Bathrakali Utthama Seeli
From Kaali (1980 Film) · 1980
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Kaali (1980 Film)1980
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Kaali…..kaali…. | Kaali... Kaali... |
| Male | |
| Bathrak kaali uthama seeli | Bhadrakali, righteous virtuous one |
| Solladi saththiya needhi | Speak the ultimate truth and justice |
| Female :Bathrak kaali uthama seeli | Female: Bhadrakali, righteous virtuous one |
| Solladi saththiya needhi | Speak the ultimate truth and justice |
| Male | |
| Vetri maalaigal soodu | Wear the garlands of victory |
| Vanthu anantham paadu | Come and sing with joy |
| Female :Vetri maalaigal soodu | Female: Wear the garlands of victory |
| Vanthu anantham paadu | Come and sing with joy |
| Chorus | |
| Bathrak kaali uthama seeli | Bhadrakali, righteous virtuous one |
| Solladi saththiya needhi | Speak the ultimate truth and justice |
| Male | |
| Paavaththukku sambalangal | For the sins committed, wages |
| Vattiyudan nee tharuvaai | You will repay back with interest |
| Sogappatta bhoomigalil | Upon the sorrowful lands |
| Maega mazhai nee pozhivaai | You will pour down cloud-borne rain |
| Chorus :Kuliril theeyena nee varuvaai | Chorus: You will come like a fire in the cold |
| Aayiram vaengaiyin saeiyarivaai | You will know the deeds of a thousand tigers |
| Male | |
| Paavaththukku sambalangal | For the sins committed, wages |
| Vattiyudan nee tharuvaai | You will repay back with interest |
| Sogappatta bhoomigalil | Upon the sorrowful lands |
| Maega mazhai nee pozhivaai | You will pour down cloud-borne rain |
| Female | |
| Antha kadhai meendum | That story once again |
| Nee vanthu nadaththida vendum | You must come and enact |
| Chorus :Antha kadhai meendum | Chorus: That story once again |
| Nee vanthu nadaththida vendum | You must come and enact |
| Male :Needhikku yaar kaaval neethaanae | Male: Who is the guardian of justice? You are! |
| Oor kaaval kaali….kaali….. | The guardian of the town, Kaali... Kaali... |
| Chorus | |
| Bathrak kaali uthama seeli | Bhadrakali, righteous virtuous one |
| Solladi saththiya needhi | Speak the ultimate truth and justice |
| Vetri maalaigal soodu | Wear the garlands of victory |
| Vanthu anantham paadu | Come and sing with joy |
| Vetri maalaigal soodu | Wear the garlands of victory |
| Vanthu anantham paadu | Come and sing with joy |
| Female | |
| Sutri oru vaaleduththaal | If she brandishes a sword and spins it |
| Suttrum bhoomi nindru vidum | The spinning earth will freeze in place |
| Yaezhai magan kobam kondaal | If a poor man's son gets enraged |
| Sooriyanum vendhu vidum | Even the burning sun will get scorched |
| Chorus | |
| Aanathu aagattum aanavarai | Let whatever happen happen to the fullest extent |
| Theep pantham yaendhuvom vaanam varai | We shall hold up fire torches up to the sky |
| Female | |
| Sutri oru vaaleduththaal | If she brandishes a sword and spins it |
| Suttrum bhoomi nindru vidum | The spinning earth will freeze in place |
| Yaezhai magan kobam kondaal | If a poor man's son gets enraged |
| Sooriyanum vendhu vidum | Even the burning sun will get scorched |
| Male | |
| Kuththupatta naagam | A struck cobra |
| Aalai koththi mudihthida thedum | Seeks to strike and destroy the person completely |
| Chorus :Kuththupatta naagam | Chorus: A struck cobra |
| Aalai koththi mudihthida thedum | Seeks to strike and destroy the person completely |
| Female | |
| Aaraatha kaayangal | Unhealing wounds |
| Maaraatha sogangal aarum theerum | And unyielding sorrows will heal and come to an end |
