Sevai Seithale
From Amarakavi · 1952
- Lyricist
- Papanasam Sivan
- Singers
- M. K. Thiyagaraja Bagavathar, P. Leela
- Music director
- G. Ramanathan
- Details
- Amarakavi1952
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Ondru saerndhu paaduppattaal | If we unite and labor together, |
| Undu vaazhvae…vaazhvae | There is prosperity in life... life! |
| Ulaginilae ezhai eliyavar thuyaram neenga…aa..aa | To dispel the sorrow of the poor and humble in this world... |
| Thondu seidhae mana panpodu unmaiyaai…. | By rendering service truthfully with mental refinement... |
| Male | |
| Saevai seidhaalae kaanalam | Only if we serve, can we witness... |
| Puvi meedhilae uyarvaanoor inbam anbinilae | Heavenly bliss on earth through love. |
| Aavi udal porul thannalam thanai | Sacrificing life, body, wealth, and selfishness, |
| Thiyagam seithennaalumae unmaiyaai | Always sacrificing truly, |
| Female | |
| Saevai seidhaalae kaanalam | Only if we serve, can we witness... |
| Puvi meedhilae uyarvaanoor inbam anbinilae | Heavenly bliss on earth through love. |
| Aavi udal porul thannalam thanai | Sacrificing life, body, wealth, and selfishness, |
| Thiyagam seithennaalumae unmaiyaai | Always sacrificing truly, |
| Saevai seidhaalae kaanalam | Only if we serve, can we witness... |
| Male | |
| Pirappaalum jaadhimadha vaghupaalum | By birth, caste, religion, and class, |
| Mozhiyaalum uyarvu thaazhvu paesi | And speaking of superiority and inferiority based on language, |
| Ulagilae kizhakku maerkkendru | Dividing the world into East and West, |
| Vazhakkaduvadhu nyaayama..nyaayama… | Is it fair to argue... is it fair? |
| Male | |
| Veen paedhai buthiyaale | Due to foolish, futile intellect, |
| Veen paedhai buthiyaale | Due to foolish, futile intellect, |
| Veenai vaettrumaigalaalae | Because of useless differences, |
| Veen paedhai buthiyaale | Due to foolish, futile intellect, |
| Veenai vaettrumaigalaalae | Because of useless differences, |
| Pagai maliyumae pini panjam minjumae | Enmity will abound, disease and famine will increase! |
| Namm kadamai maranthidaamal | Without forgetting our duty, |
| Pagai maliyumae pini panjam minjumae | Enmity will abound, disease and famine will increase! |
| Namm kadamai maranthidaamal | Without forgetting our duty... |
ஒன்று சேர்ந்து பாடுபட்டால்
உண்டு வாழ்வே...வாழ்வே
உலகினிலே ஏழை எளியவர் துயரம் நீங்க..ஆஆ
தொண்டு செய்தே மனப் பண்போடு உண்மையாய்......
If we unite and labor together,
There is prosperity in life... life!
To dispel the sorrow of the poor and humble in this world...
By rendering service truthfully with mental refinement...
சேவை செய்தாலே காணலாம்
புவி மீதிலே உயர்வானோர் இன்பம் அன்பினிலே
ஆவி உடல் பொருள் தன்னலம் தனை
தியாகம் செய்தெந்நாளுமே உண்மையாய்
Only if we serve, can we witness...
Heavenly bliss on earth through love.
Sacrificing life, body, wealth, and selfishness,
Always sacrificing truly,
சேவை செய்தாலே காணலாம்
புவி மீதிலே உயர்வானோர் இன்பம் அன்பினிலே
ஆவி உடல் பொருள் தன்னலம் தனை
தியாகம் செய்தெந்நாளுமே உண்மையாய்
சேவை செய்தாலே காணலாம்
Only if we serve, can we witness...
Heavenly bliss on earth through love.
Sacrificing life, body, wealth, and selfishness,
Always sacrificing truly,
Only if we serve, can we witness...
பிறப்பாலும் ஜாதிமத வகுப்பாலும்
மொழியாலும் உயர்வு தாழ்வு பேசி
உலகிலே கிழக்கு மேற்கென்று
வழக்காடுவது நியாயமா.... நியாயமா..
By birth, caste, religion, and class,
And speaking of superiority and inferiority based on language,
Dividing the world into East and West,
Is it fair to argue... is it fair?
சேவை செய்தாலே காணலாம்
புவி மீதிலே உயர்வானோர் இன்பம் அன்பினிலே
ஆவி உடல் பொருள் தன்னலம் தனை
தியாகம் செய்தெந்நாளுமே உண்மையாய்
சேவை செய்தாலே காணலாம்
Due to foolish, futile intellect,
Due to foolish, futile intellect,
Because of useless differences,
Due to foolish, futile intellect,
Because of useless differences,
Enmity will abound, disease and famine will increase!
Without forgetting our duty,
Enmity will abound, disease and famine will increase!
Without forgetting our duty...
