Sevakkaattu Seemaiellaam
From Nenjuku Needhi · 2022
- Lyricist
- Yugabharathi
- Singer
- Guru Ayyadurai
- Music director
- Dhibu Ninan Thomas
- Details
- Nenjuku Needhi2022
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Haa…aaa.. | Ah... aa... |
| Harichandra maamannan atchiyil nadanthennavo | What happened during the rule of King Harishchandra? |
| Sathiyame sothanayai sarinthu kizhe vilanthathennavo | Why did truth itself collapse under trial and fall down? |
| Sagathore unarnthiduvir | Oh fellow humans, realize this! |
| Sagalarum vandhu serum idukaattu mathiyile irunkindratho | Does it exist in the middle of the cremation ground where everyone ultimately reaches? |
| Aiyyo.. enge theduven | Alas.. where shall I search? |
| Male | |
| Yeratha malai yeri irangatha kadal irangi | Climbing unclimbed mountains, descending unplumbed seas, |
| Vadikkatha kanneer vittu odinen thedinen odinen | Shedding unshed tears, I ran, searched, and ran! |
| Kanne maniye endru unnai naduven | Addressing you as my precious darling, I seek you. |
| Male | |
| Sevakkaattu seemai ellaam | Across all the red soil lands, |
| Aandaare harichandra rasa | Ruled King Harishchandra. |
| Arasaanda natta vittae | Leaving the country he once ruled, |
| Nagarntharae sella kaasa… | He moved away, reduced to an unusable coin... |
| Male | |
| Pottakkattu puzhuthi pola | Like dust in the barren, dry lands, |
| Poga pogaya ponarae | He vanished away like rising smoke. |
| Ellathaiyum elazhantha poravu | After losing everything, |
| Eema kaatta serntharae | He reached the cremation ground. |
| Male | |
| Sevakkaattu seemai ellaam | Across all the red soil lands, |
| Aandaare harichandra rasa | Ruled King Harishchandra. |
| Male | |
| Pattada kuppaiyilae | Silks ended up in garbage, |
| Pallakkumae veedhiyilae | And palanquins were left stranded on the streets. |
| Ettooru suththi vanthom | We wandered around eight villages, |
| Pattinikku soruyillae | Yet had no food to cure our starvation. |
| Chorus | |
| ……………………. | |
| Male | |
| Kan poga katchiyillae | There is no vision where eyes can reach, |
| Kaal poga oorumillae | There is no town left for feet to tread. |
| Mannagi pona pinnae | Once reduced to soil, |
| Manidarukku sathiyillae | Humans have no power or strength left. |
| Male | |
| Panjanga noolu thaan | Only the astrological sacred thread |
| Pallam thonduthe | Is digging a pit now, |
| Annadan katchiyae | Even charity feast gatherings |
| Kuththi saikkuthae… | Are stabbing and bringing us down... |
| Male | |
| Kottura deivam kooraiya pichi | They said God showers blessings tearing open the roof, |
| Kottunnu thaanae sonnanga | They said blessings would pour down automatically. |
| Kooraiyumilla veetula vaazhum | Living in houses that don't even have a roof, |
| Engalai ethukku konnanga | Why did they kill us poor souls? |
| Male | |
| Sevakkaattu seemai ellaam | Across all the red soil lands, |
| Aandaare harichandra rasa | Ruled King Harishchandra. |
| Male | |
| Mummari peyyuthunga | Rains pour thrice abundantly, |
| Moonu pogum vilaiyuthunga | Crops yield three harvests annually. |
| Oppari vaikkkum sanam osara | Yet for the lamenting poor people to rise, |
| Vazhi theriyalainga | No path is visible, oh dear. |
| Male | |
| Mullodu poovirukku | There is a flower amidst thorns, |
| Muththathula nelavirukku | There is moonlight in the courtyard. |
| Kallana kadavulukke | Even for the stone idol of God, |
| Karunai adhu engirukku | Where is the compassion stored? |
| Male | |
| Karpooram ethiyum | Even after lighting camphor, |
| Kannai kaatalae | He did not show his eyes. |
| Nei sora pottumae | Even after offering ghee rice, |
| Mannai kakkala… | He did not protect our land... |
| Male | |
| Poyyila unmai posungi poga | While truth gets charred to ashes in lies, |
| Ethanai sattam ammadi | How many laws exist, oh my! |
| Needhiya kasukku vangura manushan | The man who buys justice with money, |
| Nikkuran paru munnadi | Look, he stands tall right in front of us! |
| Male | |
| Sevakkaattu seemai ellaam | Across all the red soil lands, |
| Chorus :Seemai ellaam | Chorus: Across all lands, |
| Male :Aandaare harichandra rasa | Male: Ruled King Harishchandra. |
| Chorus :Harichandra rasa | Chorus: King Harishchandra. |
| Male :Arasanda natta vittae | Male: Leaving the country he once ruled, |
| Chorus :Natta vittae | Chorus: Leaving the country, |
| Male :Nagarntharae sella kaasa | Male: He moved away like a worthless coin, |
| Male | |
| Pottakkattu puzhuthi pola | Like dust in the barren land, |
| Poga pogaya ponarae | He vanished like rising smoke. |
| Ellathaiyum ezhantha poravu | After losing everything, |
| Eema kaatta serntharae | He reached the cremation ground. |
| Male | |
| Harichandra rasa…. | King Harishchandra.... |
ஹா..ஆஅ...
