Desathin Theeratha
From Dharma Devathai · 1986
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- Malaysia Vasudevan
- Music director
- Raveendran
- Details
- Dharma Devathai1986
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Dhesathin theeraadha | Oh, eternal symbols of... |
| Avamaana chinnangalae | ...our nation's shame! |
| Chorus :Avamaana chinnangalae | Chorus: Symbols of shame! |
| Male | |
| Thirundhaamal irukkindra | Oh, unrepentant... |
| Adhigaara vargangalae | ...ruling classes! |
| Chorus :Adhigaara vargangalae | Chorus: Ruling classes! |
| Male | |
| Vellai kodi ratha niramaanadhu | The white flag has turned the color of blood. |
| Ullangalae yutha kalamaanadhu | Hearts have become battlefields. |
| Boogambam ippodhu | Look, an earthquake... |
| Aarambam paarungalae…ae | ...is beginning now! |
| Male | |
| Dhesathin theeraadha | Oh, eternal symbols of... |
| Avamaana chinnangalae | ...our nation's shame! |
| Chorus :Avamaana chinnangalae | Chorus: Symbols of shame! |
| Male | |
| Thirundhaamal irukkindra | Oh, unrepentant... |
| Adhigaara vargangalae | ...ruling classes! |
| Chorus :Adhigaara vargangalae | Chorus: Ruling classes! |
| Chorus | |
| Haa…aaa…aaa…aaa…(3) | Haa…aaa…aaa…aaa… (x3) |
| Male | |
| Kelvikku vidai illaiyaa | Is there no answer to the question? |
| Male | |
| Kelvikku vidai illaiyaa | Is there no answer to the question? |
| Engal iravukku vidivillaiyaa | Is there no dawn for our night? |
| Kanneeril andraadam | Daily in tears... |
| Ulai vaikkirom | ...we boil our cooking pot. |
| Ingu gandhikku edharkkaaga | Why do we erect a statue... |
| Silai vaikkirom | ...for Gandhi here? |
| Veettukku veedingu | From house to house here... |
| Sedi vaikkirom | ...we plant saplings, |
| Ezhai vargangal valaraamal | ...yet to prevent the poor class from growing, |
| Vedi vaikkirom | ...we lay bombs. |
| Male | |
| Palar vaada silar vaazha | While many suffer so a few can live, |
| Iru vargam illaadha | ...without these two classes, |
| Sama dharma poo pookkumaa | Will the flower of social equality ever bloom? |
| Kaalam varum nalla neram varum | Time will come, good times will come, |
| Ezhaigalin vaazhvil velicham varum | Light will come into the lives of the poor. |
| Male | |
| Dhesathin theeraadha | Oh, eternal symbols of... |
| Avamaana chinnangalae | ...our nation's shame! |
| Chorus :Avamaana chinnangalae | Chorus: Symbols of shame! |
| Male | |
| Thirundhaamal irukkindra | Oh, unrepentant... |
| Adhigaara vargangalae | ...ruling classes! |
| Chorus :Adhigaara vargangalae | Chorus: Ruling classes! |
| Chorus | |
| Haa…aaa…aaa…aaa… | Haa…aaa…aaa…aaa… |
| Haaa…aaa…aaa… | Haaa…aaa…aaa… |
| Haa…aaa…aaa…aaa… | Haa…aaa…aaa…aaa… |
| Haaa…aaa…aaa… | Haaa…aaa…aaa… |
| Male | |
| Oorgolam pogindradhu | A procession is moving along, |
| Ingu oru ullam vegindradhu | Here, a heart is burning with grief. |
| Idhayathil thaangaadha | An unbearable strike... |
| Adi veezhndhadhu | ...has fallen on the heart. |
| Indha ilam poovin thalai meedhu | Upon the head of this tender flower, |
| Idi veezhndhadhu | ...a thunderbolt has fallen. |
| Male | |
| Kadamaigal inneram | Duty at this hour... |
| Kannaanadhu | ...has become paramount like eyes. |
| Nenjam kanneerai sindhaamal | The heart, without shedding tears, |
| Kallaanadhu | ...has turned to stone. |
| Maakaali thirisooli | Mahakali holding the trident, |
| Aram kaakkum karumaari | Karumari who protects righteousness, |