வீண் பேதை புத்தியாலே
வீண் பேதை புத்தியாலே
வினை வேற்றுமைகளாலே
வீண் பேதை புத்தியாலே
வினை வேற்றுமைகளாலே
பகை மலியுமே பிணி பஞ்சம் மிஞ்சுமே
நம் கடமை மறந்திடாமல்.....
பகை மலியுமே பிணி பஞ்சம் மிஞ்சுமே
நம் கடமை மறந்திடாமல்.....
சேவை செய்தாலே காணலாம்
புவி மீதிலே உயர்வானோர் இன்பம் அன்பினிலே
ஆவி உடல் பொருள் தன்னலம் தனை
தியாகம் செய்தெந்நாளுமே உண்மையாய்
சேவை செய்தாலே காணலாம்
Ondru saerndhu paaduppattaal
If we unite and labor together,
Undu vaazhvae…vaazhvae
There is prosperity in life... life!
Ulaginilae ezhai eliyavar thuyaram neenga…aa..aa
To dispel the sorrow of the poor and humble in this world...
Thondu seidhae mana panpodu unmaiyaai….
By rendering service truthfully with mental refinement...
Saevai seidhaalae kaanalam
Only if we serve, can we witness...
Puvi meedhilae uyarvaanoor inbam anbinilae
Heavenly bliss on earth through love.
Aavi udal porul thannalam thanai
Sacrificing life, body, wealth, and selfishness,
Thiyagam seithennaalumae unmaiyaai
Always sacrificing truly,
Saevai seidhaalae kaanalam
Only if we serve, can we witness...
Puvi meedhilae uyarvaanoor inbam anbinilae
Heavenly bliss on earth through love.
Aavi udal porul thannalam thanai
Sacrificing life, body, wealth, and selfishness,
Thiyagam seithennaalumae unmaiyaai
Always sacrificing truly,
Saevai seidhaalae kaanalam
Only if we serve, can we witness...
Pirappaalum jaadhimadha vaghupaalum
By birth, caste, religion, and class,
Mozhiyaalum uyarvu thaazhvu paesi
And speaking of superiority and inferiority based on language,
Ulagilae kizhakku maerkkendru
Dividing the world into East and West,
Vazhakkaduvadhu nyaayama..nyaayama…
Is it fair to argue... is it fair?
Veen paedhai buthiyaale
Due to foolish, futile intellect,
Veen paedhai buthiyaale
Due to foolish, futile intellect,
Veenai vaettrumaigalaalae
Because of useless differences,
Veen paedhai buthiyaale
Due to foolish, futile intellect,
Veenai vaettrumaigalaalae
Because of useless differences,
Pagai maliyumae pini panjam minjumae
Enmity will abound, disease and famine will increase!
Namm kadamai maranthidaamal
Without forgetting our duty,
Pagai maliyumae pini panjam minjumae
Enmity will abound, disease and famine will increase!
Namm kadamai maranthidaamal
Without forgetting our duty...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This uplifting song from 'Amarakavi' (1952) serves as an ardent plea for social reform, unity, and selfless service. Penned by Papanasam Sivan, the lyrics urge people to transcend artificial divisions such as caste, religion, language, and geography. It asserts that true happiness and heavenly peace can be attained right here on Earth if humanity dedicates itself to love, sacrifice, and uplifting the downtrodden. Furthermore, the song warns against the destructive nature of foolish prejudice and disharmony, emphasizing that pettiness only breeds enmity, disease, and poverty. By reminding listeners of their moral duties to one another, it delivers a timeless message of humanitarian ethics and collective prosperity.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Pagai maliyumae pini panjam minjumae”
Repetition of initial consonant sounds 'Pa' and 'Pi' ('Pagai', 'pini', 'panjam') creates a rhythmic, urgent tone.
Iyaibu (End Rhyme)
“Pagai maliyumae pini panjam minjumae”
Matching end sounds ('maliyumae' and 'minjumae') enhance the musical cadence of the verse.
Anaphora / Repetition (Adukkuthodar)
“Veen paedhai buthiyaale”
The thematic phrase 'Veen paedhai buthiyaale' is repeated multiple times to forcefully condemn foolish, divisive thinking.
Antithesis (Uyarvu Thaazhvu)
“Mozhiyaalum uyarvu thaazhvu paesi”
Contrasting terms 'uyarvu' (superiority/high) and 'thaazhvu' (inferiority/low) are used to highlight social inequalities.
Did you know?
Trivia
Amarakavi (1952) was one of the pivotal films during the comeback era of Carnatic music legend M. K. Thiyagaraja Bhagavathar (MKT) following his acquittal in the Lakshmikanthan murder trial. The soundtrack, composed by G. Ramanathan with lyrics by Papanasam Sivan, bridged Carnatic classical elements with reformist 1950s cinema lyrics.
Keep listening
More from Amarakavi
Amarakavi
Amarakavi
Amarakavi
Amarakavi
Amarakavi
Amarakavi