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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Santhegamum Yenamma

From Lava Kusa · 1963

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
Ghantasala
Music director
Ghantasala
Details
Lava Kusa1963

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Sandhegamum yen ammaWhy this doubt, oh mother?
Sreeramachandranum yaarammaWho is Sri Ramachandra, oh mother?
Sandhegamum yen ammaWhy this doubt, oh mother?
Sreeramachandranum yaarammaWho is Sri Ramachandra, oh mother?
Sandhegamum yen ammaWhy this doubt, oh mother?
Male
Orae baanamthaan vaarthaiyum ondreHe shoots only one arrow, speaks only one word,
Murai maaridaan thaaramum ondreAnd abides strictly with only one wife without straying.
Orae baanamthaan vaarthaiyum ondreHe shoots only one arrow, speaks only one word,
Murai maaridaan thaaramum ondreAnd abides strictly with only one wife without straying.
Vinnae sidhari veezhinumEven if the sky shatters and falls,
Haa..aaaa.aa..aa…haaa..aa..aaHaa..aaaa.aa..aa…haaa..aa..aa
Vinnae sidhari veezhinumEven if the sky shatters and falls,
Konda viradhamum thavaranammaHe will never fail in his steadfast vow, oh mother.
Male
Sandhegamum yen ammaWhy this doubt, oh mother?
Sreeramachandranum yaarammaWho is Sri Ramachandra, oh mother?
Sandhegamum yen ammaWhy this doubt, oh mother?
Male
Ravikula thilakan araneri maariIf the jewel of the Solar Dynasty strays from virtue,
Maarutharame naadavum nerinAnd if he ever comes to seek a second wife,
Ravikula thilakan araneri maariIf the jewel of the Solar Dynasty strays from virtue,
Maarutharame naadavum nerinAnd if he ever comes to seek a second wife,
Puviyil enadhu dhavamumThen my penance on this earth,
Punniya kaaviyamum veenammaAnd this sacred epic would all be in vain, oh mother!
Puviyil enadhu dhavamumThen my penance on this earth,
Punniya kaaviyamum veenammaAnd this sacred epic would all be in vain, oh mother!
Male
Sandhegamum yen ammaWhy this doubt, oh mother?
Sreeramachandranum yaarammaWho is Sri Ramachandra, oh mother?
Sandhegamum yen ammaWhy this doubt, oh mother?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

In this classic devotional piece from Lava Kusa (1963), Sage Valmiki sings to Goddess Sita to reassure her of Lord Rama's absolute fidelity and moral perfection. He gently consoles her, asking why she harbors any doubt about Rama's character when Rama is famous throughout the worlds for his adherence to truth, single-minded purpose in battle, and absolute devotion to a single wife. Valmiki asserts that even if the sky were to fall, Rama would never break a vow. He declares dramatically that if Rama were ever to stray from righteousness and take another wife, Valmiki's own spiritual penances and the sacred epic Ramayana itself would be proven false and meaningless.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Anaphora / Emona

Orae baanamthaan vaarthaiyum ondre / Murai maaridaan thaaramum ondre

Repetition of the line ending 'ondre' (one/single) emphasizes Lord Rama's iconic character principle: one arrow, one word, and one wife (Eka Pathni Vrata).

Hyperbole (Athisayokthi)

Vinnae sidhari veezhinum / Konda viradhamum thavaranamma

Exaggeration that even cosmic destruction (sky shattering) cannot shake Rama's adherence to his vows, underscoring his ideal nature.

Epithet

Ravikula thilakan araneri maari

Refers to Rama as 'Ravikula thilakan' (the mark/gem of the Solar Dynasty), exalting his lineage and noble heritage.

Did you know?

Trivia

Lava Kusa (1963) was a landmark film produced simultaneously in Telugu and Tamil, recognized as the first full-length Gevacolor film in Telugu cinema. The music composed and sung by Ghantasala remains iconic in South Indian cinematic history, earning widespread acclaim for its classical and devotional depth.

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