அரிச்சந்திர மாமன்னர் ஆட்சியில் நடந்ததென்னவோ
சத்தியமே சோதனையாய் சரிந்து கீழே விழுந்ததென்னவோ
சகத்தோரே உணர்ந்திடுவீர்
சகலரும் வந்து சேரும் இடுகாட்டு மத்தியிலே இருக்கின்றதோ
ஐயோ எங்கே தேடுவேன்
Ah... aa...
What happened during the rule of King Harishchandra?
Why did truth itself collapse under trial and fall down?
Oh fellow humans, realize this!
Does it exist in the middle of the cremation ground where everyone ultimately reaches?
Alas.. where shall I search?
ஏறாத மலை ஏறி இறங்காத கடல் இறங்கி
வடிக்காத கண்ணீர் விட்டு ஓடினேன் தேடினேன் ஓடினேன்
கண்ணே மணியே என்று உன்னை நாடுவேன்
Climbing unclimbed mountains, descending unplumbed seas,
Shedding unshed tears, I ran, searched, and ran!
Addressing you as my precious darling, I seek you.
செவக்காட்டு சீமையெல்லாம்
ஆண்டாரே அரிச்சந்திரா ராசா
அரசாண்ட நாட்ட விட்டே
நகர்ந்தாரே செல்லா காசா
Across all the red soil lands,
Ruled King Harishchandra.
Leaving the country he once ruled,
He moved away, reduced to an unusable coin...
பொட்டக்காட்டு புழுதி போல
பொக பொகயா போனாரே
எல்லாத்தையும் எழந்த பொறவு
ஈம காட்ட சேந்தாரே
Like dust in the barren, dry lands,
He vanished away like rising smoke.
After losing everything,
He reached the cremation ground.
செவக்காட்டு சீமையெல்லாம்
ஆண்டாரே அரிச்சந்திரா ராசா
Across all the red soil lands,
Ruled King Harishchandra.
பட்டாட குப்பையிலே
பல்லாக்குமே வீதியிலே
எட்டூரு சுத்தி வந்தோம்
பட்டினிக்கு சோறுயில்லே
Silks ended up in garbage,
And palanquins were left stranded on the streets.
We wandered around eight villages,
Yet had no food to cure our starvation.
..............
கண் போக காட்சியில்லே
கால் போக ஊருமில்லே
மண்ணாகி போன பின்னே
மானிடருக்கு சாதியில்லே
There is no vision where eyes can reach,
There is no town left for feet to tread.
Once reduced to soil,
Humans have no power or strength left.
பஞ்சாங்க நூலு தான்
பள்ளம் தோண்டுதே
அன்னாடங்காய்ச்சிய
குத்தி சாய்க்குதே
Only the astrological sacred thread
Is digging a pit now,
Even charity feast gatherings
Are stabbing and bringing us down...
கொட்டுற தெய்வம் கூரைய பிச்சி
கொட்டுன்னு தானே சொன்னாங்க
கூரயுமில்லா வீட்டுல வாழும்
எங்களை எதுக்கு கொன்னாங்க
They said God showers blessings tearing open the roof,
They said blessings would pour down automatically.
Living in houses that don't even have a roof,
Why did they kill us poor souls?
