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Lyrics & meaning

Sanmaargamae illaa

From Paithiyakkaran · 1947

Lyricist
Ambikapathi
Singer
P. Leela
Music directors
C. R. Subbaraman, M. S. Gnanamani
Movie name
Paithiyakkaran
Movie release year
1947
Lyrics added on
22 Mar 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Sanmaargamae illaa
Samooga paeyin sadhiyaalae
En polum paedhai ethanai
Paerullaaro puvimaelae
Sanmaargamae illaa
Samooga paeyin sadhiyaalae
En polum paedhai ethanai
Paerullaaro puvimaelae
En vaazhkkai thunaiyaam
Naadhan irandhaar adhu en kuttramaa
Kannae illaadha mooda kayavar
Seidha sadhiyaalae
Pennaaga yaen pirandhen
Paei chamoogam naduvae naan
Maangalyam kungumam malar
Yaavum izhandhae
Maariyadho mana unarchiyum
Uyirum thaanae uyirum thaanae
Devoid of all righteousness,
through the cruel plot of this monstrous society,
how many helpless women like me
are there living upon this earth?
Devoid of all righteousness,
through the cruel plot of this monstrous society,
how many helpless women like me
are there living upon this earth?
The companion of my life,
my husband died—is that my fault?
By the schemes of blind, foolish,
and wicked people,
why was I ever born as a woman
in the midst of this monstrous society?
Mangalsutra (sacred wedding thread), kumkum, and flowers—
having lost them all,
have the feelings in my heart changed too,
and even my very life, my very life?
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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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