Kallai Mattum Kandal
From Dasavathaaram · 2008
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Music director
- Himesh Reshammiya
- Details
- Dasavathaaram2008
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Ommmm….. namo narayanaya | Om... Salutations to Lord Narayana |
| Chorus | |
| …………………………………… | |
| Male | |
| {Kallai mattum kandaal | If you see only the stone |
| Kadavul theriyadhu | God will not be visible |
| Kadavul mattum kandaal | If you see only God |
| Kalladi theriyadhu} (2) | The pain of stone blows will not be felt |
| Male | |
| Ettil aindhu enn kazhiyum endrum | Five can always be subtracted from eight |
| Aindhil ettu yen kazhiyadhu | Why cannot eight be subtracted from five? |
| Ashta aksharam yerkum nenju | A heart that accepts the eight-letter mantra |
| Pancha aksharam paarkadhu | Will not look at the five-letter mantra |
| Male | |
| Oonakkannil paarthaal | If seen through mortal eyes |
| Yavum kuttram dhaan | Everything appears as a fault |
| Gnanakkannil paarthaal | If seen through the eyes of divine wisdom |
| Yarum suttram dhaan | Everyone is a relative |
| Chorus | |
| ………………………………… | |
| Male | |
| Ommm…. | Om... |
| Male | |
| Illai endru sonna pinbum | Even after claiming it does not exist |
| Indriamaiyadhu | It remains indispensable |
| Thollai thandha podhum engal | Even when persecutions are inflicted |
| Thillai maraadhu | Our sacred Thillai faith will not change |
| Chorus | |
| Illai endru sonna pinbum | Even after claiming it does not exist |
| Indriamaiyadhu | It remains indispensable |
| Thollai thandha podhum engal | Even when persecutions are inflicted |
| Thillai maraadhu | Our sacred Thillai faith will not change |
| Male | |
| Veera saivargal munnal engal | In front of aggressive Shaivites |
| Veera vainavam thorkadhu | Valiant Vaishnavism will never be defeated |
| Mannan sollukku anji endrum | Fearing a tyrant king's royal decree |
| Merkil sooriyan udhikkadhu | The sun will never rise in the west |
| Male | |
| Rajalakshmi naayagan | The ultimate consort of Lakshmi |
| Sreenivasan dhaan | Is Lord Srinivasa himself |
| Sreenivasan sei | A humble servant of Srinivasa |
| Indha vishnudasan naan | I am this devoted servant of Vishnu |
| Naattil undu aayiram | There may be thousands in this land |
| Rajarajathar dhaan | Who rule as mortal kings |
| Rajanukku rajan | The true King of all kings |
| Indha rangarajan dhaan | Is Lord Rangaraja alone |
| Chorus | |
| ……………………………………. | |
| Male | |
| Neerukkullae moozhginaalum | Even if submerged underwater |
| Needhi saagadhu | Justice will never perish |
| Nenjukkullae vazhum | Residing deep within our hearts |
| Engal jodhi saagadhu | Our divine inner light will never extinguish |
| Chorus | |
| Neerukkullae moozhginaalum | Even if submerged underwater |
| Needhi saagadhu | Justice will never perish |
| Nenjukkullae vazhum | Residing deep within our hearts |
| Engal jodhi saagadhu | Our divine inner light will never extinguish |
| Male | |
| Veesum katru | The blowing wind |
| Vandhu vilakkanaikkum | Can come and blow out a tiny lamp |
| Vennilaavai adhu anaiththiduma | But can it ever extinguish the radiant moon? |
| Kottum vaan mazhai | The pouring rain from the skies |
| Nilam nanaikkum | Will drench the vast earth below |
| Andha vaanam thannai | But the boundless sky itself |
| Adhu nanaiththiduma | Can that rain ever drench? |
| Male | |
| Seivam endru paarthaal | If viewed through narrow sectarian Shaivism |
| Deivam theriyadhu | True divinity remains unseen |
| Deivam endru paarthaal | If viewed as ultimate Godhood |
| Samayam kidaiyadhu | Sectarian divisions cease to exist |
| Male | |
| Kallai mattum kandaal | If you see only the stone |
| Kadavul theriyadhu | God will not be visible |
| Kadavul mattum kandaal | If you see only God |
| Kalladi theriyadhu | The pain of stone blows will not be felt |
| Male | |
| ……………………………… | |
ஓம் நமோ
நாராயணாய
Om... Salutations to Lord Narayana
.......................
{ கல்லை மட்டும்
கண்டால் கடவுள் தெரியாது
கடவுள் மட்டும் கண்டால்
கல்லடி தெரியாது } (2)
If you see only the stone
God will not be visible
If you see only God
The pain of stone blows will not be felt
எட்டில் ஐந்து எண்
கழியும் என்றும் ஐந்தில்
எட்டு ஏன் கழியாது அஷ்ட
அக்சரம் ஏற்கும் நெஞ்சு
பஞ்ச அக்சரம் பார்க்காது
Five can always be subtracted from eight
Why cannot eight be subtracted from five?
