Dharmangal
From Dharma · 1998
- Lyricist
- Pulamaipithan
- Singer
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Dharma1998
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Dharmangal velai indri thoongum podhu | When virtues sleep without work |
| Nyaayangal oomaiyaagi pogum podhu | When justice becomes mute |
| Dharmangal velai indri thoongum podhu | When virtues sleep without work |
| Nyaayangal oomaiyaagi pogum podhu | When justice becomes mute |
| Ezhundhu nirkkindra singam ivanae | He is the lion that stands up |
| Ezhai vargathin pakkam | He is on the side of the poor class |
| Thatti ketkindra thangam ivanae | He is pure gold who questions injustice |
| Thamizhar yaarum ivan pakkam | All Tamils are on his side |
| Chorus | |
| Dharmaa… dharmaa… | Dharma... Dharma... |
| Male | |
| Dharmaa ennum perai | The name called Dharma |
| Satham pottu chollu | Say it out loud |
| Thattukketta naattil | In a ruined country |
| Dharmaa pakkam nillu | Stand on Dharma's side |
| Dharmaa… dharmaa… dharmaa… | Dharma... Dharma... Dharma... |
| Male | |
| Dharmaavin vetri engal vetri vetri | Dharma's victory is our victory, victory |
| Thambikku chollu idhai thaalam thatti | Tell this to your younger brother by beating the rhythm |
| Male | |
| Thandhaikku pillai illai | He is no child to a father |
| Thaaikku ivan maganillai | He is no son to a mother |
| Ezhaiyin veettu pillai ivan thaanae | He is the child of the poor man's house |
| Oorukkul unmai illai | There is no truth in the town |
| Unmaikku kaalam illai | There is no time for truth |
| Yaar ingae unmaikkingae ivan thaanae | Who is truthful here? It is him alone |
| Male | |
| Neruppaai iruppaan | He will be like fire |
| Idhil adhisayam illai | There is no surprise in this |
| Irundhaal koduppaan | If he has, he will give |
| Adhil arasiyal illai | There is no politics in that |
| Ivano nagarum oru erimalai thaanae | He is indeed a moving volcano |
| Irundhum idhayam oru panimalai thaanae | Yet his heart is a mountain of ice |
| Dharmangal thalai thookka nyaayangal arasalaa | For righteousness to raise its head and justice to rule |
| Engengum dharmaavin raajaangam | Everywhere is Dharma's kingdom |
| Chorus | |
| Dharmangal velai indri thoongum podhu | When virtues sleep without work |
| Nyaayangal oomaiyaagi pogum podhu | When justice becomes mute |
| Male | |
| Ezhundhu nirkkindra singam ivanae | He is the lion that stands up |
| Ezhai vargathin pakkam | He is on the side of the poor class |
| Thatti ketkindra thangam ivanae | He is pure gold who questions injustice |
| Thamizhar yaarum ivan pakkam | All Tamils are on his side |
| Chorus | |
| Dharmaa… dharmaa… | Dharma... Dharma... |
| Male | |
| Dharmaa ennum perai | The name called Dharma |
| Satham pottu chollu | Say it out loud |
| Thattukketta naattil | In a ruined country |
| Dharmaa pakkam nillu | Stand on Dharma's side |
| Dharmaa… dharmaa… dharmaa… | Dharma... Dharma... Dharma... |
| Male | |
| Dharmaavin vetri engal vetri vetri | Dharma's victory is our victory, victory |
| Thambikku chollu idhai thaalam thatti | Tell this to your younger brother by beating the rhythm |
| Male | |
| Thaanaaga thoda maattaan | He won't touch anyone on his own |
| Vambukku vara maattaan | He won't come looking for trouble |
| Pottikku vandhaalae vida maattaan | But if someone comes for a fight, he won't let them go |
| Sattangal thaaraaga | Giving out laws generously |
| Nyaayangal tharuvaanae | He will dispense justice |
| Oorukku courttellaam ivan thaanae | He himself is the court for the whole town |
| Male | |