| Male | |
| Maakaali thirisooli | Mahakali holding the trident, |
| Aram kaakkum karumaari | Karumari who protects righteousness, |
| Ivalum andha avadhaaramo | Is she also an incarnation of them? |
| Nyaayangalai annai nilai naattuvaal | The mother will establish justice! |
| Netri kannaal engum anal moottuvaal | With her third eye, she will ignite fire everywhere! |
| Male | |
| Dhesathin theeraadha | Oh, eternal symbols of... |
| Avamaana chinnangalae | ...our nation's shame! |
| Chorus :Avamaana chinnangalae | Chorus: Symbols of shame! |
| Male | |
| Thirundhaamal irukkindra | Oh, unrepentant... |
| Adhigaara vargangalae | ...ruling classes! |
| Chorus :Adhigaara vargangalae | Chorus: Ruling classes! |
| Chorus | |
| Haa…aaa…aaa…aaa…(3) | Haa…aaa…aaa…aaa… (x3) |
| Male | |
| Saavukku yaar kaaranam | Who is responsible for this death? |
| Male | |
| Indha saavukku yaar kaaranam | Who is responsible for this death? |
| Naalai samudhaayam badhil kooranum | Tomorrow's society must answer. |
| Vaazhvukku poraadum thozhilaaligal | Laborers struggling for survival, |
| Indha vargathil sila pergal karungaaligal | But within this class, some are traitors. |
| Male | |
| Kodhikkindra neruppaagum | Boiling like fire... |
| Vervai thuli | ...is every drop of sweat. |
| Sengodi yendhum paattaali | The worker raising the red flag... |
| Thoongum puli | ...is a sleeping tiger! |
| Vaarungal ellorum | Come, everyone, |
| Vaazhndhaalum veezhndhaalum | Whether we live or fall, |
| Irudhi varai poraaduvom | We will fight until the end! |
| Thozhil koodamaa illai bali peedamaa | Is this a factory or an altar of sacrifice? |
| Mudhalaaliyaa illai kolaiyaaliyaa | Is he a capitalist or a murderer? |
| Male | |
| Dhesathin theeraadha | Oh, eternal symbols of... |
| Avamaana chinnangalae | ...our nation's shame! |
| Chorus :Avamaana chinnangalae | Chorus: Symbols of shame! |
| Male | |
| Thirundhaamal irukkindra | Oh, unrepentant... |
| Adhigaara vargangalae | ...ruling classes! |
| Chorus :Adhigaara vargangalae | Chorus: Ruling classes! |
| Male | |
| Vellai kodi ratha niramaanadhu | The white flag has turned the color of blood. |
| Ullangalae yutha kalamaanadhu | Hearts have become battlefields. |
| Boogambam ippodhu aarambam paarungalae… | Look, an earthquake is beginning now! |
தேசத்தின் தீராத
அவமானச் சின்னங்களே
குழு :
அவமானச் சின்னங்களே
Oh, eternal symbols of...
...our nation's shame!
Chorus: Symbols of shame!
திருந்தாமல் இருக்கின்ற
அதிகார வர்க்கங்களே
குழு :
அதிகார வர்க்கங்களே
Oh, unrepentant...
...ruling classes!
Chorus: Ruling classes!
வெள்ளைக் கொடி ரத்த நிறமானது
உள்ளங்களே யுத்தக் களமானது
பூகம்பம் இப்போது
ஆரம்பம் பாருங்களே....ஏ.....
The white flag has turned the color of blood.
Hearts have become battlefields.
Look, an earthquake...
...is beginning now!
தேசத்தின் தீராத
அவமானச் சின்னங்களே
குழு
: அவமானச் சின்னங்களே
Oh, eternal symbols of...
...our nation's shame!
Chorus: Symbols of shame!
திருந்தாமல் இருக்கின்ற
அதிகார வர்க்கங்களே
குழு :
அதிகார வர்க்கங்களே
Oh, unrepentant...
...ruling classes!
Chorus: Ruling classes!
ஹா....ஆஅ....ஆஅ.....ஆஅ....(3)
Haa…aaa…aaa…aaa… (x3)
கேள்விக்கு விடை இல்லையா
Is there no answer to the question?
கேள்விக்கு விடை இல்லையா
எங்கள் இரவுக்கு விடிவில்லையா
கண்ணீரில் அன்றாடம்
உலை வைக்கிறோம்
இங்கு காந்திக்கு எதற்காக
சிலை வைக்கிறோம்
வீட்டுக்கு வீடிங்கு
செடி வைக்கிறோம்
ஏழை வர்க்கங்கள் வளராமல்
வெடி வைக்கிறோம்
Is there no answer to the question?
