Gandhi Desamey
From Naan Sigappu Manithan (1985 Film) · 1985
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Naan Sigappu Manithan (1985 Film)1985
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Gandhi desamae kaavalillaiyaa | Oh land of Gandhi, is there no protection? |
| Chorus | |
| Aaa…..aaa…..aa….aa…..aa….aa….aa… | Aaa…..aaa…..aa….aa…..aa….aa….aa… |
| Aaa…..aaa…..aa….aa…..aa….aa….aa… | Aaa…..aaa…..aa….aa…..aa….aa….aa… |
| Male | |
| Gandhi desamae kaavalillaiyaa | Oh land of Gandhi, is there no protection? |
| Needhimandramae niyaayam illaiyaa | Oh court of justice, is there no justice? |
| Padhaviyin Siraigalil | In the prisons of political power, |
| Paarathmaadhaa parithavikkiraal | Mother India suffers in misery! |
| Male | |
| Sudhandhira devi suyanala puligalin | The Goddess of Freedom washes the clothes |
| Thuni thuvaikkiraal thuni thuvaikkiraal | Of selfish tigers, she washes their clothes! |
| Thaayai meetkkavaa….dharmam kaakkavaa…. | Should I rescue the mother? Should I protect righteousness? |
| Thaayai meetkkavaa….dharmam kaakkavaa…. | Should I rescue the mother? Should I protect righteousness? |
| Chorus | |
| Aahaa….aa…..aahaa….aa….aahaa…aa… | Aahaa….aa…..aahaa….aa….aahaa…aa… |
| Aahaa….aa…..aahaa….aa….aahaa…aa… | Aahaa….aa…..aahaa….aa….aahaa…aa… |
| Aa….aa….aa…..aa…..aaa…. | Aa….aa….aa…..aa…..aaa…. |
| Male | |
| Gandhiyum neruvum vaangiya sudhandhiram | The freedom obtained by Gandhi and Nehru |
| Oru silar urimaiyillai | Is not the exclusive right of a privileged few! |
| Oru silar urimaiyillai | Is not the exclusive right of a privileged few! |
| Chorus :Aa….aa….aa…..aa…..aaa…. | Chorus: Aa….aa….aa…..aa…..aaa…. |
| Male | |
| Valamundu kuraivillai | Resources abound, there is no lack of wealth, |
| Yaezhaikku niraivillai | Yet the poor remain unsatisfied. |
| Varumaikku varumai illai | There is no poverty for poverty itself! |
| Varumaikku varumai illai | There is no poverty for poverty itself! |
| Chorus :Aa….aa….aa…..aa…..aaa…. | Chorus: Aa….aa….aa…..aa…..aaa…. |
| Male | |
| Saalaiyin thanimaiyil azhagiya ilamayil | In the solitude of the street, in the charm of youth, |
| Nadakkavum mudiyavillai | One cannot even walk safely, |
| Nadakkavum mudiyavillai | One cannot even walk safely. |
| Chorus :Aa….aa….aa…..aa…..aaa…. | Chorus: Aa….aa….aa…..aa…..aaa…. |
| Male | |
| Ilamaiyum karainthathu irupuram naraiththathu | Youth slipped away, hair grayed on both sides, |
| Velaiyum kidaikkavillai | Yet no job could be found, |
| Velaiyum kidaikkavillai | Yet no job could be found. |
| Chorus :Aa….aa….aa…..aa…..aaa…. | Chorus: Aa….aa….aa…..aa…..aaa…. |
| Male | |
| Jaadhi engindra maaya pei ondru | An illusionary demon called caste |
| Raththam ketkkindrathae | Is demanding blood! |
| Dharmam thappiththu kalvan kottaikkul | Escaping righteousness, inside the fortress of thieves, |
| Thanjam ketkkindrathae…. | It seeks refuge! |
| Male | |
| Gandhi desamae kaavalillaiyaa | Oh land of Gandhi, is there no protection? |
| Needhimandramae niyaayam illaiyaa | Oh court of justice, is there no justice? |
| Chorus | |
| Aahaa….aa…..aahaa….aa….aahaa…aa… | Aahaa….aa…..aahaa….aa….aahaa…aa… |
| Aahaa….aa…..aahaa….aa….aahaa…aa… | Aahaa….aa…..aahaa….aa….aahaa…aa… |
| Aa….aa….aa…..aa…..aaa…. | Aa….aa….aa…..aa…..aaa…. |
| Male | |
