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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Yaanaiyodu Modhum

From Rathasaatchi · 2023

Lyricist
Aravind Annest
Singer
Vishnu Edavan
Music director
Javed Riaz
Movie name
Rathasaatchi
Movie release year
2023
Lyrics added on
20 Oct 2022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Yaanaiyodu modhum
Oru thaeni kootin veeram
Siru kootam ingu ondru sera
Aadi podhae kaadum
Yaanaiyodu modhum
Oru thaeni kootin veeram
Siru kootam ingu ondru sera
Aadi podhae kaadum
Vanmuraiyae kadhava
Vervai dhan varama
Ratham ingu urama
Veezhaadha
Nerupaal uyir sudavae
Sivapaai oru kadalae
Nanaithal perum nerupoo
Anaiyaadha
Yaanaiyodu modhum
Oru theni kootin veeram
Siru kootam ingu ondru sera
aadi podhae kaadum
Madham konda
Andha nilayae
Sinam thalaikeriya nodiyae
Oru uyirkaaga
Porgal ingu
Thuvanguthindru adiyae
Por varum
Unnai sudum
Thalai vizhum
Kazhuvil oru puzhuvai
Yar karam balam perum
Tharai thodum
Adhikarathin kodiyae
Yar karam balam perum
Tharai thodum
Adhikarathin kodiyae
Yar karam balam perum
Tharai thodum
Adhikarathin kodiyae
Yar karam balam perum
Tharai thodum
Adhikarathin kodiyae
Clashing with an elephant,
Is the courage of a swarm of bees;
When a small crowd unites here,
Even the forest trembles!
Clashing with an elephant,
Is the courage of a swarm of bees;
When a small crowd unites here,
Even the forest trembles!
Is violence the only doorway?
Is sweat the only blessing?
Is blood the fertilizer here?
Never defeated,
Though fire scorches life,
Even if an ocean of red
Drenches this great flame,
It will never die out!
Clashing with an elephant,
Is the courage of a swarm of bees;
When a small crowd unites here,
Even the forest trembles!
Driven by fierce frenzy,
In that very state,
The moment rage rushes to the head,
For the sake of a single life,
A battle right here
Begins today!
War will come,
It will burn you,
Heads will fall,
Like a worm upon the stake,
Whose hand will prevail?
It will crash to the ground,
The flag of power!
Whose hand will prevail?
It will crash to the ground,
The flag of power!
Whose hand will prevail?
It will crash to the ground,
The flag of power!
Whose hand will prevail?
It will crash to the ground,
The flag of power!
Male
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Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This powerful, revolutionary track from 'Rathasaatchi' captures the raw emotion and spirit of an underdog resistance fighting against oppressive authority. By comparing a small group of marginalized rebels to a swarm of bees taking on a mighty elephant, the song highlights how collective courage can shake the foundation of power. It emphasizes the grim realities of struggle—where blood acts as fertilizer and sweat serves as a boon for survival. The lyricism moves from quiet resilience to explosive anger, warning the oppressors that when righteous fury rushes to the head, war becomes inevitable. Bloodshed, sacrifice, and the eventual downfall of authoritarian flags are portrayed not just as possibilities, but as inevitable outcomes when an oppressed populace rises up.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Yaanaiyodu modhum / Oru thaeni kootin veeram

Compares the small rebel faction fighting a huge oppressive state apparatus to a swarm of bees taking on a massive elephant.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Vanmuraiyae kadhava / Vervai dhan varama

The starting letter/sound 'V' ('Va' / 'Ve') is repeated across consecutive lines to create rhythmic emphasis.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Por varum / Unnai sudum

The end words 'varum' and 'sudum' rhyme, enhancing the driving cadence of the war call.

Simile

Kazhuvil oru puzhuvai

Uses the imagery of a worm on an impaling stake ('Kazhu') to represent extreme suffering and destruction during conflict.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Rathasaatchi' (2023) is a Tamil film directed by Rafiq Ismail, adapted from the renowned writer Jeyamohan's short story 'Kaipesi'. The film explores the socio-political dynamics of the leftist rebellion and police brutality in Tamil Nadu during the 1980s. The music composed by Javed Riaz provides a gritty, atmospheric backdrop that accentuates the movie's heavy themes of sacrifice and resistance.

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