Avan
From Seethakaathi · 2018
- Lyricist
- Madhan Karky
- Singer
- Harish Sivaramakrishnan
- Music director
- Govind Vasantha
- Details
- Seethakaathi2018
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| Hmmm mmmmm | Hmmm mmmmm |
| Mmmm mmmmm | Mmmm mmmmm |
| Hmmm hmmmmm | Hmmm hmmmmm |
| Mmm mmm mmmmm | Mmm mmm mmmmm |
| Hmmm hmmmmm | Hmmm hmmmmm |
| Mmm mmm mmmmm | Mmm mmm mmmmm |
| Hmmm hmmmmm | Hmmm hmmmmm |
| Mmm mmm mmmmm | Mmm mmm mmmmm |
| Male | |
| Avan thugal neeya | Are you a particle of him? |
| Avan thazhal neeya | Are you a spark of his flame? |
| Avan nizhal neeya | Are you a shadow of him? |
| Avanae neeya | Are you him himself? |
| Male | |
| Avan thugal neeya | Are you a particle of him? |
| Avan thazhal neeya | Are you a spark of his flame? |
| Avan nizhal neeya | Are you a shadow of him? |
| Avanae neeya | Are you him himself? |
| Male | |
| Hmm hmm hmmkuhmmm.. | Hmm hmm hmmkuhmmm.. |
| Male :Poriyaai sudaraai | Male: As a spark, as a glowing flame |
| Un vizhigalil avan ozhi | His light shines in your eyes |
| Asaivaai ozhiyaai | As a movement, as a sound |
| Un udalengum avan mozhi | His language fills your entire body |
| Male | |
| Thee thindra piragum | Even after the fire consumed him |
| Avan theeravillaiyae thuliyum | He did not diminish even a bit |
| Mann unda piragum | Even after the earth consumed him |
| Un ullae ullae avan muzhaikkiraan | He sprouts deep within you |
| Male | |
| Un punnagai avanae | He is your smile |
| Nee paarkum paarvai athu avanae | He is the very look you give |
| Un vaarthaigal avanae | He is the words you speak |
| Nee vazhum vaazhkaiyae avan avan | He is the very life you live |
| Male | |
| Un paadhaiyum avanae | He is your path |
| Un paadhai pookkalum avanae | He is the flowers along your path |
| Poo vaasamum avanae | He is the fragrance of the flower |
| Nee kollum swasamum avan avan | He is the breath you take in |
| Male | |
| Poriyaai sudaraai | As a spark, as a glowing flame |
| Un vizhigalil avan ozhi | His light shines in your eyes |
| Asaivaai ozhiyaai | As a movement, as a sound |
| Un udalengum avan mozhi | His language fills your entire body |
| Male | |
| Thee thindra piragum | Even after the fire consumed him |
| Avan theeravillaiyae thuliyum | He did not diminish even a bit |
| Mann unda piragum | Even after the earth consumed him |
| Un ullae ullae avan muzhaikkiraan | He sprouts deep within you |
| Male | |
| Avan thugal neeya | Are you a particle of him? |
| Avan thazhal neeya | Are you a spark of his flame? |
| Avan nizhal neeya | Are you a shadow of him? |
| Avanae neeya | Are you him himself? |
| Male | |
| Avan thugal neeya | Are you a particle of him? |
| Avan thazhal neeya | Are you a spark of his flame? |
| Avan nizhal neeya | Are you a shadow of him? |
| Avanae neeya | Are you him himself? |
| Male | |
| Huh huh huh huh…. | Huh huh huh huh…. |
| Male :Hmm hmm hmmkuhmmm.. | Male: Hmm hmm hmmkuhmmm.. |
| Male | |
| Nee oru naadagam | You are a play |
| Kuru naadagam | A short theatrical play |
| Pudhu medaiyaai avan | He is the brand new stage |
| Male | |
| Neeyo oru bommaiyaai | And you are a puppet |
| Uyir bommaiyaai | A puppet endowed with life |
| Unai asaippavan avan | He is the master who moves you |
| Male | |
| Neengaa kanavaai | As an indelible dream |
| Un kannil neezhukindran | He lingers in your eyes |
| Mudiya orr isaiyaai | As an endless melody |
| Un kaadhil vazhugindraan | He flows into your ears |
