Imaiyum Vizhiyum
From Sivagangai Seemai · 1959
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Music director
- Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
- Details
- Sivagangai Seemai1959
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Megam kuvinthathamma | Clouds have gathered, O mother |
| Megam kuvinthathamma | Clouds have gathered, O mother |
| Minnal vara poguthamma | Lightning is about to strike, O mother |
| Modhum idi mulakkam | The clashing sound of thunder |
| Munnodi vandhadhamma | Has arrived as a harbinger, O mother |
| Ammaaa ammaa aaa….aaa…aaa.. | O mother, mother... |
| Female | |
| Imaiyum vizhiyum edhiraanaal | If the eyelid and the eye turn against each other |
| Iyarkkai sirikkatho | Will nature not laugh? |
| Imaiyum vizhiyum edhiraanaal | If the eyelid and the eye turn against each other |
| Iyarkkai sirikkatho | Will nature not laugh? |
| Thaaiyum seiyum pagaiyaanaal | If mother and child turn into enemies |
| Thaarani nagaikaadho | Will the world not mock? |
| Thaaiyum seiyum pagaiyaanaal | If mother and child turn into enemies |
| Thaarani nagaikaadho | Will the world not mock? |
| Male | |
| Nagaikkattum | Let it mock |
| Nandraaga nagaikkattum | Let it mock well |
| Neeyum nagauthuvidu | You too smile it off |
| Valu ullavargal vaazhgiraargal | The strong ones survive |
| Vaazhvullargal sirikkiraargal | Those with life laugh |
| Saavai kandu sirikka pazhagu | Learn to laugh at the sight of death |
| Sanjalam maraindhu vidum | Affliction will fade away |
| Raththa ottathilirunthu | From the bloodstream |
| Pasaththai eduthu vidu | Remove affection |
| Idhayam suthamaagi vidum | The heart will become pure |
| Mandaodugalin meedhu nadandhu | Walking over human skulls |
| Mandalathai aandavar palar | Many have ruled over realms |
| Than thambiyin thalai meedhu | Over the head of his own younger brother |
| Nadanthu tharaniyai aalzha pogiravan | Walking to rule the world is |
| Un kanavan (Dialogue) | Your husband (Dialogue) |
| Female | |
| Oru thaai makkal | Children born to one mother |
| Poruthum kaalam | A time of conflict |
| Varuvathum sarithaanoo | Is it right for such a time to arrive? |
| Oru thaai makkal | Children born to one mother |
| Poruthum kaalam | A time of conflict |
| Varuvathum sarithaanoo | Is it right for such a time to arrive? |
| Iruthalai kolli erumbaai naanum | Like an ant trapped on a double-ended firebrand |
| Madivadhum murai thaanoo | Is it proper for me to perish as well? |
| Madivadhum murai thaanoo | Is it proper for me to perish as well? |
| Male | |
| Hmm paithiyakaari | Hmm, foolish woman |
| Vara koodathu vandhu vittadhu | What should not happen has come to pass |
| Aluthaalum tholuthaalum athil orr | Even if you weep or pray, in that |
| Ezhuthu maaradhu | Not a single written letter of destiny will change |
| Vaazha teriyadhavan varandu pona | The one who does not know how to live is a representative of dry |
| Thathuvangalin pradhinidhi | Philosophies |
