Milirum Oliye
From Gandhi Talks · 2026
- Lyricist
- Madrashe
- Singer
- Mohammed Aslam
- Music director
- A. R. Rahman
- Details
- Gandhi Talks2026
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Idho kaalai thoodhaagi | Here, as a messenger of morning, |
| Milirum oliye | O shining light! |
| Idho thanga theeyaagi | Here, becoming a golden fire, |
| Viriyum oliye | O spreading light! |
| Mudhal poovai idhamaaga | Gently opening the first flower, |
| Thirakkum oliye | O opening light! |
| Ulaa pogum paravai | Chasing the wandering bird, |
| Thurathum oliye | O chasing light! |
| Male | |
| Idho nenjil vegam | Here, adding speed to the heart, |
| Serkkum oliye | O light that gathers momentum! |
| Idho neenda raavin | Here, as the long night's |
| Irul neengi poga | Darkness fades away, |
| Mun kaalai vidinthae | Early morning dawns, |
| Pagal soozhndhu poga | And daylight surrounds us. |
| Edhum kaanal aagaathu | May nothing turn into a mirage, |
| Naam innum nogha | Leaving us to suffer more. |
| Iruloda tholainthae | Getting lost with the darkness, |
| Namm vizhi moodi moozhga | Our eyes close and sink deep. |
| Male | |
| Idho mandhama thookama | Is this sluggishness or sleep? |
| Bodhai thaana | Is it sheer intoxication? |
| Yedho kalla sombaeri aayi | Have we turned into lazy fraudsters? |
| Maari noma | Have we changed into something painful? |
| Male | |
| Yugangal kadanathum | Even after ages passed, |
| Kadalgal kadanthum | Even after crossing oceans, |
| Buthan muyandrum | Though Buddha tried, |
| Pinn gandhi muyandrum | And later Gandhi tried, |
| Kurudaai nadipporin kannai thirakka | To open the eyes of those who pretend to be blind, |
| Vazhi yedhum illamal andam thavikka | The universe suffers with no way out. |
| Iravin irulae iyalbaanathaame | Darkness of the night has become the norm; |
| Nadu raavil thaane sudhanthiram kandom | For in the middle of the night, we gained freedom. |
| Male | |
| Kannae ingae orae porvai podhum | Oh dear, a single blanket is enough here, |
| Men pattu khadhi kaakki adhaenum | Be it soft silk, khadi, or khaki. |
| Thirai pottu adakki adai kaathirundha | Suppressed behind a curtain and incubated, |
| Ezhil sooriyan engum kaanome indru | The beautiful sun is nowhere to be seen today. |
| Tholaindhaano enna naam engu endru theda | Has it been lost, for us to search where it is? |
| Ayarndhaano enna naam en eluppa | Has it grown exhausted, for us to wake it up? |
| Anaindhaano enna naam evvaru irukka | Has it been extinguished, for us to remain like this? |
| Irandhaano enna naam engae erikka | Has it died, for us to cremate it somewhere? |
| Erindhaal konjam velicham varadhoo | If it burns, won't a little light appear? |
| Ulagil konjam uyir meendidaadho | Won't a little life return to the world? |
| Puranangal sollum kadhaiyaagi ponen | I have become a story told in mythologies. |
| Pudhu vidiyal meendum udhikadho inghu | Won't a new dawn rise again here? |
| Chorus :Pudhu vidiyal meendum udhikadho inghu | Chorus: Won't a new dawn rise again here? |
| Male | |