A heart that accepts the eight-letter mantra
Will not look at the five-letter mantra
ஊனக் கண்ணில்
பார்த்தால் யாவும் குற்றம்
தான் ஞானக் கண்ணில்
பார்த்தால் யாரும்
சுற்றம் தான்
If seen through mortal eyes
Everything appears as a fault
If seen through the eyes of divine wisdom
Everyone is a relative
.......................
ஓம்
Om...
இல்லை என்று
சொன்ன பின்பும் இன்றியமையாது
தொல்லை தந்த போதும்
எங்கள் தில்லை மாறாது
Even after claiming it does not exist
It remains indispensable
Even when persecutions are inflicted
Our sacred Thillai faith will not change
இல்லை என்று
சொன்ன பின்பும் இன்றியமையாது
தொல்லை தந்த போதும்
எங்கள் தில்லை மாறாது
Even after claiming it does not exist
It remains indispensable
Even when persecutions are inflicted
Our sacred Thillai faith will not change
வீர சைவர்கள்
முன்னால் எங்கள் வீர
வைணவம் தோற்காது
மன்னன் சொல்லுக்கு
அஞ்சி என்றும் மேற்கில்
சூரியன் உதிக்காது
In front of aggressive Shaivites
Valiant Vaishnavism will never be defeated
Fearing a tyrant king's royal decree
The sun will never rise in the west
ராஜலெட்சுமி நாயகன்
ஸ்ரீனிவாசன் தான் ஸ்ரீனிவாசன்
சேய் இந்த விஷ்ணுதாசன் நான்
நாட்டில் உண்டு ஆயிரம் ராஜ
ராஜதா் தான் ராஜனுக்கு ராஜன்
இந்த ரங்கராஜன் தான்
The ultimate consort of Lakshmi
Is Lord Srinivasa himself
A humble servant of Srinivasa
I am this devoted servant of Vishnu
There may be thousands in this land
Who rule as mortal kings
The true King of all kings
Is Lord Rangaraja alone
.......................
நீருக்குள்ளே மூழ்கினாலும்
நீதி சாகாது நெஞ்சுக்குள்ளே வாழும்
எங்கள் ஜோதி சாகாது
Even if submerged underwater
Justice will never perish
Residing deep within our hearts
Our divine inner light will never extinguish
நீருக்குள்ளே மூழ்கினாலும்
நீதி சாகாது நெஞ்சுக்குள்ளே வாழும்
எங்கள் ஜோதி சாகாது
Even if submerged underwater
Justice will never perish
Residing deep within our hearts
Our divine inner light will never extinguish
வீசும் காற்று வந்து
விளக்கணைக்கும் வெண்ணிலாவை
அது அணைத்திடுமா கொட்டும்
வான்மழை நிலம் நனைக்கும்
அந்த வானம்தன்னை அது
நனைத்திடுமா
The blowing wind
Can come and blow out a tiny lamp
But can it ever extinguish the radiant moon?
The pouring rain from the skies
Will drench the vast earth below
But the boundless sky itself
Can that rain ever drench?
சைவம் என்று
பார்த்தால் தெய்வம்
தெரியாது தெய்வம் என்று
பார்த்தால் சமயம் கிடையாது
If viewed through narrow sectarian Shaivism
True divinity remains unseen
If viewed as ultimate Godhood
Sectarian divisions cease to exist
கல்லை மட்டும்
கண்டால் கடவுள் தெரியாது
கடவுள் மட்டும் கண்டால்
கல்லடி தெரியாது
If you see only the stone
God will not be visible
If you see only God
The pain of stone blows will not be felt
............................
Ommmm….. namo narayanaya
Om... Salutations to Lord Narayana
……………………………………
{Kallai mattum kandaal
If you see only the stone
Kadavul theriyadhu
God will not be visible
Kadavul mattum kandaal
If you see only God
Kalladi theriyadhu} (2)
The pain of stone blows will not be felt
Ettil aindhu enn kazhiyum endrum
Five can always be subtracted from eight
Aindhil ettu yen kazhiyadhu
Why cannot eight be subtracted from five?
Ashta aksharam yerkum nenju
A heart that accepts the eight-letter mantra
Pancha aksharam paarkadhu
Will not look at the five-letter mantra
Oonakkannil paarthaal
If seen through mortal eyes
Yavum kuttram dhaan
Everything appears as a fault
Gnanakkannil paarthaal
If seen through the eyes of divine wisdom
Yarum suttram dhaan
Everyone is a relative
…………………………………
Ommm….
Om...