| Chorus | |
| Bathrak kaali uthama seeli | Bhadrakali, righteous virtuous one |
| Solladi saththiya needhi | Speak the ultimate truth and justice |
| Vetri maalaigal soodu | Wear the garlands of victory |
| Vanthu anantham paadu | Come and sing with joy |
| Vetri maalaigal soodu | Wear the garlands of victory |
| Vanthu anantham paadu | Come and sing with joy |
| Male | |
| Pagaivarkal kaagithangal | Enemies are mere paper |
| Avarukkillai jeevithangal | There is no life left for them |
| Female :Thegangal kedaiyangal | Female: Bodies are shields |
| Romangalum aayuthangalum | Body hair are weapons |
| Chorus :Raaththiri yaerpadum bhoogambangal | Chorus: Earthquakes that occur during the night |
| Aaththiram theernthathum aananthangal | Once anger subsides, there is pure bliss |
| Male | |
| Pagaivargal kaagithangal | Enemies are mere paper |
| Avarukkillai jeevithangal | There is no life left for them |
| Female :Thegangal kedaiyangal | Female: Bodies are shields |
| Romangalum aayuthangalum | Body hair are weapons |
| Male | |
| Soolam konda thaayae | O Mother holding the trident |
| Adhai iraval thanthidu neeyae | Lend that weapon to us on loan |
| Chorus :Soolam konda thaayae | Chorus: O Mother holding the trident |
| Adhai iraval thanthidu neeyae | Lend that weapon to us on loan |
| Male | |
| Mesaiyil kai podu | Twirl your mustache with pride |
| Kaththikku nei podu kaali….kaali…. | Grease the sword with oil, Kaali... Kaali... |
| Chorus | |
| Bathrak kaali uthama seeli | Bhadrakali, righteous virtuous one |
| Solladi saththiya needhi | Speak the ultimate truth and justice |
| Bathrak kaali uthama seeli | Bhadrakali, righteous virtuous one |
| Solladi saththiya needhi | Speak the ultimate truth and justice |
| Vetri maalaigal soodu | Wear the garlands of victory |
| Vanthu anantham paadu | Come and sing with joy |
| Vetri maalaigal soodu | Wear the garlands of victory |
| Vanthu anantham paadu | Come and sing with joy |
| Chorus | |
| Bathrak kaali uthama seeli | Bhadrakali, righteous virtuous one |
| Solladi saththiya needhi | Speak the ultimate truth and justice |
| Bathrak kaali uthama seeli | Bhadrakali, righteous virtuous one |
| Solladi saththiya needhi | Speak the ultimate truth and justice |
காளி......காளி......
Kaali... Kaali...
பத்ரக் காளி உத்தம சீலி
சொல்லடி சத்திய நீதி
பத்ரக் காளி உத்தம
சீலி சொல்லடி சத்திய நீதி
Bhadrakali, righteous virtuous one
Speak the ultimate truth and justice
Female: Bhadrakali, righteous virtuous one
Speak the ultimate truth and justice
வெற்றி மாலைகள் சூடு
வந்து ஆனந்தம் பாடு
வெற்றி மாலைகள் சூடு
வந்து ஆனந்தம் பாடு
Wear the garlands of victory
Come and sing with joy
Female: Wear the garlands of victory
Come and sing with joy
பத்ரக் காளி உத்தம சீலி
சொல்லடி சத்திய நீதி
Bhadrakali, righteous virtuous one
Speak the ultimate truth and justice
பாவத்துக்கு சம்பளங்கள்
வட்டியுடன் நீ தருவாய்
சோகப்பட்ட பூமிகளில்
மேக மழை நீ பொழிவாய்
குழு :
குளிரில் தீயென நீ வருவாய்
ஆயிரம் வேங்கையின் சேயறிவாய்
For the sins committed, wages
You will repay back with interest
Upon the sorrowful lands
You will pour down cloud-borne rain
Chorus: You will come like a fire in the cold
You will know the deeds of a thousand tigers
பாவத்துக்கு சம்பளங்கள்
வட்டியுடன் நீ தருவாய்
சோகப்பட்ட பூமிகளில்
மேக மழை நீ பொழிவாய்
For the sins committed, wages
You will repay back with interest
Upon the sorrowful lands
You will pour down cloud-borne rain
அந்தக் கதை மீண்டும்
நீ வந்து நடத்திட வேண்டும்
குழு :
அந்தக் கதை மீண்டும்
நீ வந்து நடத்திட வேண்டும்
நீதிக்கு யார் காவல் நீ தானே
ஊர் காவல் காளி... காளி...
