Seeman Petra
From Seeman Petra Selvangal · 1962
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- T. R. Pappa
- Details
- Seeman Petra Selvangal1962
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Seemaan pettra selvangal | The children born to the rich man |
| Seemaan pettra selvangal | The children born to the rich man |
| Perum selvathil midhandha ullangal | Hearts that once floated in immense wealth |
| Seemaan pettra selvangal | The children born to the rich man |
| Perum selvathil midhandha ullangal | Hearts that once floated in immense wealth |
| Siragai izhandhu uravai marandhu | Having lost their wings and forgotten their relationships |
| Thigaithu nirkkum annangal | Swans standing in utter bewilderment |
| O thigaithu nirkkum annangal | Oh, swans standing in utter bewilderment |
| Seemaan pettra selvangal | The children born to the rich man |
| Male | |
| Oorukku uzhaikkum maadaanaan | He became an ox working tirelessly for the town |
| Than ullam theindhu odaanaan | With his heart worn out, he became a broken shell |
| Oorukku uzhaikkum maadaanaan | He became an ox working tirelessly for the town |
| Than ullam theindhu odaanaan | With his heart worn out, he became a broken shell |
| Perum illai perumaiyum illai | He has no name, nor does he have any dignity |
| Pichai kolam poonduvittaan | He has taken on the form of a beggar |
| Pichai kolam poonduvittaan | He has taken on the form of a beggar |
| Seemaan pettra selvangal | The children born to the rich man |
| Male | |
| Maaligai eendra manivairam | A precious diamond birthed by a mansion |
| Pudhu maragadha sevvaai kodi annam | A fresh emerald, a red-lipped swan-like maiden |
| Maaligai eendra manivairam | A precious diamond birthed by a mansion |
| Pudhu maragadha sevvaai kodi annam | A fresh emerald, a red-lipped swan-like maiden |
| Kolam izhandhu azhudha kanneril | In tears wept after losing her radiant state |
| Kodu vilundhadhu poongannam | Tracks of tears carved marks on her flower-like cheek |
| Kolam izhandhu azhudha kanneril | In tears wept after losing her radiant state |
| Kodu vilundhadhu poongannam | Tracks of tears carved marks on her flower-like cheek |
| Male | |
| Thandhai kattiya mandabathai | The charitable hall that her father built |
| Thaanum kaana ninaithirundhaal | She herself had wished to see it |
| Thandhai kattiya mandabathai | The charitable hall that her father built |
| Thaanum kaana ninaithirundhaal | She herself had wished to see it |
| Kaalam avrum ena thandhai uraithaan | The father had said that time would bring that day |
| Kaalam vandhadhu vandhu vittaal | The time arrived, and she too has arrived |
| Kaalam avrum ena thandhai uraithaan | The father had said that time would bring that day |
| Kaalam vandhadhu vandhu vittaal | The time arrived, and she too has arrived |
| Seemaan pettra selvangal | The children born to the rich man |
| Perum selvathil midhandha ullangal | Hearts that once floated in immense wealth |
| Male | |
| Manaiyaal sollil madhizhandhaan | He lost his sense seduced by his wife's words |
| Andha mayakkathil uravai maraithirundhaan | In that spell, he had hidden away his true kin |
| Manaiyaal sollil madhizhandhaan | He lost his sense seduced by his wife's words |
| Andha mayakkathil uravai maraithirundhaan | In that spell, he had hidden away his true kin |
| Mayakkam thelindhu uravai ninaindhu | Clearing his stupor and remembering his family |
| Mandapam kaana oodugindraan | He comes running to see the charitable hall |
| Mayakkam thelindhu uravai ninaindhu | Clearing his stupor and remembering his family |
| Mandapam kaana oodugindraan | He comes running to see the charitable hall |
| Seemaan pettra selvangal | The children born to the rich man |
| Perum selvathil midhandha ullangal | Hearts that once floated in immense wealth |