| Oru pudhu vidiyal meendum udhikadho inghu | Won't a brand new dawn rise again here? |
| Chorus :Oru pudhu vidiyal meendum udhikadho inghu | Chorus: Won't a brand new dawn rise again here? |
| Male | |
| Idho kaalai thoodhaagi | Here, as a messenger of morning, |
| Milirum oliye | O shining light! |
| Idho thanga theeyaagi | Here, becoming a golden fire, |
| Viriyum oliye | O spreading light! |
| Mudhal poovai idhamaaga | Gently opening the first flower, |
| Thirakkum oliye | O opening light! |
| Ulaa pogum paravai | Chasing the wandering bird, |
| Thurathum oliye | O chasing light! |
| Male | |
| Idho nenjil vegam | Here, adding speed to the heart, |
| Serkkum oliye | O light that gathers momentum! |
| Idho neenda raavin | Here, as the long night's |
| Irul neengi poga | Darkness fades away, |
| Mun kaalai vidinthae | Early morning dawns, |
| Pagal soozhndhu poga | And daylight surrounds us. |
| Edhum kaanal aagaathu | May nothing turn into a mirage, |
| Naam innum nogha | Leaving us to suffer more. |
| Iruloda tholainthae | Getting lost with the darkness, |
| Namm vizhi moodi moozhga | Our eyes close and sink deep. |
இதோ காலை தூதாகி
மிளிரும் ஒளியே
இதோ தங்க தீயாகி
விரியும் ஒளியே
முதல் பூவை இதமாக
திறக்கும் ஒளியே
உலா போகும் பறவை
துறத்தும் ஒளியே
Here, as a messenger of morning,
O shining light!
Here, becoming a golden fire,
O spreading light!
Gently opening the first flower,
O opening light!
Chasing the wandering bird,
O chasing light!
இதோ நெஞ்சில் வேகம்
சேர்க்கும் ஒளியே
இதோ நீண்டராவின்
இருள் நீங்கி போக
முன் காலை விடிந்தே
பகல் சூழ்ந்து போக
எதும் கானல் ஆகாது
நாம் இன்னும் நோக
இருளோடு தொலைந்தே
நம் விழி மூடி மூழ்க
Here, adding speed to the heart,
O light that gathers momentum!
Here, as the long night's
Darkness fades away,
Early morning dawns,
And daylight surrounds us.
May nothing turn into a mirage,
Leaving us to suffer more.
Getting lost with the darkness,
Our eyes close and sink deep.
இதோ மந்தமா தூக்கமா
போதை தானா
ஏதோ கள்ள சோம்பேறியா
மாறினோமா
Is this sluggishness or sleep?
Is it sheer intoxication?
Have we turned into lazy fraudsters?
Have we changed into something painful?
ஆண்
: யுகங்கள் கடந்தும்
கடல்கள் கடந்தும்
புத்தன் முயன்றும்
பின் காந்தி முயன்றும்
குருடாய் நடிப்போரின் கண்ணைத் திறக்க
வழி ஏதும் இல்லாமல் அண்டம் தவிக்க
இரவின் இருளே இயல்பானதாலே
நடு ராவில் தானே சுதந்திரம் கண்டோம்
Even after ages passed,
Even after crossing oceans,
Though Buddha tried,
And later Gandhi tried,
To open the eyes of those who pretend to be blind,
The universe suffers with no way out.
Darkness of the night has become the norm;
For in the middle of the night, we gained freedom.
கண்ணோ இங்கே ஒரே போர்வை போதும்
மென் பாட்டு காதி காக்கி அதேனும்
திரை போட்டு அடக்கி அடை காத்திருந்தத
எழில் சூரியன் எங்கும் காணோமே இன்று
தொலைந்தேனோ என்ன நாம் எங்கே என்று தேட
அயர்ந்தானோ என்ன நாம் என் எழுப்பா
அணைதானோ என்ன நாம் எவ்வாறு இருக்க
இறந்தானோ என்ன நாம் எங்கே இருக்க
எரிந்தாள் கொஞ்சம் வெளிச்சம் வராதோ
உலகில் கொஞ்சம் உயிர் மீண்டிடாதோ
புராணங்கள் சொல்லும் கதையாகி போனேன்
புது விடியல் மீண்டும் உதிக்காதோ இங்கே
குழு :
புது விடியல் மீண்டும் உதிக்கதோ இங்கே
Oh dear, a single blanket is enough here,
Be it soft silk, khadi, or khaki.