| Eduthaal mudippaan | What he undertakes, he will finish |
| Adhil thadaigalum illai | There are no obstacles in that |
| Ezhai ulagil ini azhukural illai | There are no cries of weeping in the world of the poor anymore |
| Mannin maganae ini pudhumaigal paadu | Son of the soil, sing innovations now |
| Manadhaal seyalaal oru pudhu mozhi podu | Set a new language in mind and action |
| Chorus | |
| Dharmangal velai indri thoongum podhu | When virtues sleep without work |
| Nyaayangal oomaiyaagi pogum podhu | When justice becomes mute |
| Male | |
| Ezhundhu nirkkindra singam ivanae | He is the lion that stands up |
| Ezhai vargathin pakkam | He is on the side of the poor class |
| Thatti ketkindra thangam ivanae | He is pure gold who questions injustice |
| Thamizhar yaarum ivan pakkam | All Tamils are on his side |
| Chorus | |
| Dharmaa… dharmaa… | Dharma... Dharma... |
| Male | |
| Dharmaa ennum perai | The name called Dharma |
| Satham pottu chollu | Say it out loud |
| Thattukketta naattil | In a ruined country |
| Dharmaa pakkam nillu | Stand on Dharma's side |
| Dharmaa… dharmaa… dharmaa… | Dharma... Dharma... Dharma... |
| Male | |
| {Dharmaa ennum perai | The name called Dharma |
| Satham pottu chollu | Say it out loud |
| Thattukketta naattil | In a ruined country |
| Dharmaa pakkam nillu} (2) | Stand on Dharma's side |
தர்மங்கள் வேலை இன்றி தூங்கும் போது
நியாயங்கள் ஊமையாகிப் போகும் போது
தர்மங்கள் வேலை இன்றி தூங்கும் போது
நியாயங்கள் ஊமையாகிப் போகும் போது
எழுந்து நிற்கின்ற சிங்கம் இவனே
ஏழை வர்கத்தின் பக்கம்
தட்டிக் கேட்கின்ற தங்கம் இவனே
தமிழர் யாரும் இவன் பக்கம்
When virtues sleep without work
When justice becomes mute
When virtues sleep without work
When justice becomes mute
He is the lion that stands up
He is on the side of the poor class
He is pure gold who questions injustice
All Tamils are on his side
தர்மா.......தர்மா.......
Dharma... Dharma...
தர்மா என்னும் பேரை
சத்தம் போட்டுச் சொல்லு
தட்டுக்கெட்ட நாட்டில்
தர்மா பக்கம் நில்லு
தர்மா.......தர்மா.......தர்மா.......
The name called Dharma
Say it out loud
In a ruined country
Stand on Dharma's side
Dharma... Dharma... Dharma...
தர்மாவின் வெற்றி எங்கள் வெற்றி வெற்றி
தம்பிக்குச் சொல்லு இதை தாளம் தட்டி
Dharma's victory is our victory, victory
Tell this to your younger brother by beating the rhythm
தந்தைக்குப் பிள்ளை இல்லை
தாய்க்கு இவன் மகனில்லை
ஏழையின் வீட்டுப் பிள்ளை இவன்தானே
ஊருக்குள் உண்மை இல்லை
உண்மைக்கு காலம் இல்லை
யார் இங்கே உண்மைக்கிங்கே இவன்தானே
He is no child to a father
He is no son to a mother
He is the child of the poor man's house
There is no truth in the town
There is no time for truth
Who is truthful here? It is him alone
நெருப்பாய் இருப்பான்
இதில் அதிசயம் இல்லை
இருந்தால் கொடுப்பான்
அதில் அரசியல் இல்லை
இவனோ அலறும் ஒரு எரிமலைதானே
இருந்தும் இதயம் ஒரு பனிமலைதானே
தர்மங்கள் தலை தூக்க நியாயங்கள் அரசாள
எங்கெங்கும் தர்மாவின் ராஜாங்கம்......
He will be like fire
There is no surprise in this
If he has, he will give
There is no politics in that
He is indeed a moving volcano
Yet his heart is a mountain of ice
For righteousness to raise its head and justice to rule
Everywhere is Dharma's kingdom
தர்மங்கள் வேலை இன்றி தூங்கும் போது
நியாயங்கள் ஊமையாகிப் போகும் போது
When virtues sleep without work
When justice becomes mute
எழுந்து நிற்கின்ற சிங்கம் இவனே
ஏழை வர்கத்தின் பக்கம்
தட்டிக் கேட்கின்ற தங்கம் இவனே
தமிழர் யாரும் இவன் பக்கம்
He is the lion that stands up
He is on the side of the poor class
He is pure gold who questions injustice
All Tamils are on his side
தர்மா.......தர்மா.......
Dharma... Dharma...
தர்மா என்னும் பேரை
சத்தம் போட்டுச் சொல்லு
தட்டுக்கெட்ட நாட்டில்
தர்மா பக்கம் நில்லு
தர்மா.......தர்மா.......தர்மா.......
