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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Sigappu Vilakku

From Annai Illam · 1963

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Movie name
Annai Illam
Movie release year
1963
Lyrics added on
16 Apr 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Aalinganam seidhu
Anaithum uyirkaathu
Paalikkum thaayae
Paavai thirumagalae
Naalukkul nindru
Nadamaadum kulamagalin
Thaalikku veli thandarulvaai
Thalaimagale.. aaa..aaa…
…………………….
Sigappu vilakku eriyudhammaa..
Sigappu vilakku eriyudhammaa
Oru jeevan povadhu theriyidhamma
Thaditha uruvam azhaikkudhamma
Oru thaali adai vandhu thadukkudhamma
Sigappu vilakku eriyudhammaa..
Sigappu vilakku eriyudhammaa
Oru jeevan povadhu theriyidhamma
Thaditha uruvam azhaikkudhamma
Oru thaali adai vandhu thadukkudhamma
…………………………
Kottai kadhavugul thirakkudhamma
Oru kungumam vazhiyai maraikkudhamma
Kottai kadhavugul thirakkudhamma
Oru kungumam vazhiyai maraikkudhamma
Poottiya aavizhai azahaikkudhamma
Oru pooccharam adhaiyum izhukkudhamma
Sigappu vilakku eriyudhammaa..
Kulamaadhar vendumpodhu
Kulirmugam kaattuvaayae
Silaiyaaga nirkkum thaayae
Deiveega sakthi neeyae
Nalam elam vendi nindrom
Nangaiyar thunaiyaai nindru
Malargalai vaazhvippaayae
Maangalyam kaappaai thaayae
Maangalyam kaappaai thaayae
………………………………..
Managal mangai munnaalae
Andha maranathin thalaivan pinnaalae
Managal mangai munnaalae
Andha maranathin thalaivan pinnaalae
Thangathin kayiru munaalae
Andha thalaivanin kayiru pinnaalae
………………………………..
Naalai pozhudu yaaridamo
Andha nayagan meni evvidamo
Thaali anindha thaayidamo
Illai dhrama thalaivanin melidamo
Sigappu vilakku eriyudhammaa..
Embracing warmly,
protecting all living souls,
O mother who nurtures,
O divine goddess born as a maiden,
abiding within the home,
of virtuous noble women,
grant a protective fence for their sacred thread,
O supreme Goddess... ah... ah...
...
A red light is burning, O mother...
A red light is burning, O mother,
a life is seen slipping away, O mother.
A looming figure calls out, O mother,
but a sacred mangalsutra comes to block it, O mother.
A red light is burning, O mother...
A red light is burning, O mother,
a life is seen slipping away, O mother.
A looming figure calls out, O mother,
but a sacred mangalsutra comes to block it, O mother.
...
The fort gates are opening, O mother,
but the sacred vermilion blocks the path, O mother.
The fort gates are opening, O mother,
but the sacred vermilion blocks the path, O mother.
The trapped soul is summoned, O mother,
but a garland of flowers pulls it back, O mother.
A red light is burning, O mother...
When virtuous women pray,
you reveal your gentle, serene face.
O mother standing as an idol,
you are the divine power itself.
We stand praying for all well-being,
stand as a support to these women,
give life to these tender flowers,
protect their sacred mangalsutra, O mother!
Protect their sacred mangalsutra, O mother!
...
The auspicious bride stands in front,
and the lord of death stands behind.
The auspicious bride stands in front,
and the lord of death stands behind.
The golden thread stands in front,
and that lord's death-noose stands behind.
...
With whom will tomorrow rest?
Where will the hero's body be?
With the mother who wears the sacred thread,
or up in the heavenly abode of Yama?
A red light is burning, O mother...
Female
Chorus
Male
Male
Chorus
Male
Male
Chorus
Male
Chorus
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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.

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