Sathiyam Neeye
From Maattukara Velan · 1970
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Details
- Maattukara Velan1970
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Drio drio drio drio | Drio drio drio drio (cattle call sound) |
| Durrrrr…….rrr…… | Durrrrr…….rrr…… (cattle call sound) |
| Sathiyam neeyae dharmathaayae | You are truth itself, mother of righteousness, |
| Kuzhandhai vadivae dheivamagalae..ae… | A divine daughter in the form of a child! |
| Sathiyam neeyae dharmathaayae | You are truth itself, mother of righteousness, |
| Kuzhandhai vadivae dheivamagalae…ae… | A divine daughter in the form of a child! |
| Male | |
| Kunguma kalaiyodu | A woman who wears vermilion artfully, |
| Kulam kaakum pennai | And protects her family lineage, |
| Gunathil pasuvendru | Is praised for having the gentle nature of a cow, |
| Solvaargal kannae…ae….. | My dear beloved... |
| Male | |
| Kunguma kalaiyodu | A woman who wears vermilion artfully, |
| Kulam kaakum pennai | And protects her family lineage, |
| Gunathil pasuvendru | Is praised for having the gentle nature of a cow, |
| Solvaargal kannae | My dear beloved. |
| Male | |
| Kaalayilae unn mugam | Only after seeing your face early in the morning, |
| Paartha pinnae | After looking at you, |
| Kaalayilae unn mugam | Only after seeing your face early in the morning, |
| Paartha pinnae | After looking at you, |
| Kadamai seivaal engal | Does our Tamil woman start her daily duties. |
| Thamizhnaatu pennae | Tamil country's woman. |
| Male | |
| Drio drio drio drio | Drio drio drio drio |
| Durrrrr…….rrr…… | Durrrrr…….rrr…… |
| Sathiyam neeyae dharmathaayae | You are truth itself, mother of righteousness, |
| Kuzhandhai vadivae dheivamagalae..ae… | A divine daughter in the form of a child! |
| Male | |
| Paal kodupaai adhu | You give milk, which reflects a mother's selfless love, |
| Thaayaarai kaatum | You show affection, which appears like a tender calf's love. |
| Paasam vaipaai adhu | You show affection, which appears like a tender calf's love. |
| Seiyaaga thondrum | Which appears like a tender child. |
| Male | |
| Paal kodupaai adhu | You give milk, which reflects a mother's selfless love, |
| Thaayaarai kaatum | You show affection, which appears like a tender calf's love. |
| Paasam vaipaai adhu | You show affection, which appears like a tender calf's love. |
| Seiyaaga thondrum | Which appears like a tender child. |
| Male | |
| Ammaavai amma | The very word that calls a mother 'Amma'... |
| Endrazhaikindra sollum…ohooo | The word used to address a mother, |
| Ammaavai amma | The word that calls a mother 'Amma', |
| Endrazhaikindra sollum | The word used to address a mother, |
| Anbaana thamizhuku | Was it not given by you |
| Nee thandhadhandro | To the loving Tamil language? |
| Anbaana thamizhuku | Was it not given by you |
| Nee thandhadhandro | To the loving Tamil language? |
| Male | |
| Sathiyam neeyae dharmathaayae | You are truth itself, mother of righteousness, |
| Kuzhandhai vadivae dheivamagalae..ae… | A divine daughter in the form of a child! |
| Male | |
| {Valarthavarae | {Even if the person who raised you forgets you, |
| Unnai marandhuvitaalum | And hands you over to someone else,} |
| Aduthavaridathil koduthuvitaalum} (2) | Even if handed over to someone else,} (2) |
| Male | |
| Valarndha idathai nee | You are a treasure that never forgets |
| Marakaadha selvam | The place where you grew up. |
| Valarndha idathai nee | You are a treasure that never forgets |
| Marakaadha selvam | The place where you grew up. |
| Vaaimattum irundhaal | If only you had a human voice, |
| Mozhi pesum dheivam | You would be a speaking deity! |
| Male | |
| Drio drio drio drio | Drio drio drio drio |
| Durrrrr…….rrr…… | Durrrrr…….rrr…… |
| Sathiyam neeyae dharmathaayae | You are truth itself, mother of righteousness, |
| Kuzhandhai vadivae dheivamagalae..ae… | A divine daughter in the form of a child! |
| Male | |
| {Thannaiyae kodupadhil | {In sacrificing oneself entirely, you equal a plantain tree, |
| Vaazhaiku eedu | And for a farmer's household life, |
| Samsaari vaazhvuku | A cow is the ultimate wealth,} |
| Oru pasumaadu} (2) | A cow is the ultimate wealth,} (2) |
| Male | |
| Ponnaiyae thandhaalum | Even if given mountains of gold, |
| Unakedhu eedu | What can ever equal you? |
| Ponnaiyae thandhaalum | Even if given mountains of gold, |
| Unakedhu eedu | What can ever equal you? |
| Poopola veithunnai | To protect you gently like a delicate flower |
| Kaapadhen paadu | Is my solemn responsibility. |
| Poopola veithunnai | To protect you gently like a delicate flower |
| Kaapadhen paadu | Is my solemn responsibility. |
| Male | |
| Sathiyam neeyae dharmathaayae | You are truth itself, mother of righteousness, |
| Kuzhandhai vadivae dheivamagalae..ae… | A divine daughter in the form of a child! |
| Kuzhandhai vadivae dheivamagalae..ae… | A divine daughter in the form of a child! |
| Drio drio drio drio | Drio drio drio drio |
| Durrrr…..rrrr…… | Durrrr…..rrrr…… |
ட்ரிய்யோ ட்ரிய்யோ
ட்ரிய்யோ ட்ரிய்யோ ட்ர்ரு....