| India dhesaththai kaakkindra veerarkal | The brave soldiers who guard the nation of India |
| Ellaiyil nirainthiruppar | Stand deployed along the borders, |
| Ellaiyil nirainthiruppar | Stand deployed along the borders. |
| Chorus :Aa….aa….aa…..aa…..aaa…. | Chorus: Aa….aa….aa…..aa…..aaa…. |
| Male | |
| Naattinai kaasukku | But those who sell out the country |
| Kaattiyae koduppaavar | For mere money, |
| Oorukkul olinthiruppaar…. | Are hiding inside the town! |
| Oorukkul olinthiruppaar…. | Are hiding inside the town! |
| Chorus :Aa….aa….aa…..aa…..aaa…. | Chorus: Aa….aa….aa…..aa…..aaa…. |
| Male | |
| Ahimsaiyai bothiththa dhesaththil | In the land that preached non-violence, |
| Raththathin aarugal oduthadaa | Rivers of blood are flowing! |
| Raththathin aarugal oduthadaa | Rivers of blood are flowing! |
| Chorus :Aa….aa….aa…..aa…..aaa…. | Chorus: Aa….aa….aa…..aa…..aaa…. |
| Male | |
| Yaezhaiyin kooraiyil yaetriya theekkanal | The spark of fire set on the poor man's hut |
| Vaan varai yaeruthadaa | Is rising all the way to the sky! |
| Vaan varai yaeruthadaa | Is rising all the way to the sky! |
| Chorus :Aa….aa….aa…..aa…..aaa…. | Chorus: Aa….aa….aa…..aa…..aaa…. |
| Male | |
| Viduthalai vaanga andru naam thantha | Were the sacrifices we paid back then to gain freedom |
| vilaigalthaan konjamaa | Any small price? |
| Veliyae indru payirai meigindra | Today, when the protective fence itself grazes the crop, |
| Nilamaithaan maarumaa | Will this state of affairs ever change? |
| Male | |
| Gandhi desamae kaavalillaiyaa | Oh land of Gandhi, is there no protection? |
| Needhimandramae niyaayam illaiyaa | Oh court of justice, is there no justice? |
| Padhaviyin Siraigalil | In the prisons of political power, |
| Paarathmaadhaa parithavikkiraal | Mother India suffers in misery! |
| Male | |
| Sudhandhira devi suyanala puligalin | The Goddess of Freedom washes the clothes |
| Thuni thuvaikkiraal thuni thuvaikkiraal | Of selfish tigers, she washes their clothes! |
| Thaayai meetkkavaa….dharmam kaakkavaa…. | Should I rescue the mother? Should I protect righteousness? |
| Thaayai meetkkavaa….dharmam kaakkavaa…. | Should I rescue the mother? Should I protect righteousness? |
| Male | |
| Gandhi desamae kaavalillaiyaa | Oh land of Gandhi, is there no protection? |
| Needhimandramae niyaayam illaiyaa | Oh court of justice, is there no justice? |
காந்தி தேசமே காவலில்லையா
Oh land of Gandhi, is there no protection?
ஆஅ.....ஆஅ......ஆஅ....ஆ.....அ.....அ....ஆ....
ஆஅ.....ஆஅ......ஆஅ....ஆ.....அ.....அ....ஆ....
Aaa…..aaa…..aa….aa…..aa….aa….aa…
Aaa…..aaa…..aa….aa…..aa….aa….aa…
காந்தி தேசமே காவலில்லையா
நீதிமன்றமே நியாயம் இல்லையா
பதவியின் சிறைகளில்
பாரதமாதா பரிதவிக்கிறாள்
Oh land of Gandhi, is there no protection?
Oh court of justice, is there no justice?
In the prisons of political power,
Mother India suffers in misery!
சுதந்திர தேவி சுயநலப் புலிகளின்
துணி துவைக்கிறாள் துணி துவைக்கிறாள்
தாயை மீட்க்கவா.....தர்மம் காக்கவா.......
தாயை மீட்க்கவா.....தர்மம் காக்கவா.......
The Goddess of Freedom washes the clothes
Of selfish tigers, she washes their clothes!
Should I rescue the mother? Should I protect righteousness?
Should I rescue the mother? Should I protect righteousness?
ஆஹா அ.....ஆஹா அ......ஆஹா அ....
ஆஹா அ.....ஆஹா அ......ஆஹா அ....
ஆ.....அ.....அ....ஆ....ஆஅ.....
Aahaa….aa…..aahaa….aa….aahaa…aa…
Aahaa….aa…..aahaa….aa….aahaa…aa…
Aa….aa….aa…..aa…..aaa….