That story once again
You must come and enact
Chorus: That story once again
You must come and enact
Male: Who is the guardian of justice? You are!
The guardian of the town, Kaali... Kaali...
பத்தரக் காளி உத்தம சீலி
சொல்லடி சத்திய நீதி......
வெற்றி மாலைகள் சூடு
வந்து ஆனந்தம் பாடு
வெற்றி மாலைகள் சூடு
வந்து ஆனந்தம் பாடு
Bhadrakali, righteous virtuous one
Speak the ultimate truth and justice
Wear the garlands of victory
Come and sing with joy
Wear the garlands of victory
Come and sing with joy
சுற்றி ஒரு வாளெடுத்தால்
சுற்றும் பூமி நின்று விடும்
ஏழை மகன் கோபம் கொண்டால்
சூரியனும் வெந்து விடும்
If she brandishes a sword and spins it
The spinning earth will freeze in place
If a poor man's son gets enraged
Even the burning sun will get scorched
ஆனது ஆகட்டும் ஆன வரை
தீப் பந்தம் ஏந்துவோம் வானம் வரை
Let whatever happen happen to the fullest extent
We shall hold up fire torches up to the sky
சுற்றி ஒரு வாளெடுத்தால்
சுற்றும் பூமி நின்று விடும்
ஏழை மகன் கோபம் கொண்டால்
சூரியனும் வெந்து விடும்
If she brandishes a sword and spins it
The spinning earth will freeze in place
If a poor man's son gets enraged
Even the burning sun will get scorched
குத்துப் பட்ட நாகம்
ஆளை கொத்தி முடித்திட தேடும்
குழு :
குத்துப் பட்ட நாகம்
ஆளை கொத்தி முடித்திட தேடும்
A struck cobra
Seeks to strike and destroy the person completely
Chorus: A struck cobra
Seeks to strike and destroy the person completely
ஆறாத காயங்கள் மாறாத
சோகங்கள் ஆறும் தீரும்
Unhealing wounds
And unyielding sorrows will heal and come to an end
பத்தரக் காளி உத்தம சீலி
சொல்லடி சத்திய நீதி
வெற்றி மாலைகள் சூடு
வந்து ஆனந்தம் பாடு
வெற்றி மாலைகள் சூடு
வந்து ஆனந்தம் பாடு
Bhadrakali, righteous virtuous one
Speak the ultimate truth and justice
Wear the garlands of victory
Come and sing with joy
Wear the garlands of victory
Come and sing with joy
பகைவர்கள் காகிதங்கள்
அவர்க்கில்லை ஜீவிதங்கள்
தேகங்களே கேடையங்கள்
ரோமங்களும் ஆயுதங்கள்
குழு :
ராத்திரி ஏற்படும் பூகம்பங்கள்
ஆத்திரம் தீர்ந்ததும் ஆனந்தங்கள்
Enemies are mere paper
There is no life left for them
Female: Bodies are shields
Body hair are weapons
Chorus: Earthquakes that occur during the night
Once anger subsides, there is pure bliss
பகைவர்கள் காகிதங்கள்
அவர்க்கில்லை ஜீவிதங்கள்
தேகங்களே கேடையங்கள்
ரோமங்களும் ஆயுதங்கள்
Enemies are mere paper
There is no life left for them
Female: Bodies are shields
Body hair are weapons
சூலம் கொண்ட தாயே
அதை இரவல் தந்திடு நீயே
குழு :
சூலம் கொண்ட தாயே
அதை இரவல் தந்திடு நீயே
O Mother holding the trident
Lend that weapon to us on loan
Chorus: O Mother holding the trident
Lend that weapon to us on loan
மீசையில் கை போடு
கத்திக்கு நெய் போடு காளி......காளி...
