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Ivargal Indiyargal album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Ivargal Indiyargal

From Ivargal Indiyargal · 1987

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, B. S. Sasirekha
Music director
Manoj – Gyan
Movie name
Ivargal Indiyargal
Movie release year
1987
Lyrics added on
23 Dec 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Ivargal indiayargal
Female :Ivargal indiayargal
Male :India mannin panpukkum anbukkum
Ilakkanamaga iruppavarkal
Female :Nalla ilakkiyamaga nilappavargal
Both :Ivargal indiayargal
Than maganaayinum thavarugal purinthaal
Nan magan alla ena ninaiththaai
Intha nallavan pillaiyin uyir pariththaar
Vaaikku rushiyaai oottiya kaiyaal
Vaaikkarisi alli pottuvittaar
Vaaikku rushiyaai oottiya kaiyaal
Vaaikkarisi alli pottuvittaar
Paarinil dharmam vazhnthida vendi
Paasaththai mannil pudhaiththuvittaar
Both :Ivargal indiayargal
Ivargal indiayargal
Nandri naranthavan nadaipinamendru
Ingoru thanthai vidhi seithaar
Magan irunthum avanukku thithi seithaar
Vilakkin adiyil iruttirunthaalum
Velichcham kodukkum anaivarukkum
Vilakkin adiyil iruttirunthaalum
Velichcham kodukkum anaivarukkum
Aduththavar kanneer thudaippavar vaazhvum
Adhupol ingae amainthirukkum
Both :Ivargal indiayargal
Ivargal indiayargal
Koottu kudumbaththin paaraththai ellaam
Yaettru kondaan intha sumaithaangi
Antha imai pola kaaththaan thuyil neengi
Than kai pattri thaali anintha
Nangaiyai kooda thodavillai
Than kai pattri thaali anintha
Nangaiyai kooda thodavillai
Naayagan polae naayagi amainthaal
Bhoomiyil ivarkkor inaiyillai
Ivargal indiayargal
Female :Ivargal indiayargal
Male :India mannin panpukkum anbukkum
Ilakkanamaga iruppavarkal
Female :Nalla ilakkiyamaga nilappavargal
Both :Ivargal indiayargal
Ivargal indiayargal
They are Indians.
Female: They are Indians.
Male: For the culture and love of this Indian soil,
they stand as the living examples.
Female: They live on like noble literature.
Both: They are Indians.
Even if it was his own son, when he did wrong,
he decided he was no true son.
This good man took his own son's life.
With the very hand that fed him delicious meals,
he placed the funeral rice upon his lips.
With the very hand that fed him delicious meals,
he placed the funeral rice upon his lips.
So that righteousness would live on in this world,
he buried his fatherly love in the earth.
Both: They are Indians.
They are Indians.
Declaring that an ungrateful man is just a walking corpse,
a father here passed a harsh verdict.
Though his son was still alive, he performed his death rites.
Even though there is darkness under the lamp,
it gives light to everyone around.
Even though there is darkness under the lamp,
it gives light to everyone around.
The lives of those who wipe away others' tears
are shaped just like that here.
Both: They are Indians.
They are Indians.
All the heavy burdens of a joint family,
this pillar of support took upon himself.
Losing his sleep, he protected them like an eyelid shields the eye.
Even the woman whose hand he held to tie the wedding knot,
he did not even touch.
Even the woman whose hand he held to tie the wedding knot,
he did not even touch.
When a wife stands as noble as her husband,
there is no equal to them on this earth.
They are Indians.
Female: They are Indians.
Male: For the culture and love of this Indian soil,
they stand as the living examples.
Female: They live on like noble literature.
Both: They are Indians.
They are Indians.
Male
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male
Male
Female
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

The song 'Ivargal Indiyargal' celebrates the high moral ethos, righteousness, selflessness, and cultural resilience of Indians. Written by Vaali, the lyrics present evocative narratives of individuals who prioritize 'dharma' (righteousness) and duty over personal bonds and desires. It describes fathers who punish ungrateful or corrupt sons for the greater good of society, self-sacrificing guardians who carry family responsibilities like a lamp enduring darkness beneath itself, and virtuous couples who remain unmatched in their ethical discipline.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ilakkanam & Ilakkiyam Metaphor (Linguistic Parallels)

“Ilakkanamaga iruppavarkal / Nalla ilakkiyamaga nilappavargal”

Vaali metaphorically compares Indian people to 'Ilakkanam' (grammar/rules) and 'Ilakkiyam' (literature/art), establishing them as both the foundation and expression of culture.

Contrast / Antithesis

“Vaaikku rushiyaai oottiya kaiyaal / Vaaikkarisi alli pottuvittaar”

Striking contrast between 'Vaaikku rushiyaai oottiya kai' (hand feeding delicious food in love) and 'Vaaikkarisi alli pottuvittaar' (hand placing death ritual rice), emphasizing absolute justice over personal affection.

Upamai (Simile)

“Antha imai pola kaaththaan thuyil neengi”

Compares protecting family members to an eyelid ('imai') guarding the eye while foregoing sleep.

Analogy / Symbolism

“Vilakkin adiyil iruttirunthaalum / Velichcham kodukkum anaivarukkum”

Uses the classic analogy of a lamp ('Vilakku') which has darkness directly beneath itself yet shines light to brighten everyone else's world.

Did you know?

Trivia

This title song from the 1987 film 'Ivargal Indiyargal' features lyrics by legendary lyricist Vaali. It reflects Vaali's signature usage of classical Tamil literary pairings like 'Ilakkanam' and 'Ilakkiyam' to convey deep socio-cultural principles.

Keep listening

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