Ulagam Verum
From Thyagam · 1978
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Thyagam1978
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Haeiiiiiiyaaaa | Hey! |
| Male | |
| Drrrrr….. | Drrrrr... |
| Ulagam verum iruttu | The world is pure darkness. |
| Nee uruppadiyaa yaethikkadaa vilakku | Light a lamp properly, my friend. |
| Ulagam verum iruttu | The world is pure darkness. |
| Nee uruppadiyaa yaethikkadaa vilakku | Light a lamp properly, my friend. |
| Elaarum pona vazhi naan pogum munnae | Before I travel the path that everyone else took, |
| Irandil ondru | One of two outcomes! |
| Ada irandil ondru paarppaenadaa | Hey, I will see one of two outcomes! |
| Endha emanaiyum kaelvi kaetpaenadaa | I will even question the god of death! |
| Male | |
| Ulagam verum iruttu | The world is pure darkness. |
| Nee uruppadiyaa yaethikkadaa vilakku | Light a lamp properly, my friend. |
| Male | |
| Thaedum kaasu pana vaettai | Hunting for cash and searching for money, |
| Nee ooradicha moottai | You are a bundle stolen from the whole town! |
| Oru kaalam vandhaa thaalam | When the time comes, rhythm and beat, |
| Thandhina thaanaa | Singing thandhina thaanaa! |
| Male | |
| Dumkku dappaa thaghara dappaa | Beat of a tin can, tin container! |
| Dumkku dappaa thaghara dappaa | Beat of a tin can, tin container! |
| Amkku dappaa thaghara dappaa | Crushed tin box, tin container! |
| Thaghara dappaa yenna velappaa | What is the price of this tin container? |
| Male | |
| Thaedum kaasu pana vaettai | Hunting for cash and searching for money, |
| Nee ooradicha moottai | You are a bundle stolen from the whole town! |
| Oru kaalam vandhaa thaalam | When the time comes, rhythm and beat, |
| Thandhina thaanaa | Singing thandhina thaanaa! |
| Male | |
| Thirudi chaertha panam nikkaadhudaa | Wealth accumulated by stealing will not last! |
| Onnae vekkaadhudaa | It will not leave a single penny behind! |
| Adhu pora vazhi kaagadhu daa | The path it takes will bring no good! |
| Nalladhu kettadhu ethana vandhadhu | How many good and bad things came, |
| Ethana ninnadhu ethana pochudhu | How many stayed, and how many passed away? |
| Suthina kaasukku pathiram pannura daei… | Hey, you are making safe deposits for ill-gotten money... |
| Male | |
| Ulagam verum iruttu | The world is pure darkness. |
| Nee uruppadiyaa yaethikkadaa vilakku | Light a lamp properly, my friend. |
| Male | |
| Jaadhi rendunnu sonnadhu | Stating that there are only two castes, |
| Avvai sonnadhu | Was declared by Avvai, |
| Angaeyae ninnadhu angaeyae ninnadhu | It stopped right there, it stopped right there! |
| Dharmam enna pannudhu | What is righteousness doing? |
| Jaadhi rendunnu sonnadhu | Stating that there are only two castes, |
| Avvai sonnadhu | Was declared by Avvai, |
| Angaeyae ninnadhu dharmam enna pannudhu | It stopped right there; what is righteousness doing? |
| Male | |
| Thatthuvathai pazhikkaadhae | Do not mock philosophy, |
| Thaengaa chaami | Coconut deity! |
| Saadhi baedham paarppadhillae namma saami | Our God does not look at caste discrimination, |
| Ada amman saami… | Oh Goddess deity... |
| Amman saami vaela paaru | Look at Goddess deity's spear! |
| Aamaam saami vaelai edhukku | Why do we need a yes-man god's work? |
| Male | |
| Ulagam verum iruttu | The world is pure darkness. |
| Nee uruppadiyaa yaethikkadaa vilakku | Light a lamp properly, my friend. |
| Chorus | |
| Hoi…hoi hoi..hoi…. | Hoi... hoi hoi.. hoi.... |
| Male | |
| Poosai naalu tharam pannu | Perform prayers four times, |
| Nee ezhu tharam thinnu | Eat seven times! |
| Nee oor panatha thinnaa vaayila mannu | If you devour the town's money, dirt will fill your mouth! |
| Poosai naalu tharam pannu | Perform prayers four times, |
| Nee ezhu tharam thinnu | Eat seven times! |
| Nee oor panatha thinnaa vaayila mannu | If you devour the town's money, dirt will fill your mouth! |
| Male | |
| Odambu rapparai pol veenghudhadaa | The body swells up like rubber! |
| Boomi thaangudhadaa | The Earth tolerates it, |
| Saami eppodhum thaangaadhadaa | But God will never tolerate it! |
| Katti mudichavan veettil illadaa | The one who built the house does not live in it, |
| Veettil ullavan kattiyadhalladaa | The one living in the house is not the one who built it! |
| Ethanai solliyum buthi porakkala daei… | Despite telling this so many times, wisdom hasn't dawned, hey... |
| Male | |
| Ulagam verum iruttu | The world is pure darkness. |
| Nee uruppadiyaa yaethikkadaa vilakku | Light a lamp properly, my friend. |
| Ellaarum pona vazhi naan pogum munnae | Before I travel the path that everyone else took, |
| Irandil ondru | One of two outcomes! |
| Ada irandil ondru paarppaenadaa | Hey, I will see one of two outcomes! |
| Endha emanaiyum kaelvi kaetpaenadaa | I will even question the god of death! |
| Male | |
| Ulagam verum iruttu | The world is pure darkness. |
| Nee uruppadiyaa yaethikkadaa vilakku | Light a lamp properly, my friend. |
ஹேய்யா....
