Shankar Mahadevan’s commanding vocals drive ‘Makkal Oru Puram’ from the album Virudhagiri, featuring Vaali’s sharp lyrics and Sundar C. Babu’s intense composition. The track pairs urgent percussion with direct critiques of political malpractice.
Makkal Oru Puram Song
Shankar Mahadevan • From “Virudhagiri”
Virudhagiri’s Makkal Oru Puram Song Tamil Lyrics English Translation
Vaali condemns politicians who exchange cash for votes, then ‘breed evil and ruin the country.’ The track questions apathy with ‘Should we step aside thinking what’s it to us, my friend?’
Damakku Damakku Dama Dam Dam DoraThe drums beat, damakku damakku!
Damakku Damakku Dama Dam Dam DoraThe drums beat, damakku damakku!
Damakku Damakku Dama Dam Dam DoraThe drums beat, damakku damakku!
Damakku Damakku Dama Dam DamThe drums beat, damakku damakku!
Damakku Damakku Dama Dam Dam DoraThe drums beat, damakku damakku!
Damakku Damakku Dama Dam Dam DoraThe drums beat, damakku damakku!
Damakku Damakku Dama Dam Dam DoraThe drums beat, damakku damakku!
Damakku Damakku Dama Dam DamThe drums beat, damakku damakku!
Makkal Oru PuramThe people stand on one side.
Deivam Oru PuramGod stands on the other side.
Makkal Thunaiyena Nirkkum IrupuramPeople stand as a pillar of support on both sides.
Ettu Thisaigalum Kottu ThagarththidaShaking all eight directions with its thunderous sound,
Ketkkum Nam Murasuour drum is finally heard.
Kodi Karangalum Neerai VittrenaMillions of hands pour out like life-giving water.
Kolgai Vithaigalum Verai VittenaSeeds of our principles have begun to take root.
Naalai Thaaikkulam Nammai VaazhththidaWhile the mothers bless us tomorrow,
Pookkum Nallarasua good government will bloom.
Kuttram Seithavan Kettavan AayinumEven if the one who sinned is an evil man.
Kottai Koththalam Kondavan AayinumEven if he owns a massive ‘fortress tower’.
Dharmam Kettathu ThattiketpathuQuestioning why righteousness has decayed,
Enthan Vaazhkkai Neriis my very way of life.
Nottai Koduththingu Vote-ai KetpavanThe one who gives a ‘cash note’ to buy a vote.
Kettai Vilaiththingu Naattai KeduppavanThe one who breeds evil and ruins the country.
Moottai Mudichchudan OottamWith their bundles of loot, they’ll be on the run.
Eduththida Seivaan ViruthagiriVirudhagiri will make sure they vanish.
Damakku Damakku Dama Dam Dam DoraThe drums beat, damakku damakku!
Damakku Damakku Dama Dam Dam DoraThe drums beat, damakku damakku!
Damakku Damakku Dama Dam Dam DoraThe drums beat, damakku damakku!
Damakku Damakku Dama Dam DamThe drums beat, damakku damakku!
Vaakkugal Kettu VaangumpothuWhen they come begging for your votes.
Naakkil Nooru Poi VaippaarThey’ll have a hundred lies ready on their tongues.
Makkal Vaakkai VaangikonduOnce they’ve taken the people’s vote,
Makkal Kaadhil Poo Vaippanthey’ll ‘place a flower behind the ear’ (to deceive everyone).
Kaalam Maarum Kaatchigal MaarumTimes will change and scenes will change.
Kelvi KettaalthaanOnly if you dare to ask the questions.
Karaigal Pogum Thuni VeluppaagumThe stains will go and clothes will turn white.
Thuvaiththu PottaalthaanOnly if you wash them thoroughly.
Edhu Nadanthaalum NamakkennavendruShould we just step aside thinking “what’s it to us”?
Odhungidalaamaa Thozhaa ThozhaaCan we afford to stay quiet, my friend?
Variyavan Thunbam Valiyavan PaarththuThe powerful shouldn’t just watch the poor suffer.
