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Naan Sonnathey Sattam album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Kolaigal Seidhal

From Naan Sonnathey Sattam · 1988

Lyricist
Isaignani Ilayaraja
Singer
Ilayaraja
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Naan Sonnathey Sattam
Movie release year
1988
Lyrics added on
11 Apr 2026

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kolaigal seidhal kuttramendru
Sattam irukkudhu
aanaal kolaogal nadakkuthu
Pennai keduthal kuttram endrum
Sattam solludhu
Aanaal adhuvum nadakkuthu
Kuttram nadakkum munnae
Adhai thadukkavillai endraal
Sattam irundhum enna
Sattam irundhum enna
Naan solvadhu sathiyam
Ini naan sonnadhae sattam
Naan solvadhu sathiyam
Ini naan sonnadhae sattam
Kolaigal seidhal kuttramendru
Sattam irukkudhu
aanaal kolaogal nadakkuthu
Pennai keduthal kuttram endrum
Sattam solludhu
Aanaal adhuvum nadakkuthu
Saatchiyaaga varuvorr verum
Poiyai solli pizhaippaar
Sattam pidithu poiyai sollalaama
Vaesiyaagha irupporr
Vibhachaaram seidhu pizhaipaar
Kaasukaaga soram pogalaama
Vittu pona paathirathai
otti kollalaam
Kettu pona manidha
Manadhai otta mudiyumaa
Ozhukkam thannai maedai meedhu
Pesi kollalaam
Ozhukkamulla oruvanai
Sutti katta mudiyumaa
Namm inathai azhikkum manidharkaal
Manathai pudhaikka paarkkireer
Panathai thedum pinangalae
Manathai thedi paarungal
Naan solvadhu sathiyam
Ini naan sonnadhae sattam
Naan solvadhu sathiyam
Ini naan sonnadhae sattam
Anbai solli thandhu
Enai aadharitha uyirai
Azhithu inghu aattam podum koottamae
Naadhiyattra ennai
Anaadhaiyakki paarthu
Paedhai pennai saagaditha koottamae
Veettai marandhu naattukaaga
Uzhaitha thalaivanai
Suttu kondru pottu
Sendra nalla naadidhu
Naattai marandhu veetukkaaga
Uzhaikkum thalaivargal
Kottai meedhu kodi
Parakkum nalla naadidhu
Idhu yen idhendra kelviyai
Velviyaakka pogiren
Ezhai makkal saarbilae
Needhiketkka pogiren
Naan solvadhu sathiyam
Ini naan sonnadhae sattam
Naan solvadhu sathiyam
Ini naan sonnadhae sattam
That committing murder is a crime,
there is a law,
yet murders still happen.
That harming a woman is a crime,
the law declares,
yet that too still happens.
Before a crime takes place,
if it is not stopped,
what is the use of the law?
What is the use of the law?
What I speak is the truth,
from now on, my word is the law!
What I speak is the truth,
from now on, my word is the law!
That committing murder is a crime,
there is a law,
yet murders still happen.
That harming a woman is a crime,
the law declares,
yet that too still happens.
Those who appear as witnesses
make a living by telling lies.
Having studied the law, should you tell lies?
Those who are prostitutes
survive by selling their bodies.
Should you sell out your integrity for money?
A vessel that is broken
can be glued back together,
but can a corrupt human
heart ever be mended?
One can speak about morality
from up on a stage,
but can anyone point out
even one truly moral person?
O people destroying our own kind,
you try to bury your conscience!
O walking corpses chasing after money,
try searching for your soul instead!
What I speak is the truth,
from now on, my word is the law!
What I speak is the truth,
from now on, my word is the law!
The one who taught me love
and supported my life—
O wicked crowd that destroyed her and dances in triumph!
Leaving me helpless,
watching me turn into an orphan,
O crowd that drove an innocent girl to death!
Forgetting his home for the country,
a leader who worked tirelessly
was shot dead and discarded—
what a fine country this is!
Forgetting the country for their homes,
leaders who work only for themselves
have their flags flying high over the fort—
what a fine country this is!
The burning question of why this is so,
I will turn into a raging fire.
On behalf of the poor people,
I am going to demand justice!
What I speak is the truth,
from now on, my word is the law!
What I speak is the truth,
from now on, my word is the law!
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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.

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