Suppressed behind a curtain and incubated,
The beautiful sun is nowhere to be seen today.
Has it been lost, for us to search where it is?
Has it grown exhausted, for us to wake it up?
Has it been extinguished, for us to remain like this?
Has it died, for us to cremate it somewhere?
If it burns, won't a little light appear?
Won't a little life return to the world?
I have become a story told in mythologies.
Won't a new dawn rise again here?
Chorus: Won't a new dawn rise again here?
ஒரு புது விடியல் மீண்டும் உதிக்காதோ இங்கு
குழு :
ஒரு புது விடியல் மீண்டும் உதிக்காதோ இங்கு
Won't a brand new dawn rise again here?
Chorus: Won't a brand new dawn rise again here?
இதோ காலை தூதாகி
மிளிரும் ஒளியே
இதோ தங்க தீயாகி
விரியும் ஒளியே
முதல் பூவை இதமாக
திறக்கும் ஒளியே
உலா போகும் பறவை
துறத்தும் ஒளியே
Here, as a messenger of morning,
O shining light!
Here, becoming a golden fire,
O spreading light!
Gently opening the first flower,
O opening light!
Chasing the wandering bird,
O chasing light!
இதோ நெஞ்சில் வேகம்
சேர்க்கும் ஒளியே
இதோ நீண்டராவின்
இருள் நீங்கி போக
முன் காலை விடிந்தே
பகல் சூழ்ந்து போக
எதும் கானல் ஆகாது
நாம் இன்னும் நோக
இருளோடு தொலைந்தே
நம் விழி மூடி மூழ்க
Here, adding speed to the heart,
O light that gathers momentum!
Here, as the long night's
Darkness fades away,
Early morning dawns,
And daylight surrounds us.
May nothing turn into a mirage,
Leaving us to suffer more.
Getting lost with the darkness,
Our eyes close and sink deep.
Idho kaalai thoodhaagi
Here, as a messenger of morning,
Milirum oliye
O shining light!
Idho thanga theeyaagi
Here, becoming a golden fire,
Viriyum oliye
O spreading light!
Mudhal poovai idhamaaga
Gently opening the first flower,
Thirakkum oliye
O opening light!
Ulaa pogum paravai
Chasing the wandering bird,
Thurathum oliye
O chasing light!
Idho nenjil vegam
Here, adding speed to the heart,
Serkkum oliye
O light that gathers momentum!
Idho neenda raavin
Here, as the long night's
Irul neengi poga
Darkness fades away,
Mun kaalai vidinthae
Early morning dawns,
Pagal soozhndhu poga
And daylight surrounds us.
Edhum kaanal aagaathu
May nothing turn into a mirage,
Naam innum nogha
Leaving us to suffer more.
Iruloda tholainthae
Getting lost with the darkness,
Namm vizhi moodi moozhga
Our eyes close and sink deep.
Idho mandhama thookama
Is this sluggishness or sleep?
Bodhai thaana
Is it sheer intoxication?
Yedho kalla sombaeri aayi
Have we turned into lazy fraudsters?
Maari noma
Have we changed into something painful?
Yugangal kadanathum
Even after ages passed,
Kadalgal kadanthum
Even after crossing oceans,
Buthan muyandrum
Though Buddha tried,
Pinn gandhi muyandrum
And later Gandhi tried,
Kurudaai nadipporin kannai thirakka
To open the eyes of those who pretend to be blind,
Vazhi yedhum illamal andam thavikka
The universe suffers with no way out.
Iravin irulae iyalbaanathaame
Darkness of the night has become the norm;
Nadu raavil thaane sudhanthiram kandom
For in the middle of the night, we gained freedom.
Kannae ingae orae porvai podhum
Oh dear, a single blanket is enough here,
Men pattu khadhi kaakki adhaenum
Be it soft silk, khadi, or khaki.
