Epadiyamma
From Vada Chennai · 2018
- Lyricist
- Sindhai. Rev Ravi
- Singer
- Sindhai. Rev Ravi
- Music director
- Santhosh Narayanan
- Details
- Vada Chennai2018
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Epadiyamma marakka mudiyum | How can we forget this, Oh Mother? |
| Idhayam kumuruthae | My heart is seething with pain |
| Engal arumai annan maaveeran | That our beloved brother, a great hero, |
| Maraindhu ponadhai | Has passed away and vanished. |
| Male | |
| Epadiyamma marakka mudiyum | How can we forget this, Oh Mother? |
| Idhayam kumuruthae | My heart is seething with pain |
| Engal arumai annan maaveeran | That our beloved brother, a great hero, |
| Maraindhu ponadhai | Has passed away and vanished. |
| Male | |
| Epadiyamma | How can we, Oh Mother? |
| Aaa…aaa…aaa | Aaa…aaa…aaa |
| Male | |
| Ippadi ellaam nadakkumendru | If only we had known |
| Therindhirunthaalae | That all this was going to happen |
| Aaa…aaa…aaa…aaaa..haaa…aaa.. | Aaa…aaa…aaa…aaaa..haaa…aaa.. |
| Male | |
| Ippadi ellaam nadakkumendru | If only we had known |
| Therindhirunthaalae | That all this was going to happen |
| Andha iraivanidam | From that Almighty God, |
| Naangalellaam kettiruppomae | Would we all not have begged for his life? |
| Male | |
| Nichayamilla vaazhkaiyilae | In this uncertain life, |
| Thani thangamaaga | Like pure, unmatched gold, |
| Nichayamilla vaazhkaiyilae | In this uncertain life, |
| Thani thangamaaga | Like pure, unmatched gold, |
| Indha oorinilae vaazhndhu vanthaar | He lived in this town |
| Uyar tharamaaga | With high honor and dignity. |
| Indha oorinilae vaazhndhu vanthaar | He lived in this town |
| Uyar tharamaaga | With high honor and dignity. |
| Male | |
| Ithai epadiyamma | How can we, Oh Mother, |
| Marakka mudiyum | Forget this? |
| Idhayam kumuruthae | My heart is seething with pain |
| Engal arumai annan maaveeran | That our beloved brother, a great hero, |
| Maraindhu ponadhai | Has passed away and vanished. |
| Male | |
| Epadiyamma | How can we, Oh Mother? |
| Aaa…aaa…aaa… | Aaa…aaa…aaa… |
| Male | |
| Aalaiyitta karumbaaga | Like sugarcane crushed in a mill, |
| Kasaindhaar aiyaa | He squeezed himself out in toil, sir. |
| Aaa…aaa…aaa…haa…aa..aaa… | Aaa…aaa…aaa…haa…aa..aaa… |
| Male | |
| Aalaiyitta karumbaaga | Like sugarcane crushed in a mill, |
| Kasaindhaar aiyaa | He squeezed himself out in toil, sir. |
| Nee maalaiyitta manaivi | The wife you wedded with a garland, |
| Indru kalanguraar aiyaa | Stands broken and distraught today, sir. |
| Mannanillaa mangaiyarku | For a woman without her king, |
| Manjal sondhama | Does turmeric belong to her anymore? |
| Mannanillaa mangaiyarku | For a woman without her king, |
| Manjal sondhama | Does turmeric belong to her anymore? |
| Male | |
| Anbu kanavarilla penmanikku | For a woman without her loving husband, |
| Poovum sondhama | Do flowers belong to her anymore? |
| Anbu kanavarillaa penmanikku | For a woman without her loving husband, |
| Pottum sondhama | Does the bindi belong to her anymore? |
| Male | |
| Ithai epadiyamma | How can we, Oh Mother, |
| Marakka mudiyum | Forget this? |
| Idhayam kumuruthae | My heart is seething with pain |
| Engal arumai annan maaveeran | That our beloved brother, a great hero, |
| Maraindhu ponadhai | Has passed away and vanished. |
| Male | |
| Epadiyamma | How can we, Oh Mother? |
| Aaa…aaa…aaa… | Aaa…aaa…aaa… |
| Male | |
| Nilavillamal neelavaanil | Without the moon in the blue sky, |
| Velicham thondruma | Will light ever appear? |
| Aaa…aaa…aaa…haa…aa…aaa… | Aaa…aaa…aaa…haa…aa…aaa… |
