Then Kizhakku Cheemayile
From Kizhakku Cheemayile · 1993
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- Chithra, Malaysia Vasudevan
- Music director
- A. R. Rahman
- Details
- Kizhakku Cheemayile1993
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Thenkizhakku cheemaiyila | In the south-eastern region, |
| Sengathu boomiyila | In the land of red wind and soil, |
| Ezhappatta jadhikkoru | For the downtrodden people, |
| Eeramirukku | There is wetness of heart (compassion). |
| Female | |
| Kayappatta sondhaththukku | For the hurt relatives, |
| Kanneer vitta | If tears are shed, |
| Sayampona vazhkkaiyilum | Even in a life that lost its color, |
| Saram irukku | There is still deep substance. |
| Male | |
| Ivuga pozhappukku | For their living and survival, |
| Neervarkkaththaan | To pour down water, |
| Eesana moolaiyila | In the northeastern corner of the sky, |
| Megam irukku | There are clouds waiting. |
| Male | |
| Thenkizhakku cheemaiyila | In the south-eastern region, |
| Sengathu boomiyila | In the land of red wind and soil, |
| Ezhappatta jadhikkoru | For the downtrodden people, |
| Eeramirukku | There is wetness of heart (compassion). |
| Female | |
| Kayappatta sondhaththukku | For the hurt relatives, |
| Kanneer vitta | If tears are shed, |
| Sayampona vazhkkaiyilum | Even in a life that lost its color, |
| Saram irukku | There is still deep substance. |
| Female | |
| Thaiveettu perum | The pride of the maternal home, |
| Thaimaaman seerum | And gifts from the maternal uncle, |
| Thekkaththi ponnukkoru | For a southern woman, |
| Soththu sugamae | Are true wealth and comfort. |
| Male | |
| Seerkondu vandhum | Even after bringing dowry gifts, |
| Perkettu ponaa | If reputation is tarnished, |
| Sollama dhukkappadum | They suffer silently in grief, |
| Sondha bandhamae | The loving relatives. |
| Female | |
| Kuththandhaan paththa | If you look closely for faults, |
| Ooril suththam illaiyae | No one in town is completely pure. |
| Male :Kozhikkuk kunju mela | Male: A mother hen never gets angry |
| Kobam vallaiyae | At her own chick. |
| Female :Ompola annan indha ooril illaiyae | Female: There is no brother like you in this entire village. |
| Male | |
| Sengaatu mannum | The red soil land, |
| Nam veettu ponnum | And the daughter of our household, |
| Kaivittu poga kandaa | If seen slipping away, |
| Kanneer varumae | Tears will naturally flow. |
| Female | |
| Thangachchi kannil | In younger sister's eyes, |
| Kanneera kanda | If tears are seen, |
| Thanmanam kooda annan | Even his self-respect, a brother |
| Vittuththarumae | Will sacrifice for her. |
| Male | |
| Bandhaththa meeri poga | To go beyond the bond of relationship, |
| Sakthi illaiyae | There is no strength. |
| Female :Pasaththa pangu poda | Female: To divide unconditional love, |
| Patta illaiyae | There is no land deed. |
| Male :Verukku elagi pochchu | Male: Even the hard rock moved aside |
| Vettu paraiya | For the growing root. |
| Female | |
| Thenkizhakku cheemaiyila | In the south-eastern region, |
| Sengathu boomiyila | In the land of red wind and soil, |
| Ezhappatta jadhikkoru | For the downtrodden people, |
| Eeramirukku | There is wetness of heart (compassion). |
| Female | |
| Kayappatta sondhaththukku | For the hurt relatives, |
| Kanneer vitta | If tears are shed, |
| Sayampona vazhkkaiyilum | Even in a life that lost its color, |
| Saram irukku | There is still deep substance. |
| Male | |
| Ulagam poi dhaana | Is the world a lie? |
| Uravum poi dhaana | Are relationships a lie? |
| Odaikku odum thanner | Does the water running in the stream |
| Sondhamillaya | Belong to no one? |
| Female | |