செவக்காட்டு சீமையெல்லாம்
ஆண்டாரே அரிச்சந்திரா ராசா
Across all the red soil lands,
Ruled King Harishchandra.
மும்மாரி பெய்யுதுங்க
மூணு போகம் விளையுதுங்க
ஒப்பாரி வைக்கும் சனம்
ஒசர வழி தெரியலைங்க
Rains pour thrice abundantly,
Crops yield three harvests annually.
Yet for the lamenting poor people to rise,
No path is visible, oh dear.
முள்ளோடு பூவிருக்கு
முத்தத்துல நெலவிருக்கு
கல்லான கடவுளுக்கே
கருணை அது எங்கிருக்கு
There is a flower amidst thorns,
There is moonlight in the courtyard.
Even for the stone idol of God,
Where is the compassion stored?
கற்பூரம் ஏத்தியும்
கண்ண காட்டலே
நெய் சோற போட்டுமே
மண்ண காக்கல
Even after lighting camphor,
He did not show his eyes.
Even after offering ghee rice,
He did not protect our land...
பொய்யில உண்ம பொசுங்கி போக
எத்தன சட்டம் அம்மாடி
நீதிய காசுக்கு வாங்குற மனுசன்
நிக்கிறான் பாரு முன்னாடி
While truth gets charred to ashes in lies,
How many laws exist, oh my!
The man who buys justice with money,
Look, he stands tall right in front of us!
செவக்காட்டு
குழு :
சீமையெல்லாம்
ஆண்டாரே அரிச்சந்திரா ராசா
குழு :
அரிச்சந்திரா ராசா
அரசாண்ட நாட்ட விட்டே
குழு :
நாட்ட விட்டே
நகர்ந்தாரே செல்லா காசா
Across all the red soil lands,
Chorus: Across all lands,
Male: Ruled King Harishchandra.
Chorus: King Harishchandra.
Male: Leaving the country he once ruled,
Chorus: Leaving the country,
Male: He moved away like a worthless coin,
பொட்டக்காட்டு புழுதி போல
பொக பொகயா போனாரே
எல்லாத்தையும் எழந்த பொறவு
ஈம காட்ட சேந்தாரே
Like dust in the barren land,
He vanished like rising smoke.
After losing everything,
He reached the cremation ground.
அரிச்சந்திரா ராசா
King Harishchandra....
............................
Haa…aaa..
Ah... aa...
Harichandra maamannan atchiyil nadanthennavo
What happened during the rule of King Harishchandra?
Sathiyame sothanayai sarinthu kizhe vilanthathennavo
Why did truth itself collapse under trial and fall down?
Sagathore unarnthiduvir
Oh fellow humans, realize this!
Sagalarum vandhu serum idukaattu mathiyile irunkindratho
Does it exist in the middle of the cremation ground where everyone ultimately reaches?
Aiyyo.. enge theduven
Alas.. where shall I search?
Yeratha malai yeri irangatha kadal irangi
Climbing unclimbed mountains, descending unplumbed seas,
Vadikkatha kanneer vittu odinen thedinen odinen
Shedding unshed tears, I ran, searched, and ran!
Kanne maniye endru unnai naduven
Addressing you as my precious darling, I seek you.
Sevakkaattu seemai ellaam
Across all the red soil lands,
Aandaare harichandra rasa
Ruled King Harishchandra.
Arasaanda natta vittae
Leaving the country he once ruled,
Nagarntharae sella kaasa…
He moved away, reduced to an unusable coin...
Pottakkattu puzhuthi pola
Like dust in the barren, dry lands,
Poga pogaya ponarae
He vanished away like rising smoke.
Ellathaiyum elazhantha poravu
After losing everything,
Eema kaatta serntharae
He reached the cremation ground.
Sevakkaattu seemai ellaam
Across all the red soil lands,
Aandaare harichandra rasa
Ruled King Harishchandra.
Pattada kuppaiyilae
Silks ended up in garbage,
Pallakkumae veedhiyilae
And palanquins were left stranded on the streets.
Ettooru suththi vanthom
We wandered around eight villages,
Pattinikku soruyillae
Yet had no food to cure our starvation.
…………………….
Kan poga katchiyillae
There is no vision where eyes can reach,
Kaal poga oorumillae
There is no town left for feet to tread.
