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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Seetharam Seetharam

From Missiamma · 1955

Lyricist
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Singers
K. Sarangapani, Chorus
Music director
Rajeswara Rao
Details
Missiamma1955

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics↻ English translation
Male
Seetharam seetharamSeetharam, Seetharam
Seetharam jai seetharamSeetharam, victory to Seetharam
Chorus : Seetharam seetharamChorus: Seetharam, Seetharam
Seetharam jai seetharamSeetharam, victory to Seetharam
Male
Ullae vigaramDeceitful on the inside,
Veliyila baaramPompous on the outside,
Ulagam ellaamThe entire world is filled
Veen dambaacharamWith vain ostentation.
Chorus
Seetharam seetharamSeetharam, Seetharam
Seetharam jai seetharamSeetharam, victory to Seetharam
Male
Thannalam illaadhaThey will claim to be
Thalaivar enbaaraamSelfless leaders,
Thalaiyila milagaaiYet on people's heads,
AraichiduvaaraamThey will grind chili (deceive them).
Chorus
Seetharam seetharamSeetharam, Seetharam
Seetharam jai seetharamSeetharam, victory to Seetharam
Male
Undiyum nidhiyumDonation boxes and funds
SerthiduvaaraamThey will gather,
Gindi racilae vittitidu vaaraamOnly to gamble it away at Guindy races.
Chorus
Seetharam seetharamSeetharam, Seetharam
Seetharam jai seetharamSeetharam, victory to Seetharam
Male
Paandit petraThey call themselves learned
Singam enbaaramLions among scholars,
Palaiya onnang-classYet they have barely studied
PadichirupaaraamUp to the old first class!
Chorus
Seetharam seetharamSeetharam, Seetharam
Seetharam jai seetharamSeetharam, victory to Seetharam
Male
Kaariyam saathikkaTo get their own work done,
Kakkaa pidipaaraamThey will flatter you obsequiously,
Kaariyam mudinjaaOnce their work is accomplished,
Taekka kodupaaraamThey will dodge and turn their back on you.
Chorus
Seetharam seetharamSeetharam, Seetharam
Seetharam jai seetharamSeetharam, victory to Seetharam
Male
Tiputoppu dagalTip-top looking fraudsters,
Doopu damaaramFake drumbeaters and phonies,
Kalikaalam nammaThis is the age of Kali Yuga,
GrahachaaramAnd our dark planetary fate!
Chorus
Seetharam seetharamSeetharam, Seetharam
Seetharam jai seetharamSeetharam, victory to Seetharam
Seetharam seetharamSeetharam, Seetharam
Seetharam jai seetharamSeetharam, victory to Seetharam
Seetharam jai seetharamSeetharam, victory to Seetharam
Seetharam jai seetharamSeetharam, victory to Seetharam

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic satirical song from the 1955 film 'Missiamma' uses the holy chanting refrain of 'Seetharam' as a stark, ironic contrast to expose social corruption, hypocrisy, and deceit. Lyricist Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass presents a lighthearted yet sharp commentary on self-proclaimed leaders who trick the public, charlatans who misappropriate donation funds for horse-race gambling, pretended scholars with minimal education, and opportunists who flatter only until their self-interests are satisfied. The song concludes that in this modern dark age (Kali Yuga), superficial vanity and fraud have become the norm, juxtaposing human dishonesty against divine chantings.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Irony and Satire (Nindha Stuthi / Satire)

“Seetharam seetharam ... Ullae vigaram”

The continuous repetition of the pious religious chant 'Seetharam' juxtaposed with descriptions of societal trickery creates a sharp satirical effect.

Ethukai (Second-letter rhyme)

“Kaariyam saathikka / Taekka kodupaaraam”

The second consonant sound matches across lines, creating rhythmic cadence in Tamil folk verse, such as 'Kaariyam' and 'Taekka' or 'Undiyum' and 'Gindi'.

Sorrporul Pinvarunilayani (Anaphora)

“Kaariyam saathikka ... Kaariyam mudinjaa”

The term 'Kaariyam' (task/purpose) is repeated at the beginning of phrases to emphasize how human interaction is driven by selfish ends.

Colloquial Metaphor / Idiom

“Thalaiyila milagaai Araichiduvaaraam”

'Thalaiyila milagaai araichiduvaaraam' (grinding chili on someone's head) is a famous Tamil idiom meaning to dupe or trick someone cunningly.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Missiamma' (1955), directed by L. V. Prasad, is an iconic romantic comedy in South Indian cinema. The music was composed by S. Rajeswara Rao and the playback for this satirical track was rendered by S. C. Krishnan. The song gained enduring popularity for its witty portrayal of contemporary social vices disguised behind traditional devotional chants.

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