| Male | |
| Paavam ammaranam | Poor death itself |
| Athan velai kedukkiraan | He ruins its duty |
| Adadaa iranthum iranthum | Oh, even after dying repeatedly |
| Iranthum kodukkiraan | He continues to give endlessly |
| Male | |
| Seethakaathi… | Seethakaathi… |
| Male | |
| Poriyaai sudaraai | As a spark, as a glowing flame |
| Un vizhigalil avan ozhi | His light shines in your eyes |
| Asaivaai ozhiyaai | As a movement, as a sound |
| Un udalengum avan mozhi | His language fills your entire body |
| Male | |
| Thee thindra piragum | Even after the fire consumed him |
| Avan theeravillaiyae thuliyum | He did not diminish even a bit |
| Mann unda piragum | Even after the earth consumed him |
| Un ullae ullae avan muzhaikkiraan | He sprouts deep within you |
| Male | |
| Un punnagai avanae | He is your smile |
| Nee paarkum paarvai athu avanae | He is the very look you give |
| Un vaarthaigal avanae | He is the words you speak |
| Nee vazhum vaazhkaiyae avan avan | He is the very life you live |
| Male | |
| Un paadhaiyum avanae | He is your path |
| Un paadhai pookkalum avanae | He is the flowers along your path |
| Poo vaasamum avanae | He is the fragrance of the flower |
| Nee kollum swasamum avan avan | He is the breath you take in |
| Male | |
| Huh huh huh huh….(4) | Huh huh huh huh…. |
ஹ்ம்ம்ம் ஹ்ம்ம்ம்
ம்ம்ம்ம்ம்ம்ம்ம்ம்ம்
ம்ம்ம் ம்ம்ம் ம்ம்ம்
ஹ்ம்ம் ஹ்ம்ம்ம்
Hmmm mmmmm
Mmmm mmmmm
Hmmm hmmmmm
Mmm mmm mmmmm
Hmmm hmmmmm
Mmm mmm mmmmm
Hmmm hmmmmm
Mmm mmm mmmmm
அவன் துகள் நீயா
அவன் தழல் நீயா
அவன் நிழல் நீயா
அவனே நீயா
Are you a particle of him?
Are you a spark of his flame?
Are you a shadow of him?
Are you him himself?
அவன் துகள் நீயா
அவன் தழல் நீயா
அவன் நிழல் நீயா
அவனே நீயா
Are you a particle of him?
Are you a spark of his flame?
Are you a shadow of him?
Are you him himself?
ஹ்ம்ம் ஹ்ம்ம்
ஹ்மம்ம்க்கும்ம்ம்
பொறியாய் சுடராய்
உன் விழிகளில் அவன் ஒளி
அசைவாய் ஒலியாய்
உன் உடலெங்கும் அவன் மொழி
Hmm hmm hmmkuhmmm..
Male: As a spark, as a glowing flame
His light shines in your eyes
As a movement, as a sound
His language fills your entire body
தீ தின்ற பிறகும்
அவன் தீரவில்லையே துளியும்
மண் உண்ட பிறகும்
உன் உள்ளே உள்ளே
அவன் முளைக்கிறான்
Even after the fire consumed him
He did not diminish even a bit
Even after the earth consumed him
He sprouts deep within you
உன் புன்னகை அவனே
நீ பார்க்கும் பார்வை அது அவனே
உன் வார்த்தைகள் அவனே
நீ வாழும் வாழ்க்கையே
அவன் அவன்
He is your smile
He is the very look you give
He is the words you speak
He is the very life you live
உன் பாதையும் அவனே
உன் பாதை பூக்களும் அவனே
பூ வாசமும் அவனே
நீ கொள்ளும் சுவாசமும்
அவன் அவன்
He is your path
He is the flowers along your path
He is the fragrance of the flower
He is the breath you take in
பொறியாய் சுடராய்
உன் விழிகளில் அவன் ஒளி
அசைவாய் ஒலியாய்
உன் உடலெங்கும் அவன் மொழி
As a spark, as a glowing flame
His light shines in your eyes
As a movement, as a sound
His language fills your entire body
தீ தின்ற பிறகும்
அவன் தீரவில்லையே துளியும்
மண் உண்ட பிறகும்
உன் உள்ளே உள்ளே
அவன் முளைக்கிறான்
Even after the fire consumed him
He did not diminish even a bit
Even after the earth consumed him
He sprouts deep within you
அவன் துகள் நீயா
அவன் தழல் நீயா
அவன் நிழல் நீயா
அவனே நீயா
Are you a particle of him?
Are you a spark of his flame?
Are you a shadow of him?
Are you him himself?
அவன் துகள் நீயா
அவன் தழல் நீயா
அவன் நிழல் நீயா
அவனே நீயா
Are you a particle of him?
Are you a spark of his flame?
Are you a shadow of him?
Are you him himself?