| Sondthathai yaarum | Without revealing the relationship to anyone, |
| Sollamal pona | Even if one walked away, |
| Kundhikkum karnanukkum | Between Kunti and Karna, |
| Bandham illaiya | Was there no eternal bond? |
| Male | |
| Sondhatha thaarai vaarthu | Pouring out my blood and identity, |
| Thandhen thangachi | I gave it to you, my sister. |
| Female :Sollamaal ponaal annae | Female: If you leave without telling, brother, |
| Intha oomachi | This mute girl will be left helpless. |
| Male :Usiru mattum vechirukken | Male: I hold onto my breath only for you, |
| Thaaren thangachi | I dedicate it to you, my sister. |
| Female | |
| Thenkizhakku cheemaiyila | In the south-eastern region, |
| Sengathu boomiyila | In the land of red wind and soil, |
| Ezhappatta jadhikkoru | For the downtrodden people, |
| Eeramirukku | There is wetness of heart (compassion). |
| Female | |
| Kayappatta sondhaththukku | For the hurt relatives, |
| Kanneer vitta | If tears are shed, |
| Sayampona vazhkkaiyilum | Even in a life that lost its color, |
| Saram irukku | There is still deep substance. |
| Male | |
| Thenkizhakku cheemaiyila | In the south-eastern region, |
| Sengathu boomiyila | In the land of red wind and soil, |
| Ezhappatta jadhikkoru | For the downtrodden people, |
| Eeramirukku | There is wetness of heart (compassion). |
| Female | |
| Kayappatta sondhaththukku | For the hurt relatives, |
| Kanneer vitta | If tears are shed, |
| Sayampona vazhkkaiyilum | Even in a life that lost its color, |
| Saram irukku | There is still deep substance. |
தென்கிழக்கு சீமையிலே
செங்காத்து பூமியில
ஏழைப்பட்ட ஜாதிக்கொரு
ஈரமிருக்கு
In the south-eastern region,
In the land of red wind and soil,
For the downtrodden people,
There is wetness of heart (compassion).
காயப்பட்ட சொந்தத்துக்கு
கண்ணீர் விட்டா
சாயம் போன வாழ்க்கையிலும்
சாரம் இருக்கு
For the hurt relatives,
If tears are shed,
Even in a life that lost its color,
There is still deep substance.
இவுக பொழப்புக்கு
நீர்வார்க்கத்தான்
ஈசானி மூலையில
மேகம் இருக்கு
For their living and survival,
To pour down water,
In the northeastern corner of the sky,
There are clouds waiting.
தென்கிழக்கு சீமையிலே
செங்காத்து பூமியில
ஏழைப்பட்ட ஜாதிக்கொரு
ஈரமிருக்கு
In the south-eastern region,
In the land of red wind and soil,
For the downtrodden people,
There is wetness of heart (compassion).
காயப்பட்ட சொந்தத்துக்கு
கண்ணீர் விட்டா
சாயம் போன வாழ்க்கையிலும்
சாரம் இருக்கு.
For the hurt relatives,
If tears are shed,
Even in a life that lost its color,
There is still deep substance.
தாய் வீட்டுப் பேரும்
தாய் மாமன் சீரும்
தெக்கத்திப் பொண்ணுக்கொரு
சொத்து சுகமே
The pride of the maternal home,
And gifts from the maternal uncle,
For a southern woman,
Are true wealth and comfort.
சீர்கொண்டு வந்தும்
பேர்கெட்டுப் போனா
சொல்லாம துக்கப்படும்
சொந்த பந்தமே
Even after bringing dowry gifts,
If reputation is tarnished,
They suffer silently in grief,
The loving relatives.
குத்தந்தான் பார்த்தா
ஊரில் சுத்தம் இல்லையே
கோழிக்கு குஞ்சு மேலே
கோபம் வல்லையே
உம்போல அண்ணன் இந்த
ஊரில் இல்லையே
If you look closely for faults,
No one in town is completely pure.
Male: A mother hen never gets angry
At her own chick.
Female: There is no brother like you in this entire village.
செங்காட்டு மண்ணும்
நம் வீட்டுப் பொண்ணும்
கை விட்டுப் போகக் கண்டா
கண்ணீர் வருமே
The red soil land,
And the daughter of our household,
If seen slipping away,
Tears will naturally flow.
தங்கச்சி கண்ணில்
கண்ணீரை கண்டா
தன் மானம் கூட அண்ணன்
விட்டுத் தருமே
In younger sister's eyes,
If tears are seen,
Even his self-respect, a brother
Will sacrifice for her.
பந்தத்தை மீறிப் போக
சக்தி இல்லையே
பாசத்தை பங்கு போடப்
பட்டா இல்லையே
வேருக்கு இளகிப் போச்சு
வெட்டுப் பாறைய
To go beyond the bond of relationship,
There is no strength.
