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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Sanmarkkam Thiyagam

From Digambara Samiyar · 1950

Lyricist
Ka. Mu. Sheriff
Singer
Master Subbaiya
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Details
Digambara Samiyar1950

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Manam polae vaazhvu varum endraWill the saying that life turns out according to one's mind
Periyoor vakkiyam poiyaagumaaspoken by the elders ever turn out to be false?
Manidhanai manidhan vadhaithae pizhaithidumCan a life lived by torturing fellow human beings
Vaazhvuthaan nilaiyaagumaaever remain permanent?
NilaiyaagumaaWill it ever be permanent?
Male
Sanmaargam thiyagam ennaalumRighteousness and sacrifice will always
Vetri adaiyum paarilaetriumph in this world.
Sanmaargam thiyagam ennaalumRighteousness and sacrifice will always
Vetri adaiyum paarilaetriumph in this world.
Thunmaargam dhroogam ennaalumWickedness and treachery will always
Tholvi adaiyum paarilaeface defeat in this world.
Tholvi adaiyum paarilaeFace defeat in this world.
Male
Munnam raavanan endroru kodiyanIn ancient times, a tyrant named Ravana
Thennilangaiyai aandaanaeruled over southern Lanka.
Munnam raavanan endroru kodiyanIn ancient times, a tyrant named Ravana
Thennilangaiyai aandaanaeruled over southern Lanka.
Sreeraamapiraan kai ambaal andhaBy the arrow from Lord Sri Rama's hand,
Raavanan maandaanaethat Ravana perished.
Sreeraamapiraan kai ambaal andhaBy the arrow from Lord Sri Rama's hand,
Raavanan maandaanaethat Ravana perished.
Male
Sanmaargam thiyagam ennaalumRighteousness and sacrifice will always
Vetri adaiyum paarilaetriumph in this world.
Thunmaargam dhroogam ennaalumWickedness and treachery will always
Tholvi adaiyum paarilaeface defeat in this world.
Tholvi adaiyum paarilaeFace defeat in this world.
Male
Akramaththaal ulagaala ninaithaanThey thought of ruling the world through injustice,
Hitler musoliniHitler and Mussolini.
Akramaththaal ulagaala ninaithaanThey thought of ruling the world through injustice,
Hitler musoliniHitler and Mussolini.
Anugundaalae avargalai azhithaarThey were destroyed using the atomic bomb
Arumai vingyaaniby the wonderful scientists.
Anugundaalae avargalai azhithaarThey were destroyed using the atomic bomb
Arumai vingyaaniby the wonderful scientists.
Male
Sanmaargam thiyagam ennaalumRighteousness and sacrifice will always
Vetri adaiyum paarilaetriumph in this world.
Thunmaargam dhroogam ennaalumWickedness and treachery will always
Tholvi adaiyum paarilaeface defeat in this world.
Tholvi adaiyum paarilaeFace defeat in this world.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This philosophical song emphasizes the ultimate victory of virtue over evil. It asserts that a life built on harming others is fleeting, while righteousness (Sanmaargam) and sacrifice (Thiyagam) will always prevail in the world, leaving wickedness and betrayal to face inevitable defeat. To illustrate this eternal moral truth, the lyricist seamlessly bridges ancient mythology and contemporary history, contrasting the fall of the mythical tyrant Ravana by Rama's arrow with the defeat of World War II dictators Hitler and Mussolini through modern scientific advancements like the atomic bomb.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethukai (Second-letter rhyme)

Sanmaargam thiyagam ennaalum / Thunmaargam dhroogam ennaalum

The second consonant 'n' (ன்) matches in 'Sanmaargam' and 'Thunmaargam'.

Muran (Antithesis)

Sanmaargam thiyagam ennaalum / Thunmaargam dhroogam ennaalum

Contrasts good path ('Sanmaargam') and righteous sacrifice ('Thiyagam') with evil path ('Thunmaargam') and betrayal ('Dhroogam').

Allusion

Akramaththaal ulagaala ninaithaan Hitler musolini

Combines ancient Hindu epic figures (Ravana, Sri Rama) with contemporary 20th-century history (Hitler, Mussolini, atomic bomb) to reinforce the moral statement.

Did you know?

Trivia

Digambara Samiyar (1950) was a hit Tamil film produced by Modern Theatres. Lyricist Ka. Mu. Sheriff uniquely referenced World War II events, Hitler, Mussolini, and the atomic bomb alongside traditional Ramayana references to deliver a contemporary moral message.

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