ஹுஹ் ஹுஹ் ஹுஹ் ஹுஹ்....
ஹ்ம்ம் ஹ்ம்ம்
ஹ்மம்ம்க்கும்ம்ம்
Huh huh huh huh….
Male: Hmm hmm hmmkuhmmm..
நீ ஒரு நாடகம்
குறு நாடகம்
புது மேடையாய் அவன்
You are a play
A short theatrical play
He is the brand new stage
நீயோ ஒரு பொம்மையாய்
உயிர் பொம்மையாய்
உன்னை அசைப்பவன் அவன்
நீங்கா கனவாய்
உன் கண்ணில் நீளுகின்றான்
முடியா ஓர் இசையாய்
உன் காதில் வாழுகின்றான்
பாவம் அம்மரணம்
அதன் வேலை கெடுக்கிறான்
அடடா இறந்தும் இறந்தும் இறந்தும்
கொடுக்கிறான்
And you are a puppet
A puppet endowed with life
He is the master who moves you
சீதக்காதி
As an indelible dream
He lingers in your eyes
As an endless melody
He flows into your ears
பொறியாய் சுடராய்
உன் விழிகளில் அவன் ஒளி
அசைவாய் ஒலியாய்
உன் உடலெங்கும் அவன் மொழி
Poor death itself
He ruins its duty
Oh, even after dying repeatedly
He continues to give endlessly
தீ தின்ற பிறகும்
அவன் தீரவில்லையே துளியும்
மண் உண்ட பிறகும்
உன் உள்ளே உள்ளே
அவன் முளைக்கிறான்
Seethakaathi…
உன் புன்னகை அவனே
நீ பார்க்கும் பார்வை அது அவனே
உன் வார்த்தைகள் அவனே
நீ வாழும் வாழ்க்கையே
அவன் அவன்
As a spark, as a glowing flame
His light shines in your eyes
As a movement, as a sound
His language fills your entire body
உன் பாதையும் அவனே
உன் பாதை பூக்களும் அவனே
பூ வாசமும் அவனே
நீ கொள்ளும் சுவாசமும்
அவன் அவன்
Even after the fire consumed him
He did not diminish even a bit
Even after the earth consumed him
He sprouts deep within you
{அவன் துகள் நீயா
அவன் தழல் நீயா
அவன் நிழல் நீயா
அவனே நீயா} (2)
He is your smile
He is the very look you give
He is the words you speak
He is the very life you live
ஹுஹ் ஹுஹ்
ஹுஹ் ஹுஹ்.... (4)
He is your path
He is the flowers along your path
He is the fragrance of the flower
He is the breath you take in
Huh huh huh huh….
Hmmm mmmmm
Hmmm mmmmm
Mmmm mmmmm
Mmmm mmmmm
Hmmm hmmmmm
Hmmm hmmmmm
Mmm mmm mmmmm
Mmm mmm mmmmm
Hmmm hmmmmm
Hmmm hmmmmm
Mmm mmm mmmmm
Mmm mmm mmmmm
Hmmm hmmmmm
Hmmm hmmmmm
Mmm mmm mmmmm
Mmm mmm mmmmm
Avan thugal neeya
Are you a particle of him?
Avan thazhal neeya
Are you a spark of his flame?
Avan nizhal neeya
Are you a shadow of him?
Avanae neeya
Are you him himself?
Avan thugal neeya
Are you a particle of him?
Avan thazhal neeya
Are you a spark of his flame?
Avan nizhal neeya
Are you a shadow of him?
Avanae neeya
Are you him himself?
Hmm hmm hmmkuhmmm..
Hmm hmm hmmkuhmmm..
Male :Poriyaai sudaraai
Male: As a spark, as a glowing flame
Un vizhigalil avan ozhi
His light shines in your eyes
Asaivaai ozhiyaai
As a movement, as a sound
Un udalengum avan mozhi
His language fills your entire body
Thee thindra piragum
Even after the fire consumed him
Avan theeravillaiyae thuliyum
He did not diminish even a bit
Mann unda piragum
Even after the earth consumed him
Un ullae ullae avan muzhaikkiraan
He sprouts deep within you
Un punnagai avanae
He is your smile
Nee paarkum paarvai athu avanae
He is the very look you give
Un vaarthaigal avanae
He is the words you speak
Nee vazhum vaazhkaiyae avan avan
He is the very life you live
Un paadhaiyum avanae
He is your path
Un paadhai pookkalum avanae
He is the flowers along your path
Poo vaasamum avanae
He is the fragrance of the flower
Nee kollum swasamum avan avan
He is the breath you take in
Poriyaai sudaraai
As a spark, as a glowing flame
Un vizhigalil avan ozhi
His light shines in your eyes
Asaivaai ozhiyaai
As a movement, as a sound
Un udalengum avan mozhi
His language fills your entire body
Thee thindra piragum
Even after the fire consumed him
Avan theeravillaiyae thuliyum
He did not diminish even a bit
Mann unda piragum
Even after the earth consumed him
Un ullae ullae avan muzhaikkiraan
He sprouts deep within you
Avan thugal neeya
Are you a particle of him?