Is there no dawn for our night?
Daily in tears...
...we boil our cooking pot.
Why do we erect a statue...
...for Gandhi here?
From house to house here...
...we plant saplings,
...yet to prevent the poor class from growing,
...we lay bombs.
பலர் வாட சிலர் வாழ
இரு வர்க்கம் இல்லாத
சமதர்ம பூ பூக்குமா
காலம் வரும் நல்ல நேரம் வரும்
ஏழைகளின் வாழ்வில் வெளிச்சம் வரும்
While many suffer so a few can live,
...without these two classes,
Will the flower of social equality ever bloom?
Time will come, good times will come,
Light will come into the lives of the poor.
தேசத்தின் தீராத
அவமானச் சின்னங்களே
குழு :
அவமானச் சின்னங்களே
Oh, eternal symbols of...
...our nation's shame!
Chorus: Symbols of shame!
திருந்தாமல் இருக்கின்ற
அதிகார வர்க்கங்களே
குழு :
அதிகார வர்க்கங்களே
Oh, unrepentant...
...ruling classes!
Chorus: Ruling classes!
ஹா....ஆஅ....ஆஅ.....ஆஅ....
ஹா....ஆஅ.....ஆஅ....
ஹா....ஆஅ....ஆஅ.....ஆஅ....
ஹா....ஆஅ.....ஆஅ....
Haa…aaa…aaa…aaa…
Haaa…aaa…aaa…
Haa…aaa…aaa…aaa…
Haaa…aaa…aaa…
ஊர்கோலம் போகின்றது
இங்கு ஒரு உள்ளம் வேகின்றது
இதயத்தில் தாங்காத
அடி வீழ்ந்தது
இந்த இளம் பூவின் தலை மீது
இடி வீழ்ந்தது
A procession is moving along,
Here, a heart is burning with grief.
An unbearable strike...
...has fallen on the heart.
Upon the head of this tender flower,
...a thunderbolt has fallen.
கடமைகள் இந்நேரம்
கண்ணானது
நெஞ்சம் கண்ணீரை சிந்தாமல்
கல்லானது
மாகாளி திரிசூலி
அறம் காக்கும் கருமாரி
Duty at this hour...
...has become paramount like eyes.
The heart, without shedding tears,
...has turned to stone.
Mahakali holding the trident,
Karumari who protects righteousness,
மாகாளி திரிசூலி
அறம் காக்கும் கருமாரி
இவளும் அந்த அவதாரமோ
நியாயங்களை அன்னை நிலை நாட்டுவாள்
நெற்றிக் கண்ணால் எங்கும் அனல் மூட்டுவாள்
Mahakali holding the trident,
Karumari who protects righteousness,
Is she also an incarnation of them?
The mother will establish justice!
With her third eye, she will ignite fire everywhere!
தேசத்தின் தீராத
அவமானச் சின்னங்களே
குழு :
அவமானச் சின்னங்களே
Oh, eternal symbols of...
...our nation's shame!
Chorus: Symbols of shame!
திருந்தாமல் இருக்கின்ற
அதிகார வர்க்கங்களே
குழு :
அதிகார வர்க்கங்களே
Oh, unrepentant...
...ruling classes!
Chorus: Ruling classes!
வெள்ளைக் கொடி ரத்த நிறமானது
உள்ளங்களே யுத்தக் களமானது
பூகம்பம் இப்போது
ஆரம்பம் பாருங்களே....ஏ.....
Haa…aaa…aaa…aaa… (x3)
ஹா....ஆஅ....ஆஅ.....ஆஅ....(3)
Who is responsible for this death?
சாவுக்கு யார் காரணம்
Who is responsible for this death?
Tomorrow's society must answer.
Laborers struggling for survival,
But within this class, some are traitors.
இந்த சாவுக்கு யார் காரணம்
நாளை சமுதாயம் பதில் கூறணும்
வாழ்வுக்குப் போராடும் தொழிலாளிகள்
இந்த வர்க்கத்தில் சில பேர்கள் கருங்காலிகள்
Boiling like fire...
...is every drop of sweat.
The worker raising the red flag...
...is a sleeping tiger!
Come, everyone,
Whether we live or fall,
We will fight until the end!