| Jeyikka katchiyilae sera theriyadhavan | The one who does not know how to join the winning side |
| Poraaduvor pakkam serndhu | Joins the side of the fighters |
| Buthi illandhavan | An unwise person |
| Saavadharkku endrae pirandhu vitta | Born merely for the sake of dying |
| Thurbaakiyam piditha en sagodharan | My ill-fated brother |
| Avan aathma santhi adaiyattum | May his soul attain peace |
| Santhi adaiyatthum (Dialogue) | May it attain peace (Dialogue) |
| Female | |
| Naattu padagai | The country's boat |
| Saaikkum puyalaai | Like a storm that capsizes it |
| Naamum varalaamo | Shall we also arrive? |
| Naattu padagai | The country's boat |
| Saaikkum puyalaai | Like a storm that capsizes it |
| Naamum varalaamo | Shall we also arrive? |
| Naalaiya ulagil throgigal ennum | In tomorrow's world, as traitors |
| Peyarum peralaamo | Will we also bear that name? |
| Peyarum peralaamo | Will we also bear that name? |
| Male | |
| Hmm peyaril enna irukkirathu | Hmm, what is in a name? |
| Nooru per koodi | A hundred people gather |
| Oorvalam nadathi | Conduct a procession |
| Veerathi veeran endru | Calling someone a hero of heroes |
| Vaazhthu paa paadinaal | If they sing songs of praise |
| Throghi thiyaagi aavaan | A traitor becomes a martyr |
| Kulappam purindhavan | The one who caused chaos |
| Mulakkam seidhavan aaavan | Becomes the acclaimed leader |
| Kollai adithavan | The one who looted |
| Vallalaai maaruvaan | Will transform into a benefactor |
| Mandhai aadugal makkal | The people are a herd of sheep |
| Vaazhnthu kaatugiren enbaan | He will say, 'I will demonstrate how to live' |
| Varuga varuga vena vaazhthuraikka | To make them chant 'Welcome, welcome' |
| Seigiren enbaan | He will say, 'I shall make it happen' |
| Kall aagivittadhu nenjam | The heart has turned to stone |
| Karaikka mudiyathu yaarum | No one can melt it |
| Female | |
| Devan idhayam kallaanaal | If the lord's heart becomes stone |
| Dheviyar thunai illaiyoo | Is there no assistance from the goddesses? |
| Aaviyai tharuvaar avar endraal | If he offers his life force |
| Adaikalam kedaikaadhoo | Will refuge not be granted? |
| Adaikalam kedaikaadhoo | Will refuge not be granted? |
| Adaikalam kedaikaadhoo | Will refuge not be granted? |
| Thaayae thaayae thaayae | O Mother, O Mother, O Mother! |
மேகம் குவிந்ததம்மா
மேகம் குவிந்ததம்மா
மின்னல் வரப் போகுதம்மா
மோதும் இடி முழக்கம்
முன்னோடி வந்ததம்மா
அம்மா அம்மா ஆஅ....ஆஅ...ஆஅ...
Clouds have gathered, O mother
Clouds have gathered, O mother
Lightning is about to strike, O mother
The clashing sound of thunder
Has arrived as a harbinger, O mother
O mother, mother...
இமையும் விழியும் எதிரானால்
இயற்கை சிரிக்காதோ
இமையும் விழியும் எதிரானால்
இயற்கை சிரிக்காதோ
தாயும் சேயும் பகையானால்
தாரணி நகைக்காதோ
தாயும் சேயும் பகையானால்
தாரணி நகைக்காதோ
If the eyelid and the eye turn against each other
Will nature not laugh?
If the eyelid and the eye turn against each other
Will nature not laugh?
If mother and child turn into enemies
Will the world not mock?
If mother and child turn into enemies
Will the world not mock?
