Paavam Seiyungal
From Unmaiye Un Vilai Enna · 1976
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singers
- Vani Jairam, B. S. Sasirekha
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Unmaiye Un Vilai Enna1976
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Paavam seiyyungal idhiloru | Commit sins, and in return |
| Paththiram vaangungal | Buy a certificate of pardon |
| Paavam seiyyungal idhiloru | Commit sins, and in return |
| Paththiram vaangungal | Buy a certificate of pardon |
| Female | |
| Kaalam ungalai mannippathandri | Not only will time forgive you |
| Kadavulum mannippaar | God will forgive you as well |
| Kaalam ungalai mannippathandri | Not only will time forgive you |
| Kadavulum mannippaar | God will forgive you as well |
| Female | |
| Pudhu paavamum seiyya anumathi tharuvaar | He will grant permission to commit new sins |
| Palanai ennippaar | Consider the result! |
| Pudhu paavamum seiyya anumathi tharuvaar | He will grant permission to commit new sins |
| Palanai ennippaar | Consider the result! |
| Female | |
| Porkaasugal enthan pettiyalittu | Deposit gold coins into my box |
| Paavam pannippaar | And get your sins absolved |
| Porkaasugal enthan pettiyalittu | Deposit gold coins into my box |
| Paavam pannippaar | And get your sins absolved |
| Female | |
| Paavam seiyyungal idhiloru | Commit sins, and in return |
| Paththiram vaangungal | Buy a certificate of pardon |
| Female | |
| Paavaththukithuvaa parikaaram | Is this the true penance for sin? |
| Intha paavikku idharkkaa adhikaaram | Does this sinner have the authority to do this? |
| Paavaththukithuvaa parikaaram | Is this the true penance for sin? |
| Intha paavikku idharkkaa adhikaaram | Does this sinner have the authority to do this? |
| Female | |
| Aabaththil varuvor thoodhar | The messenger who arrives during times of distress |
| Avarai kaasukku virkindraan | He sells him out for money |
| Ivan paavaththai vidavum kodiyavan | He is worse than sin itself |
| Aanaal paathaiyil nirkindraan | Yet he stands right in the pathway |
| Female | |
| Madhavazhipaadu manitharkalaalae | Worship of religion by human beings |
| Manitharukkaanathandro | Is it not meant for humanity? |
| Idhil madhagurumaargal tharagarkal aavathu | In this, religious priests becoming middleman brokers |
| Maaberum paavamandro | Is it not a monumental sin? |
| Female | |
| Madhavazhipaadu manitharkalaalae | Worship of religion by human beings |
| Manitharukkaanathandro | Is it not meant for humanity? |
| Idhil madhagurumaargal tharagarkal aavathu | In this, religious priests becoming middleman brokers |
| Maaberum paavamandro | Is it not a monumental sin? |
| Female | |
| Namakkum melae oruvan irukkum | That there is someone supreme above us |
| Nampikkai enakkundu | I have that firm belief |
| Avan nammai aalbavan karththan avanukku | He who rules over us is the Lord, and for Him |
| Vaarisu yaar undu | Who can claim to be an heir? |
| Female | |
| Adhisaya vedham bible namathu | The miraculous holy scripture, the Bible |
| Arivukku ettiyathae | Has reached our understanding |
| Idhil mathagurumaargal aadhikkam seivathu | In this, religious leaders asserting dominance |
| Mamathaiyai kaattuvathae | Only displays sheer arrogance! |
| Female | |
| Saaththiram thannai kaasukku vittravan | The one who sold scripture for money |
| Thavarae seithuvittaan | Committed a terrible wrong |
| Antha naaththigan athanai saathagamaakki | That atheist turned it to his advantage |
| Nammai thoottri vittaan | And slandered all of us |
| Female | |
| Saaththiram thannai kaasukku vittravan | The one who sold scripture for money |