Avan thazhal neeya
Are you a spark of his flame?
Avan nizhal neeya
Are you a shadow of him?
Avanae neeya
Are you him himself?
Avan thugal neeya
Are you a particle of him?
Avan thazhal neeya
Are you a spark of his flame?
Avan nizhal neeya
Are you a shadow of him?
Avanae neeya
Are you him himself?
Huh huh huh huh….
Huh huh huh huh….
Male :Hmm hmm hmmkuhmmm..
Male: Hmm hmm hmmkuhmmm..
Nee oru naadagam
You are a play
Kuru naadagam
A short theatrical play
Pudhu medaiyaai avan
He is the brand new stage
Neeyo oru bommaiyaai
And you are a puppet
Uyir bommaiyaai
A puppet endowed with life
Unai asaippavan avan
He is the master who moves you
Neengaa kanavaai
As an indelible dream
Un kannil neezhukindran
He lingers in your eyes
Mudiya orr isaiyaai
As an endless melody
Un kaadhil vazhugindraan
He flows into your ears
Paavam ammaranam
Poor death itself
Athan velai kedukkiraan
He ruins its duty
Adadaa iranthum iranthum
Oh, even after dying repeatedly
Iranthum kodukkiraan
He continues to give endlessly
Seethakaathi…
Seethakaathi…
Poriyaai sudaraai
As a spark, as a glowing flame
Un vizhigalil avan ozhi
His light shines in your eyes
Asaivaai ozhiyaai
As a movement, as a sound
Un udalengum avan mozhi
His language fills your entire body
Thee thindra piragum
Even after the fire consumed him
Avan theeravillaiyae thuliyum
He did not diminish even a bit
Mann unda piragum
Even after the earth consumed him
Un ullae ullae avan muzhaikkiraan
He sprouts deep within you
Un punnagai avanae
He is your smile
Nee paarkum paarvai athu avanae
He is the very look you give
Un vaarthaigal avanae
He is the words you speak
Nee vazhum vaazhkaiyae avan avan
He is the very life you live
Un paadhaiyum avanae
He is your path
Un paadhai pookkalum avanae
He is the flowers along your path
Poo vaasamum avanae
He is the fragrance of the flower
Nee kollum swasamum avan avan
He is the breath you take in
Huh huh huh huh….(4)
Huh huh huh huh….
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song from the film Seethakaathi (2018) serves as a philosophical ode to the timeless legacy of a master performer. It explores how a true artist never truly perishes; instead, their art, essence, and soul live on through those who follow in their footsteps. The lyrics depict the artist as an invisible force controlling the movements, expressions, and breathes of present performers. Even physical death, whether through fire or burial, fails to extinguish his influence, as he continues to inspire and sprout within the living, mocking the permanence of death itself.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Anaphora (Edhugai / Repetition)
“Avan thugal neeya”
The phrase 'Avan thugal neeya / Avan thazhal neeya / Avan nizhal neeya' uses repetitive structural rhythm and rhyming structure to emphasize the omnipresence of the artist.
Paradox & Idiomatic Allusion
“Adadaa iranthum iranthum”
The line 'Adadaa iranthum iranthum / Iranthum kodukkiraan' plays on the famous Tamil proverb 'Sethum Koduthan Seethakathi' (Seethakathi gave even after death), highlighting the paradox of giving art beyond death.
Extended Metaphor (Uruvagaim)
“Neeyo oru bommaiyaai / Uyir bommaiyaai / Unai asaippavan avan”
The lyrics metaphorically frame the successor as a 'living puppet' (uyir bommai) and the deceased master as the unseen puppeteer who directs every breath and gesture.
Did you know?
Trivia
The title and theme of the film pay homage to the legendary 17th-century Tamil merchant and philanthropist Seethakathi, known for his extraordinary generosity that inspired the proverb 'Sethum Koduthan Seethakathi' (Seethakathi gave even after dying). Lyricist Madhan Karky cleverly adapts this historical legacy into an artistic context for Vijay Sethupathi's 25th film, where the protagonist continues to act through others even after his physical death.
Keep listening