Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Mandhaigal

From Aramudaitha Kombu · 2023

Lyricist
Vinoth Singh
Singer
Al Rufian
Music director
Al Rufian
Details
Aramudaitha Kombu2023

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Mandhaigal arivadhillaiThe herds do not know
Than kaalgalaal nasukkapadumCrushed under their own feet,
Pulukalin valiyaiThe pain of the worms.
Male
Vindhaigal viduvadhillaiWonders do not cease
Than vidhigalin vilaiyattaalBy the game of their destinies,
Vidupatta vaazhvaiThe life that was left behind.
Male
Karuvaraiyil uruvagiTaking shape in the womb,
Kallaraiyil uruvizhandhomWe lost our form in the grave.
Idaiyil yennadaIn between, why is this
Vetrumai unarvadaFeeling of discrimination?
Male
Arathinai udaitha kombu munaiThe tip of the horn that broke righteousness
Than uyiraiyum unarvaiyumTook away its own life and feelings
Eduthuthaan sendrathaeAnd departed.
Uyirvidum nerathilAt the moment of dying,
Indha unarvugal oomaiyaanaThese emotions became a silent
Kadhaithaan idhuvaeStory indeed.
Chorus
Humming …..(Humming)
Male
Sei ivan thediya thaai ivalHe is the child searching for this mother; she is the mother.
Kalaindhu pona kaatchigalScenes that faded away.
Thaai madi sindhiya paal thuliDrops of milk spilled on a mother's lap,
Nirangal maarum saatchigalWitnesses to changing colors.
Male
Pulukkalai pirandha piraviA birth born as worms,
Ivargal thavarum illaiIt is not their fault either.
Dharumam illai yedhum illai iraivaaThere is no righteousness, there is nothing at all, Oh God!
Nasungidum kaalgal ellaamAll the feet that crush
Pulukkal valigalaiThe pain of the worms,
Unarathaan marukkudhae iraivaaRefuse to feel it, Oh God!
Male
Karuvaraiyil uruvagiTaking shape in the womb,
Kallaraiyil uruvizhandhomWe lost our form in the grave.
Idaiyil yennadaIn between, why is this
Vetrumai unarvadaFeeling of discrimination?
Male
Mandhaigal unarattumaeLet the herds realize,
Than kaalgalaal nasukkapadumCrushed under their own feet,
Pulukkalin valiyaiThe pain of the worms.
Male
Mandhaigal unarattumaeLet the herds realize,
Than kaalgalaal nasukkapadumCrushed under their own feet,
Pulukkalin valiyaiThe pain of the worms.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a deeply philosophical and poignant commentary on existential human struggles, social empathy, and mortality. Using metaphors like 'mandhaigal' (herds) for the uncaring majority/oppressors and 'pulukkal' (worms) for the marginalized or helpless, the lyricist laments how those in power unknowingly or knowingly crush the vulnerable without acknowledging their pain.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Extended Metaphor

Mandhaigal arivadhillai / Than kaalgalaal nasukkapadum / Pulukalin valiyai

The lyrics use 'Mandhaigal' (herds) and 'Pulukkal' (worms) as metaphorical representations of society's powerful majority and the crushed, vulnerable victims respectively.

Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyming)

Karuvaraiyil uruvagi / Kallaraiyil uruvizhandhom

In Tamil prosody, Ethukai involves the rhyming of the second letter across lines ('ru' in Karuvaraiyil and Kallaraiyil).

Contrast / Antithesis

Karuvaraiyil uruvagi / Kallaraiyil uruvizhandhom / Idaiyil yennada / Vetrumai unarvada

Juxtaposition of the beginning of life (womb) and the end of life (grave) to question the point of intermediate human vanity and discrimination.

Did you know?

Trivia

The track 'Aramudaitha Kombu' (2023) features music and vocals by Al Rufian with lyrics by Vinoth Singh. The song serves as a central thematic piece exploring morality, destiny, and human suffering, carrying an intense ambient acoustic atmosphere.

Keep listening

More from Aramudaitha Kombu