நகைக்கட்டும்
நன்றாக நகைக்கட்டும்
நீயும் நகைத்துவிடு
வலு உள்ளவர்கள் வாழ்கிறார்கள்
வாழ்வுல்லார்கள் சிரிக்கிறார்கள்
சாவை கண்டு சிரிக்க பழகு
சஞ்சலம் மறைந்து விடும்
ரத்த ஓட்டத்திலிருந்து
பாசத்தை எடுத்துவிடு
இதயம் சுத்தமாகி விடும்
மண்டை ஓடுகளின் மீது நடந்து
மண்டலத்தை ஆண்டவர் பலர்
தன தம்பியின் தலை மீது
நடந்து தரையினை ஆள போகிறவன்
உன் கணவன் (வசனம்)
Let it mock
Let it mock well
You too smile it off
The strong ones survive
Those with life laugh
Learn to laugh at the sight of death
Affliction will fade away
From the bloodstream
Remove affection
The heart will become pure
Walking over human skulls
Many have ruled over realms
Over the head of his own younger brother
Walking to rule the world is
Your husband (Dialogue)
ஒரு தாய் மக்கள்
பொருதும் காலம்
வருவது சரிதானோ
ஒரு தாய் மக்கள்
பொருதும் காலம்
வருவது சரிதானோ
இருதலைக் கொள்ளி எறும்பாய் நானும்
மடிவதும் முறைதானோ
மடிவதும் முறைதானோ
Children born to one mother
A time of conflict
Is it right for such a time to arrive?
Children born to one mother
A time of conflict
Is it right for such a time to arrive?
Like an ant trapped on a double-ended firebrand
Is it proper for me to perish as well?
Is it proper for me to perish as well?
ஹ்ம்ம் பைத்தியகாரி
வர கூடாது வந்து விட்டது
அழுதாலும் தொழுதாலும் அதில் ஓர்
எழுத்து மாறாது
வாழ தெரியாதவன் வறண்டு போன
தத்துவங்களின் பிரதிநிதி
ஜெயிக்க கட்சியிலே சேர தெரியாதவன்
போராடுவோர் பக்கம் சேர்ந்து
புத்தி இல்லாதவன்
சாவதற்கு என்றே பிறந்து விட்ட
துர்பாக்கியம் பிடித்த என் சகோதரன்
அவன் ஆத்மா சாந்தி அடையட்டும்
சாந்தி அடையட்டும் (வசனம்)
Hmm, foolish woman
What should not happen has come to pass
Even if you weep or pray, in that
Not a single written letter of destiny will change
The one who does not know how to live is a representative of dry
Philosophies
The one who does not know how to join the winning side
Joins the side of the fighters
An unwise person
Born merely for the sake of dying
My ill-fated brother
May his soul attain peace
May it attain peace (Dialogue)
நாட்டுப் படகைச்
சாய்க்கும் புயலாய்
நாமும் வரலாமோ
நாட்டுப் படகைச்
சாய்க்கும் புயலாய்
நாமும் வரலாமோ
நாளைய உலகில் துரோகிகள் என்னும்
பெயரும் பெறலாமோ
பெயரும் பெறலாமோ.....
The country's boat
Like a storm that capsizes it
Shall we also arrive?
The country's boat
Like a storm that capsizes it
Shall we also arrive?
In tomorrow's world, as traitors
Will we also bear that name?
Will we also bear that name?
ஹ்ம்ம் பெயரில் என்ன இருக்கிறது
நூறு பேர் கூடி
ஊர்வலம் நடத்தி
வீராதி வீரன் என்று
வாழ்த்து பா பாடினால்
துரோகி தியாகி ஆவான்
குழப்பம் புரிந்தவன்
முழக்கம் செய்தவன் ஆவான்
கொள்ளை அடித்தவன்
வள்ளலாய் மாறுவான்
மந்தை ஆடுகள் மக்கள்
வாழ்ந்து காட்டுகிறேன் என்பான்
வருக வருக வென வாழ்த்துரைக்க
செய்கிறேன் என்பான்
கல் ஆகிவிட்டது நெஞ்சம்
கரைக்க முடியாது யாரும் (வசனம்)
Hmm, what is in a name?
A hundred people gather
Conduct a procession
Calling someone a hero of heroes
If they sing songs of praise
A traitor becomes a martyr
The one who caused chaos
Becomes the acclaimed leader
The one who looted
Will transform into a benefactor
The people are a herd of sheep
He will say, 'I will demonstrate how to live'
To make them chant 'Welcome, welcome'
He will say, 'I shall make it happen'
The heart has turned to stone
No one can melt it
தேவன் இதயம் கல்லானால்
தேவியர் துணை இல்லையோ
ஆவியைத் தருவார் அவரென்றால்
அடைக்கலம் கிடைக்காதோ
அடைக்கலம் கிடைக்காதோ
அடைக்கலம் கிடைக்காதோ
தாயே தாயே தாயே
If the lord's heart becomes stone
Is there no assistance from the goddesses?