Drio drio drio drio (cattle call sound)
Durrrrr…….rrr…… (cattle call sound)
You are truth itself, mother of righteousness,
A divine daughter in the form of a child!
You are truth itself, mother of righteousness,
A divine daughter in the form of a child!
சத்தியம் நீயே தரும தாயே
குழந்தை வடிவே தெய்வ மகளே...
சத்தியம் நீயே தரும தாயே
குழந்தை வடிவே தெய்வ மகளே....
A woman who wears vermilion artfully,
And protects her family lineage,
Is praised for having the gentle nature of a cow,
My dear beloved...
குங்கும கலையோடு
குலம் காக்கும் பெண்ணை
குணத்தில் பசுவென்று
சொல்வார்கள் கண்ணே
குங்கும கலையோடு
குலம் காக்கும் பெண்ணை
குணத்தில் பசுவென்று
சொல்வார்கள் கண்ணே
A woman who wears vermilion artfully,
And protects her family lineage,
Is praised for having the gentle nature of a cow,
My dear beloved.
காலையிலே
உன் முகம் பார்த்த பின்னே
காலையிலே
உன் முகம் பார்த்த பின்னே
கடமை செய்வாள்
எங்கள் தமிழ் நாட்டு பெண்ணே
ட்ரிய்யோ ட்ரிய்யோ
ட்ரிய்யோ ட்ரிய்யோ ட்ர்ரு...
Only after seeing your face early in the morning,
After looking at you,
Only after seeing your face early in the morning,
After looking at you,
Does our Tamil woman start her daily duties.
Tamil country's woman.
சத்தியம் நீயே தரும தாயே
குழந்தை வடிவே தெய்வ மகளே
Drio drio drio drio
Durrrrr…….rrr……
You are truth itself, mother of righteousness,
A divine daughter in the form of a child!
பால் கொடுப்பாய்
அது தாயாரை காட்டும்
பாசம் வைப்பாய்
அது சேயாக தோன்றும்
பால் கொடுப்பாய்
அது தாயாரை காட்டும்
பாசம் வைப்பாய்
அது சேயாக தோன்றும்
You give milk, which reflects a mother's selfless love,
You show affection, which appears like a tender calf's love.
You show affection, which appears like a tender calf's love.
Which appears like a tender child.
அம்மாவை அம்மா என்று
அழை க்கின்ற சொல்லும்
அம்மாவை அம்மா என்று
அழைக்கின்ற சொல்லும்
அன்பான தமிழுக்கு நீ தந்ததன்றோ
அன்பான தமிழுக்கு நீ தந்ததன்றோ
You give milk, which reflects a mother's selfless love,
You show affection, which appears like a tender calf's love.
You show affection, which appears like a tender calf's love.
Which appears like a tender child.
சத்தியம் நீயே தரும தாயே
குழந்தை வடிவே தெய்வ மகளே
The very word that calls a mother 'Amma'...
The word used to address a mother,
The word that calls a mother 'Amma',
The word used to address a mother,
Was it not given by you
To the loving Tamil language?
Was it not given by you
To the loving Tamil language?