| Male | |
| Nilavillaamal neelavaanil | Without the moon in the blue sky, |
| Velicham thondruma | Will light ever appear? |
| Maaveeran neeyillaadha | Without you, the great hero, |
| Kudumbathilae nimmadhi kidaikkuma | Can peace ever be found in the family? |
| Male | |
| Unnai pirindha sondhangalum | The relatives separated from you |
| Kalanginaar aiyaa | Are weeping in agony, sir. |
| Unnai pirindha sondhangalum | The relatives separated from you |
| Kalanginaar aiyaa | Are weeping in agony, sir. |
| Unnai parikodutha nanbarellaam | All the friends who lost you |
| Vaadinaar aiyaa | Have withered away in grief, sir. |
| Unnai parikodutha nanbarellaam | All the friends who lost you |
| Vaadinaar aiyaa | Have withered away in grief, sir. |
| Male | |
| Ithai epadiyamma | How can we, Oh Mother, |
| Marakka mudiyum | Forget this? |
| Idhayam kumuruthae | My heart is seething with pain |
| Engal arumai annan maaveeran | That our beloved brother, a great hero, |
| Maraindhu Pondhai | Has passed away and vanished. |
| Male | |
| Epadiyamma marakka mudiyum | How can we forget this, Oh Mother? |
| Idhayam kumurudhae | My heart is seething with pain |
| Engal arumai annan maraindhaaye | You passed away, our beloved brother, |
| Thaanga mudiyalae | It is unbearable! |
எப்படியம்மா மறக்க முடியும்
இதயம் குமுறுதே
எங்கள் அருமை அண்ணன் மாவீரன்
மறைந்து போனதை
How can we forget this, Oh Mother?
My heart is seething with pain
That our beloved brother, a great hero,
Has passed away and vanished.
எப்படியம்மா மறக்க முடியும்
இதயம் குமுறுதே
எங்கள் அருமை அண்ணன் மாவீரன்
மறைந்து போனதை
How can we forget this, Oh Mother?
My heart is seething with pain
That our beloved brother, a great hero,
Has passed away and vanished.
எப்படியம்மா
ஆ....ஆ...ஆ....
How can we, Oh Mother?
Aaa…aaa…aaa
இப்படி எல்லாம் நடக்குமென்று
தெரிந்திருந்தாலே
ஆ....ஆ...ஆ....ஆ....
If only we had known
That all this was going to happen
Aaa…aaa…aaa…aaaa..haaa…aaa..
இப்படி எல்லாம் நடக்குமென்று
தெரிந்திருந்தாலே
அந்த இறைவனிடம்
நாங்களெல்லாம் கேட்டிருப்போமே
If only we had known
That all this was going to happen
From that Almighty God,
Would we all not have begged for his life?
நிச்சயமில்லா வாழ்க்கையிலே
தனி தங்கமாக
நிச்சயமில்லா வாழ்க்கையிலே
தனி தங்கமாக
இந்த ஊரினிலே வாழ்ந்து வந்தார்
உயர் தரமாக
இந்த ஊரினிலே வாழ்ந்து வந்தார்
உயர் தரமாக
In this uncertain life,
Like pure, unmatched gold,
In this uncertain life,
Like pure, unmatched gold,
He lived in this town
With high honor and dignity.
He lived in this town
With high honor and dignity.
இதை எப்படியம்மா
மறக்க முடியும்
இதயம் குமுறுதே
எங்கள் அருமை அண்ணன் மாவீரன்
மறைந்து போனதை
How can we, Oh Mother,
Forget this?
My heart is seething with pain
That our beloved brother, a great hero,
Has passed away and vanished.
எப்படியம்மா
ஆ....ஆ...ஆ....
How can we, Oh Mother?
Aaa…aaa…aaa…
மாலையிட்ட கரும்பாக
கசைந்தார் ஐயா
ஆ....ஆ...ஆ....ஆ....
Like sugarcane crushed in a mill,
He squeezed himself out in toil, sir.
Aaa…aaa…aaa…haa…aa..aaa…
மாலையிட்ட கரும்பாக
கசைந்தார் ஐயா
நீ மாலையிட்ட மனைவி
இன்று கலங்குறார் ஐயா
மன்னனில்லா மங்கையர்க்கு
மஞ்சள் சொந்தமா
மன்னனில்லா மங்கையர்க்கு
மஞ்சள் சொந்தமா
Like sugarcane crushed in a mill,
He squeezed himself out in toil, sir.
The wife you wedded with a garland,
Stands broken and distraught today, sir.
For a woman without her king,
Does turmeric belong to her anymore?
For a woman without her king,
Does turmeric belong to her anymore?
அன்பு கணவரில்லா
பெண்மணிக்கு
பூவும் சொந்தமா
அன்பு கணவரில்லா பெண்மணிக்கு
பொட்டும் சொந்தமா
For a woman without her loving husband,
Do flowers belong to her anymore?