Twirl your mustache with pride
Grease the sword with oil, Kaali... Kaali...
பத்தரக் காளி உத்தம சீலி
சொல்லடி சத்திய நீதி
பத்தரக் காளி உத்தம சீலி
சொல்லடி சத்திய நீதி
வெற்றி மாலைகள் சூடு
வந்து ஆனந்தம் பாடு
வெற்றி மாலைகள் சூடு
வந்து ஆனந்தம் பாடு
Bhadrakali, righteous virtuous one
Speak the ultimate truth and justice
Bhadrakali, righteous virtuous one
Speak the ultimate truth and justice
Wear the garlands of victory
Come and sing with joy
Wear the garlands of victory
Come and sing with joy
பத்தரக் காளி உத்தம சீலி
சொல்லடி சத்திய நீதி
பத்தரக் காளி உத்தம சீலி
சொல்லடி சத்திய நீதி
Bhadrakali, righteous virtuous one
Speak the ultimate truth and justice
Bhadrakali, righteous virtuous one
Speak the ultimate truth and justice
Kaali…..kaali….
Kaali... Kaali...
Bathrak kaali uthama seeli
Bhadrakali, righteous virtuous one
Solladi saththiya needhi
Speak the ultimate truth and justice
Female :Bathrak kaali uthama seeli
Female: Bhadrakali, righteous virtuous one
Solladi saththiya needhi
Speak the ultimate truth and justice
Vetri maalaigal soodu
Wear the garlands of victory
Vanthu anantham paadu
Come and sing with joy
Female :Vetri maalaigal soodu
Female: Wear the garlands of victory
Vanthu anantham paadu
Come and sing with joy
Bathrak kaali uthama seeli
Bhadrakali, righteous virtuous one
Solladi saththiya needhi
Speak the ultimate truth and justice
Paavaththukku sambalangal
For the sins committed, wages
Vattiyudan nee tharuvaai
You will repay back with interest
Sogappatta bhoomigalil
Upon the sorrowful lands
Maega mazhai nee pozhivaai
You will pour down cloud-borne rain
Chorus :Kuliril theeyena nee varuvaai
Chorus: You will come like a fire in the cold
Aayiram vaengaiyin saeiyarivaai
You will know the deeds of a thousand tigers
Paavaththukku sambalangal
For the sins committed, wages
Vattiyudan nee tharuvaai
You will repay back with interest
Sogappatta bhoomigalil
Upon the sorrowful lands
Maega mazhai nee pozhivaai
You will pour down cloud-borne rain
Antha kadhai meendum
That story once again
Nee vanthu nadaththida vendum
You must come and enact
Chorus :Antha kadhai meendum
Chorus: That story once again
Nee vanthu nadaththida vendum
You must come and enact
Male :Needhikku yaar kaaval neethaanae
Male: Who is the guardian of justice? You are!
Oor kaaval kaali….kaali…..
The guardian of the town, Kaali... Kaali...