| Male | |
| Oorukku thandhai katti veithaan | The father built a shelter for the town |
| Indru uriyavar adhiale kudi pugundhaar | Today, the rightful heirs have moved into it as refugees |
| Oorukku thandhai katti veithaan | The father built a shelter for the town |
| Indru uriyavar adhiale kudi pugundhaar | Today, the rightful heirs have moved into it as refugees |
| Yaarukku endru enna varum | What fate will bring to whom |
| Idhai yaar arivaar avan thaan varuvaan | Who knows this? God alone will come to decide |
| Yaarukku endru enna varum | What fate will bring to whom |
| Idhai yaar arivaar avan thaan varuvaan | Who knows this? God alone will come to decide |
| Male | |
| Naettraiya vaazhkkai maaligaiyil | Yesterday's life was lived in a palace |
| Indraiya vaazhkkai mandabathil | Today's life is spent in a public shelter |
| Naettraiya vaazhkkai maaligaiyil | Yesterday's life was lived in a palace |
| Indraiya vaazhkkai mandabathil | Today's life is spent in a public shelter |
| Naalaiya vaazhkkai evvidamoo | Where will tomorrow's life be? |
| Naalaiya vaazhkkai evvidamoo | Where will tomorrow's life be? |
| Oru naalil mudiyum nadagamoo | Is life a drama that ends in a single day? |
சீமான் பெற்ற செல்வங்கள்
சீமான் பெற்ற செல்வங்கள்
பெரும் செல்வத்தில் மிதந்த உள்ளங்கள்
சீமான் பெற்ற செல்வங்கள்
பெரும் செல்வத்தில் மிதந்த உள்ளங்கள்
சிறகை இழந்து உறவை மறந்து
திகைத்து நிற்கும் அன்னங்கள்
ஓ திகைத்து நிற்கும் அன்னங்கள்
சீமான் பெற்ற செல்வங்கள்
The children born to the rich man
The children born to the rich man
Hearts that once floated in immense wealth
The children born to the rich man
Hearts that once floated in immense wealth
Having lost their wings and forgotten their relationships
Swans standing in utter bewilderment
Oh, swans standing in utter bewilderment
The children born to the rich man
ஊருக்கு உழைக்கும் மாடானான்
தன் உள்ளம் தேய்ந்து ஓடானான்
ஊருக்கு உழைக்கும் மாடானான்
தன் உள்ளம் தேய்ந்து ஓடானான்
பேரும் இல்லை பெருமையும் இல்லை
பிச்சைக் கோலம் பூண்டுவிட்டான்
பிச்சைக் கோலம் பூண்டுவிட்டான்
சீமான் பெற்ற செல்வங்கள்
He became an ox working tirelessly for the town
With his heart worn out, he became a broken shell
He became an ox working tirelessly for the town
With his heart worn out, he became a broken shell
He has no name, nor does he have any dignity
He has taken on the form of a beggar
He has taken on the form of a beggar
The children born to the rich man
மாளிகை ஈன்ற மணிவைரம்
புது மரகதச் செவ்வாய்க் கொடி அன்னம்
மாளிகை ஈன்ற மணிவைரம்
புது மரகதச் செவ்வாய்க் கொடி அன்னம்
கோலமிழந்து அழுத கண்ணீரில்
கோடு விழுந்தது பூங்கன்னம்
கோலமிழந்து அழுத கண்ணீரில்
கோடு விழுந்தது பூங்கன்னம்
A precious diamond birthed by a mansion
A fresh emerald, a red-lipped swan-like maiden
A precious diamond birthed by a mansion
A fresh emerald, a red-lipped swan-like maiden
In tears wept after losing her radiant state
Tracks of tears carved marks on her flower-like cheek
In tears wept after losing her radiant state
Tracks of tears carved marks on her flower-like cheek
தந்தை கட்டிய மண்டபத்தைத்
தானும் காண நினைத்திருந்தாள்
தந்தை கட்டிய மண்டபத்தைத்
தானும் காண நினைத்திருந்தாள்
காலம் வருமென தந்தையுரைத்தான்
காலம் வந்தது வந்து விட்டாள்
காலம் வருமென தந்தையுரைத்தான்
காலம் வந்தது வந்து விட்டாள்
சீமான் பெற்ற செல்வங்கள்
பெரும் செல்வத்தில் மிதந்த உள்ளங்கள்
The charitable hall that her father built
She herself had wished to see it
The charitable hall that her father built
She herself had wished to see it
The father had said that time would bring that day
The time arrived, and she too has arrived
The father had said that time would bring that day
The time arrived, and she too has arrived
The children born to the rich man
Hearts that once floated in immense wealth
மனையாள் சொல்லில் மதியிழந்தான்
அந்த மயக்கத்தில் உறவை மறந்திருந்தான்
மனையாள் சொல்லில் மதியிழந்தான்
அந்த மயக்கத்தில் உறவை மறந்திருந்தான்