For a woman without her loving husband,
Does the bindi belong to her anymore?
இதை எப்படியம்மா
மறக்க முடியும்
இதயம் குமுறுதே
எங்கள் அருமை அண்ணன் மாவீரன்
மறைந்து போனதை
How can we, Oh Mother,
Forget this?
My heart is seething with pain
That our beloved brother, a great hero,
Has passed away and vanished.
எப்படியம்மா
ஆ....ஆ...ஆ....
How can we, Oh Mother?
Aaa…aaa…aaa…
நிலவில்லாமல் நீளவானில்
வெளிச்சம் தோன்றுமா
ஆ....ஆ...ஆ....ஆ....
Without the moon in the blue sky,
Will light ever appear?
Aaa…aaa…aaa…haa…aa…aaa…
நிலவில்லாமல் நீளவானில்
வெளிச்சம் தோன்றுமா
மாவீரன் நீயில்லாத
குடும்பத்திலே நிம்மதி கிடைக்குமா
Without the moon in the blue sky,
Will light ever appear?
Without you, the great hero,
Can peace ever be found in the family?
உன்னை பிரிந்த
சொந்தங்களும்
கலங்கினார் ஐயா
உன்னை பிரிந்த சொந்தங்களும்
கலங்கினார் ஐயா
உன்னை பறிகொடுத்த நண்பரெல்லாம்
வாடினார் ஐயா
உன்னை பறிகொடுத்த நண்பரெல்லாம்
வாடினார் ஐயா
The relatives separated from you
Are weeping in agony, sir.
The relatives separated from you
Are weeping in agony, sir.
All the friends who lost you
Have withered away in grief, sir.
All the friends who lost you
Have withered away in grief, sir.
இதை எப்படியம்மா
மறக்க முடியும்
இதயம் குமுறுதே
எங்கள் அருமை அண்ணன் மாவீரன்
மறைந்து போனதை
How can we, Oh Mother,
Forget this?
My heart is seething with pain
That our beloved brother, a great hero,
Has passed away and vanished.
எப்படியம்மா மறக்க முடியும்
இதயம் குமுறுதே
எங்கள் அருமை அண்ணன்
மறைந்ததே தாங்க முடியலே
How can we forget this, Oh Mother?
My heart is seething with pain
You passed away, our beloved brother,
It is unbearable!
Epadiyamma marakka mudiyum
How can we forget this, Oh Mother?
Idhayam kumuruthae
My heart is seething with pain
Engal arumai annan maaveeran
That our beloved brother, a great hero,
Maraindhu ponadhai
Has passed away and vanished.
Epadiyamma marakka mudiyum
How can we forget this, Oh Mother?
Idhayam kumuruthae
My heart is seething with pain
Engal arumai annan maaveeran
That our beloved brother, a great hero,
Maraindhu ponadhai
Has passed away and vanished.
Epadiyamma
How can we, Oh Mother?
Aaa…aaa…aaa
Aaa…aaa…aaa
Ippadi ellaam nadakkumendru
If only we had known
Therindhirunthaalae
That all this was going to happen
Aaa…aaa…aaa…aaaa..haaa…aaa..
Aaa…aaa…aaa…aaaa..haaa…aaa..
Ippadi ellaam nadakkumendru
If only we had known
Therindhirunthaalae
That all this was going to happen
Andha iraivanidam
From that Almighty God,
Naangalellaam kettiruppomae
Would we all not have begged for his life?
Nichayamilla vaazhkaiyilae
In this uncertain life,
Thani thangamaaga
Like pure, unmatched gold,
Nichayamilla vaazhkaiyilae
In this uncertain life,
Thani thangamaaga
Like pure, unmatched gold,
Indha oorinilae vaazhndhu vanthaar
He lived in this town
Uyar tharamaaga
With high honor and dignity.
Indha oorinilae vaazhndhu vanthaar
He lived in this town
Uyar tharamaaga
With high honor and dignity.
Ithai epadiyamma
How can we, Oh Mother,
Marakka mudiyum
Forget this?
Idhayam kumuruthae
My heart is seething with pain
Engal arumai annan maaveeran
That our beloved brother, a great hero,
Maraindhu ponadhai
Has passed away and vanished.
Epadiyamma
How can we, Oh Mother?
Aaa…aaa…aaa…
Aaa…aaa…aaa…
Aalaiyitta karumbaaga
Like sugarcane crushed in a mill,
Kasaindhaar aiyaa
He squeezed himself out in toil, sir.