The name called Dharma
Say it out loud
In a ruined country
Stand on Dharma's side
Dharma... Dharma... Dharma...
தர்மாவின் வெற்றி எங்கள் வெற்றி வெற்றி
தம்பிக்குச் சொல்லு இதை தாளம் தட்டி
Dharma's victory is our victory, victory
Tell this to your younger brother by beating the rhythm
தானாக தொட மாட்டான்
வம்புக்கு வர மாட்டான்
போட்டிக்கு வந்தாலே விட மாட்டான்
சட்டங்கள் தாறாக
நியாயங்கள் தருவானே
ஊருக்கு கோர்ட்டெல்லாம் இவன்தானே
He won't touch anyone on his own
He won't come looking for trouble
But if someone comes for a fight, he won't let them go
Giving out laws generously
He will dispense justice
He himself is the court for the whole town
எடுத்தால் முடிப்பான்
அதில் தடைகளும் இல்லை
ஏழை உலகில் இனி அழுகுரல் இல்லை
மண்ணின் மகனே இனி புதுமைகள் பாடு
மனதால் செயலால் ஒரு புது மொழி போடு
What he undertakes, he will finish
There are no obstacles in that
There are no cries of weeping in the world of the poor anymore
Son of the soil, sing innovations now
Set a new language in mind and action
தர்மங்கள் வேலை இன்றி தூங்கும் போது
நியாயங்கள் ஊமையாகிப் போகும் போது
When virtues sleep without work
When justice becomes mute
எழுந்து நிற்கின்ற சிங்கம் இவனே
ஏழை வர்கத்தின் பக்கம்
தட்டிக் கேட்கின்ற தங்கம் இவனே
தமிழர் யாரும் இவன் பக்கம்
He is the lion that stands up
He is on the side of the poor class
He is pure gold who questions injustice
All Tamils are on his side
தர்மா.......தர்மா.......
Dharma... Dharma...
தர்மா என்னும் பேரை
சத்தம் போட்டுச் சொல்லு
தட்டுக்கெட்ட நாட்டில்
தர்மா பக்கம் நில்லு
தர்மா.......தர்மா.......தர்மா.......
The name called Dharma
Say it out loud
In a ruined country
Stand on Dharma's side
Dharma... Dharma... Dharma...
{தர்மா என்னும் பேரை
சத்தம் போட்டுச் சொல்லு
தட்டுக்கெட்ட நாட்டில்
தர்மா பக்கம் நில்லு} (2)
The name called Dharma
Say it out loud
In a ruined country
Stand on Dharma's side
Dharmangal velai indri thoongum podhu
When virtues sleep without work
Nyaayangal oomaiyaagi pogum podhu
When justice becomes mute
Dharmangal velai indri thoongum podhu
When virtues sleep without work
Nyaayangal oomaiyaagi pogum podhu
When justice becomes mute
Ezhundhu nirkkindra singam ivanae
He is the lion that stands up
Ezhai vargathin pakkam
He is on the side of the poor class
Thatti ketkindra thangam ivanae
He is pure gold who questions injustice
Thamizhar yaarum ivan pakkam
All Tamils are on his side
Dharmaa… dharmaa…
Dharma... Dharma...
Dharmaa ennum perai
The name called Dharma
Satham pottu chollu
Say it out loud
Thattukketta naattil
In a ruined country
Dharmaa pakkam nillu
Stand on Dharma's side
Dharmaa… dharmaa… dharmaa…
Dharma... Dharma... Dharma...
Dharmaavin vetri engal vetri vetri
Dharma's victory is our victory, victory
Thambikku chollu idhai thaalam thatti
Tell this to your younger brother by beating the rhythm
Thandhaikku pillai illai
He is no child to a father
Thaaikku ivan maganillai
He is no son to a mother
Ezhaiyin veettu pillai ivan thaanae
He is the child of the poor man's house
Oorukkul unmai illai
There is no truth in the town
Unmaikku kaalam illai
There is no time for truth
Yaar ingae unmaikkingae ivan thaanae
Who is truthful here? It is him alone
Neruppaai iruppaan
He will be like fire
Idhil adhisayam illai
There is no surprise in this
Irundhaal koduppaan
If he has, he will give
Adhil arasiyal illai
There is no politics in that
Ivano nagarum oru erimalai thaanae
He is indeed a moving volcano
Irundhum idhayam oru panimalai thaanae
Yet his heart is a mountain of ice
Dharmangal thalai thookka nyaayangal arasalaa
For righteousness to raise its head and justice to rule
Engengum dharmaavin raajaangam
Everywhere is Dharma's kingdom
Dharmangal velai indri thoongum podhu
When virtues sleep without work
Nyaayangal oomaiyaagi pogum podhu
When justice becomes mute
Ezhundhu nirkkindra singam ivanae
He is the lion that stands up
Ezhai vargathin pakkam
He is on the side of the poor class
Thatti ketkindra thangam ivanae
He is pure gold who questions injustice
Thamizhar yaarum ivan pakkam
All Tamils are on his side
Dharmaa… dharmaa…
Dharma... Dharma...