| Thavarae seithuvittaan | Committed a terrible wrong |
| Antha naaththigan athanai saathagamaakki | That atheist turned it to his advantage |
| Nammai thoottri vittaan | And slandered all of us |
| Female | |
| Mathagurumaarkal suyanalam ellaam | The religious priests have lived and grown |
| Maranthu valarnthavargakal | Forgetting all self-interest and greed |
| Avar arivai pazhippor christhuvar allar | Those who insult their wisdom are not true Christians |
| Arivai izhanthavargal | They are merely those who have lost their sanity |
| Female | |
| Naraga pisaasu martinlootharai | Exile Martin Luther |
| Naadu kadaththungal | The demonic entity of hell |
| Avar naattai kedukka ezhuthiyirukkum | Written to destroy the nation |
| Yaettai koluththungal | Burn those texts completely! |
| Female | |
| Mathaguru aanaiyithu | This is the command of the Pope! |
| Intha martin aanaiyithu | This is Martin's decree! |
| Avanathu noolai koluththungal | Burn his books! |
| Avarathu aanaiyai koluththungal | Burn his orders! |
| Female | |
| Kuttram puriya thoondum noolagalao | Books that incite people to commit evil |
| Muttrum koluththungal | Burn them all completely! |
| Bilble mattum neengida mattra | Except for the Holy Bible |
| Paapaththai koluththungal…. | Burn away all other sins! |
பாவம் செய்யுங்கள் இதிலொரு
பத்திரம் வாங்குங்கள்
பாவம் செய்யுங்கள் இதிலொரு
பத்திரம் வாங்குங்கள்
Commit sins, and in return
Buy a certificate of pardon
Commit sins, and in return
Buy a certificate of pardon
காலம் உங்களை மன்னிப்பதன்றி
கடவுளும் மன்னிப்பார்
காலம் உங்களை மன்னிப்பதன்றி
கடவுளும் மன்னிப்பார்
Not only will time forgive you
God will forgive you as well
Not only will time forgive you
God will forgive you as well
புது பாவமும் செய்ய அனுமதி தருவார்
பலனை எண்ணிப் பார்
புது பாவமும் செய்ய அனுமதி தருவார்
பலனை எண்ணிப் பார்
He will grant permission to commit new sins
Consider the result!
He will grant permission to commit new sins
Consider the result!
பொற்காசுகள் எந்தன் பெட்டியிலிட்டு
பாவம் பண்ணிப் பார்
பொற்காசுகள் எந்தன் பெட்டியிலிட்டு
பாவம் பண்ணிப் பார்
Deposit gold coins into my box
And get your sins absolved
Deposit gold coins into my box
And get your sins absolved
பாவம் செய்யுங்கள்
பத்திரம் வாங்குங்கள்
Commit sins, and in return
Buy a certificate of pardon
பாவத்துக்கிதுவா பரிகாரம்
இந்த பாவிக்கு இதற்கா அதிகாரம்
பாவத்துக்கிதுவா பரிகாரம்
இந்த பாவிக்கு இதற்கா அதிகாரம்
Is this the true penance for sin?
Does this sinner have the authority to do this?
Is this the true penance for sin?
Does this sinner have the authority to do this?
ஆபத்தில் வருவோர் தூதர்
அவரை காசுக்கு விற்கின்றான்
இவன் பாவத்தை விடவும் கொடியவன்
ஆனால் பாதையில் நிற்கின்றான்
The messenger who arrives during times of distress
He sells him out for money
He is worse than sin itself
Yet he stands right in the pathway
மதவழிப்பாடு மனிதர்களாலே
மனிதருக்கானதன்றோ
இதில் மதகுருமார்கள் தரகர்கள் ஆவது
மாபெரும் பாவமன்றோ.....
Worship of religion by human beings
Is it not meant for humanity?
In this, religious priests becoming middleman brokers
Is it not a monumental sin?
மதவழிப்பாடு மனிதர்களாலே
மனிதருக்கானதன்றோ
இதில் மதகுருமார்கள் தரகர்கள் ஆவது
மாபெரும் பாவமன்றோ....
Worship of religion by human beings
Is it not meant for humanity?
In this, religious priests becoming middleman brokers
Is it not a monumental sin?
நமக்கும் மேலே ஒருவன் இருக்கும்
நம்பிக்கை எனக்குண்டு
அவன் நம்மை ஆள்பவன் கர்த்தன் அவனுக்கு
வாரிசு யார் உண்டு
That there is someone supreme above us
I have that firm belief
He who rules over us is the Lord, and for Him
Who can claim to be an heir?
அதிசய வேதம் பைபிள் நமது
அறிவுக்கு எட்டியதே
இதில் மதகுருமார்கள் ஆதிக்கம் செய்வது
மமதையை காட்டுவதே....
