Kolai Vizhum
From Varnashramam · 2023
- Lyricist
- Sukumar Alagarsamy
- Singer
- Cynthia Lourde
- Music director
- Deepan Chakravarthy
- Details
- Varnashramam2023
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Kolai vizhum | This is a time when murders occur |
| Kalam idhu | This is the battlefield |
| Uyir vidum nilai | A state of surrendering life |
| Padi nilai vaguthavan | To the one who formulated hierarchical strata |
| Muganthanil umizhndhidu | Spit directly on his face |
| Female | |
| Erindhidum udalgalil | Amidst the burning bodies |
| Mei kaadhalum uyirthezhum | True love will rise again |
| Samooga needhi paadhaiyil | On the path of social justice |
| Ezhu | Arise! |
| Ichsaadhi theeyil theeyai moottidu | Kindle a fire to burn away this fire of casteism |
| Female | |
| Oli varum ini….. | Light shall dawn henceforth... |
கொலை விழும் களம் இது
உயிர் விடும் நிலை
படி நிலை வகுத்தவன்
முகந்தனில் உமிழ்ந்திடு
This is a time when murders occur
This is the battlefield
A state of surrendering life
To the one who formulated hierarchical strata
Spit directly on his face
எரிந்திடும் உடல்களில்
மெய் காதலும் உயிர்த்தெழும்
சமூக நீதி பாதையில்... எழு
இச் சாதி தீயில் தீயை மூட்டிடு
Amidst the burning bodies
True love will rise again
On the path of social justice
Arise!
Kindle a fire to burn away this fire of casteism
ஒளி வரும் இனி...
Light shall dawn henceforth...
Kolai vizhum
This is a time when murders occur
Kalam idhu
This is the battlefield
Uyir vidum nilai
A state of surrendering life
Padi nilai vaguthavan
To the one who formulated hierarchical strata
Muganthanil umizhndhidu
Spit directly on his face
Erindhidum udalgalil
Amidst the burning bodies
Mei kaadhalum uyirthezhum
True love will rise again
Samooga needhi paadhaiyil
On the path of social justice
Ezhu
Arise!
Ichsaadhi theeyil theeyai moottidu
Kindle a fire to burn away this fire of casteism
Oli varum ini…..
Light shall dawn henceforth...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song is a fierce battle cry against caste-based oppression and social hierarchy. It condemns the historical system of 'Varnashramam'—a social order that classifies human beings into rigid strata—and urges individuals to openly rebel against its creators and enforcers. The lyrics assert that even if violence and destruction occur, true love, human dignity, and equality will rise from the ashes when people stand up on the path of social justice.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Kolai vizhum / Kalam idhu”
Repetition of the initial 'Ko/Ka' sounds across consecutive lines ('Kolai vizhum' / 'Kalam idhu') to set an urgent, rhythmic tone.
Metaphor
“Ichsaadhi theeyil theeyai moottidu”
Casteism is depicted as a destructive fire ('Ichsaadhi theeyil'), and the revolution is metaphorically described as setting another fire to consume it.
Imagery and Paradox
“Erindhidum udalgalil / Mei kaadhalum uyirthezhum”
The visual imagery of true love resurrecting ('uyirthezhum') from burning corpses ('erindhidum udalgalil') highlights hope and resilience amidst brutal social violence.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song is from the 2023 Tamil social drama 'Varnashramam', directed by K. Suthakar. The film's storyline strongly critiques caste discrimination and social inequality, reflecting in its hard-hitting lyrics written by Sukumar Alagarsamy.
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