Female: To divide unconditional love,
There is no land deed.
Male: Even the hard rock moved aside
For the growing root.
தென்கிழக்கு சீமையிலே
செங்காத்து பூமியில
ஏழைப்பட்ட ஜாதிக்கொரு
ஈரமிருக்கு
In the south-eastern region,
In the land of red wind and soil,
For the downtrodden people,
There is wetness of heart (compassion).
காயப்பட்ட சொந்தத்துக்கு
கண்ணீர் விட்டா
சாயம் போன வாழ்க்கையிலும்
சாரம் இருக்கு
For the hurt relatives,
If tears are shed,
Even in a life that lost its color,
There is still deep substance.
உலகம் பொய் தானா
உறவும் பொய் தானா
ஓடைக்கு ஓடும் தண்ணீர்
சொந்தமில்லையா
Is the world a lie?
Are relationships a lie?
Does the water running in the stream
Belong to no one?
சொந்தத்தை யாரும்
சொல்லாமல் போனால்
குந்திக்கும் கர்ணனுக்கும்
பந்தம் இல்லையா
Without revealing the relationship to anyone,
Even if one walked away,
Between Kunti and Karna,
Was there no eternal bond?
சொந்தத்தை தாரை வார்த்து
தந்தேன் தங்கச்சி
சொல்லமல் போனாள் அண்ணே
இந்த ஊமச்சி
உசிரு மட்டும் வெச்சிருக்கேன்
தாரேன் தங்கச்சி
Pouring out my blood and identity,
I gave it to you, my sister.
Female: If you leave without telling, brother,
This mute girl will be left helpless.
Male: I hold onto my breath only for you,
I dedicate it to you, my sister.
தென்கிழக்கு சீமையிலே
செங்காத்து பூமியில
ஏழைப்பட்ட ஜாதிக்கொரு
ஈரமிருக்கு
In the south-eastern region,
In the land of red wind and soil,
For the downtrodden people,
There is wetness of heart (compassion).
காயப்பட்ட சொந்தத்துக்கு
கண்ணீர் விட்டா
சாயம் போன வாழ்க்கையிலும்
சாரம் இருக்கு
For the hurt relatives,
If tears are shed,
Even in a life that lost its color,
There is still deep substance.
தென்கிழக்கு சீமையிலே
செங்காத்து பூமியில
ஏழைப்பட்ட ஜாதிக்கொரு
ஈரமிருக்கு
In the south-eastern region,
In the land of red wind and soil,
For the downtrodden people,
There is wetness of heart (compassion).
காயப்பட்ட சொந்தத்துக்கு
கண்ணீர் விட்டா
சாயம் போன வாழ்க்கையிலும்
சாரம் இருக்கு
For the hurt relatives,
If tears are shed,
Even in a life that lost its color,
There is still deep substance.
Thenkizhakku cheemaiyila
In the south-eastern region,
Sengathu boomiyila
In the land of red wind and soil,
Ezhappatta jadhikkoru
For the downtrodden people,
Eeramirukku
There is wetness of heart (compassion).
Kayappatta sondhaththukku
For the hurt relatives,
Kanneer vitta
If tears are shed,
Sayampona vazhkkaiyilum
Even in a life that lost its color,
Saram irukku
There is still deep substance.
Ivuga pozhappukku
For their living and survival,
Neervarkkaththaan
To pour down water,
Eesana moolaiyila
In the northeastern corner of the sky,
Megam irukku
There are clouds waiting.
Thenkizhakku cheemaiyila
In the south-eastern region,
Sengathu boomiyila
In the land of red wind and soil,
Ezhappatta jadhikkoru
For the downtrodden people,
Eeramirukku
There is wetness of heart (compassion).
Kayappatta sondhaththukku
For the hurt relatives,
Kanneer vitta
If tears are shed,
Sayampona vazhkkaiyilum
Even in a life that lost its color,
Saram irukku
There is still deep substance.
Thaiveettu perum
The pride of the maternal home,
Thaimaaman seerum
And gifts from the maternal uncle,
Thekkaththi ponnukkoru
For a southern woman,
Soththu sugamae
Are true wealth and comfort.
Seerkondu vandhum
Even after bringing dowry gifts,
Perkettu ponaa
If reputation is tarnished,
Sollama dhukkappadum
They suffer silently in grief,
Sondha bandhamae
The loving relatives.
Kuththandhaan paththa
If you look closely for faults,
Ooril suththam illaiyae
No one in town is completely pure.