மயக்கம் தெளிந்து உறவை நினைந்து
மண்டபம் காண ஓடுகின்றான்
மயக்கம் தெளிந்து உறவை நினைந்து
மண்டபம் காண ஓடுகின்றான்
சீமான் பெற்ற செல்வங்கள்
பெரும் செல்வத்தில் மிதந்த உள்ளங்கள்
He lost his sense seduced by his wife's words
In that spell, he had hidden away his true kin
He lost his sense seduced by his wife's words
In that spell, he had hidden away his true kin
Clearing his stupor and remembering his family
He comes running to see the charitable hall
Clearing his stupor and remembering his family
He comes running to see the charitable hall
The children born to the rich man
Hearts that once floated in immense wealth
ஊருக்குத் தந்தை கட்டி வைத்தான்
இன்று உரியவர் அதிலே குடி புகுந்தார்
ஊருக்குத் தந்தை கட்டி வைத்தான்
இன்று உரியவர் அதிலே குடி புகுந்தார்
யாருக்கு என்று என்ன வரும்
இதை யாரறிவார் அவன்தான் அறிவான்
யாருக்கு என்று என்ன வரும்
இதை யாரறிவார் அவன்தான் அறிவான்
The father built a shelter for the town
Today, the rightful heirs have moved into it as refugees
The father built a shelter for the town
Today, the rightful heirs have moved into it as refugees
What fate will bring to whom
Who knows this? God alone will come to decide
What fate will bring to whom
Who knows this? God alone will come to decide
நேற்றைய வாழ்க்கை மாளிகையில்
இன்றைய வாழ்க்கை மண்டபத்தில்
நேற்றைய வாழ்க்கை மாளிகையில்
இன்றைய வாழ்க்கை மண்டபத்தில்
நாளைய வாழ்க்கை எவ்விடமோ
நாளைய வாழ்க்கை எவ்விடமோ
ஒரு நாளில் முடியும் நாடகமோ ........
Yesterday's life was lived in a palace
Today's life is spent in a public shelter
Yesterday's life was lived in a palace
Today's life is spent in a public shelter
Where will tomorrow's life be?
Where will tomorrow's life be?
Is life a drama that ends in a single day?
Seemaan pettra selvangal
The children born to the rich man
Seemaan pettra selvangal
The children born to the rich man
Perum selvathil midhandha ullangal
Hearts that once floated in immense wealth
Seemaan pettra selvangal
The children born to the rich man
Perum selvathil midhandha ullangal
Hearts that once floated in immense wealth
Siragai izhandhu uravai marandhu
Having lost their wings and forgotten their relationships
Thigaithu nirkkum annangal
Swans standing in utter bewilderment
O thigaithu nirkkum annangal
Oh, swans standing in utter bewilderment
Seemaan pettra selvangal
The children born to the rich man
Oorukku uzhaikkum maadaanaan
He became an ox working tirelessly for the town
Than ullam theindhu odaanaan
With his heart worn out, he became a broken shell
Oorukku uzhaikkum maadaanaan
He became an ox working tirelessly for the town
Than ullam theindhu odaanaan
With his heart worn out, he became a broken shell
Perum illai perumaiyum illai
He has no name, nor does he have any dignity
Pichai kolam poonduvittaan
He has taken on the form of a beggar
Pichai kolam poonduvittaan
He has taken on the form of a beggar
Seemaan pettra selvangal
The children born to the rich man
Maaligai eendra manivairam
A precious diamond birthed by a mansion
Pudhu maragadha sevvaai kodi annam
A fresh emerald, a red-lipped swan-like maiden
Maaligai eendra manivairam
A precious diamond birthed by a mansion
Pudhu maragadha sevvaai kodi annam
A fresh emerald, a red-lipped swan-like maiden
Kolam izhandhu azhudha kanneril
In tears wept after losing her radiant state
Kodu vilundhadhu poongannam
Tracks of tears carved marks on her flower-like cheek
Kolam izhandhu azhudha kanneril
In tears wept after losing her radiant state
Kodu vilundhadhu poongannam
Tracks of tears carved marks on her flower-like cheek
Thandhai kattiya mandabathai
The charitable hall that her father built
Thaanum kaana ninaithirundhaal
She herself had wished to see it
Thandhai kattiya mandabathai
The charitable hall that her father built
Thaanum kaana ninaithirundhaal
She herself had wished to see it
Kaalam avrum ena thandhai uraithaan
The father had said that time would bring that day