If he offers his life force
Will refuge not be granted?
Will refuge not be granted?
Will refuge not be granted?
O Mother, O Mother, O Mother!
Megam kuvinthathamma
Clouds have gathered, O mother
Megam kuvinthathamma
Clouds have gathered, O mother
Minnal vara poguthamma
Lightning is about to strike, O mother
Modhum idi mulakkam
The clashing sound of thunder
Munnodi vandhadhamma
Has arrived as a harbinger, O mother
Ammaaa ammaa aaa….aaa…aaa..
O mother, mother...
Imaiyum vizhiyum edhiraanaal
If the eyelid and the eye turn against each other
Iyarkkai sirikkatho
Will nature not laugh?
Imaiyum vizhiyum edhiraanaal
If the eyelid and the eye turn against each other
Iyarkkai sirikkatho
Will nature not laugh?
Thaaiyum seiyum pagaiyaanaal
If mother and child turn into enemies
Thaarani nagaikaadho
Will the world not mock?
Thaaiyum seiyum pagaiyaanaal
If mother and child turn into enemies
Thaarani nagaikaadho
Will the world not mock?
Nagaikkattum
Let it mock
Nandraaga nagaikkattum
Let it mock well
Neeyum nagauthuvidu
You too smile it off
Valu ullavargal vaazhgiraargal
The strong ones survive
Vaazhvullargal sirikkiraargal
Those with life laugh
Saavai kandu sirikka pazhagu
Learn to laugh at the sight of death
Sanjalam maraindhu vidum
Affliction will fade away
Raththa ottathilirunthu
From the bloodstream
Pasaththai eduthu vidu
Remove affection
Idhayam suthamaagi vidum
The heart will become pure
Mandaodugalin meedhu nadandhu
Walking over human skulls
Mandalathai aandavar palar
Many have ruled over realms
Than thambiyin thalai meedhu
Over the head of his own younger brother
Nadanthu tharaniyai aalzha pogiravan
Walking to rule the world is
Un kanavan (Dialogue)
Your husband (Dialogue)
Oru thaai makkal
Children born to one mother
Poruthum kaalam
A time of conflict
Varuvathum sarithaanoo
Is it right for such a time to arrive?
Oru thaai makkal
Children born to one mother
Poruthum kaalam
A time of conflict
Varuvathum sarithaanoo
Is it right for such a time to arrive?
Iruthalai kolli erumbaai naanum
Like an ant trapped on a double-ended firebrand
Madivadhum murai thaanoo
Is it proper for me to perish as well?
Madivadhum murai thaanoo
Is it proper for me to perish as well?
Hmm paithiyakaari
Hmm, foolish woman
Vara koodathu vandhu vittadhu
What should not happen has come to pass
Aluthaalum tholuthaalum athil orr
Even if you weep or pray, in that
Ezhuthu maaradhu
Not a single written letter of destiny will change
Vaazha teriyadhavan varandu pona
The one who does not know how to live is a representative of dry
Thathuvangalin pradhinidhi
Philosophies
Jeyikka katchiyilae sera theriyadhavan
The one who does not know how to join the winning side
Poraaduvor pakkam serndhu
Joins the side of the fighters
Buthi illandhavan
An unwise person
Saavadharkku endrae pirandhu vitta
Born merely for the sake of dying
Thurbaakiyam piditha en sagodharan
My ill-fated brother
Avan aathma santhi adaiyattum
May his soul attain peace
Santhi adaiyatthum (Dialogue)
May it attain peace (Dialogue)
Naattu padagai
The country's boat
Saaikkum puyalaai
Like a storm that capsizes it
Naamum varalaamo
Shall we also arrive?