Male :Kozhikkuk kunju mela
Male: A mother hen never gets angry
Kobam vallaiyae
At her own chick.
Female :Ompola annan indha ooril illaiyae
Female: There is no brother like you in this entire village.
Sengaatu mannum
The red soil land,
Nam veettu ponnum
And the daughter of our household,
Kaivittu poga kandaa
If seen slipping away,
Kanneer varumae
Tears will naturally flow.
Thangachchi kannil
In younger sister's eyes,
Kanneera kanda
If tears are seen,
Thanmanam kooda annan
Even his self-respect, a brother
Vittuththarumae
Will sacrifice for her.
Bandhaththa meeri poga
To go beyond the bond of relationship,
Sakthi illaiyae
There is no strength.
Female :Pasaththa pangu poda
Female: To divide unconditional love,
Patta illaiyae
There is no land deed.
Male :Verukku elagi pochchu
Male: Even the hard rock moved aside
Vettu paraiya
For the growing root.
Thenkizhakku cheemaiyila
In the south-eastern region,
Sengathu boomiyila
In the land of red wind and soil,
Ezhappatta jadhikkoru
For the downtrodden people,
Eeramirukku
There is wetness of heart (compassion).
Kayappatta sondhaththukku
For the hurt relatives,
Kanneer vitta
If tears are shed,
Sayampona vazhkkaiyilum
Even in a life that lost its color,
Saram irukku
There is still deep substance.
Ulagam poi dhaana
Is the world a lie?
Uravum poi dhaana
Are relationships a lie?
Odaikku odum thanner
Does the water running in the stream
Sondhamillaya
Belong to no one?
Sondthathai yaarum
Without revealing the relationship to anyone,
Sollamal pona
Even if one walked away,
Kundhikkum karnanukkum
Between Kunti and Karna,
Bandham illaiya
Was there no eternal bond?
Sondhatha thaarai vaarthu
Pouring out my blood and identity,
Thandhen thangachi
I gave it to you, my sister.
Female :Sollamaal ponaal annae
Female: If you leave without telling, brother,
Intha oomachi
This mute girl will be left helpless.
Male :Usiru mattum vechirukken
Male: I hold onto my breath only for you,
Thaaren thangachi
I dedicate it to you, my sister.
Thenkizhakku cheemaiyila
In the south-eastern region,
Sengathu boomiyila
In the land of red wind and soil,
Ezhappatta jadhikkoru
For the downtrodden people,
Eeramirukku
There is wetness of heart (compassion).
Kayappatta sondhaththukku
For the hurt relatives,
Kanneer vitta
If tears are shed,
Sayampona vazhkkaiyilum
Even in a life that lost its color,
Saram irukku
There is still deep substance.
Thenkizhakku cheemaiyila
In the south-eastern region,
Sengathu boomiyila
In the land of red wind and soil,
Ezhappatta jadhikkoru
For the downtrodden people,
Eeramirukku
There is wetness of heart (compassion).
Kayappatta sondhaththukku
For the hurt relatives,
Kanneer vitta
If tears are shed,
Sayampona vazhkkaiyilum
Even in a life that lost its color,
Saram irukku
There is still deep substance.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song from 'Kizhakku Cheemayile' captures the poignant depth of sibling love set against the backdrop of rural southern Tamil Nadu. Written by Vairamuthu and composed by A.R. Rahman, the lyrics emphasize that despite poverty, hardship, and social flaws, the heart of the rural folk remains filled with deep empathy ('eeram'). The dialogue between brother and sister reflects self-sacrifice, unconditional love, and an unbreakable emotional bond that transcends pride, land, and material possessions.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyming)
“Thenkizhakku cheemaiyila / Sengathu boomiyila”
The second letter consonant harmony enhances the rhythmic flow of rural folk poetry (e.g., Thenkizhakku / Sengathu / Ezhappatta).
Analogy / Metaphor
“Kozhikkuk kunju mela kobam vallaiyae”
Compares maternal protective love to a mother hen who never holds anger against her chick.
Mythological Allusion
“Kundhikkum karnanukkum bandham illaiya”
References the Mahabharata bond between Kunti and Karna to illustrate secret, undeniable blood relations.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Kizhakku Cheemayile' (1993), directed by Bharathiraja, was a major landmark soundtrack in A.R. Rahman's early career, showcasing his mastery over authentic Tamil folk instrumentation and melodies combined with orchestral arrangements.
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