Thirai pottu adakki adai kaathirundha
Suppressed behind a curtain and incubated,
Ezhil sooriyan engum kaanome indru
The beautiful sun is nowhere to be seen today.
Tholaindhaano enna naam engu endru theda
Has it been lost, for us to search where it is?
Ayarndhaano enna naam en eluppa
Has it grown exhausted, for us to wake it up?
Anaindhaano enna naam evvaru irukka
Has it been extinguished, for us to remain like this?
Irandhaano enna naam engae erikka
Has it died, for us to cremate it somewhere?
Erindhaal konjam velicham varadhoo
If it burns, won't a little light appear?
Ulagil konjam uyir meendidaadho
Won't a little life return to the world?
Puranangal sollum kadhaiyaagi ponen
I have become a story told in mythologies.
Pudhu vidiyal meendum udhikadho inghu
Won't a new dawn rise again here?
Chorus :Pudhu vidiyal meendum udhikadho inghu
Chorus: Won't a new dawn rise again here?
Oru pudhu vidiyal meendum udhikadho inghu
Won't a brand new dawn rise again here?
Chorus :Oru pudhu vidiyal meendum udhikadho inghu
Chorus: Won't a brand new dawn rise again here?
Idho kaalai thoodhaagi
Here, as a messenger of morning,
Milirum oliye
O shining light!
Idho thanga theeyaagi
Here, becoming a golden fire,
Viriyum oliye
O spreading light!
Mudhal poovai idhamaaga
Gently opening the first flower,
Thirakkum oliye
O opening light!
Ulaa pogum paravai
Chasing the wandering bird,
Thurathum oliye
O chasing light!
Idho nenjil vegam
Here, adding speed to the heart,
Serkkum oliye
O light that gathers momentum!
Idho neenda raavin
Here, as the long night's
Irul neengi poga
Darkness fades away,
Mun kaalai vidinthae
Early morning dawns,
Pagal soozhndhu poga
And daylight surrounds us.
Edhum kaanal aagaathu
May nothing turn into a mirage,
Naam innum nogha
Leaving us to suffer more.
Iruloda tholainthae
Getting lost with the darkness,
Namm vizhi moodi moozhga
Our eyes close and sink deep.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song is a deeply philosophical invocation pondering light, truth, and societal apathy. It opens with poetic imagery celebrating light as a awakening force that revives nature and human spirits. However, the lyrics quickly pivot into a critique of human indifference, questioning whether society has fallen into a deep moral slumber or intoxication that blinds it to reality. The track references spiritual leaders like Buddha and Mahatma Gandhi, noting how humanity continues to feign blindness despite centuries of guidance. It questions if the sun of truth has died or faded, while desperately longing for a genuine new dawn of enlightenment and freedom.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Anaphora / Eyaipu (இயைபுத் தொடை)
“Milirum oliye / Viriyum oliye / Thirakkum oliye”
Repetition of the line-ending refrain 'oliye' across multiple consecutive lines to create a rhythmic, chant-like invocation of light.
Metaphor (உருவகம்)
“Idho thanga theeyaagi”
Describing light as 'thanga theey' (golden fire) and the ultimate truth/idealism as 'ezhil sooriyan' (beautiful sun).
Historical and Philosophical Allusion
“Buthan muyandrum / Pinn gandhi muyandrum”
Explicitly citing Buddha and Mahatma Gandhi to emphasize humanity's persistent refusal to awaken despite teachings across eras.
Rhetorical Questions (வினா அணி)
“Tholaindhaano enna naam engu endru theda”
A sequence of poignant questions asking if the sun is lost, tired, extinguished, or dead to highlight collective despair and hope for a new dawn.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Gandhi Talks' is a silent dark comedy film directed by Kishor Pandurang Belekar, starring Vijay Sethupathi, Arvind Swamy, and Aditi Rao Hydari. Because the film features no spoken dialogue, A.R. Rahman's soundtrack and lyricist Madrashe's words carry the pivotal narrative, thematic, and emotional weight of the entire movie.
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