Naattu padagai
The country's boat
Saaikkum puyalaai
Like a storm that capsizes it
Naamum varalaamo
Shall we also arrive?
Naalaiya ulagil throgigal ennum
In tomorrow's world, as traitors
Peyarum peralaamo
Will we also bear that name?
Peyarum peralaamo
Will we also bear that name?
Hmm peyaril enna irukkirathu
Hmm, what is in a name?
Nooru per koodi
A hundred people gather
Oorvalam nadathi
Conduct a procession
Veerathi veeran endru
Calling someone a hero of heroes
Vaazhthu paa paadinaal
If they sing songs of praise
Throghi thiyaagi aavaan
A traitor becomes a martyr
Kulappam purindhavan
The one who caused chaos
Mulakkam seidhavan aaavan
Becomes the acclaimed leader
Kollai adithavan
The one who looted
Vallalaai maaruvaan
Will transform into a benefactor
Mandhai aadugal makkal
The people are a herd of sheep
Vaazhnthu kaatugiren enbaan
He will say, 'I will demonstrate how to live'
Varuga varuga vena vaazhthuraikka
To make them chant 'Welcome, welcome'
Seigiren enbaan
He will say, 'I shall make it happen'
Kall aagivittadhu nenjam
The heart has turned to stone
Karaikka mudiyathu yaarum
No one can melt it
Devan idhayam kallaanaal
If the lord's heart becomes stone
Dheviyar thunai illaiyoo
Is there no assistance from the goddesses?
Aaviyai tharuvaar avar endraal
If he offers his life force
Adaikalam kedaikaadhoo
Will refuge not be granted?
Adaikalam kedaikaadhoo
Will refuge not be granted?
Adaikalam kedaikaadhoo
Will refuge not be granted?
Thaayae thaayae thaayae
O Mother, O Mother, O Mother!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This dramatic musical-dialogue sequence from Sivagangai Seemai (1959) illustrates a profound moral and political conflict during a period of betrayal and warfare. A grieving woman laments the tragic infighting between kin and the impending ruin of her family and nation, questioning whether brother fighting brother can ever be justified by nature or history. In contrast, a ruthlessly pragmatic male figure responds in spoken dialogue, dismissing moral dilemmas as weak philosophy and asserting that political power is built on cold calculated strategy, ruthless ambition, and manipulating public perception. Written by Kannadasan, the song juxtaposes classical emotional poetry highlighting familial duty with sharp Machiavellian political realism. It powerfully captures the pain of caught-in-the-middle victims who feel like 'ants trapped on a burning stick' while rulers trample over their own bloodlines for power.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile / Idiom (Uvamai)
“Iruthalai kolli erumbaai naanum”
'Iruthalai kolli erumbaai' uses a famous Tamil idiom comparing the character's helpless predicament to an ant trapped on a stick burning at both ends.
Metaphor (Uruvagamm)
“Imaiyum vizhiyum edhiraanaal”
'Imaiyum vizhiyum edhiraanaal' metaphors brothers/kin turning on each other as the eye and eyelid turning against one another.
Metaphor (Uruvagamm)
“Mandhai aadugal makkal”
'Mandhai aadugal makkal' compares the easily manipulated common masses to a gullible herd of sheep.
Second-syllable Rhyme (Edhukai)
“Imaiyum vizhiyum edhiraanaal / Thaaiyum seiyum pagaiyaanaal”
Rhyming of the second consonant in consecutive lines ('Imaiyum' and 'Thaaiyum', 'Kulappam' and 'Kollai').
Did you know?
Trivia
'Sivagangai Seemai' (1959) was written and produced by legendary poet Kannadasan himself to highlight the historical anti-colonial struggle of the Maruthu Pandiyar brothers of Sivaganga. The film's soundtrack was composed by K. V. Mahadevan.
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