Shankar Mahadevan’s intense vocals introduce ‘Kaatrodu Puyalai’ on the ‘Rishi’ album. Lyricist Pa. Vijay and composer Yuvan Shankar Raja frame a mythic character with aggressive orchestration. Natural metaphors establish a figure both devastating and protective.
Released: December 20, 2024
Kaatrodu Puyalai
Anupama | Shankar Mahadevan • From “Rishi”
Kaatrodu Puyalai Lyrics Meaning Anupama | Shankar Mahadevan | Rishi
Pa. Vijay pairs destructive images like storms with shields in ‘Sila Neram Mazhaiyaay Vanthaai.’ The Himalayas-on-shoulders line demonstrates exaggerated strength. Yuvan Shankar Raja’s music matches the lyrical duality through shifting tempos.
Kaatrodu Puyalaai VanthaaiYou came like a storm with the wind.
Pagalodu Puliyaai VanthaaiYou came like a tiger with the daylight.
Iravodu Idiyaai VanthaaiYou came like thunder with the night.
Theeyodu Oliyaai VanthaaiYou came like light with the fire.
Poovodu Mullai VanthaaiYou came like a thorn with the flower.
Mannodu Vithaiyai VanthaaiYou came like a seed within the soil.
Porodu Padaiyai VanthaaiYou came like an army with the war.
Kaiyodu Vaalai VanthaaiYou came with a sword held in your hand.
Sila Neram Mazhaiyaay VanthaaiSometimes you came as the rain.
Sila Neram Kudaiyaai VanthaaiSometimes you came as a protective umbrella.
Oru Neram Mezhugaai VanthaaiOnce you came as soft wax.
Oru Neram Irumbaai VanthaaiOnce you came as hard iron.
Kaatrodu Puyalaai VanthaaiYou came like a storm with the wind.
Pagalodu Puliyaai VanthaaiYou came like a tiger with the daylight.
Iravodu Idiyaai VanthaaiYou came like thunder with the night.
Theeyodu Oliyaai VanthaaiYou came like light with the fire.
Rishi Rishi Rishi Rishi RishiRishi, Rishi, Rishi, Rishi, Rishi.
Rishi Rishi Rishi Rishi RishiRishi, Rishi, Rishi, Rishi, Rishi.
Kaatrodu Puyalaai VanthaaiYou came like a storm with the wind.
Pagalodu Puliyaai VanthaaiYou came like a tiger with the daylight.
Iravodu Idiyaai VanthaaiYou came like thunder with the night.
Theeyodu Oliyaai VanthaaiYou came like light with the fire.
Poovodu Mullai VanthaaiYou came like a thorn with the flower.
Mannodu Vithaiyai VanthaaiYou came like a seed within the soil.
Porodu Padaiyai VanthaaiYou came like an army with the war.
Kaiyodu Vaalai VanthaaiYou came with a sword held in your hand.
Imayamalaiyai Tholil ThookiHe carries the Himalayas on his shoulders,
Irandu Mylgal Selbavanand walks for two miles.
Viralgal Theendi SeenachuvaraiHe touches the ‘Great Wall of China’ with his fingers,
Virisal Vizhathaan Seibavanand makes it crack.
Thuppaki Kaiyil AllaHe doesn’t carry a gun in his hand;
Kannil Kondu Vaazhbhavanhe lives with its fire in his eyes.
Rishi Rishi Rishi Rishi RishiRishi, Rishi, Rishi, Rishi, Rishi.
Rishi Rishi Rishi Rishi RishiRishi, Rishi, Rishi, Rishi, Rishi.
Singakkootam Oorvalam ThaanHe’s like a pride of lions,
Povathai Pol Nadappavanwalking together in a grand parade.
Theyvai Endraal Nilavai ThookiIf it’s necessary, he’ll lift the moon,
Thalayil Vaithu Thoonguvanand sleep with it on his head.
Avan Thaaan Irukkum IdathilHe’s the sun that wants to rise,
Udhikka Nenaikkum Sooriyanright in the place where he stands.
Rishi Rishi Rishi Rishi RishiRishi, Rishi, Rishi, Rishi, Rishi.
Rishi Rishi Rishi Rishi RishiRishi, Rishi, Rishi, Rishi, Rishi.
Kaatrodu Puyalaai VanthaaiYou came like a storm with the wind.
Pagalodu Puliyaai VanthaaiYou came like a tiger with the daylight.
Iravodu Idiyaai VanthaaiYou came like thunder with the night.
Theeyodu Oliyaai VanthaaiYou came like light with the fire.
Poovodu Mullai VanthaaiYou came like a thorn with the flower.
Mannodu Vithaiyai VanthaaiYou came like a seed within the soil.
Porodu Padaiyai VanthaaiYou came like an army with the war.
Kaiyodu Vaalai VanthaaiYou came with a sword held in your hand.
Sila Neram Mazhaiyaay VanthaaiSometimes you came as the rain.
Sila Neram Kudaiyaai VanthaaiSometimes you came as a protective umbrella.
Oru Neram Mezhugaai VanthaaiOnce you came as soft wax.
Oru Neram Irumbaai VanthaaiOnce you came as hard iron.
Kaatrodu Puyalaai VanthaaiYou came like a storm with the wind.
Pagalodu Puliyaai VanthaaiYou came like a tiger with the daylight.
Iravodu Idiyaai VanthaaiYou came like thunder with the night.
Theeyodu Oliyaai VanthaaiYou came like light with the fire.
Kaatrodu Puyalai Music Video
Rishi’s dual nature as destroyer and guardian anchors the ‘Kaatrodu Puyalai’ lyrics meaning. Listeners find clear explanations of elemental contrasts in the lyrics translation. Tamil audiences recognize these metaphors from regional storytelling traditions.