Karuvil Ulla
From Kann Sivanthaal Mann Sivakkum · 1983
- Lyricist
- Lyricist Not Known
- Singer
- A. L. Naarayanan
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Kann Sivanthaal Mann Sivakkum1983
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| Karuvil ulla kaalam thottu | From the time spent in the womb, |
| Kaalil potta sangili | a chain was placed upon our feet. |
| Kaalam kaalamaaga neengal | For ages and ages, all of you |
| Kaaval kaaththa sangili | have guarded and maintained this chain. |
| Sangili therikkumpothu | When this chain shatters into pieces, |
| Theriyum engal sangathi | our true power and story will be known. |
| Engal vizhi ezhunthu vanthaal | If our eyes awaken and rise in rage, |
| Ennavaagum un kadhi | what will become of your fate? |
| Chorus | |
| Karuvil ulla kaalam thottu | From the time spent in the womb, |
| Kaalil potta sangili | a chain was placed upon our feet. |
| Male | |
| Unnai itta thee | The fire that consumed you, |
| Chorus :Gopuraththilae | Chorus: Was atop the temple tower, |
| Aaa…..aa….aa….aa…. | Aaa.....aa....aa....aa.... |
| Male :Innai itta thee | Male: The fire set by righteous fate, |
| Chorus :Ilangai thannilae | Chorus: Was in the land of Lanka, |
| Aaa…..aa….aa….aa….. | Aaa.....aa....aa....aa..... |
| Male | |
| Paavi itta thee | The fire set by the sinner, |
| Chorus :Yaezhai vayittrilae | Chorus: Was in the empty stomach of the poor, |
| Aaa….aa….aa…..aa…. | Aaa....aa....aa.....aa.... |
| Male :Naanum itta thee | Male: The fire that I too have set, |
| Chorus :Eriga erigavae | Chorus: May it burn, let it burn! |
| Aaa….aa….aa…..aa….. | Aaa....aa....aa.....aa..... |
கருவில் உள்ள காலம் தொட்டு
காலில் போட்ட சங்கிலி
காலம் காலமாக நீங்கள் காவல் காத்த சங்கிலி
சங்கிலி தெறிக்கும்போது தெரியும் எங்கள் சங்கதி
எங்கள் விழி எழுந்து வந்தால் என்னவாகும் உன் கதி
From the time spent in the womb,
a chain was placed upon our feet.
For ages and ages, all of you
have guarded and maintained this chain.
When this chain shatters into pieces,
our true power and story will be known.
If our eyes awaken and rise in rage,
what will become of your fate?
கருவில் உள்ள காலம் தொட்டு
காலில் போட்ட சங்கிலி
From the time spent in the womb,
a chain was placed upon our feet.
உன்னை இட்ட தீ
குழு :
கோபுரத்திலே
ஆ.....ஆ.....ஆ.....ஆ...
இன்னை இட்ட தீ
குழு :
இலங்கை தண்ணிலே
ஆ.....ஆ.....ஆ.....ஆ...
The fire that consumed you,
Chorus: Was atop the temple tower,
Aaa.....aa....aa....aa....
Male: The fire set by righteous fate,
Chorus: Was in the land of Lanka,
Aaa.....aa....aa....aa.....
பாவி இட்ட தீ
குழு :
ஏழை வயிற்றிலே
ஆ.....ஆ.....ஆ.....ஆ...
நானும் இட்ட தீ
குழு :
எரிக எரிகவே
ஆ.....ஆ.....ஆ.....ஆ...
The fire set by the sinner,
Chorus: Was in the empty stomach of the poor,
Aaa....aa....aa.....aa....
Male: The fire that I too have set,
Chorus: May it burn, let it burn!
Aaa....aa....aa.....aa.....
Karuvil ulla kaalam thottu
From the time spent in the womb,
Kaalil potta sangili
a chain was placed upon our feet.
Kaalam kaalamaaga neengal
For ages and ages, all of you
Kaaval kaaththa sangili
have guarded and maintained this chain.
Sangili therikkumpothu
When this chain shatters into pieces,
Theriyum engal sangathi
our true power and story will be known.
Engal vizhi ezhunthu vanthaal
If our eyes awaken and rise in rage,
Ennavaagum un kadhi
what will become of your fate?
Karuvil ulla kaalam thottu
From the time spent in the womb,
Kaalil potta sangili
a chain was placed upon our feet.
Unnai itta thee
The fire that consumed you,
Chorus :Gopuraththilae
Chorus: Was atop the temple tower,
Aaa…..aa….aa….aa….
Aaa.....aa....aa....aa....
Male :Innai itta thee
Male: The fire set by righteous fate,
Chorus :Ilangai thannilae
Chorus: Was in the land of Lanka,
Aaa…..aa….aa….aa…..
Aaa.....aa....aa....aa.....
Paavi itta thee
The fire set by the sinner,
Chorus :Yaezhai vayittrilae
Chorus: Was in the empty stomach of the poor,
Aaa….aa….aa…..aa….
Aaa....aa....aa.....aa....
Male :Naanum itta thee
Male: The fire that I too have set,
Chorus :Eriga erigavae
Chorus: May it burn, let it burn!
Aaa….aa….aa…..aa…..
Aaa....aa....aa.....aa.....
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song is a fiery revolutionary anthem centered around breaking free from generational oppression and bondage. The opening lines depict servitude as a heavy chain bound to the oppressed right from birth, enforced by oppressors for centuries. The lyrics warn that when the oppressed rise up and shatter these bonds, their collective rage will consume the tyrants.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Karuvil ulla kaalam thottu / Kaalil potta sangili”
Repetition of the 'Ka' sound at the beginning of successive lines ('Karuvil', 'Kaalil', 'Kaalam', 'Kaaval') creates a rhythmic, martial cadence.
Uruvagam (Metaphor)
“Kaalam kaalamaaga neengal / Kaaval kaaththa sangili”
'Sangili' (Chain) serves as a metaphor for social inequality and systemic oppression inherited across generations.
Anaphora (Repetition)
“Unnai itta thee ... Paavi itta thee”
The phrase 'Itta thee' (The fire set) is repeated across multiple stanzas to build dramatic tension and symbolize devastating retribution.
Did you know?
Trivia
The title 'Kann Sivanthaal Mann Sivakkum' translates to 'If the eyes turn red (in rage), the soil will turn red (with blood/revolution)'. The lyrics draw upon epic Tamil motifs of destructive fire born from injustice, echoing themes reminiscent of Kannagi burning Madurai or Hanuman burning Lanka.
Keep listening
More from Kann Sivanthaal Mann Sivakkum
Kann Sivanthaal Mann Sivakkum
Kann Sivanthaal Mann Sivakkum
Kann Sivanthaal Mann Sivakkum
Kann Sivanthaal Mann Sivakkum
Kann Sivanthaal Mann Sivakkum
Kann Sivanthaal Mann Sivakkum