{வளர்த்தவரே உன்னை
மறந்து விட்டாலும்
அடுத்தவரிடத்தில்
கொடுத்து விட்டாலும்} (2)
வளர்ந்த இடத்தை
நீ மறக்காத செல்வம்
வளர்ந்த இடத்தை
நீ மறக்காத செல்வம்
வாய் மட்டும் இருந்தால்
நீ மொழி பேசும் தெய்வம்
ட்ரிய்யோ ட்ரிய்யோ
ட்ரிய்யோ ட்ரிய்யோ ட்ர்ரு...
You are truth itself, mother of righteousness,
A divine daughter in the form of a child!
சத்தியம் நீயே தரும தாயே
குழந்தை வடிவே தெய்வ மகளே....
{Even if the person who raised you forgets you,
And hands you over to someone else,}
Even if handed over to someone else,} (2)
தன்னையே கொடுப்பதில்
வாழைக்கு ஈடு
சம்சாரி வாழ்வுக்கு ஒரு பசு மாடு
தன்னையே கொடுப்பதில்
வாழைக்கு ஈடு
சம்சாரி வாழ்வுக்கு ஒரு பசு மாடு
You are a treasure that never forgets
The place where you grew up.
You are a treasure that never forgets
The place where you grew up.
If only you had a human voice,
You would be a speaking deity!
பொன்னையே தந்தாலும்
உனக்கேது ஈடு
பொன்னையே தந்தாலும்
உனக்கேது ஈடு
பூப்போலே வைத்துன்னை
காப்பதென் பாடு
பூப்போலே வைத்துன்னை
காப்பதென் பாடு
Drio drio drio drio
Durrrrr…….rrr……
You are truth itself, mother of righteousness,
A divine daughter in the form of a child!
சத்தியம் நீயே தரும தாயே
குழந்தை வடிவே தெய்வ மகளே
குழந்தை வடிவே தெய்வ மகளே
ட்ரிய்யோ ட்ரிய்யோ
ட்ரிய்யோ ட்ரிய்யோ ட்ர்ரு....
{In sacrificing oneself entirely, you equal a plantain tree,
And for a farmer's household life,
A cow is the ultimate wealth,}
A cow is the ultimate wealth,} (2)
Even if given mountains of gold,
What can ever equal you?
Even if given mountains of gold,
What can ever equal you?
To protect you gently like a delicate flower
Is my solemn responsibility.
To protect you gently like a delicate flower
Is my solemn responsibility.
You are truth itself, mother of righteousness,
A divine daughter in the form of a child!
A divine daughter in the form of a child!
Drio drio drio drio
Durrrr…..rrrr……
Drio drio drio drio
Drio drio drio drio (cattle call sound)
Durrrrr…….rrr……
Durrrrr…….rrr…… (cattle call sound)
Sathiyam neeyae dharmathaayae
You are truth itself, mother of righteousness,
Kuzhandhai vadivae dheivamagalae..ae…
A divine daughter in the form of a child!
Sathiyam neeyae dharmathaayae
You are truth itself, mother of righteousness,
Kuzhandhai vadivae dheivamagalae…ae…
A divine daughter in the form of a child!
Kunguma kalaiyodu
A woman who wears vermilion artfully,
Kulam kaakum pennai
And protects her family lineage,
Gunathil pasuvendru
Is praised for having the gentle nature of a cow,
Solvaargal kannae…ae…..
My dear beloved...
Kunguma kalaiyodu
A woman who wears vermilion artfully,
Kulam kaakum pennai
And protects her family lineage,
Gunathil pasuvendru
Is praised for having the gentle nature of a cow,
Solvaargal kannae
My dear beloved.
Kaalayilae unn mugam
Only after seeing your face early in the morning,
Paartha pinnae
After looking at you,
Kaalayilae unn mugam
Only after seeing your face early in the morning,
Paartha pinnae
After looking at you,
Kadamai seivaal engal
Does our Tamil woman start her daily duties.
Thamizhnaatu pennae
Tamil country's woman.
Drio drio drio drio
Drio drio drio drio
Durrrrr…….rrr……
Durrrrr…….rrr……
Sathiyam neeyae dharmathaayae
You are truth itself, mother of righteousness,
Kuzhandhai vadivae dheivamagalae..ae…
A divine daughter in the form of a child!
Paal kodupaai adhu
You give milk, which reflects a mother's selfless love,
Thaayaarai kaatum
You show affection, which appears like a tender calf's love.
Paasam vaipaai adhu
You show affection, which appears like a tender calf's love.
Seiyaaga thondrum
Which appears like a tender child.