Is this a factory or an altar of sacrifice?
Is he a capitalist or a murderer?
கொதிக்கின்ற நெருப்பாகும்
வேர்வைத் துளி
செங்கொடி ஏந்தும் பாட்டாளி
தூங்கும் புலி
வாருங்கள் எல்லோரும்
வாழ்ந்தாலும் வீழ்ந்தாலும்
இறுதி வரை போராடுவோம்
தொழில் கூடமா இல்லை பலி பீடமா
முதலாளியா இல்லை கொலையாளியா
Oh, eternal symbols of...
...our nation's shame!
Chorus: Symbols of shame!
தேசத்தின் தீராத
அவமானச் சின்னங்களே
குழு :
அவமானச் சின்னங்களே
Oh, unrepentant...
...ruling classes!
Chorus: Ruling classes!
திருந்தாமல் இருக்கின்ற
அதிகார வர்க்கங்களே
குழு :
அதிகார வர்க்கங்களே
The white flag has turned the color of blood.
Hearts have become battlefields.
Look, an earthquake is beginning now!
வெள்ளைக் கொடி ரத்த நிறமானது
உள்ளங்களே யுத்தக் களமானது
பூகம்பம் இப்போது
ஆரம்பம் பாருங்களே....ஏ.....
Dhesathin theeraadha
Oh, eternal symbols of...
Avamaana chinnangalae
...our nation's shame!
Chorus :Avamaana chinnangalae
Chorus: Symbols of shame!
Thirundhaamal irukkindra
Oh, unrepentant...
Adhigaara vargangalae
...ruling classes!
Chorus :Adhigaara vargangalae
Chorus: Ruling classes!
Vellai kodi ratha niramaanadhu
The white flag has turned the color of blood.
Ullangalae yutha kalamaanadhu
Hearts have become battlefields.
Boogambam ippodhu
Look, an earthquake...
Aarambam paarungalae…ae
...is beginning now!
Dhesathin theeraadha
Oh, eternal symbols of...
Avamaana chinnangalae
...our nation's shame!
Chorus :Avamaana chinnangalae
Chorus: Symbols of shame!
Thirundhaamal irukkindra
Oh, unrepentant...
Adhigaara vargangalae
...ruling classes!
Chorus :Adhigaara vargangalae
Chorus: Ruling classes!
Haa…aaa…aaa…aaa…(3)
Haa…aaa…aaa…aaa… (x3)
Kelvikku vidai illaiyaa
Is there no answer to the question?
Kelvikku vidai illaiyaa
Is there no answer to the question?
Engal iravukku vidivillaiyaa
Is there no dawn for our night?
Kanneeril andraadam
Daily in tears...
Ulai vaikkirom
...we boil our cooking pot.
Ingu gandhikku edharkkaaga
Why do we erect a statue...
Silai vaikkirom
...for Gandhi here?
Veettukku veedingu
From house to house here...
Sedi vaikkirom
...we plant saplings,
Ezhai vargangal valaraamal
...yet to prevent the poor class from growing,
Vedi vaikkirom
...we lay bombs.
Palar vaada silar vaazha
While many suffer so a few can live,
Iru vargam illaadha
...without these two classes,
Sama dharma poo pookkumaa
Will the flower of social equality ever bloom?
Kaalam varum nalla neram varum
Time will come, good times will come,
Ezhaigalin vaazhvil velicham varum
Light will come into the lives of the poor.
Dhesathin theeraadha
Oh, eternal symbols of...
Avamaana chinnangalae
...our nation's shame!
Chorus :Avamaana chinnangalae
Chorus: Symbols of shame!
Thirundhaamal irukkindra
Oh, unrepentant...
Adhigaara vargangalae
...ruling classes!
Chorus :Adhigaara vargangalae
Chorus: Ruling classes!
Haa…aaa…aaa…aaa…
Haa…aaa…aaa…aaa…
Haaa…aaa…aaa…
Haaa…aaa…aaa…
Haa…aaa…aaa…aaa…
Haa…aaa…aaa…aaa…
Haaa…aaa…aaa…
Haaa…aaa…aaa…
Oorgolam pogindradhu
A procession is moving along,
Ingu oru ullam vegindradhu
Here, a heart is burning with grief.
Idhayathil thaangaadha
An unbearable strike...
Adi veezhndhadhu
...has fallen on the heart.
