Sanmaargamae illaa
From Paithiyakkaran · 1947
- Lyricist
- Ambikapathi
- Singer
- P. Leela
- Music directors
- C. R. Subbaraman, M. S. Gnanamani
- Details
- Paithiyakkaran1947
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Sanmaargamae illaa | Without any righteous path, |
| Samooga paeyin sadhiyaalae | due to the plot of the societal demon, |
| En polum paedhai ethanai | how many innocent women like me |
| Paerullaaro puvimaelae | exist upon this earth? |
| Sanmaargamae illaa | Without any righteous path, |
| Samooga paeyin sadhiyaalae | due to the plot of the societal demon, |
| En polum paedhai ethanai | how many innocent women like me |
| Paerullaaro puvimaelae | exist upon this earth? |
| Female | |
| En vaazhkkai thunaiyaam | The companion of my life, |
| Naadhan irandhaar adhu en kuttramaa | my husband died; is that my fault? |
| Kannae illaadha mooda kayavar | By the cruel trickery played by |
| Seidha sadhiyaalae | blind, foolish, and wicked scoundrels, |
| Pennaaga yaen pirandhen | Why was I born as a woman |
| Paei chamoogam naduvae naan | in the midst of this demonic society? |
| Female | |
| Maangalyam kungumam malar | The sacred thread, vermillion, and flowers, |
| Yaavum izhandhae | having lost them all, |
| Maariyadho mana unarchiyum | have my inner feelings changed, |
| Uyirum thaanae uyirum thaanae | and my very life itself? My very life itself? |
சன்மார்க்கமே இல்லா
சமூகப் பேயின் சதியாலே
என் போலும் பேதை எத்தனை
பேருள்ளாரோ புவிமேலே
சன்மார்க்கமே இல்லா
சமூகப் பேயின் சதியாலே
என் போலும் பேதை எத்தனை
பேருள்ளாரோ புவிமேலே
Without any righteous path,
due to the plot of the societal demon,
how many innocent women like me
exist upon this earth?
Without any righteous path,
due to the plot of the societal demon,
how many innocent women like me
exist upon this earth?
என் வாழ்க்கைத் துணையாம்
நாதன் இறந்தார் அது என் குற்றமா
கண்ணே இல்லாத மூடக் கயவர்
செய்த சதியாலே
பெண்ணாக ஏன் பிறந்தேன்
பேய்ச் சமூகம் நடுவே நான்
The companion of my life,
my husband died; is that my fault?
By the cruel trickery played by
blind, foolish, and wicked scoundrels,
Why was I born as a woman
in the midst of this demonic society?
மாங்கல்யம் குங்குமம் மலர்
யாவும் இழந்தே
மாறியதோ மன உணர்ச்சியும்
உயிரும் தானே உயிரும் தானே
The sacred thread, vermillion, and flowers,
having lost them all,
have my inner feelings changed,
and my very life itself? My very life itself?
Sanmaargamae illaa
Without any righteous path,
Samooga paeyin sadhiyaalae
due to the plot of the societal demon,
En polum paedhai ethanai
how many innocent women like me
Paerullaaro puvimaelae
exist upon this earth?
Sanmaargamae illaa
Without any righteous path,
Samooga paeyin sadhiyaalae
due to the plot of the societal demon,
En polum paedhai ethanai
how many innocent women like me
Paerullaaro puvimaelae
exist upon this earth?
En vaazhkkai thunaiyaam
The companion of my life,
Naadhan irandhaar adhu en kuttramaa
my husband died; is that my fault?
Kannae illaadha mooda kayavar
By the cruel trickery played by
Seidha sadhiyaalae
blind, foolish, and wicked scoundrels,
Pennaaga yaen pirandhen
Why was I born as a woman
Paei chamoogam naduvae naan
in the midst of this demonic society?
Maangalyam kungumam malar
The sacred thread, vermillion, and flowers,
Yaavum izhandhae
having lost them all,
Maariyadho mana unarchiyum
have my inner feelings changed,
Uyirum thaanae uyirum thaanae
and my very life itself? My very life itself?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This poignant song reflects the deep anguish and helplessness of a young widow suffering under regressive social dogmas. The protagonist blames a heartless and superstitious society for treating a woman's tragic loss of her husband as her own fault. Stripped of traditional marital symbols like the mangalsutra, kumkum, and flowers, she questions the purpose of her existence and laments being born a woman in a cruel, demonic world.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor
“Samooga paeyin sadhiyaalae”
Society is metaphorically described as a 'paei' (demon), emphasizing its oppressive, evil, and unfeeling nature toward widows.
Rhetorical Question
“Naadhan irandhaar adhu en kuttramaa”
The speaker asks whether her husband's death is her fault and why she was born a woman, highlighting societal injustice rather than seeking an answer.
Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Sanmaargamae illaa / Samooga paeyin sadhiyaalae”
The second consonant sound matches between lines (e.g., 'Sanmaargamae' and 'Samooga'), giving rhythmic flow to the despairing verses.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Paithiyakkaran' (1947) was a reformist film produced by the T.K.S. Brothers theatrical troupe. The story dealt heavily with social reform, advocate rights, and challenging orthodox societal norms regarding women and widowhood.
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