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Bommai Nayagi album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Saga Uyire

From Bommai Nayagi · 2023

Lyricist
Arivu
Singers
Srimathi, Srisakthi, Shan
Music director
Sundaramurthy KS
Movie name
Bommai Nayagi
Movie release year
2023
Lyrics added on
28 Dec 2022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Saga uyirae saga uyirae
Sadhaiyaai naanum karaigalilae
Nadhi enadhae kadal enadhae
Vidhi yaar yaaroo ezhudhiyadhae
Aariraaraaroo aanen ulago
Boomi thaayi ingu naanum melugoo
Saalai oor engum naanae silaiyoo
Saavi un kaiyilo
Adaiyaalam thaan menmaiyoo
Vilaiyaada naan bommaiyoo
Unaraadha nee unmaiyoo
Unaraadhadhae unmaiyoo
Thangamma thangamma adi aathi
Arasamarathu vilakkethi
Ponnamma chinnamma kadhai paesi
Pandha koluthudi madathi
Aadhikkam thaan aagadhu
Aadi koondae aal aagu
Yaarukkum adangida koodadhu
Pennae yarukkum adangida koodadhu
Thoduvanam arugilae
Aga siragugal viriyum pozhuthilae
Alarakkum ulagilae
Malaiyaaga ivalum nimiravae
Thaaiyaga pesum ivalai
Thaanaga vaazha vidumoo
Poovaaga paarkum nimidham
Theervaagumoo
Adaiyaalam thaan menmaiyoo
Vilaiyaada naan bommaiyoo
Unaraadha nee unmaiyoo
Unaraadhadhae unmaiyoo
Fellow living being! Fellow living being!
Am I just flesh washed upon the shores?
The river is mine, the sea is mine,
yet this fate was written by someone else.
I became a lullaby, but what about this world?
The Earth is a mother, yet am I just melting wax here?
Across the streets and town, am I only a statue?
Is the key in your hands?
Is softness my only identity?
Am I a doll for you to play with?
Are you, who cannot feel, the truth?
Is being unfeeling the only reality?
Thangamma, Thangamma, oh my!
Light the lamp under the sacred fig tree,
Ponnamma and Chinnamma, sharing our stories,
Light the fire torch, Madathi!
Domination is never acceptable!
Dance along and stand on your own feet!
You must never bow down to anyone!
Oh woman, you must never bow down to anyone!
When the horizon is within reach,
when your inner wings spread wide,
in this blossoming world,
so that she may stand tall like a mountain.
Her, who speaks with a mother's caring heart,
will this world let her live freely?
Looking at her only as a fragile flower—
can that ever be the solution?
Is softness my only identity?
Am I a doll for you to play with?
Are you, who cannot feel, the truth?
Is being unfeeling the only truth?
Female
Female
Chorus
Male
Male
Female
Female
Chorus

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

The song explores themes of female identity, societal oppression, and empowered resilience. The protagonist questions patriarchal structures that reduce women to fragile, passive objects—mere 'dolls' (bommai) controlled by others without agency. Through vivid metaphors of nature, flesh, and statues, she addresses the systemic injustice and lack of empathy in the surrounding world. In the latter half, the narrative shifts toward an empowering battle cry. It urges women to light the torch of courage, reject dominance, and reclaim their autonomy. Rather than being treated as delicate flowers, women are urged to spread their inner wings and rise as unwavering mountains, asserting their right to live freely and independently.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Rhetorical Question (Vina Yethirvu)

Vilaiyaada naan bommaiyoo

Repeated use of interrogative endings ('-oo') in lines like 'Vilaiyaada naan bommaiyoo' challenges society's objectification of women.

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

Boomi thaayi ingu naanum melugoo

Comparing herself to melting wax ('melugoo') on Mother Earth symbolizes vulnerability, pain, and loss of form under pressure.

Simile / Visual Imagery (Uvamai)

Malaiyaaga ivalum nimiravae

Comparing the empowered woman rising tall like a mountain ('Malaiyaaga') creates strong visual imagery of unshakeable strength.

Monai & Ethirai (Tamil Rhyme and Alliteration)

Thangamma thangamma adi aathi

Use of rhythmic folk-style alliteration and rhyme patterns across 'Thangamma', 'Arasamarathu', and 'Ponnamma'.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is from 'Bommai Nayagi' (2023), a drama film starring Yogi Babu in a poignant lead role. Lyricist Arivu, known for his socially conscious and anti-caste hip-hop and folk writing (like 'Enjoy Enjaami'), penned these lyrics to highlight female empowerment and dignity against social injustice.

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