Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Sigappu Vilakku

From Annai Illam · 1963

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Annai Illam1963

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Aalinganam seidhuEmbracing tightly
Anaithum uyirkaathuProtecting all living beings
Paalikkum thaayaeO nurturing Mother
Paavai thirumagalaeO divine maiden of fortune
Naalukkul nindruStanding bound by time
Nadamaadum kulamagalinOf the noble women who walk this earth
Thaalikku veli thandarulvaaiGrant a shield of protection for their sacred marriage thread
Thalaimagale.. aaa..aaa…O supreme mother... aaa...aaa...
Chorus
…………………….
Male
Sigappu vilakku eriyudhammaa..The red light is burning, O Mother...
Sigappu vilakku eriyudhammaaThe red light is burning, O Mother
Oru jeevan povadhu theriyidhammaA life is visibly slipping away, O Mother
Thaditha uruvam azhaikkudhammaAn imposing dark figure calls out, O Mother
Oru thaali adai vandhu thadukkudhammaThe power of the sacred thali steps in to stop it, O Mother
Male
Sigappu vilakku eriyudhammaa..The red light is burning, O Mother...
Sigappu vilakku eriyudhammaaThe red light is burning, O Mother
Oru jeevan povadhu theriyidhammaA life is visibly slipping away, O Mother
Thaditha uruvam azhaikkudhammaAn imposing dark figure calls out, O Mother
Oru thaali adai vandhu thadukkudhammaThe power of the sacred thali steps in to stop it, O Mother
Chorus
…………………………
Male
Kottai kadhavugul thirakkudhammaThe fortress doors open up, O Mother
Oru kungumam vazhiyai maraikkudhammaA mark of sacred vermilion blocks the path, O Mother
Kottai kadhavugul thirakkudhammaThe fortress doors open up, O Mother
Oru kungumam vazhiyai maraikkudhammaA mark of sacred vermilion blocks the path, O Mother
Poottiya aavizhai azahaikkudhammaThe trapped life calls out from within, O Mother
Oru pooccharam adhaiyum izhukkudhammaA string of sacred flowers pulls it back, O Mother
Sigappu vilakku eriyudhammaa..The red light is burning, O Mother...
Male
Kulamaadhar vendumpodhuWhenever noble women call upon you
Kulirmugam kaattuvaayaeYou show them a serene, graceful face
Silaiyaaga nirkkum thaayaeO Mother who stands as a divine idol
Deiveega sakthi neeyaeYou are the embodiment of divine cosmic power
Nalam elam vendi nindromWe stand before you praying for all well-being
Nangaiyar thunaiyaai nindruStand as a steadfast guardian to all women
Malargalai vaazhvippaayaeBless these flower-like lives to flourish
Maangalyam kaappaai thaayaeProtect the sacred marital tie, O Mother
Maangalyam kaappaai thaayaeProtect the sacred marital tie, O Mother
Chorus
………………………………..
Male
Managal mangai munnaalaeThe auspicious married woman stands in front
Andha maranathin thalaivan pinnaalaeBehind her stands the lord of death, Yama
Managal mangai munnaalaeThe auspicious married woman stands in front
Andha maranathin thalaivan pinnaalaeBehind her stands the lord of death, Yama
Thangathin kayiru munaalaeThe golden marital thread is in front
Andha thalaivanin kayiru pinnaalaeThe death lord's fatal noose is behind
Chorus
………………………………..
Male
Naalai pozhudu yaaridamoTo whom will tomorrow belong?
Andha nayagan meni evvidamoWhere will the hero's life and body remain?
Thaali anindha thaayidamoWith the mother who wears the sacred thali?
Illai dhrama thalaivanin melidamoOr in the heavenly realm of the lord of justice, Yama?
Sigappu vilakku eriyudhammaa..The red light is burning, O Mother...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This dramatic, prayerful song from Annai Illam (1963) portrays a intense struggle between life and death during a medical crisis. The red light of the operating room serves as a central symbol representing the critical juncture between life and death. The lyrics invoke the Divine Mother, pleading for the life of a loved one who is undergoing surgery, drawing a direct parallel to the epic tale of Savitri battling Lord Yama (the god of death) to save her husband.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagandhu)

Sigappu vilakku eriyudhammaa..

The red light of an operation theater ('Sigappu vilakku') is metaphorically equated with the boundary line between life and death.

Alliteration (Moonaai / Etukai)

Managal mangai munnaalae / Andha maranathin thalaivan pinnaalae

Repetition of consonant and vocal sounds in consecutive lines like 'Mangal mangai' and 'Maranathin thalaivan', reinforcing rhythmic drama.

Imagery / Contrast (Antithesis)

Thangathin kayiru munaalae / Andha thalaivanin kayiru pinnaalae

Stark visual imagery contrasting symbols of marital sanctity ('Kungumam', 'Thangathin kayiru') against symbols of death ('Thalaivanin kayiru', 'Thaditha uruvam').

Did you know?

Trivia

Annai Illam (1963) stars Sivaji Ganesan and Devika. The film features music composed by the legendary duo K. V. Mahadevan, with lyrics penned by Kaviyarasu Kannadasan. The track 'Sigappu Vilakku Eriyudhamma' is known for its intense dramatic impact, utilizing the hospital red light as a suspenseful theatrical device.

Keep listening

More from Annai Illam