Aaa…aaa…aaa…haa…aa..aaa…
Aaa…aaa…aaa…haa…aa..aaa…
Aalaiyitta karumbaaga
Like sugarcane crushed in a mill,
Kasaindhaar aiyaa
He squeezed himself out in toil, sir.
Nee maalaiyitta manaivi
The wife you wedded with a garland,
Indru kalanguraar aiyaa
Stands broken and distraught today, sir.
Mannanillaa mangaiyarku
For a woman without her king,
Manjal sondhama
Does turmeric belong to her anymore?
Mannanillaa mangaiyarku
For a woman without her king,
Manjal sondhama
Does turmeric belong to her anymore?
Anbu kanavarilla penmanikku
For a woman without her loving husband,
Poovum sondhama
Do flowers belong to her anymore?
Anbu kanavarillaa penmanikku
For a woman without her loving husband,
Pottum sondhama
Does the bindi belong to her anymore?
Ithai epadiyamma
How can we, Oh Mother,
Marakka mudiyum
Forget this?
Idhayam kumuruthae
My heart is seething with pain
Engal arumai annan maaveeran
That our beloved brother, a great hero,
Maraindhu ponadhai
Has passed away and vanished.
Epadiyamma
How can we, Oh Mother?
Aaa…aaa…aaa…
Aaa…aaa…aaa…
Nilavillamal neelavaanil
Without the moon in the blue sky,
Velicham thondruma
Will light ever appear?
Aaa…aaa…aaa…haa…aa…aaa…
Aaa…aaa…aaa…haa…aa…aaa…
Nilavillaamal neelavaanil
Without the moon in the blue sky,
Velicham thondruma
Will light ever appear?
Maaveeran neeyillaadha
Without you, the great hero,
Kudumbathilae nimmadhi kidaikkuma
Can peace ever be found in the family?
Unnai pirindha sondhangalum
The relatives separated from you
Kalanginaar aiyaa
Are weeping in agony, sir.
Unnai pirindha sondhangalum
The relatives separated from you
Kalanginaar aiyaa
Are weeping in agony, sir.
Unnai parikodutha nanbarellaam
All the friends who lost you
Vaadinaar aiyaa
Have withered away in grief, sir.
Unnai parikodutha nanbarellaam
All the friends who lost you
Vaadinaar aiyaa
Have withered away in grief, sir.
Ithai epadiyamma
How can we, Oh Mother,
Marakka mudiyum
Forget this?
Idhayam kumuruthae
My heart is seething with pain
Engal arumai annan maaveeran
That our beloved brother, a great hero,
Maraindhu Pondhai
Has passed away and vanished.
Epadiyamma marakka mudiyum
How can we forget this, Oh Mother?
Idhayam kumurudhae
My heart is seething with pain
Engal arumai annan maraindhaaye
You passed away, our beloved brother,
Thaanga mudiyalae
It is unbearable!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song is a deeply emotional 'Oppari' (traditional Tamil funeral lament) performed to mourn the tragic loss of a cherished, heroic community figure (referred to as 'annan' or elder brother). The lyrics capture the agonizing grief of the family and community who feel completely shattered by his death. The song reflects on how unpredictably short life is and honors his memory as someone who lived with pure integrity and nobility, like fine gold. Through poignant traditional imagery, the lyrics highlight the harsh realities of widowhood in South Asian cultural context—where a grieving wife loses her social identifiers like turmeric, flowers, and bindi upon losing her husband. Describing his absence like a night sky devoid of the moon, the lament emphasizes that neither his family nor his loyal friends will ever find the same solace or light again without him.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Uvamai)
“Aalaiyitta karumbaaga Kasaindhaar aiyaa”
Compares the deceased's hard labor and self-sacrificing life to sugarcane being crushed in a mill to extract every drop of juice.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Thani thangamaaga... Uyar tharamaaga”
Compares the brother's character and dignified life to pure gold of high standard.
Rhetorical Question & Analogy
“Nilavillamal neelavaanil Velicham thondruma”
Uses the natural impossibility of a bright night sky without the moon as a rhetorical question to illustrate how impossible it is for the family to find happiness without him.
Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Mannanillaa mangaiyarku / Anbu kanavarillaa penmanikku”
Repetition of the second consonant sound across lines to enhance the rhythmic, sorrowful cadence of Oppari.
Did you know?
Trivia
This track serves as an authentic Oppari (elegy) in Vetrimaaran's acclaimed crime drama 'Vada Chennai' (2018). Written by Sindhai. Rev Ravi, the lyricist utilized native North Chennai funeral folk traditions to heighten the tragic impact of key character deaths in the film, set to Santhosh Narayanan's rustic background score.
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