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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Samarasam Ulaavum Idame

From Rambaiyin Kaadhal · 1956

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
Seerkazhi Govindarajan
Music director
T. R. Pappa
Details
Rambaiyin Kaadhal1956

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Samarasam ulaavum idamaeThis is the place where equality prevails,
Nam vaazhvil kaanaaWhich we never see in our lives.
Samarasam ulaavum idamaeThis is the place where equality prevails,
Nam vaazhvil kaanaaWhich we never see in our lives.
Samarasam ulaavum idamaeThis is the place where equality prevails,
Male
Samarasam ulaavum idamaeThis is the place where equality prevails,
Nam vaazhvil kaanaaWhich we never see in our lives.
Samarasam ulaavum idamaeThis is the place where equality prevails,
Nam vaazhvil kaanaaWhich we never see in our lives.
Samarasam ulaavum idamaeThis is the place where equality prevails.
Male
Jaadhiyil maelor endrumWithout claiming high-caste superiority
Thaazhndhavar keezhor endrumOr treating the downtrodden as low,
BaedhamillaadhuWithout any discrimination,
Ellorum mudivil serndhidum kaaduThis is the forest (crematorium) where everyone reaches at the end,
Ellorum mudivil serndhidum kaaduThis is the forest where everyone reaches at the end,
Thollai indriyae thoongidum veeduIt is a house where everyone sleeps without any troubles,
Thollai indriyae thoongidum veeduIt is a house where everyone sleeps without any troubles.
Ulaginilae idhudhaanIn this world, this indeed is...
Nam vaazhvil kaanaaWhich we never see in our lives,
Samarasam ulaavum idamaeThis is the place where equality prevails.
Nam vaazhvil kaanaaWhich we never see in our lives,
Samarasam ulaavum idamaeThis is the place where equality prevails.
Male
Aandi engae arasanum engaeWhere is the beggar, and where is the king?
Aandi engae arasanum engaeWhere is the beggar, and where is the king?
Aringnan engae asadanum engaeWhere is the scholar, and where is the fool?
Aringnan engae asadanum engaeWhere is the scholar, and where is the fool?
Aavi ponaa pin kooduvaar ingaeOnce the soul leaves, they all gather here,
Aavi ponaa pin kooduvaar ingaeOnce the soul leaves, they all gather here.
Aagaiyinaal idhudhaanTherefore, in this world, this indeed is...
Nam vaazhvil kaanaaWhich we never see in our lives,
Samarasam ulaavum idamaeThis is the place where equality prevails.
Nam vaazhvil kaanaaWhich we never see in our lives,
Samarasam ulaavum idamaeThis is the place where equality prevails.
Male
Saevai seiyum thyaagiThe selfless martyr who serves,
Sringaara pogiThe pleasure-seeking hedonist,
Aaa…aaa…aaa…aa… aaa…aaa..aaa.a…Aaa... aaa... aaa... aa... aaa... aaa... aaa...
Saevai seiyum thyaagiThe selfless martyr who serves,
Sringaara pogiThe pleasure-seeking hedonist,
Eesan porppaadham thannai naadidum yogiThe yogi who seeks the golden feet of Lord Shiva,
Eesan porppaadham thannai naadidum yogiThe yogi who seeks the golden feet of Lord Shiva,
Ellorum ingae ondraai uranguvadhaalaeSince everyone sleeps here as one,
Ellorum inghae ondraai uranguvadhaalaeSince everyone sleeps here as one,
Unmayilae idhudhaanIn truth, this indeed is...
Nam vaazhvil kaanaaWhich we never see in our lives,
Samarasam ulaavum idamaeThis is the place where equality prevails.
Nam vaazhvil kaanaaWhich we never see in our lives,
Samarasam ulaavum idamaeThis is the place where equality prevails.
Male
Samarasam ulaavum idamaeThis is the place where equality prevails,
Nam vaazhvil kaanaaWhich we never see in our lives,
Samarasam ulaavum idamaeThis is the place where equality prevails.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic philosophical song, set in a graveyard/crematorium, serves as a poignant reminder of mortality and ultimate equality. It reflects on how society creates artificial divisions based on caste, status, wealth, and wisdom during life. However, death acts as the great equalizer where kings, beggars, scholars, fools, saints, and hedonists all meet the same end, sleeping peacefully without worldly troubles.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Aandi engae arasanum engae / Aringnan engae asadanum engae

Matching second consonant 'ndi' in 'Aandi' and 'ngnan' in 'Aringnan', or 'a' in 'Aavi' and 'Aa' in 'Aagaiyinaal'.

Antithesis / Contrast

Aandi engae arasanum engae / Aringnan engae asadanum engae

Contrasting opposites such as beggar (Aandi) vs. king (Arasan), scholar (Aringnan) vs. fool (Asadan), and renunciate (Thyaagi) vs. hedonist (Pogi).

Metaphor

Thollai indriyae thoongidum veedu

Referring to the graveyard/crematorium as 'kaadu' (forest) and 'thoongidum veedu' (a house where one sleeps), symbolizing eternal rest.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by T. R. Pappa and sung masterfully by Seerkazhi Govindarajan with lyrics written by A. Maruthakasi, this immortal song from 'Rambaiyin Kaadhal' (1956) remains one of Tamil cinema's iconic philosophical compositions about mortality and human equality.

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