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Lyrics & meaning

Aambal Poovai Saambal Seithaai

From Naatpadu Theral · 2021

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
Smita
Music director
Yashwanth Nag
Details
Naatpadu Theral2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics↻ English translation
Female
Aambal poovai saambal seidhaaiYou turned the water lily flower into ash
Aambal poovai saambal seidhaaiYou turned the water lily flower into ash
Aiyo en mel aiyam kondaaiAlas, you suspected me
Female
Aambal poovai saambal seidhaaiYou turned the water lily flower into ash
Aiyo en mel aiyam kondaaiAlas, you suspected me
Aiyo en mel aiyyam kondaaiAlas, you suspected me
Female
Eriyum theeyai uraiyum endraaiYou said the burning fire would freeze
Yeno en mel kalangam kandaaiWhy did you find a blemish on me?
Female
Yeno en mel kalangam kandaaiWhy did you find a blemish on me?
Female
Karpu kadavul rendum ondruChastity and God are both one and the same
Kaatchi saatchi unda solluIs there visual proof or testimony? Tell me
Female
Unda solluIs there? Tell me
Female
Aangal seidha aadhikkamThe patriarchal dominance exerted by men
Pengal vaazhvai sodhikkumTests and torments the lives of women
Raman seidha theekkuzhiThe fire pit created by Rama
Pennai innum paadhikkumStill impacts women today
Chorus :Pennai innum paadhikkumChorus: Still impacts women today
Female
Aatrin vellam aangal ullamThe flood in a river is like a man's mind
Alaiyum neer pol chalanam kollumIt wavers and ripples like moving water
Alaiyum neerum alaiyum podhumEven when the rippling water moves
Aatrin karai pol pengal ullamA woman's mind is steadfast like the riverbank
Chorus
Aaa…aa…Aaa...aa...
Aatrin karai pol pengal ullamA woman's mind is steadfast like the riverbank
Female
Dhegam endra koyililIn the temple called the physical body
Kaadhal endra deebathaiThe sacred light called love
Maanam endra kaigalaalWith hands called honor and self-respect
Naalum naalum kaangirenI protect and cherish every single day
Female
Karpu endrum udalil illaiPurity never resides merely in the physical body
Kadavul ondrum kallil illaiJust as God does not reside merely in a idol of stone
Karpu endrum udalil illaiPurity never resides merely in the physical body
Kadavul ondrum kallil illaiJust as God does not reside merely in a idol of stone
Female
Asaiya manamae karpin thinmaiAn unwavering mind is the true strength of purity
Adiyaal asaiyaal adhuvae unmaiThis humble woman does not waver, and that is the absolute truth
Adhuvae unmai adhuvae unmai adhuvae unmaiThat is the truth, that is the truth, that is the truth
Female
Aambal poovai saambal seidhaaiYou turned the water lily flower into ash
Aiyo en mel aiyam kondaaiAlas, you suspected me

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Aambal Poovai Saambal Seidhaai is a powerful song from Vairamuthu's independent musical series Naatpadu Theral. The song critiques patriarchal suspicion and society's obsession with testing a woman's purity. By drawing an allusion to Sita's ordeal in the Ramayana, the lyrics emphasize that male dominance continues to subject women to unfair trials of chastity in modern times. The song redefines the concept of purity, asserting that chastity is not a physical trait or a ritual constraint, just as divinity is not merely confined to stone idols. Instead, true chastity lies in mental fortitude, self-respect, and unyielding strength. It contrasts the wavering nature of men's doubts (likened to turbulent river water) with the unshakable stability of a woman's mind (likened to the riverbank).

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme / எதுகை)

“Aambal poovai saambal seidhaai”

Rhyming of the second letter 'm' in 'Aambal' and 'Saambal', creating a melodious poetic flow.

Allusion (தொன்மம் - Thonmam)

“Raman seidha theekkuzhi / Pennai innum paadhikkum”

Reference to Rama's fire pit (Agni Pariksha) from the Ramayana, used symbolically to highlight ongoing societal injustice toward women.

Uvamai (Simile / உவமையணி)

“Aatrin vellam aangal ullam ... Aatrin karai pol pengal ullam”

Comparing a man's changeable mind to unstable river water and a woman's mind to a steadfast riverbank.

Uruvagam (Metaphor / உருவகவணி)

“Dhegam endra koyilil / Kaadhal endra deebathai / Maanam endra kaigalaal”

Metaphorically equating the body to a temple, love to a lamp, and dignity/honor to protecting hands.

Did you know?

Trivia

Naatpadu Theral is a monumental non-film music initiative by legendary lyricist Vairamuthu, featuring 40 independent songs composed by various young music directors. This track, composed by Yashwanth Nag and sung by Smita, serves as a feminist anthem challenging traditional notions of chastity.

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