unnoda munnaalae….Victory is ahead of you...
Male
Veluththu kattikadaa en thambi thangakambiShow your prowess, my younger brother, precious like a golden wire!
Kodiyai yaeththikadaa en thambi thangakambi hoiHoist the flag, my younger brother, precious like a golden wire, hey!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This energetic folk track captures a celebratory and loving bond between an elder brother and his younger brother. The elder brother encourages his younger sibling to achieve success, hoist his flag of victory, and face the future with confidence, reassuring him that light and success lie ahead.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Veluththu kattikadaa en thambi thangakambi

The term 'Thanga kambi' (golden wire/rod) is used as a metaphor to describe the younger brother's pure and precious character.

Allusion

Iruppatha koduppathil thambi neethaan karnan illai

Refers to mythological figures Karna (known for extreme charity) and Kannan/Krishna to playfully tease the brother's limits.

Monai (Alliteration)

Velichcham unnoda munnaalae / Vettri unnoda munnaalae

Repetition of initial consonant sound 'V' in 'Velichcham' and 'Vettri'.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Kottai vittuputtu thoongaathae

Matching ending rhyming sounds across consecutive lines ('thoongaathae', 'yaengaathae', 'paadaathae', 'odaathae').

Did you know?

Trivia

This track from the 1988 film 'Shenbagamae Shenbagamae' features Ilaiyaraaja wearing all three hats of composer, lyricist, and playback singer, demonstrating his signature folk orchestration and playful lyrical style.

Keep listening

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