The miraculous holy scripture, the Bible
Has reached our understanding
In this, religious leaders asserting dominance
Only displays sheer arrogance!
சாத்திரம் தன்னை காசுக்கு விற்றவன்
தவறே செய்து விட்டான்
அந்த நாத்திகன் அதனை சாதகமாக்கி
நம்மை தூற்றி விட்டான்
The one who sold scripture for money
Committed a terrible wrong
That atheist turned it to his advantage
And slandered all of us
சாத்திரம் தன்னை காசுக்கு விற்றவன்
தவறே செய்து விட்டான்
அந்த நாத்திகன் அதனை சாதகமாக்கி
நம்மை தூற்றி விட்டான்
The one who sold scripture for money
Committed a terrible wrong
That atheist turned it to his advantage
And slandered all of us
மதகுருமார்கள் சுயநலம் எல்லாம்
மறந்து வளர்ந்தவர்கள்
அவர் அறிவை பழிப்போர் கிருஸ்துவர் அல்லர்
அறிவை இழந்தவர்கள்
The religious priests have lived and grown
Forgetting all self-interest and greed
Those who insult their wisdom are not true Christians
They are merely those who have lost their sanity
நரகப் பிசாசு மார்ட்டீன்லூதரை
நாடு கடத்துங்கள்
அவர் நாட்டைக் கெடுக்க எழுதியிருக்கும்
ஏட்டைக் கொளுத்துங்கள்
Exile Martin Luther
The demonic entity of hell
Written to destroy the nation
Burn those texts completely!
மதகுரு ஆணையிது.......
இந்த மார்ட்டீன் ஆணையிது..........
அவனது நூலைக் கொளுத்துங்கள்.....
அவரது ஆணையைக் கொளுத்துங்கள்........
This is the command of the Pope!
This is Martin's decree!
Burn his books!
Burn his orders!
குற்றம் புரிய தூண்டும் நூல்களை
முற்றும் கொளுத்துங்கள்...........
பைபிள் மட்டும் நீங்கிட மற்ற
பாபத்தைக் கொளுத்துங்கள்...........
Books that incite people to commit evil
Burn them all completely!
Except for the Holy Bible
Burn away all other sins!
Paavam seiyyungal idhiloru
Commit sins, and in return
Paththiram vaangungal
Buy a certificate of pardon
Paavam seiyyungal idhiloru
Commit sins, and in return
Paththiram vaangungal
Buy a certificate of pardon
Kaalam ungalai mannippathandri
Not only will time forgive you
Kadavulum mannippaar
God will forgive you as well
Kaalam ungalai mannippathandri
Not only will time forgive you
Kadavulum mannippaar
God will forgive you as well
Pudhu paavamum seiyya anumathi tharuvaar
He will grant permission to commit new sins
Palanai ennippaar
Consider the result!
Pudhu paavamum seiyya anumathi tharuvaar
He will grant permission to commit new sins
Palanai ennippaar
Consider the result!
Porkaasugal enthan pettiyalittu
Deposit gold coins into my box
Paavam pannippaar
And get your sins absolved
Porkaasugal enthan pettiyalittu
Deposit gold coins into my box
Paavam pannippaar
And get your sins absolved
Paavam seiyyungal idhiloru
Commit sins, and in return
Paththiram vaangungal
Buy a certificate of pardon
Paavaththukithuvaa parikaaram
Is this the true penance for sin?
Intha paavikku idharkkaa adhikaaram
Does this sinner have the authority to do this?
Paavaththukithuvaa parikaaram
Is this the true penance for sin?
Intha paavikku idharkkaa adhikaaram
Does this sinner have the authority to do this?
Aabaththil varuvor thoodhar
The messenger who arrives during times of distress
Avarai kaasukku virkindraan
He sells him out for money
Ivan paavaththai vidavum kodiyavan
He is worse than sin itself
Aanaal paathaiyil nirkindraan
Yet he stands right in the pathway
Madhavazhipaadu manitharkalaalae
Worship of religion by human beings
Manitharukkaanathandro
Is it not meant for humanity?
Idhil madhagurumaargal tharagarkal aavathu
In this, religious priests becoming middleman brokers
Maaberum paavamandro
Is it not a monumental sin?
Madhavazhipaadu manitharkalaalae
Worship of religion by human beings
Manitharukkaanathandro
Is it not meant for humanity?