Indha ilam poovin thalai meedhu
Upon the head of this tender flower,
Idi veezhndhadhu
...a thunderbolt has fallen.
Kadamaigal inneram
Duty at this hour...
Kannaanadhu
...has become paramount like eyes.
Nenjam kanneerai sindhaamal
The heart, without shedding tears,
Kallaanadhu
...has turned to stone.
Maakaali thirisooli
Mahakali holding the trident,
Aram kaakkum karumaari
Karumari who protects righteousness,
Maakaali thirisooli
Mahakali holding the trident,
Aram kaakkum karumaari
Karumari who protects righteousness,
Ivalum andha avadhaaramo
Is she also an incarnation of them?
Nyaayangalai annai nilai naattuvaal
The mother will establish justice!
Netri kannaal engum anal moottuvaal
With her third eye, she will ignite fire everywhere!
Dhesathin theeraadha
Oh, eternal symbols of...
Avamaana chinnangalae
...our nation's shame!
Chorus :Avamaana chinnangalae
Chorus: Symbols of shame!
Thirundhaamal irukkindra
Oh, unrepentant...
Adhigaara vargangalae
...ruling classes!
Chorus :Adhigaara vargangalae
Chorus: Ruling classes!
Haa…aaa…aaa…aaa…(3)
Haa…aaa…aaa…aaa… (x3)
Saavukku yaar kaaranam
Who is responsible for this death?
Indha saavukku yaar kaaranam
Who is responsible for this death?
Naalai samudhaayam badhil kooranum
Tomorrow's society must answer.
Vaazhvukku poraadum thozhilaaligal
Laborers struggling for survival,
Indha vargathil sila pergal karungaaligal
But within this class, some are traitors.
Kodhikkindra neruppaagum
Boiling like fire...
Vervai thuli
...is every drop of sweat.
Sengodi yendhum paattaali
The worker raising the red flag...
Thoongum puli
...is a sleeping tiger!
Vaarungal ellorum
Come, everyone,
Vaazhndhaalum veezhndhaalum
Whether we live or fall,
Irudhi varai poraaduvom
We will fight until the end!
Thozhil koodamaa illai bali peedamaa
Is this a factory or an altar of sacrifice?
Mudhalaaliyaa illai kolaiyaaliyaa
Is he a capitalist or a murderer?
Dhesathin theeraadha
Oh, eternal symbols of...
Avamaana chinnangalae
...our nation's shame!
Chorus :Avamaana chinnangalae
Chorus: Symbols of shame!
Thirundhaamal irukkindra
Oh, unrepentant...
Adhigaara vargangalae
...ruling classes!
Chorus :Adhigaara vargangalae
Chorus: Ruling classes!
Vellai kodi ratha niramaanadhu
The white flag has turned the color of blood.
Ullangalae yutha kalamaanadhu
Hearts have become battlefields.
Boogambam ippodhu aarambam paarungalae…
Look, an earthquake is beginning now!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This powerful revolutionary song expresses deep anger and grief towards systemic corruption, class oppression, and the exploitation of the working class by the ruling elite. It questions the hypocrisy of honoring peace icons like Gandhi while subjecting the poor to extreme suffering and suppression. The lyrics call for unity among laborers, invoking fierce divine imagery (like Goddess Kali) to represent righteous anger and the inevitable uprising for justice.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagamm)
“Vellai kodi ratha niramaanadhu”
Comparing peace flag turning into red/blood color and hearts turning into a battlefield ('Vellai kodi ratha niramaanadhu / Ullangalae yutha kalamaanadhu').
Contrast / Rhetorical Question
“Ingu gandhikku edharkkaaga / Silai vaikkirom”
Contrasting building statues for Gandhi while inflicting violence on the working class.
Ethukai (Second letter rhyming)
“Veettukku veedingu / Sedi vaikkirom / Vedi vaikkirom”
Rhyming second letters in consecutive lines ('Veettukku', 'Sedi', 'Vedi').
Hyperbole / Divine Imagery
“Netri kannaal engum anal moottuvaal”
Comparing the protagonist's quest for justice to Goddess Kali opening her third eye.
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Trivia
The film 'Dharma Devathai' (1986) stars Vijayakanth and Radhika, directed by S. A. Chandrasekhar. The soundtrack was composed by Raveendran, featuring strong socio-political anthems typical of 1980s Tamil cinema focusing on working-class struggle.
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