Illai endru sonna pinbum
Even after claiming it does not exist
Indriamaiyadhu
It remains indispensable
Thollai thandha podhum engal
Even when persecutions are inflicted
Thillai maraadhu
Our sacred Thillai faith will not change
Illai endru sonna pinbum
Even after claiming it does not exist
Indriamaiyadhu
It remains indispensable
Thollai thandha podhum engal
Even when persecutions are inflicted
Thillai maraadhu
Our sacred Thillai faith will not change
Veera saivargal munnal engal
In front of aggressive Shaivites
Veera vainavam thorkadhu
Valiant Vaishnavism will never be defeated
Mannan sollukku anji endrum
Fearing a tyrant king's royal decree
Merkil sooriyan udhikkadhu
The sun will never rise in the west
Rajalakshmi naayagan
The ultimate consort of Lakshmi
Sreenivasan dhaan
Is Lord Srinivasa himself
Sreenivasan sei
A humble servant of Srinivasa
Indha vishnudasan naan
I am this devoted servant of Vishnu
Naattil undu aayiram
There may be thousands in this land
Rajarajathar dhaan
Who rule as mortal kings
Rajanukku rajan
The true King of all kings
Indha rangarajan dhaan
Is Lord Rangaraja alone
…………………………………….
Neerukkullae moozhginaalum
Even if submerged underwater
Needhi saagadhu
Justice will never perish
Nenjukkullae vazhum
Residing deep within our hearts
Engal jodhi saagadhu
Our divine inner light will never extinguish
Neerukkullae moozhginaalum
Even if submerged underwater
Needhi saagadhu
Justice will never perish
Nenjukkullae vazhum
Residing deep within our hearts
Engal jodhi saagadhu
Our divine inner light will never extinguish
Veesum katru
The blowing wind
Vandhu vilakkanaikkum
Can come and blow out a tiny lamp
Vennilaavai adhu anaiththiduma
But can it ever extinguish the radiant moon?
Kottum vaan mazhai
The pouring rain from the skies
Nilam nanaikkum
Will drench the vast earth below
Andha vaanam thannai
But the boundless sky itself
Adhu nanaiththiduma
Can that rain ever drench?
Seivam endru paarthaal
If viewed through narrow sectarian Shaivism
Deivam theriyadhu
True divinity remains unseen
Deivam endru paarthaal
If viewed as ultimate Godhood
Samayam kidaiyadhu
Sectarian divisions cease to exist
Kallai mattum kandaal
If you see only the stone
Kadavul theriyadhu
God will not be visible
Kadavul mattum kandaal
If you see only God
Kalladi theriyadhu
The pain of stone blows will not be felt
………………………………
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song, 'Kallai Mattum Kandaal' from the movie Dasavathaaram (2008), portrays the intense devotion of Rangaraja Nambi, a 12th-century Vaishnavite saint who stands firm against religious persecution by a Shaivite king. Set during the Chola era clash between Shaivism and Vaishnavism, the song articulates the philosophical debate between seeing the physical world (the stone) and recognizing the transcendent Divine (God within the stone). Through poetic symbolism written by Vaali, the lyrics contrast the Ashtakshara mantra (eight syllables: Om Namo Narayanaya) with the Panchakshara mantra (five syllables: Na Ma Shi Va Ya), symbolizing unshakeable faith. The narrator asserts that physical power and tyrannical royal decrees cannot diminish eternal truth or divine justice, comparing true devotion to the sky and moon which remain unaffected by rain or wind.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Contrast / Antimetabole (Muran / Etir-marai)
“Kallai mattum kandaal Kadavul theriyadhu...”
Contrasts perception of the physical image vs. spiritual divinity using inverted phrase structure ('Kallai mattum kandaal / Kadavul theriyadhu' vs 'Kadavul mattum kandaal / Kalladi theriyadhu').
Numeric Symbolism & Metaphor
“Ettil aindhu enn kazhiyum endrum / Aindhil ettu yen kazhiyadhu”
Compares mathematical subtraction of 8 and 5 to the philosophical supremacy and distinction between the 8-syllable Ashtaksharam (Om Namo Narayanaya) and 5-syllable Panchaksharam (Na Ma Shi Va Ya).
Rhetorical Question & Analogy (Upamai)
“Veesum katru vandhu vilakkanaikkum / Vennilaavai adhu anaiththiduma”
Uses nature analogies (wind blowing out a lamp vs. extinguishing the moon, rain wetting land vs. wetting the sky) to show that divine faith cannot be destroyed by worldly tyranny.
Emoni / Rhyme (Monai and Etukai)
“Neerukkullae moozhginaalum Needhi saagadhu...”
Classic Tamil poetic rhyming scheme where the second letter matches across consecutive lines (Neerukkullae / Needhi, Nenjukkullae / Engal).
Did you know?
Trivia
The song depicts the historical conflict in the 12th century when Chola ruler Second Kulothunga (or Virarajendra Chola) ordered the removal of the Vishnu idol from the Chidambaram Nataraja temple complex. In the film's prologue, Kamal Haasan portrays Rangaraja Nambi, who ties himself to the idol as it is cast into the ocean. The lyrics were penned by veteran poet Vaali, and the song was composed by Himesh Reshammiya and sung by Hariharan.
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