Paal kodupaai adhu
You give milk, which reflects a mother's selfless love,
Thaayaarai kaatum
You show affection, which appears like a tender calf's love.
Paasam vaipaai adhu
You show affection, which appears like a tender calf's love.
Seiyaaga thondrum
Which appears like a tender child.
Ammaavai amma
The very word that calls a mother 'Amma'...
Endrazhaikindra sollum…ohooo
The word used to address a mother,
Ammaavai amma
The word that calls a mother 'Amma',
Endrazhaikindra sollum
The word used to address a mother,
Anbaana thamizhuku
Was it not given by you
Nee thandhadhandro
To the loving Tamil language?
Anbaana thamizhuku
Was it not given by you
Nee thandhadhandro
To the loving Tamil language?
Sathiyam neeyae dharmathaayae
You are truth itself, mother of righteousness,
Kuzhandhai vadivae dheivamagalae..ae…
A divine daughter in the form of a child!
{Valarthavarae
{Even if the person who raised you forgets you,
Unnai marandhuvitaalum
And hands you over to someone else,}
Aduthavaridathil koduthuvitaalum} (2)
Even if handed over to someone else,} (2)
Valarndha idathai nee
You are a treasure that never forgets
Marakaadha selvam
The place where you grew up.
Valarndha idathai nee
You are a treasure that never forgets
Marakaadha selvam
The place where you grew up.
Vaaimattum irundhaal
If only you had a human voice,
Mozhi pesum dheivam
You would be a speaking deity!
Drio drio drio drio
Drio drio drio drio
Durrrrr…….rrr……
Durrrrr…….rrr……
Sathiyam neeyae dharmathaayae
You are truth itself, mother of righteousness,
Kuzhandhai vadivae dheivamagalae..ae…
A divine daughter in the form of a child!
{Thannaiyae kodupadhil
{In sacrificing oneself entirely, you equal a plantain tree,
Vaazhaiku eedu
And for a farmer's household life,
Samsaari vaazhvuku
A cow is the ultimate wealth,}
Oru pasumaadu} (2)
A cow is the ultimate wealth,} (2)
Ponnaiyae thandhaalum
Even if given mountains of gold,
Unakedhu eedu
What can ever equal you?
Ponnaiyae thandhaalum
Even if given mountains of gold,
Unakedhu eedu
What can ever equal you?
Poopola veithunnai
To protect you gently like a delicate flower
Kaapadhen paadu
Is my solemn responsibility.
Poopola veithunnai
To protect you gently like a delicate flower
Kaapadhen paadu
Is my solemn responsibility.
Sathiyam neeyae dharmathaayae
You are truth itself, mother of righteousness,
Kuzhandhai vadivae dheivamagalae..ae…
A divine daughter in the form of a child!
Kuzhandhai vadivae dheivamagalae..ae…
A divine daughter in the form of a child!
Drio drio drio drio
Drio drio drio drio
Durrrr…..rrrr……
Durrrr…..rrrr……
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song from the film 'Maattukara Velan' (1970) is an ode to the holy cow, highlighting her divine qualities, motherly love, and indispensable presence in agrarian Tamil society. Sung from the perspective of a cowherd (played by M. G. Ramachandran), the lyrics equate the cow to truth, righteousness, and a living deity in child form. The cow's gentle nature is held up as an ideal metaphor for virtuous women in Tamil culture, whose day begins auspiciously upon seeing the cow's face.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uvamaani / Uvameyam)
“Gunathil pasuvendru”
The song compares a virtuous Tamil woman's gentle disposition directly to that of a cow ('Gunathil pasuvendru solvaargal').
Simile (Uvamai)
“Vaazhaiku eedu”
The cow's selfless sacrifice of giving everything it has is compared to a plantain tree ('Vaazhaiku eedu'), which yields all its parts for human benefit.
Emona / Monai (Alliteration)
“Kunguma kalaiyodu / Kulam kaakum pennai”
Repetition of initial consonants or vowels across lines, such as 'Kunguma' and 'Kulam', or 'Thannaiyae' and 'Thandhaalum'.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Maattukara Velan' starring M. G. Ramachandran, Jayalalithaa, and Lakshmi was a massive blockbuster of 1970. The music for this song was composed by K. V. Mahadevan and sung famously by T. M. Soundararajan with lyrics penned by Kannadasan. The opening sounds ('Drio drio', 'Durrrr') are traditional calls used by Tamil cowherds to command and herd cattle.
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