காந்தியும் நேருவும் வாங்கிய சுதந்திரம்
ஒரு சிலர் உரிமையில்லை
ஒரு சிலர் உரிமையில்லை
குழு :
ஆ.....அ.....அ....ஆ....ஆஅ.....
The freedom obtained by Gandhi and Nehru
Is not the exclusive right of a privileged few!
Is not the exclusive right of a privileged few!
Chorus: Aa….aa….aa…..aa…..aaa….
வளமுண்டு குறைவில்லை
ஏழைக்கு நிறைவில்லை
வறுமைக்கு வறுமை இல்லை
வறுமைக்கு வறுமை இல்லை
குழு :
ஆ.....அ.....அ....ஆ....ஆஅ.....
Resources abound, there is no lack of wealth,
Yet the poor remain unsatisfied.
There is no poverty for poverty itself!
There is no poverty for poverty itself!
Chorus: Aa….aa….aa…..aa…..aaa….
சாலையில் தனிமையில் அழகிய இளமயில்
நடக்கவும் முடியவில்லை
நடக்கவும் முடியவில்லை
குழு :
ஆ.....அ.....அ....ஆ....ஆஅ.....
In the solitude of the street, in the charm of youth,
One cannot even walk safely,
One cannot even walk safely.
Chorus: Aa….aa….aa…..aa…..aaa….
இளமையும் கரைந்தது இருபுறம் நரைத்தது
வேலையும் கிடைக்கவில்லை
வேலையும் கிடைக்கவில்லை
குழு :
ஆ.....அ.....அ....ஆ....ஆஅ.....
Youth slipped away, hair grayed on both sides,
Yet no job could be found,
Yet no job could be found.
Chorus: Aa….aa….aa…..aa…..aaa….
ஜாதி என்கின்ற மாயப் பேய் ஒன்று
ரத்தம் கேட்கின்றதே
தர்மம் தப்பித்து கள்வன் கோட்டைக்குள்
தஞ்சம் கேட்கின்றதே.......
An illusionary demon called caste
Is demanding blood!
Escaping righteousness, inside the fortress of thieves,
It seeks refuge!
காந்தி தேசமே காவலில்லையா
நீதிமன்றமே நியாயம் இல்லையா
Oh land of Gandhi, is there no protection?
Oh court of justice, is there no justice?
ஆஹா அ.....ஆஹா அ......ஆஹா அ....
ஆஹா அ.....ஆஹா அ......ஆஹா அ....
ஆ.....அ.....அ....ஆ....ஆஅ.....
Aahaa….aa…..aahaa….aa….aahaa…aa…
Aahaa….aa…..aahaa….aa….aahaa…aa…
Aa….aa….aa…..aa…..aaa….
இந்திய தேசத்தைக் காக்கின்ற வீரர்கள்
எல்லையில் நிறைந்திருப்பார்.....
எல்லையில் நிறைந்திருப்பார்.....
குழு :
ஆ.....அ.....அ....ஆ....ஆஅ.....
The brave soldiers who guard the nation of India
Stand deployed along the borders,
Stand deployed along the borders.
Chorus: Aa….aa….aa…..aa…..aaa….
நாட்டினைக் காசுக்குக்
காட்டியே கொடுப்பவர்
ஊருக்குள் ஒளிந்திருப்பார்.....
ஊருக்குள் ஒளிந்திருப்பார்.....
குழு :
ஆ.....அ.....அ....ஆ....ஆஅ.....
But those who sell out the country
For mere money,
Are hiding inside the town!
Are hiding inside the town!
Chorus: Aa….aa….aa…..aa…..aaa….
அஹிம்சையைப் போதித்த தேசத்தில்
ரத்தத்தின் ஆறுகள் ஓடுதடா......
ரத்தத்தின் ஆறுகள் ஓடுதடா....
குழு :
ஆ.....அ.....அ....ஆ....ஆஅ.....
In the land that preached non-violence,
Rivers of blood are flowing!
Rivers of blood are flowing!
Chorus: Aa….aa….aa…..aa…..aaa….
ஏழையின் கூரையில் ஏற்றிய தீக்கனல்
வான் வரை ஏறுதடா.....
வான் வரை ஏறுதடா......
குழு :
ஆ.....அ.....அ....ஆ....ஆஅ.....
The spark of fire set on the poor man's hut
Is rising all the way to the sky!
Is rising all the way to the sky!
Chorus: Aa….aa….aa…..aa…..aaa….
விடுதலை வாங்க அன்று நாம் தந்த
விலைகள் தான் கொஞ்சமா.....