Hey!
டுர்ர்......
உலகம் வெறும் இருட்டு
நீ உருப்படியா ஏத்திக்கடா விளக்கு
உலகம் வெறும் இருட்டு
நீ உருப்படியா ஏத்திக்கடா விளக்கு
எல்லோரும் போகும் வழி நான் போகும் முன்னே
இரண்டில் ஒன்று
அட இரண்டில் ஒன்று பார்ப்பேனடா
எந்த எமனையும் கேள்வி கேட்பேனடா
Drrrrr...
The world is pure darkness.
Light a lamp properly, my friend.
The world is pure darkness.
Light a lamp properly, my friend.
Before I travel the path that everyone else took,
One of two outcomes!
Hey, I will see one of two outcomes!
I will even question the god of death!
உலகம் வெறும் இருட்டு
நீ உருப்படியா ஏத்திக்கடா விளக்கு
The world is pure darkness.
Light a lamp properly, my friend.
தேடும் காசு பண வேட்டை
நீ ஊரடிச்ச மூட்டை
ஒரு காலம் வந்தா தாளம்
தந்தினத் தன்னா
Hunting for cash and searching for money,
You are a bundle stolen from the whole town!
When the time comes, rhythm and beat,
Singing thandhina thaanaa!
டும்க்கு டப்பா தகர டப்பா
டும்க்கு டப்பா தகர டப்பா
அமுக்கு டப்பா தகர டப்பா
தகர டப்பா என்ன வேலப்பா
Beat of a tin can, tin container!
Beat of a tin can, tin container!
Crushed tin box, tin container!
What is the price of this tin container?
தேடும் காசு பண வேட்டை
நீ ஊரடிச்ச மூட்டை
ஒரு காலம் வந்தா தாளம்
தந்தினத் தன்னா
Hunting for cash and searching for money,
You are a bundle stolen from the whole town!
When the time comes, rhythm and beat,
Singing thandhina thaanaa!
திருடி சேர்த்த பணம் நிக்காதுடா
ஒன்னே வைக்காதுடா
அது போற வழிக்காகாதுடா
நல்லது கெட்டது எத்தனை வந்தது
எத்தனை நின்னது எத்தனை போச்சுது
சுத்தின காசுக்கு பத்திரம் பண்ணுற டேய்.....
Wealth accumulated by stealing will not last!
It will not leave a single penny behind!
The path it takes will bring no good!
How many good and bad things came,
How many stayed, and how many passed away?
Hey, you are making safe deposits for ill-gotten money...
உலகம் வெறும் இருட்டு
நீ உருப்படியா ஏத்திக்கடா விளக்கு
The world is pure darkness.
Light a lamp properly, my friend.
சாதி ரெண்டுண்டு சொன்னது
ஔவை சொன்னது
அங்கேயே நின்னது அங்கேயே நின்னது
தர்மம் என்ன பண்ணுது
சாதி ரெண்டுண்டு சொன்னது
ஔவை சொன்னது
அங்கேயே நின்னது அங்கேயே நின்னது
Stating that there are only two castes,
Was declared by Avvai,
It stopped right there, it stopped right there!
What is righteousness doing?
Stating that there are only two castes,
Was declared by Avvai,
It stopped right there; what is righteousness doing?