Idhil madhagurumaargal tharagarkal aavathu
In this, religious priests becoming middleman brokers
Maaberum paavamandro
Is it not a monumental sin?
Namakkum melae oruvan irukkum
That there is someone supreme above us
Nampikkai enakkundu
I have that firm belief
Avan nammai aalbavan karththan avanukku
He who rules over us is the Lord, and for Him
Vaarisu yaar undu
Who can claim to be an heir?
Adhisaya vedham bible namathu
The miraculous holy scripture, the Bible
Arivukku ettiyathae
Has reached our understanding
Idhil mathagurumaargal aadhikkam seivathu
In this, religious leaders asserting dominance
Mamathaiyai kaattuvathae
Only displays sheer arrogance!
Saaththiram thannai kaasukku vittravan
The one who sold scripture for money
Thavarae seithuvittaan
Committed a terrible wrong
Antha naaththigan athanai saathagamaakki
That atheist turned it to his advantage
Nammai thoottri vittaan
And slandered all of us
Saaththiram thannai kaasukku vittravan
The one who sold scripture for money
Thavarae seithuvittaan
Committed a terrible wrong
Antha naaththigan athanai saathagamaakki
That atheist turned it to his advantage
Nammai thoottri vittaan
And slandered all of us
Mathagurumaarkal suyanalam ellaam
The religious priests have lived and grown
Maranthu valarnthavargakal
Forgetting all self-interest and greed
Avar arivai pazhippor christhuvar allar
Those who insult their wisdom are not true Christians
Arivai izhanthavargal
They are merely those who have lost their sanity
Naraga pisaasu martinlootharai
Exile Martin Luther
Naadu kadaththungal
The demonic entity of hell
Avar naattai kedukka ezhuthiyirukkum
Written to destroy the nation
Yaettai koluththungal
Burn those texts completely!
Mathaguru aanaiyithu
This is the command of the Pope!
Intha martin aanaiyithu
This is Martin's decree!
Avanathu noolai koluththungal
Burn his books!
Avarathu aanaiyai koluththungal
Burn his orders!
Kuttram puriya thoondum noolagalao
Books that incite people to commit evil
Muttrum koluththungal
Burn them all completely!
Bilble mattum neengida mattra
Except for the Holy Bible
Paapaththai koluththungal….
Burn away all other sins!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song from 'Unmaiye Un Vilai Enna' (1976) portrays a dramatic historical-philosophical debate concerning the Protestant Reformation, indulgences, and corruption within religious institutions. One perspective satirizes the sale of papal indulgences—selling forgiveness for gold—while questioning the authority of clergy acting as commercial brokers between humans and God. The opposing perspective defends church traditions, denounces Martin Luther as a divisive figure disrupting faith, and calls for burning radical texts that challenge orthodoxy while upholding the sanctity of the Bible. Through Kannadasan's incisive lyrics, the song explores the clash between institutional religious dogma and individual conscience, highlighting how human greed and pride can corrupt sacred practices.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Monaai (Assonance / Initial Rhyme)
“Paavam seiyyungal idhiloru / Paththiram vaangungal”
Matching initial letters across adjacent words or line pairs, such as 'Paavam' and 'Paththiram' in lines 1 and 2, or 'Madhavazhipaadu' and 'Manitharukkaanathandro' in lines 27 and 28.
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Saaththiram thannai kaasukku vittravan / Antha naaththigan athanai saathagamaakki”
Matching second consonants across lines, such as 'Aabaththil' and 'Ivan' in lines 23 and 25, or 'Saaththiram' and 'Antha naaththigan' in lines 43 and 45.
Irony / Satire
“Pudhu paavamum seiyya anumathi tharuvaar / Palanai ennippaar”
The lyrics use sarcasm ('Pudhu paavamum seiyya anumathi tharuvaar') to mock the concept of buying forgiveness with money.
Rhetorical Questioning
“Idhil madhagurumaargal tharagarkal aavathu / Maaberum paavamandro”
Using questions like 'Maaberum paavamandro?' to emphasize the absurdity of priests acting as commercial brokers.
Did you know?
Trivia
The film 'Unmaiye Un Vilai Enna' (1976) featured music composed by M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics by Kannadasan. This song uniquely addresses historical European Church history and the Protestant Reformation involving Martin Luther and Papal indulgences, a rare subject matter for Tamil cinema songs of the 1970s.
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