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Isaimozhi
Athma album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Vidiyum Pozhudhu

From Athma · 1993

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
Mano
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Athma
Movie release year
1993
Lyrics added on
2 Sept 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Vidiyum pozhudhu namakkum undu
Nambu nanbanae nanbanae
Thudithu ezhundhu thuyarai viratta
Vaa vaa nanbanae nanbanae
Ottukku alaibavan arasiyalvaadhi
Naattukku eppavum avan oru vyaadhi
Yaarukkum vaaikkanum sarinigar needhi
Adharkkena uzhaippavan theevira vaadhi
{Vidiyum pozhudhu namakkum undu
Nambu nanbanae nanbanae
Thudithu ezhundhu thuyarai viratta
Vaa vaa nanbanae nanbanae} (2)
Eththanai kaalam oomaiyai polae
Irundhom pesaadhu
Irundhadhunaal dhaan thendralum pochu
Ingae veesaadhu
Mayilae mayilae endru kettaal
Iragugal podaadhu
Maaperum puratchi naam nadathaamal
Samadharmam vaaraadhu
Vidiyum pozhudhu namakkum undu
Nambu nanbanae nanbanae
Thudithu ezhundhu thuyarai viratta
Vaa vaa nanbanae nanbanae
Yaarukkum vaaikkanum sarinigar needhi
Adharkkena uzhaippavan theevira vaadhi
Vidiyum pozhudhu namakkum undu
Nambu nanbanae nanbanae
Thudithu ezhundhu thuyarai viratta
Vaa vaa nanbanae nanbanae
Naesam paasam kaadhal unarvu
Nammai dhaan theendaadhu
Vargam irandu irukkum varaiyil
Vizhigal thoongaadhu
Aandaan adimai enbadhu dhaan da
Naattin ranamaagum
Aruvai sigichchai purindhaal dhaan da
Noiyum gunamaagum
Vidiyum pozhudhu namakkum undu
Nambu nanbanae nanbanae
Thudithu ezhundhu thuyarai viratta
Vaa vaa nanbanae nanbanae
Ottukku alaibavan arasiyalvaadhi
Naattukku eppavum avan oru vyaadhi
Yaarukkum vaaikkanum sarinigar needhi
Adharkkena uzhaippavan theevira vaadhi
{Vidiyum pozhudhu namakkum undu
Nambu nanbanae nanbanae
Thudithu ezhundhu thuyarai viratta
Vaa vaa nanbanae nanbanae} (2)
A dawn will break for us too
Believe it, my friend, my friend
To rise up with fire and drive away our sorrow
Come, come, my friend, my friend
The one who runs after votes is a politician
He is always a disease to this nation
Equal justice must be given to all
Yet the one who fights for it is branded a terrorist
{A dawn will break for us too
Believe it, my friend, my friend
To rise up with fire and drive away our sorrow
Come, come, my friend, my friend} (2)
For how long, like voiceless mutes
Did we stay without speaking out?
Because we did, even the gentle breeze left
And stopped blowing over here
If you merely beg, "Peacock, oh peacock"
It will never drop its feathers
Without us leading a massive revolution
Equality will never arrive
A dawn will break for us too
Believe it, my friend, my friend
To rise up with fire and drive away our sorrow
Come, come, my friend, my friend
Equal justice must be given to all
Yet the one who fights for it is branded a terrorist
A dawn will break for us too
Believe it, my friend, my friend
To rise up with fire and drive away our sorrow
Come, come, my friend, my friend
Affection, fondness, and feelings of love
Will not even touch our lives
As long as two divided classes exist
Our eyes will never know sleep
The divide of master and slave
Is a festering wound on this nation
Only if we perform surgery
Will this illness ever be cured
A dawn will break for us too
Believe it, my friend, my friend
To rise up with fire and drive away our sorrow
Come, come, my friend, my friend
The one who runs after votes is a politician
He is always a disease to this nation
Equal justice must be given to all
Yet the one who fights for it is branded a terrorist
{A dawn will break for us too
Believe it, my friend, my friend
To rise up with fire and drive away our sorrow
Come, come, my friend, my friend} (2)
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

'Vidiyum Pozhudhu Namakkum Undu' from Athma (1993) is a powerful revolutionary song calling for social change and unity against injustice. Lyricist Vaali sharply critiques corrupt politicians who exploit the public for votes while branding anyone who fights for equal justice as an extremist. The lyrics urge the working class and oppressed people to break their silence and revolt, as equality cannot be achieved through passive pleas. Using vivid allegories, the song compares class inequality to a wound and radical revolution to a necessary surgical cure, instilling hope that a new dawn of equality is inevitable if people rise together.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

“Ottukku alaibavan arasiyalvaadhi / Naattukku eppavum avan oru vyaadhi / Yaarukkum vaaikkanum sarinigar needhi / Adharkkena uzhaippavan theevira vaadhi”

The lines end with identical rhyming suffixes like 'arasiyalvaadhi', 'vyaadhi', 'needhi', and 'theevira vaadhi' to create a rhythmic and powerful lyrical impact.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

“Thudithu ezhundhu thuyarai viratta”

Repetition of the initial consonant sound 'Th' in 'Thudithu' and 'thuyarai'.

Metaphor

“Aruvai sigichchai purindhaal dhaan da / Noiyum gunamaagum”

Comparing social revolution to a surgical operation that cures a long-standing disease or wound on the nation.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Athma' (1993) is a supernatural thriller film starring Rahman and Gautami. The soundtrack and background score were composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics penned by Vaali.

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