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Lyrics & meaning

Kolaigal Seidhal

From Naan Sonnathey Sattam · 1988

Lyricist
Isaignani Ilayaraja
Singer
Ilayaraja
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Naan Sonnathey Sattam1988

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kolaigal seidhal kuttramendruThere is a law stating that committing murder is a crime
Sattam irukkudhuThe law exists
aanaal kolaogal nadakkuthuBut murders still keep happening
Pennai keduthal kuttram endrumAnd the law says that molesting a woman is a crime
Sattam solludhuThe law states so
Aanaal adhuvum nadakkuthuBut that too keeps happening
Male
Kuttram nadakkum munnaeBefore a crime actually happens
Adhai thadukkavillai endraalIf it is not prevented
Sattam irundhum ennaWhat is the point of having a law?
Sattam irundhum ennaWhat is the point of having a law?
Male
Naan solvadhu sathiyamWhat I speak is the truth
Ini naan sonnadhae sattamFrom now on, what I say is the law
Naan solvadhu sathiyamWhat I speak is the truth
Ini naan sonnadhae sattamFrom now on, what I say is the law
Male
Kolaigal seidhal kuttramendruThere is a law stating that committing murder is a crime
Sattam irukkudhuThe law exists
aanaal kolaogal nadakkuthuBut murders still keep happening
Pennai keduthal kuttram endrumAnd the law says that molesting a woman is a crime
Sattam solludhuThe law states so
Aanaal adhuvum nadakkuthuBut that too keeps happening
Male
Saatchiyaaga varuvorr verumThose who come forward as witnesses
Poiyai solli pizhaippaarSurvive merely by speaking lies
Sattam pidithu poiyai sollalaamaShould one tell lies while holding onto the law?
Vaesiyaagha irupporrThose who live as prostitutes
Vibhachaaram seidhu pizhaipaarSurvive through prostitution
Kaasukaaga soram pogalaamaShould one sell out morality just for money?
Male
Vittu pona paathirathaiA vessel that has been broken
otti kollalaamCan be glued back together
Kettu pona manidhaA human mind that has gone corrupt
Manadhai otta mudiyumaaCan that mind ever be mended?
Male
Ozhukkam thannai maedai meedhuMorality and virtue can be preached
Pesi kollalaamBy speaking up on a stage
Ozhukkamulla oruvanaiA truly moral man
Sutti katta mudiyumaaCan anyone point one out?
Male
Namm inathai azhikkum manidharkaalOh humans who destroy our own kind
Manathai pudhaikka paarkkireerYou try to bury your conscience
Panathai thedum pinangalaeOh walking corpses searching only for money
Manathai thedi paarungalTry searching for a heart/mind inside
Male
Naan solvadhu sathiyamWhat I speak is the truth
Ini naan sonnadhae sattamFrom now on, what I say is the law
Naan solvadhu sathiyamWhat I speak is the truth
Ini naan sonnadhae sattamFrom now on, what I say is the law
Male
Anbai solli thandhuThe life that taught me love
Enai aadharitha uyiraiAnd supported me throughout
Azhithu inghu aattam podum koottamaeOh mob that destroyed that life and now dances in glee here!
Naadhiyattra ennaiMe who was left helpless
Anaadhaiyakki paarthuWatching me turn into an orphan
Paedhai pennai saagaditha koottamaeOh mob that killed an innocent woman!
Male
Veettai marandhu naattukaagaForgetting his own home, for the nation's sake
Uzhaitha thalaivanaiThe leader who sacrificed and worked
Suttu kondru pottuWas shot dead and left behind
Sendra nalla naadidhuThis is that grand nation where it happened
Male
Naattai marandhu veetukkaagaForgetting the nation, for their own home's sake
Uzhaikkum thalaivargalThe leaders who work corruptly
Kottai meedhu kodiTheir flag flies high atop the fort
Parakkum nalla naadidhuThis is that grand nation where it happens
Male
Idhu yen idhendra kelviyaiThis question asking 'Why is this so?'
Velviyaakka pogirenI am going to turn into a sacrificial fire
Ezhai makkal saarbilaeOn behalf of the poor people
Needhiketkka pogirenI am going to demand justice
Male
Naan solvadhu sathiyamWhat I speak is the truth
Ini naan sonnadhae sattamFrom now on, what I say is the law
Naan solvadhu sathiyamWhat I speak is the truth
Ini naan sonnadhae sattamFrom now on, what I say is the law

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a fiery vigilante anthem from the 1988 film 'Naan Sonnathey Sattam', composed, written, and sung by Ilaiyaraaja. The song harshly critiques the hypocrisy of the legal system, political corruption, and society's moral decay. The protagonist argues that laws are meaningless if they fail to prevent crimes like murder and violence against women, or when the system enables perjurers and corrupt politicians to flourish.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second letter rhyme)

Veettai marandhu naattukaaga / Naattai marandhu veetukkaaga

Matching second consonants in adjacent lines ('Veettai' / 'Naattai')

Antithesis / Irony

Veettai marandhu naattukaaga uzhaitha thalaivanai suttu kondru... Naattai marandhu veetukkaaga uzhaikkum thalaivargal kottai meedhu kodi parakkum

Contrasting true patriotic leaders who die penniless/assassinated with corrupt leaders whose flags fly high.

Metaphor

Panathai thedum pinangalae manathai thedi paarungal

Describing greedy, immoral people as 'walking corpses searching for money' (Panathai thedum pinangalae).

Anaphora / Refrain

Naan solvadhu sathiyam / Ini naan sonnadhae sattam

Repetition of the core declaration at key transitions.

Did you know?

Trivia

This title track features Ilaiyaraaja taking on the rare triple role of Lyricist, Music Director, and Playback Singer. The lyrics reflect late 1980s Tamil cinema trends where vigilante justice themes challenged political corruption and legal loopholes.

Keep listening

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