வேலியே இன்று பயிரை மேய்கின்ற
நிலைமைதான் மாறுமா........
Were the sacrifices we paid back then to gain freedom
Any small price?
Today, when the protective fence itself grazes the crop,
Will this state of affairs ever change?
காந்தி தேசமே காவலில்லையா
நீதிமன்றமே நியாயம் இல்லையா
பதவியின் சிறைகளில்
பாரதமாதா பரிதவிக்கிறாள்
Oh land of Gandhi, is there no protection?
Oh court of justice, is there no justice?
In the prisons of political power,
Mother India suffers in misery!
சுதந்திர தேவி சுயநலப் புலிகளின்
துணி துவைக்கிறாள் துணி துவைக்கிறாள்
தாயை மீட்க்கவா.....தர்மம் காக்கவா.......
தாயை மீட்க்கவா.....தர்மம் காக்கவா.......
The Goddess of Freedom washes the clothes
Of selfish tigers, she washes their clothes!
Should I rescue the mother? Should I protect righteousness?
Should I rescue the mother? Should I protect righteousness?
காந்தி தேசமே காவலில்லையா
நீதிமன்றமே நியாயம் இல்லையா
Oh land of Gandhi, is there no protection?
Oh court of justice, is there no justice?
Gandhi desamae kaavalillaiyaa
Oh land of Gandhi, is there no protection?
Aaa…..aaa…..aa….aa…..aa….aa….aa…
Aaa…..aaa…..aa….aa…..aa….aa….aa…
Aaa…..aaa…..aa….aa…..aa….aa….aa…
Aaa…..aaa…..aa….aa…..aa….aa….aa…
Gandhi desamae kaavalillaiyaa
Oh land of Gandhi, is there no protection?
Needhimandramae niyaayam illaiyaa
Oh court of justice, is there no justice?
Padhaviyin Siraigalil
In the prisons of political power,
Paarathmaadhaa parithavikkiraal
Mother India suffers in misery!
Sudhandhira devi suyanala puligalin
The Goddess of Freedom washes the clothes
Thuni thuvaikkiraal thuni thuvaikkiraal
Of selfish tigers, she washes their clothes!
Thaayai meetkkavaa….dharmam kaakkavaa….
Should I rescue the mother? Should I protect righteousness?
Thaayai meetkkavaa….dharmam kaakkavaa….
Should I rescue the mother? Should I protect righteousness?
Aahaa….aa…..aahaa….aa….aahaa…aa…
Aahaa….aa…..aahaa….aa….aahaa…aa…
Aahaa….aa…..aahaa….aa….aahaa…aa…
Aahaa….aa…..aahaa….aa….aahaa…aa…
Aa….aa….aa…..aa…..aaa….
Aa….aa….aa…..aa…..aaa….
Gandhiyum neruvum vaangiya sudhandhiram
The freedom obtained by Gandhi and Nehru
Oru silar urimaiyillai
Is not the exclusive right of a privileged few!
Oru silar urimaiyillai
Is not the exclusive right of a privileged few!
Chorus :Aa….aa….aa…..aa…..aaa….
Chorus: Aa….aa….aa…..aa…..aaa….
Valamundu kuraivillai
Resources abound, there is no lack of wealth,
Yaezhaikku niraivillai
Yet the poor remain unsatisfied.
Varumaikku varumai illai
There is no poverty for poverty itself!
Varumaikku varumai illai
There is no poverty for poverty itself!
Chorus :Aa….aa….aa…..aa…..aaa….
Chorus: Aa….aa….aa…..aa…..aaa….
Saalaiyin thanimaiyil azhagiya ilamayil
In the solitude of the street, in the charm of youth,
Nadakkavum mudiyavillai
One cannot even walk safely,
Nadakkavum mudiyavillai
One cannot even walk safely.
Chorus :Aa….aa….aa…..aa…..aaa….
Chorus: Aa….aa….aa…..aa…..aaa….
Ilamaiyum karainthathu irupuram naraiththathu
Youth slipped away, hair grayed on both sides,
Velaiyum kidaikkavillai
Yet no job could be found,
Velaiyum kidaikkavillai
Yet no job could be found.
Chorus :Aa….aa….aa…..aa…..aaa….
Chorus: Aa….aa….aa…..aa…..aaa….
Jaadhi engindra maaya pei ondru
An illusionary demon called caste
Raththam ketkkindrathae
Is demanding blood!
Dharmam thappiththu kalvan kottaikkul
Escaping righteousness, inside the fortress of thieves,
Thanjam ketkkindrathae….