Mannagi pona pinnae
Once reduced to soil,
Manidarukku sathiyillae
Humans have no power or strength left.
Panjanga noolu thaan
Only the astrological sacred thread
Pallam thonduthe
Is digging a pit now,
Annadan katchiyae
Even charity feast gatherings
Kuththi saikkuthae…
Are stabbing and bringing us down...
Kottura deivam kooraiya pichi
They said God showers blessings tearing open the roof,
Kottunnu thaanae sonnanga
They said blessings would pour down automatically.
Kooraiyumilla veetula vaazhum
Living in houses that don't even have a roof,
Engalai ethukku konnanga
Why did they kill us poor souls?
Sevakkaattu seemai ellaam
Across all the red soil lands,
Aandaare harichandra rasa
Ruled King Harishchandra.
Mummari peyyuthunga
Rains pour thrice abundantly,
Moonu pogum vilaiyuthunga
Crops yield three harvests annually.
Oppari vaikkkum sanam osara
Yet for the lamenting poor people to rise,
Vazhi theriyalainga
No path is visible, oh dear.
Mullodu poovirukku
There is a flower amidst thorns,
Muththathula nelavirukku
There is moonlight in the courtyard.
Kallana kadavulukke
Even for the stone idol of God,
Karunai adhu engirukku
Where is the compassion stored?
Karpooram ethiyum
Even after lighting camphor,
Kannai kaatalae
He did not show his eyes.
Nei sora pottumae
Even after offering ghee rice,
Mannai kakkala…
He did not protect our land...
Poyyila unmai posungi poga
While truth gets charred to ashes in lies,
Ethanai sattam ammadi
How many laws exist, oh my!
Needhiya kasukku vangura manushan
The man who buys justice with money,
Nikkuran paru munnadi
Look, he stands tall right in front of us!
Sevakkaattu seemai ellaam
Across all the red soil lands,
Chorus :Seemai ellaam
Chorus: Across all lands,
Male :Aandaare harichandra rasa
Male: Ruled King Harishchandra.
Chorus :Harichandra rasa
Chorus: King Harishchandra.
Male :Arasanda natta vittae
Male: Leaving the country he once ruled,
Chorus :Natta vittae
Chorus: Leaving the country,
Male :Nagarntharae sella kaasa
Male: He moved away like a worthless coin,
Pottakkattu puzhuthi pola
Like dust in the barren land,
Poga pogaya ponarae
He vanished like rising smoke.
Ellathaiyum ezhantha poravu
After losing everything,
Eema kaatta serntharae
He reached the cremation ground.
Harichandra rasa….
King Harishchandra....
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song is a deeply moving Tamil folk lament (Oppari) rooted in the mythological story of King Harishchandra, who lost his kingdom and was reduced to working in a cremation ground due to his unwavering commitment to truth. The lyricist draws a powerful parallel between Harishchandra's tragic suffering and the systemic oppression, poverty, and social injustice faced by marginalized communities in contemporary society. Through poignant imagery, the track questions religious hypocrisy, institutional apathy, and a corrupt legal system where wealth buys justice while the innocent suffer. Despite abundant natural yields and social promises, the oppressed remain destitute and vulnerable, questioning where divine compassion and real justice truly lie.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Upamai)
“Pottakkattu puzhuthi pola”
Compares the vanishing or displacement of a ruler/people to dry dust floating in a barren field.
Alliteration (Moonaai)
“Kallana kadavulukke / Karunai adhu engirukku”
Repetition of the 'Ka' sound in consecutive words creates a rhythmic oral tradition style.
Mythological Allegory
“Harichandra maamannan atchiyil nadanthennavo”
Uses the mythological tale of King Harishchandra's tragic turn of fate as an allegory for socio-political oppression.
Irony / Contrast
“Kottura deivam kooraiya pichi... Kooraiyumilla veetula vaazhum”
Highlights the cruelty of proverb vs reality—promising divine riches to people who lack even basic shelter.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Nenjuku Needhi' (2022) is the official Tamil remake of the critically acclaimed Hindi socio-political drama 'Article 15'. The song leverages authentic Tamil folk mourning song (Oppari) style sung by traditional folk artist Guru Ayya Durai to underscore caste discrimination and systemic injustice.
Keep listening
More from Nenjuku Needhi
Nenjuku Needhi