தத்துவத்தை பழிக்காதே
தேங்காய்சாமி
சாதி பேதம் பார்ப்பதில்லை நம்ம சாமி
அட அம்மன் சாமி
அம்மன் சாமி வேலை பாரு
ஆமாம் சாமி வேலை எதுக்கு
Do not mock philosophy,
Coconut deity!
Our God does not look at caste discrimination,
Oh Goddess deity...
Look at Goddess deity's spear!
Why do we need a yes-man god's work?
உலகம் வெறும் இருட்டு
நீ உருப்படியா ஏத்திக்கடா விளக்கு
The world is pure darkness.
Light a lamp properly, my friend.
ஹோய்......ஹோய்.....ஹோய்.....ஹோய்....
Hoi... hoi hoi.. hoi....
பூஜை நாலு தரம் பண்ணு
நீ ஏழு தரம் தின்னு
நீ ஊர் பணத்தை தின்னா வாயில மண்ணு
பூஜை நாலு தரம் பண்ணு
நீ ஏழு தரம் தின்னு
நீ ஊர் பணத்தை தின்னா வாயில மண்ணு
Perform prayers four times,
Eat seven times!
If you devour the town's money, dirt will fill your mouth!
Perform prayers four times,
Eat seven times!
If you devour the town's money, dirt will fill your mouth!
உடம்பு ரப்பரைப் போல் வீங்குதடா
பூமி தாங்குதடா
சாமி எப்போதும் தாங்காதுடா
கட்டி முடிச்சவன் வீட்டில் இல்லையடா
வீட்டில் உள்ளவன் கட்டியதல்லடா
எத்தனை சொல்லியும் புத்தி பொறக்கல்ல டேய்.....
The body swells up like rubber!
The Earth tolerates it,
But God will never tolerate it!
The one who built the house does not live in it,
The one living in the house is not the one who built it!
Despite telling this so many times, wisdom hasn't dawned, hey...
உலகம் வெறும் இருட்டு
நீ உருப்படியா ஏத்திக்கடா விளக்கு
எல்லோரும் போகும் வழி நான் போகும் முன்னே
இரண்டில் ஒன்று பார்ப்பேனடா
எந்த எமனையும் கேள்வி கேட்பேனடா
The world is pure darkness.
Light a lamp properly, my friend.
Before I travel the path that everyone else took,
One of two outcomes!
Hey, I will see one of two outcomes!
I will even question the god of death!
உலகம் வெறும் இருட்டு
நீ உருப்படியா ஏத்திக்கடா விளக்கு
The world is pure darkness.
Light a lamp properly, my friend.
Haeiiiiiiyaaaa
Hey!
Drrrrr…..
Drrrrr...
Ulagam verum iruttu
The world is pure darkness.
Nee uruppadiyaa yaethikkadaa vilakku
Light a lamp properly, my friend.
Ulagam verum iruttu
The world is pure darkness.
Nee uruppadiyaa yaethikkadaa vilakku
Light a lamp properly, my friend.
Elaarum pona vazhi naan pogum munnae
Before I travel the path that everyone else took,
Irandil ondru
One of two outcomes!
Ada irandil ondru paarppaenadaa
Hey, I will see one of two outcomes!
Endha emanaiyum kaelvi kaetpaenadaa
I will even question the god of death!
Ulagam verum iruttu
The world is pure darkness.
Nee uruppadiyaa yaethikkadaa vilakku
Light a lamp properly, my friend.
Thaedum kaasu pana vaettai
Hunting for cash and searching for money,
Nee ooradicha moottai
You are a bundle stolen from the whole town!
Oru kaalam vandhaa thaalam
When the time comes, rhythm and beat,
Thandhina thaanaa
Singing thandhina thaanaa!
Dumkku dappaa thaghara dappaa
Beat of a tin can, tin container!
Dumkku dappaa thaghara dappaa
Beat of a tin can, tin container!
Amkku dappaa thaghara dappaa
Crushed tin box, tin container!
Thaghara dappaa yenna velappaa
What is the price of this tin container?
Thaedum kaasu pana vaettai
Hunting for cash and searching for money,
Nee ooradicha moottai
You are a bundle stolen from the whole town!
Oru kaalam vandhaa thaalam
When the time comes, rhythm and beat,
Thandhina thaanaa
Singing thandhina thaanaa!
Thirudi chaertha panam nikkaadhudaa
Wealth accumulated by stealing will not last!
Onnae vekkaadhudaa
It will not leave a single penny behind!
Adhu pora vazhi kaagadhu daa
The path it takes will bring no good!
