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Lyrics & meaning

Ezhuthatha Sattangal Solgindra

From Ezhuthatha Sattangal · 1984

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singer
Malaysia Vasudevan
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Ezhuthatha Sattangal1984

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Ezhuthaatha sattangalUnwritten laws,
Solgindra theerppennaWhat verdict do they pronounce
Iraivan courtilaeIn God's court?
Male
Ezhuthaatha sattangalUnwritten laws,
Solgindra theerppennaWhat verdict do they pronounce
Iraivan courtilaeIn God's court?
Male
Manithaa un sattangal poiyaana neraththilO man, when your laws prove to be false,
Dharumam koondilaeRighteousness is placed in the witness dock!
Saatchi avanthaan vakkil avanthaanHe is the witness, He is the advocate;
Vaadham seiyyuvaan niyaayam solluvaanHe will argue the case and deliver justice.
Male
Ezhuthaatha sattangalUnwritten laws,
Solgindra theerppennaWhat verdict do they pronounce
Iraivan courtilaeIn God's court?
Male
Ezhuthaatha sattangalUnwritten laws,
Solgindra theerppennaWhat verdict do they pronounce
Iraivan courtilaeIn God's court?
Male
Seiyyaatha kuttram endraalumEven if it is a crime never committed,
Sattam thandikka anjaathathuHuman law does not fear to punish.
Poiyaan saatchi kankanda saatchiA false witness is accepted as an eyewitness;
Aaraainthu paarkkaathathu kanneeraa theeyaanathuWithout thorough investigation, tears turn into fire!
Thaai paalaa noyaanathu sol sol solHas a mother's milk turned into a disease? Tell me, tell me, tell me!
Male
Saaththaanin vedhamThis is the scripture of the Devil!
Idhu sadhikaarar vaadham idhu yaen yaen yaenThis is the argument of schemers! Why, why, why?
Aniyaayam sabaiyaerum oru naalilInjustice takes the high stage today, but one day
Veliyaerum ada po poIt will be driven away! Oh, go away, go away!
Male
Ezhuthaatha sattangalUnwritten laws,
Solgindra theerppennaWhat verdict do they pronounce
Iraivan courtilaeIn God's court?
Male
Paasangal ellaam paavangalaaIs all affection turned into sin?
Sttaththin saabangalaaAre these the curses of the law?
Needhikku endrum kann illaiyaaDoes justice never have eyes?
Niyaayangal ingillaiyaaIs there no fairness here?
Male
Thanthai pillai porilaeIn the battle between father and son,
Thaayin kangal neerilaeThe mother's eyes are filled with tears.
Ullam ondrae ullathuThere is only one heart within her;
Yaarukkum endrae sollaathuIt will not reveal whose side it favors.
Thaayaagi vanthu noyaagi nindruHaving come as a mother, standing as a sufferer,
Kanneeril saei aagiraalShe becomes like a helpless child in tears.
Male
Ezhuthaatha sattangalUnwritten laws,
Solgindra theerppennaWhat verdict do they pronounce
Iraivan courtilaeIn God's court?
Male
Manithaa un sattangal poiyaana neraththilO man, when your laws prove to be false,
Dharumam koondilaeRighteousness is placed in the witness dock!
Saatchi avanthaan vakkil avanthaanHe is the witness, He is the advocate;
Vaadham seiyyuvaan niyaayam solluvaanHe will argue the case and deliver justice.
Male
Ezhuthaatha sattangalUnwritten laws,
Solgindra theerppennaWhat verdict do they pronounce
Iraivan courtilaeIn God's court?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Ezhuthaatha Sattangal' is a powerful philosophical lament about the fallibility and moral bankruptcy of human legal systems. It highlights how man-made laws often punish the innocent on the basis of false testimony while letting devious schemers go free. The lyricist sharply contrasts human justice—which often fails morally and causes immense suffering to innocent families—with the absolute, divine justice found in the court of God.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Dharumam koondilae

Righteousness (Dharma) is metaphorically personified as a prisoner or witness standing inside a courtroom dock, highlighting how virtue itself is put on trial by flawed human justice.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Needhikku endrum kann illaiyaa / Niyaayangal ingillaiyaa

Both consecutive lines end with 'illaiyaa' ('is there not?'), creating a rhythmic and melodious rhetorical questioning.

Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Thanthai pillai porilae / Thaayin kangal neerilae

The second consonant sound 'nth' / 'y' paired with matching line structure and final rhyming words 'porilae' and 'neerilae'.

Personification

Needhikku endrum kann illaiyaa

Justice is personified as an entity that possesses or lacks eyes to see the truth, drawing on the iconic blindfolded lady of justice motif.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Ezhuthatha Sattangal' (1984) is a Tamil courtroom drama starring veteran actors Sivaji Ganesan, Jaishankar, and Prabhu. Sung passionately by Malaysia Vasudevan, the song features Ilaiyaraaja's dramatic orchestration that elevates the film's tense narrative around moral and legal conflict. The poignant lyrics were penned by Pulamaipithan, known for his deep, classical Tamil phrasing and socially conscious themes.

Keep listening

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