Iruppathu KoodaathuThat’s something we can’t allow to happen.
Pirarkkena Konjam Ilagidum NenjamA heart that softens a little for others.
Padaiththida Vendum Thozha Thozha ThozhaThat’s what we must build, my friend.
Suyanalathondu Purinthavan UnduThere are those who served without any selfishness.
Pugazhmigu VaralaaruThat’s how glorious history is made.
Damakku Damakku Dama Dam Dam DoraThe drums beat, damakku damakku!
Damakku Damakku Dama Dam Dam DoraThe drums beat, damakku damakku!
Damakku Damakku Dama Dam Dam DoraThe drums beat, damakku damakku!
Damakku Damakku Dama Dam DamThe drums beat, damakku damakku!
Ellaarkkum Ellaam Vaaikkum NaalilOn the day when everyone gets what they deserve.
Enthan Ennam EederumMy vision will finally be fulfilled.
Illaamal Ponaal Melum MelumIf that doesn’t happen, then more and more.
Enthan Kangal SooderumMy eyes will burn with a red-hot intensity.
Ennai Thodarnthu Varugindra PeraiThe people who follow me and believe in me.
Endrum VidamaattaenI’ll never let them down or leave them behind.
Thozhal Thamakku Thunbangal VanthaalIf my friends ever face any suffering.
Sottraikooda ThodamaattaenI won’t even touch a morsel of food.
Idi Mazhai Minnal Idai VarumpothuWhen the thunder, rain, and lightning strike.
Nadungamaattaen Naanthaan NaanthaanI won’t tremble; it’s really me standing tall.
Mun Vaiththakaalai Pin Aikkum VelaiTaking a step back after I’ve moved forward.
Ennidam KidaiyaathuThat’s something that isn’t in my nature.
Thadanthol Undu Thadakkai UnduI’ve got broad shoulders and powerful hands.
Thadaigalai Seiven Tholthaa TholthaaI’ll block all the obstacles, my friend.
Ilattichiyathaagam Irukkindra PerukkuFor those who have a thirst for their ideals.
Idhayangal UdaiyaathuTheir hearts will never be broken.
Makkal Oru PuramThe people stand on one side.
Deivam Oru PuramGod stands on the other side.
Makkal Thunaiyena Nirkkum IrupuramPeople stand as a pillar of support on both sides.
Ettu Thisaigalum Kottu ThagarththidaShaking all eight directions with its thunderous sound,
Ketkkum Nam Murasuour drum is finally heard.
Kodi Karangalum Neerai VittrenaMillions of hands pour out like life-giving water.
Kolgai Vithaigalum Verai VittenaSeeds of our principles have begun to take root.
Naalai Thaaikkulam Nammai VaazhththidaWhile the mothers bless us tomorrow,
Pookkum Nallarasua good government will bloom.
Kuttram Seithavan Kettavan AayinumEven if the one who sinned is an evil man.
Kottai Koththalam Kondavan AayinumEven if he owns a massive ‘fortress tower’.
Dharmam Kettathu ThattiketpathuQuestioning why righteousness has decayed,
Enthan Vaazhkkai Neriis my very way of life.
Nottai Koduththingu Vote-ai KetpavanThe one who gives a ‘cash note’ to buy a vote.
Kettai Vilaiththingu Naattai KeduppavanThe one who breeds evil and ruins the country.
Moottai Mudichchudan OottamWith their bundles of loot, they’ll be on the run.
Eduththida Seivaan ViruthagiriVirudhagiri will make sure they vanish.
Damakku Damku Dama Dam Dam DoraThe drums beat, damakku damakku!
Damakku Damakku Dama Dam Dam DoraThe drums beat, damakku damakku!
Damakku Damakku Dama Dam Dam DoraThe drums beat, damakku damakku!
Damakku Damakku Dama Dam DamThe drums beat, damakku damakku!
Makkal Oru Puram Song Music Video
Virudhagiri’s central conflict pits collective action against systemic decay, clarified in the Makkal Oru Puram lyrics translation about dismantling corrupt power structures.