Nalladhu kettadhu ethana vandhadhu
How many good and bad things came,
Ethana ninnadhu ethana pochudhu
How many stayed, and how many passed away?
Suthina kaasukku pathiram pannura daei…
Hey, you are making safe deposits for ill-gotten money...
Ulagam verum iruttu
The world is pure darkness.
Nee uruppadiyaa yaethikkadaa vilakku
Light a lamp properly, my friend.
Jaadhi rendunnu sonnadhu
Stating that there are only two castes,
Avvai sonnadhu
Was declared by Avvai,
Angaeyae ninnadhu angaeyae ninnadhu
It stopped right there, it stopped right there!
Dharmam enna pannudhu
What is righteousness doing?
Jaadhi rendunnu sonnadhu
Stating that there are only two castes,
Avvai sonnadhu
Was declared by Avvai,
Angaeyae ninnadhu dharmam enna pannudhu
It stopped right there; what is righteousness doing?
Thatthuvathai pazhikkaadhae
Do not mock philosophy,
Thaengaa chaami
Coconut deity!
Saadhi baedham paarppadhillae namma saami
Our God does not look at caste discrimination,
Ada amman saami…
Oh Goddess deity...
Amman saami vaela paaru
Look at Goddess deity's spear!
Aamaam saami vaelai edhukku
Why do we need a yes-man god's work?
Ulagam verum iruttu
The world is pure darkness.
Nee uruppadiyaa yaethikkadaa vilakku
Light a lamp properly, my friend.
Hoi…hoi hoi..hoi….
Hoi... hoi hoi.. hoi....
Poosai naalu tharam pannu
Perform prayers four times,
Nee ezhu tharam thinnu
Eat seven times!
Nee oor panatha thinnaa vaayila mannu
If you devour the town's money, dirt will fill your mouth!
Poosai naalu tharam pannu
Perform prayers four times,
Nee ezhu tharam thinnu
Eat seven times!
Nee oor panatha thinnaa vaayila mannu
If you devour the town's money, dirt will fill your mouth!
Odambu rapparai pol veenghudhadaa
The body swells up like rubber!
Boomi thaangudhadaa
The Earth tolerates it,
Saami eppodhum thaangaadhadaa
But God will never tolerate it!
Katti mudichavan veettil illadaa
The one who built the house does not live in it,
Veettil ullavan kattiyadhalladaa
The one living in the house is not the one who built it!
Ethanai solliyum buthi porakkala daei…
Despite telling this so many times, wisdom hasn't dawned, hey...
Ulagam verum iruttu
The world is pure darkness.
Nee uruppadiyaa yaethikkadaa vilakku
Light a lamp properly, my friend.
Ellaarum pona vazhi naan pogum munnae
Before I travel the path that everyone else took,
Irandil ondru
One of two outcomes!
Ada irandil ondru paarppaenadaa
Hey, I will see one of two outcomes!
Endha emanaiyum kaelvi kaetpaenadaa
I will even question the god of death!
Ulagam verum iruttu
The world is pure darkness.
Nee uruppadiyaa yaethikkadaa vilakku
Light a lamp properly, my friend.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Ulagam Verum Iruttu from Thyagam (1978), penned by poet Kannadasan, is a philosophical commentary on human greed, social inequality, and moral blindness. The song portrays the world as a dark place lacking spiritual enlightenment, urging people to ignite the lamp of wisdom. It criticizes those who accumulate wealth through illicit means and hypocrites who perform religious rituals while exploiting society. Kannadasan highlights the transience of material possessions, emphasizing that worldly wealth cannot be carried beyond death. Referencing ancient poet Avvaiyar's philosophy on caste and ethics, the song laments how society ignored true righteousness and fell into caste discrimination while boldly declaring a stance of moral accountability.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagamm)
“Ulagam verum iruttu”
Comparing the world directly to complete darkness emphasizes ignorance, corruption, and lack of moral guidance.
Alliteration (Monai)
“Ulagam verum iruttu / Nee uruppadiyaa yaethikkadaa vilakku”
Repetition of the initial vowel sound 'U' in 'Ulagam' and 'uruppadiyaa' creates internal rhythm.
Onomatopoeia / Rhythm (Adukkuthodar)
“Dumkku dappaa thaghara dappaa”
Use of rhythmic percussive sounds symbolizing the hollow nature of worldly materialism.
Did you know?
Trivia
Thyagam (1978) stars Sivaji Ganesan and features music composed by Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics penned by Kannadasan. The film is an official Tamil remake of the 1961 Hindi classic Ganga Jamuna.
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