Kaalam vandhadhu vandhu vittaal
The time arrived, and she too has arrived
Kaalam avrum ena thandhai uraithaan
The father had said that time would bring that day
Kaalam vandhadhu vandhu vittaal
The time arrived, and she too has arrived
Seemaan pettra selvangal
The children born to the rich man
Perum selvathil midhandha ullangal
Hearts that once floated in immense wealth
Manaiyaal sollil madhizhandhaan
He lost his sense seduced by his wife's words
Andha mayakkathil uravai maraithirundhaan
In that spell, he had hidden away his true kin
Manaiyaal sollil madhizhandhaan
He lost his sense seduced by his wife's words
Andha mayakkathil uravai maraithirundhaan
In that spell, he had hidden away his true kin
Mayakkam thelindhu uravai ninaindhu
Clearing his stupor and remembering his family
Mandapam kaana oodugindraan
He comes running to see the charitable hall
Mayakkam thelindhu uravai ninaindhu
Clearing his stupor and remembering his family
Mandapam kaana oodugindraan
He comes running to see the charitable hall
Seemaan pettra selvangal
The children born to the rich man
Perum selvathil midhandha ullangal
Hearts that once floated in immense wealth
Oorukku thandhai katti veithaan
The father built a shelter for the town
Indru uriyavar adhiale kudi pugundhaar
Today, the rightful heirs have moved into it as refugees
Oorukku thandhai katti veithaan
The father built a shelter for the town
Indru uriyavar adhiale kudi pugundhaar
Today, the rightful heirs have moved into it as refugees
Yaarukku endru enna varum
What fate will bring to whom
Idhai yaar arivaar avan thaan varuvaan
Who knows this? God alone will come to decide
Yaarukku endru enna varum
What fate will bring to whom
Idhai yaar arivaar avan thaan varuvaan
Who knows this? God alone will come to decide
Naettraiya vaazhkkai maaligaiyil
Yesterday's life was lived in a palace
Indraiya vaazhkkai mandabathil
Today's life is spent in a public shelter
Naettraiya vaazhkkai maaligaiyil
Yesterday's life was lived in a palace
Indraiya vaazhkkai mandabathil
Today's life is spent in a public shelter
Naalaiya vaazhkkai evvidamoo
Where will tomorrow's life be?
Naalaiya vaazhkkai evvidamoo
Where will tomorrow's life be?
Oru naalil mudiyum nadagamoo
Is life a drama that ends in a single day?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Seeman Petra Selvangal reflects deeply on the impermanence of wealth, status, and fate (Selva Nilaiyaamai). The song tells the poignant story of children born into affluent nobility who once lived in absolute luxury, but due to misfortune, misguidance, and time's cruelty, find themselves destitute, weeping, and humbled.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Moonaai / Alliteration
“Seemaan pettra selvangal”
Repetition of the initial sound 'S' across the line creating rhythmic musicality.
Uruvagam / Metaphor
“Siragai izhandhu uravai marandhu / Thigaithu nirkkum annangal”
Compares the noble children reduced to poverty to wingless swans lost in confusion.
Uruvagam / Metaphor
“Maaligai eendra manivairam”
Metaphorically describes the wealthy daughter as a precious diamond born of a palace.
Muran / Antithesis (Contrast)
“Naettraiya vaazhkkai maaligaiyil / Indraiya vaazhkkai mandabathil”
Sharp poetic juxtaposition contrasting yesterday's luxurious life in a palace with today's miserable existence in a public rest house.
Did you know?
Trivia
Written by the legendary lyricist Kannadasan and set to tune by T. R. Pappa, this song stands out as one of T. M. Soundararajan's finest philosophical renditions. It dramatically articulates a core theme of classic Tamil cinema—the unpredictable wheel of fortune turning wealthy heirs into destitute wanderers who end up seeking refuge in a shelter built by their own late father.
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