Bathrak kaali uthama seeli
Bhadrakali, righteous virtuous one
Solladi saththiya needhi
Speak the ultimate truth and justice
Vetri maalaigal soodu
Wear the garlands of victory
Vanthu anantham paadu
Come and sing with joy
Vetri maalaigal soodu
Wear the garlands of victory
Vanthu anantham paadu
Come and sing with joy
Sutri oru vaaleduththaal
If she brandishes a sword and spins it
Suttrum bhoomi nindru vidum
The spinning earth will freeze in place
Yaezhai magan kobam kondaal
If a poor man's son gets enraged
Sooriyanum vendhu vidum
Even the burning sun will get scorched
Aanathu aagattum aanavarai
Let whatever happen happen to the fullest extent
Theep pantham yaendhuvom vaanam varai
We shall hold up fire torches up to the sky
Sutri oru vaaleduththaal
If she brandishes a sword and spins it
Suttrum bhoomi nindru vidum
The spinning earth will freeze in place
Yaezhai magan kobam kondaal
If a poor man's son gets enraged
Sooriyanum vendhu vidum
Even the burning sun will get scorched
Kuththupatta naagam
A struck cobra
Aalai koththi mudihthida thedum
Seeks to strike and destroy the person completely
Chorus :Kuththupatta naagam
Chorus: A struck cobra
Aalai koththi mudihthida thedum
Seeks to strike and destroy the person completely
Aaraatha kaayangal
Unhealing wounds
Maaraatha sogangal aarum theerum
And unyielding sorrows will heal and come to an end
Bathrak kaali uthama seeli
Bhadrakali, righteous virtuous one
Solladi saththiya needhi
Speak the ultimate truth and justice
Vetri maalaigal soodu
Wear the garlands of victory
Vanthu anantham paadu
Come and sing with joy
Vetri maalaigal soodu
Wear the garlands of victory
Vanthu anantham paadu
Come and sing with joy
Pagaivarkal kaagithangal
Enemies are mere paper
Avarukkillai jeevithangal
There is no life left for them
Female :Thegangal kedaiyangal
Female: Bodies are shields
Romangalum aayuthangalum
Body hair are weapons
Chorus :Raaththiri yaerpadum bhoogambangal
Chorus: Earthquakes that occur during the night
Aaththiram theernthathum aananthangal
Once anger subsides, there is pure bliss
Pagaivargal kaagithangal
Enemies are mere paper
Avarukkillai jeevithangal
There is no life left for them
Female :Thegangal kedaiyangal
Female: Bodies are shields
Romangalum aayuthangalum
Body hair are weapons
Soolam konda thaayae
O Mother holding the trident
Adhai iraval thanthidu neeyae
Lend that weapon to us on loan
Chorus :Soolam konda thaayae
Chorus: O Mother holding the trident
Adhai iraval thanthidu neeyae
Lend that weapon to us on loan
Mesaiyil kai podu
Twirl your mustache with pride
Kaththikku nei podu kaali….kaali….
Grease the sword with oil, Kaali... Kaali...
Bathrak kaali uthama seeli
Bhadrakali, righteous virtuous one
Solladi saththiya needhi
Speak the ultimate truth and justice
Bathrak kaali uthama seeli
Bhadrakali, righteous virtuous one
Solladi saththiya needhi
Speak the ultimate truth and justice
Vetri maalaigal soodu
Wear the garlands of victory
Vanthu anantham paadu
Come and sing with joy
Vetri maalaigal soodu
Wear the garlands of victory
Vanthu anantham paadu
Come and sing with joy
Bathrak kaali uthama seeli
Bhadrakali, righteous virtuous one
Solladi saththiya needhi
Speak the ultimate truth and justice
Bathrak kaali uthama seeli
Bhadrakali, righteous virtuous one
Solladi saththiya needhi
Speak the ultimate truth and justice
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Bathrak Kaali' is an intense invocation and hymn dedicated to the fierce Hindu goddess Kali (specifically Bhadrakali), invoking her divine vengeance and justice against evil. The lyrics equate the oppressed common man's rising anger with divine retribution, warning wrongdoers that their sinful actions will be repaid with interest in the form of righteous destruction.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Sutri oru vaaleduththaal / Suttrum bhoomi nindru vidum”
Matching second consonants across consecutive lines, such as 'Sutri' and 'Suttrum' or 'Bathrak' and 'Uthama'.
Metaphor (Uruvagamm)
“Pagaivarkal kaagithangal”
Comparing enemies to flimsy paper ('Pagaivarkal kaagithangal') and human bodies to defensive shields ('Thegangal kedaiyangal').
Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navortchi)
“Yaezhai magan kobam kondaal / Sooriyanum vendhu vidum”
Exaggerating that if the poor man becomes angry, even the sun will be scorched ('Sooriyanum vendhu vidum').
Did you know?
Trivia
The 1980 film 'Kaali' stars Superstar Rajinikanth and Chiranjeevi (in the Telugu version / bilingual release). Music was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, and the lyrics were penned by Vairamuthu early in his career, establishing his signature powerful usage of high-flown Tamil imagery and fierce emotion.
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