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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ulagam Aayiram Sollattume

From Arunodhayam · 1971

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Arunodhayam1971

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Ulagam aayiram sollattumae…Let the world say a thousand things...
Unakku nee thaan needhipathi…You are your own judge...
Manidhan edhaiyo pesattumae…Let man speak whatever he wants...
Manasa paathukka nalla padiTake good care of your conscience.
Un manasa paathukka nalla padiTake good care of your conscience.
Male
Ulagam aayiram sollattumae…Let the world say a thousand things...
Unakku nee thaan needhipathi…You are your own judge...
Manidhan edhaiyo pesattumae…Let man speak whatever he wants...
Manasa paathukka nalla padiTake good care of your conscience.
Un manasa paathukka nalla padiTake good care of your conscience.
Male
Ulagam aayiram sollattumaeLet the world say a thousand things.
Male
Kadhai katta oruvan pirandhu vittaalIf a person is born just to fabricate stories,
Kannagi vaazhvilum kalangam unduEven Kannagi's virtuous life would be stained.
Kaappaatra sila paer irundhu vittaalIf there are a few people around to protect,
Kalvargal vaazhvilum nyaayam unduEven in the lives of thieves, there is justice.
Courtukku thaevai sila saatchiA court of law needs witnesses,
Gunathukku thaevai manasaatchiA good character needs a conscience.
Un gunathukku thaevai manasaatchiYour character needs a conscience.
Male
Ulagam aayiram sollattumaeLet the world say a thousand things.
Male
Mayilai paarthu karadi enbaanLooking at a peacock, he will call it a bear.
Maanai paarthu vaengai enbaanLooking at a deer, he will call it a tiger.
Kuyilap paartthu aandhai enbaanLooking at a cuckoo, he will call it an owl.
Adhaiyum sila paer unmai enbaanAnd some people will even accept that as truth.
Yaanaiyai paartha kurudanai polLike the blind men who tried to describe an elephant,
Ennai paartthaal enna seivenWhat can I do if they look at me like that?
Silar ennai paarthaal enna seivenWhat can I do if some people look at me like that?
Male
Ulagam aayiram sollattumaeLet the world say a thousand things.
Male
Kadalil vizhundha nanbanukkuTo a friend who fell into the ocean,
Kai koduthaen avan karai yaeraI gave my hand so he could reach the shore.
Karaikku avanum vandhu vittaanHe safely made it back to the shore,
Kadalil naan thaan vizhundhu vittenWhile it is I who ended up falling into the sea.
Solli azhudhaal theerndhu vidumIf I weep and talk about it, the grief might end,
Sollat thaanae vaarthai illaiBut there are simply no words to speak of it.
Adhai sollat thaanae vaarthai illaiIndeed, there are no words to speak of it.
Male
Ulagam aayiram sollattumae…Let the world say a thousand things...
Unakku nee thaan needhipathi…You are your own judge...
Manidhan edhaiyo pesattumae…Let man speak whatever he wants...
Manasa paathukka nalla padiTake good care of your conscience.
Un manasa paathukka nalla padiTake good care of your conscience.
Male
Ulagam aayiram sollattumaeLet the world say a thousand things.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic philosophical song from 'Arunodhayam' emphasizes the supremacy of one's own conscience over public opinion and false rumors. The lyricist Kannadasan reflects on the irony of human nature—how people easily spread slander, mistake virtues for vices, and blindly accept lies just like blind men describing an elephant based on partial perception. He advises that regardless of societal judgment, one must remain true to oneself, as conscience is the ultimate judge. The song also touches upon deep personal betrayal, using the vivid imagery of saving a drowning friend only to be pushed into the sea oneself. Despite the pain and helplessness of being misunderstood, the narrator finds solace in inner purity and self-reliance rather than seeking vindication from a fickle world.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Allusion (புராண/இலக்கியக் குறிப்பு)

Kannagi vaazhvilum kalangam undu

Refers to Kannagi, the epitome of chastity from the Tamil epic Silappatikaram, illustrating that rumors can tarnish even the purest character.

Simile & Parable (உவமை)

Yaanaiyai paartha kurudanai pol

Uses the famous ancient parable of the blind men and the elephant to highlight how ignorant people make flawed, partial judgments.

Rhyme / Monai & Edhukai (எதுகை / மோனை)

Courtukku thaevai sila saatchi / Gunathukku thaevai manasaatchi

Pairing 'Courtukku' (court) and 'Gunathukku' (character), as well as 'saatchi' (witness) and 'manasaatchi' (conscience) to contrast legal judgment with moral conscience.

Irony & Metaphor (முரண் / உருவகம்)

Karaikku avanum vandhu vittaan / Kadalil naan thaan vizhundhu vitten

Illustrates the irony of selflessness where helping a friend reach the shore results in the benefactor drowning in the ocean instead.

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Trivia

This iconic song from 'Arunodhayam' (1971) stars Sivaji Ganesan and was composed by K. V. Mahadevan with lyrics by the legendary Kaviarasu Kannadasan, sung passionately by T. M. Soundararajan (TMS). It remains one of Tamil cinema's most famous philosophical anthems about conscience and moral fortitude.

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