Illara Maaligaiyil
From Thanga Padhumai · 1959
- Lyricist
- Pattukkottai Kalyanasundram
- Singer
- T. S. Bhagavathy
- Music director
- Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
- Details
- Thanga Padhumai1959
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Illara maaligaiyil | In the grand mansion of domestic life, |
| Yetri veitha thiruvilakkai | The sacred lamp that was illuminated, |
| Kalvaridam pari koduthae | Having lost it to thieves, |
| Kaanbathellaam irulaachae | Everything in sight has turned into darkness. |
| Female | |
| Ullamenum medaiyilae | Upon the stage that is the heart, |
| Odi vilaiyadaiyilae | While running around and playing, |
| Oru kaal odinthu vittaal | If one leg happens to break, |
| Uiyyum vazhiyudhemma | Is there any way to be saved, oh dear? |
| Uiyyum vazhiyudhemma | Is there any way to be saved, oh dear? |
| Uiyyum vazhiyudhemma | Is there any way to be saved, oh dear? |
இல்லற மாளிகையில்
ஏற்றி வைத்த திருவிளக்கை
கள்வரிடம் பறி கொடுத்தே
காண்பதெல்லாம் இருளாச்சே
In the grand mansion of domestic life,
The sacred lamp that was illuminated,
Having lost it to thieves,
Everything in sight has turned into darkness.
உள்ளமெனும் மேடையிலே
ஓடிவிளையாடையிலே
ஒரு கால் ஒடிந்து விட்டால்
உய்யும் வழியேதம்மா
உய்யும் வழியேதம்மா
உய்யும் வழியேதம்மா.......
Upon the stage that is the heart,
While running around and playing,
If one leg happens to break,
Is there any way to be saved, oh dear?
Is there any way to be saved, oh dear?
Is there any way to be saved, oh dear?
Illara maaligaiyil
In the grand mansion of domestic life,
Yetri veitha thiruvilakkai
The sacred lamp that was illuminated,
Kalvaridam pari koduthae
Having lost it to thieves,
Kaanbathellaam irulaachae
Everything in sight has turned into darkness.
Ullamenum medaiyilae
Upon the stage that is the heart,
Odi vilaiyadaiyilae
While running around and playing,
Oru kaal odinthu vittaal
If one leg happens to break,
Uiyyum vazhiyudhemma
Is there any way to be saved, oh dear?
Uiyyum vazhiyudhemma
Is there any way to be saved, oh dear?
Uiyyum vazhiyudhemma
Is there any way to be saved, oh dear?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This poignant song from 'Thanga Padhumai' reflects deep sorrow over the loss of innocence, joy, and stability in domestic life. The lyricist compares family life to a grand mansion whose guiding sacred light has been stolen away by deceitful forces, leaving the protagonist surrounded by total darkness. The human heart is depicted as a stage where life's joy used to play freely. However, once a crippling tragedy strikes—metaphorically described as breaking a leg while playing—it becomes nearly impossible to carry on, leading to a desperate plea questioning if redemption or emotional survival is even possible.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Illara maaligaiyil”
Compares domestic or marital life to a grand mansion ('Illara maaligai').
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Ullamenum medaiyilae”
Compares the human mind/heart ('Ullam') to a performance stage ('Medai').
Contrast (Visual Imagery)
“Yetri veitha thiruvilakkai / Kaanbathellaam irulaachae”
Juxtaposes the light of a lit sacred lamp ('Thiruvilakku') with total darkness ('Irulaachae') to signify tragic loss.
Repetition (Anaphora / Adukku Thodar)
“Uiyyum vazhiyudhemma”
The repeated rhetorical question emphasizes despair and a desperate search for a way out.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Thanga Padhumai' (1959) was a historic drama starring Sivaji Ganesan and Padmini, directed by A. S. A. Sami. Poet Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram was renowned for integrating powerful social realism and deeply philosophical metaphors into simple, accessible Tamil song lyrics.
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