Dharmaa ennum perai
The name called Dharma
Satham pottu chollu
Say it out loud
Thattukketta naattil
In a ruined country
Dharmaa pakkam nillu
Stand on Dharma's side
Dharmaa… dharmaa… dharmaa…
Dharma... Dharma... Dharma...
Dharmaavin vetri engal vetri vetri
Dharma's victory is our victory, victory
Thambikku chollu idhai thaalam thatti
Tell this to your younger brother by beating the rhythm
Thaanaaga thoda maattaan
He won't touch anyone on his own
Vambukku vara maattaan
He won't come looking for trouble
Pottikku vandhaalae vida maattaan
But if someone comes for a fight, he won't let them go
Sattangal thaaraaga
Giving out laws generously
Nyaayangal tharuvaanae
He will dispense justice
Oorukku courttellaam ivan thaanae
He himself is the court for the whole town
Eduthaal mudippaan
What he undertakes, he will finish
Adhil thadaigalum illai
There are no obstacles in that
Ezhai ulagil ini azhukural illai
There are no cries of weeping in the world of the poor anymore
Mannin maganae ini pudhumaigal paadu
Son of the soil, sing innovations now
Manadhaal seyalaal oru pudhu mozhi podu
Set a new language in mind and action
Dharmangal velai indri thoongum podhu
When virtues sleep without work
Nyaayangal oomaiyaagi pogum podhu
When justice becomes mute
Ezhundhu nirkkindra singam ivanae
He is the lion that stands up
Ezhai vargathin pakkam
He is on the side of the poor class
Thatti ketkindra thangam ivanae
He is pure gold who questions injustice
Thamizhar yaarum ivan pakkam
All Tamils are on his side
Dharmaa… dharmaa…
Dharma... Dharma...
Dharmaa ennum perai
The name called Dharma
Satham pottu chollu
Say it out loud
Thattukketta naattil
In a ruined country
Dharmaa pakkam nillu
Stand on Dharma's side
Dharmaa… dharmaa… dharmaa…
Dharma... Dharma... Dharma...
{Dharmaa ennum perai
The name called Dharma
Satham pottu chollu
Say it out loud
Thattukketta naattil
In a ruined country
Dharmaa pakkam nillu} (2)
Stand on Dharma's side
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This powerful hero-introduction song from the movie Dharma (1998) celebrates the protagonist, Dharma, as a righteous savior of the poor and marginalized. When morality sleeps and justice is silenced in a corrupt society, Dharma arises like a lion to defend the needy and deliver swift justice. The song highlights his selfless nature—he belongs not to a single family but to all poor households, standing as an unyielding force against evil while remaining cool and compassionate at heart. The lyrics urge the public to rally behind Dharma, framing his triumph as a victory for the entire community. Through heroic imagery, he is depicted as a moving volcano against oppression, a one-man court dispensing true justice, and a beacon of hope for a brighter future.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uvamaani)
“Ezhundhu nirkkindra singam ivanae”
The protagonist is directly compared to a lion ('singam'), pure gold ('thangam'), a moving volcano ('erimalai'), and a mountain of ice ('panimalai') to emphasize his bravery, purity, explosive anger towards evil, and cool compassion.
Contrast / Oxymoron
“Ivano nagarum oru erimalai thaanae / Irundhum idhayam oru panimalai thaanae”
Juxtaposes 'erimalai' (volcano - representing fiery wrath against evil) with 'panimalai' (ice mountain - representing a cool, compassionate heart).
Ethirai (Second Letter Rhyming)
“Neruppaai iruppaan / Irundhaal koduppaan”
The second letter in adjacent lines rhymes ('ru' in Neruppaai and Irundhaal), adhering to traditional Tamil poetic meter rules.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Dharma' (1998) is an action drama starring Vijayakanth and Preetha Vijayakumar, directed by R. Sundarrajan. The film features music composed by Ilaiyaraaja, and this track serves as the iconic hero-glorification song tailored to Vijayakanth's popular screen persona as a champion of the underprivileged.
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