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Isaimozhi
Ji album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Yethanai Yethanai

From Ji · 2005

Lyricist
Lyricist Not Known
Singer
Shankar Sampoke
Music director
Vidyasagar
Movie name
Ji
Movie release year
2005
Lyrics added on
16 Aug 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Yethanai yethanai
Neenda iravugal
Endraikaavadhu vidiyaadhaa
Yethanai yethanai
Kodi kavalaigal
Endraikkaavadhu mudiyaadha
Azhudhu azhudhu
Thoorndha vizhiyil
Eppadi eppadi kanavu varum
Pozhudhu muzhudhum
Theerndha piragu
Eppadi eppadi nilai uyarum
Inaiyum kaigal velukkum podhu
Iravil kooda vidiyal varum
Achcham thavira pazhagu
Pazhagu
Thuchcham thuyar ena pazhagu
Pazhagu
Ucham thaayagam endru
Latchiyam adaya pazhagu
Pazhagu pazhagu
Anuvai udaikka pazhagu
Pazhagu
Pudhumai padaikka pazhagu
Pazhagu
Vithhai pazhagum pozhudhu
Vizhu punnum pazhagu
Pazhagu pazhagu
Irugi irugi pona iravai
Innum poruththal murai illai
Irudhi varayil vaazhvai nondhu
Irandhu povadhil palan illai
Urudhiodu naalum uzhaiththaal
Ulagam namakku peridhillai
Innoru innoru
Thooya vidudhalai
Annai bhooomiyai thazhuvaadhaa
Thannalam atravar
Thondrum arasiyal
Mannil poovena malaraadhaa
Seyalai mudhalil nee thodanghu
Imayam unnakku keezhirukkum
Puyalai manadhil nee ezhuppu
Pudhiya dhisaigal thaal thirakkum
Ulagam unadhu perai cholla
Vetri sangu isai amaikkum
Achcham thavira pazhagu
Pazhagu
Thuchcham thuyar ena pazhagu
Pazhagu
Ucham thaayagam endru
Latchiyam adaya pazhagu
Pazhagu pazhagu
Namadhu namadhu
Naalai namadhae
Ennum poigal vilagividum
Yemadhu yemadhu
Yaavum yemadhae
Ennum unmai arugil varum
Inidhu inidhu
Vaazhvum inidhae
Ingae indrae theriyavarum
How many, so many
long, dark nights—
won't dawn break one day?
How many, so many
millions of worries—
won't they come to an end someday?
Crying and crying,
in eyes worn dry by tears,
how can dreams ever appear?
Once all your time
has slipped away,
how will your life ever rise?
When joined hands strike hard together,
dawn will break even through the night.
Learn to cast off fear,
learn it!
Learn to treat sorrow as nothing,
learn it!
Knowing the motherland comes first,
learn to achieve your goal.
Learn, learn!
Learn to split the atom,
learn it!
Learn to create new wonders,
learn it!
While learning your craft,
learn to bear the wounds that come!
Learn, learn!
Bearing this night that only grows darker
is no longer the way.
Living in bitterness until the end
and dying serves no purpose.
If we work every day with resolve,
the world is not too big for us.
Another, yet another
pure freedom—
won't it embrace Mother Earth?
A clean politics led by
selfless people—
won't it bloom like a flower on this land?
Take the first step into action,
and the Himalayas will lie beneath your feet.
Stir up a storm in your mind,
and new horizons will unbolt their doors.
For the world to speak your name,
the conch of victory will sound its tune.
Learn to cast off fear,
learn it!
Learn to treat sorrow as nothing,
learn it!
Knowing the motherland comes first,
learn to achieve your goal.
Learn, learn!
"Ours, ours,
tomorrow is ours"—
such empty lies will fade away.
"Ours, ours,
everything is ours"—
that truth will come close.
"Sweet, sweet,
life is truly sweet"—
we will realize that right here, today.
Male
Male
Chorus
Chorus
Male
Male
Male
Chorus
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song is a high-energy motivational anthem urging youth and individuals to overcome despair, fear, and passive suffering. It begins by questioning endless sorrow and dark times, pointing out that passive tears cannot bring about change. Real transformation occurs when people unite, shed their fears, treat grief as trivial, and actively work toward innovation, self-improvement, and social justice.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyming)

Achcham thavira pazhagu / Thuchcham thuyar ena pazhagu

The second letter 'ch' (ச்ச) rhymes in 'Achcham' and 'Thuchcham', giving a strong rhythmic cadence to the motivational refrain.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Inidhu inidhu / Vaazhvum inidhae / Ingae indrae theriyavarum

Repetition of the initial vowel sound 'I' (இ) across lines creates a musical flow in the concluding verses.

Metaphor

Imayam unnakku keezhirukkum

Comparing huge achievements to having the towering Himalayas beneath one's feet emphasizes the boundless power of initiative.

Anaphora / Epizeuxis (Repetition)

Pazhagu

The word 'Pazhagu' (Practice/Learn) is repeated rhythmically throughout the chorus to strongly reinforce the message of continuous practice and perseverance.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song comes from the 2005 Tamil political action film 'Ji', directed by N. Lingusamy and starring Ajith Kumar. The soundtrack was composed by Vidyasagar. The song's lyrical theme draws strong inspiration from the revolutionary poetry of Mahakavi Subramania Bharati, specifically borrowing the spirit of 'Achcham Illai Achcham Illai' to inspire student activism within the film's narrative.

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