It seeks refuge!
Gandhi desamae kaavalillaiyaa
Oh land of Gandhi, is there no protection?
Needhimandramae niyaayam illaiyaa
Oh court of justice, is there no justice?
Aahaa….aa…..aahaa….aa….aahaa…aa…
Aahaa….aa…..aahaa….aa….aahaa…aa…
Aahaa….aa…..aahaa….aa….aahaa…aa…
Aahaa….aa…..aahaa….aa….aahaa…aa…
Aa….aa….aa…..aa…..aaa….
Aa….aa….aa…..aa…..aaa….
India dhesaththai kaakkindra veerarkal
The brave soldiers who guard the nation of India
Ellaiyil nirainthiruppar
Stand deployed along the borders,
Ellaiyil nirainthiruppar
Stand deployed along the borders.
Chorus :Aa….aa….aa…..aa…..aaa….
Chorus: Aa….aa….aa…..aa…..aaa….
Naattinai kaasukku
But those who sell out the country
Kaattiyae koduppaavar
For mere money,
Oorukkul olinthiruppaar….
Are hiding inside the town!
Oorukkul olinthiruppaar….
Are hiding inside the town!
Chorus :Aa….aa….aa…..aa…..aaa….
Chorus: Aa….aa….aa…..aa…..aaa….
Ahimsaiyai bothiththa dhesaththil
In the land that preached non-violence,
Raththathin aarugal oduthadaa
Rivers of blood are flowing!
Raththathin aarugal oduthadaa
Rivers of blood are flowing!
Chorus :Aa….aa….aa…..aa…..aaa….
Chorus: Aa….aa….aa…..aa…..aaa….
Yaezhaiyin kooraiyil yaetriya theekkanal
The spark of fire set on the poor man's hut
Vaan varai yaeruthadaa
Is rising all the way to the sky!
Vaan varai yaeruthadaa
Is rising all the way to the sky!
Chorus :Aa….aa….aa…..aa…..aaa….
Chorus: Aa….aa….aa…..aa…..aaa….
Viduthalai vaanga andru naam thantha
Were the sacrifices we paid back then to gain freedom
vilaigalthaan konjamaa
Any small price?
Veliyae indru payirai meigindra
Today, when the protective fence itself grazes the crop,
Nilamaithaan maarumaa
Will this state of affairs ever change?
Gandhi desamae kaavalillaiyaa
Oh land of Gandhi, is there no protection?
Needhimandramae niyaayam illaiyaa
Oh court of justice, is there no justice?
Padhaviyin Siraigalil
In the prisons of political power,
Paarathmaadhaa parithavikkiraal
Mother India suffers in misery!
Sudhandhira devi suyanala puligalin
The Goddess of Freedom washes the clothes
Thuni thuvaikkiraal thuni thuvaikkiraal
Of selfish tigers, she washes their clothes!
Thaayai meetkkavaa….dharmam kaakkavaa….
Should I rescue the mother? Should I protect righteousness?
Thaayai meetkkavaa….dharmam kaakkavaa….
Should I rescue the mother? Should I protect righteousness?
Gandhi desamae kaavalillaiyaa
Oh land of Gandhi, is there no protection?
Needhimandramae niyaayam illaiyaa
Oh court of justice, is there no justice?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Gandhi Desame Kaavalillaiyaa' is a rousing political and social protest song from the 1985 Tamil action-drama film 'Naan Sigappu Manithan'. The song expresses deep distress and anger over the state of post-independence India. It juxtaposes the noble ideals of Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru with the harsh reality of modern society—riddled with political corruption, economic inequality, rampant unemployment, caste atrocities, and crime against women.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Personification
“Padhaviyin Siraigalil Paarathmaadhaa parithavikkiraal”
Mother India (Bharathmatha) is personified as a helpless mother suffering inside the prisons of political power.
Metaphor (Uruvagani)
“Veliyae indru payirai meigindra”
Uses the famous Tamil idiom 'the fence itself eating the crop' as a metaphor for corrupt leaders and lawkeepers who exploit the citizens they are sworn to protect.
Paradox
“Varumaikku varumai illai”
Literally translates to 'Poverty itself suffers no poverty', paradoxical phrasing used to emphasize how widespread and persistent poverty remains.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Vairamuthu and powerfully rendered by K. J. Yesudas. 'Naan Sigappu Manithan' was directed by S. A. Chandrasekhar and starred Rajinikanth as Vijay, an aggrieved citizen who turns vigilante to combat corruption and injustice, perfectly matching the rebellious tone of this song.
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