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Isaimozhi
Ivan album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Ulagame Nee Manithanai

From Ivan · 2002

Lyricist
Mu. Metha
Singers
Sriram, Chorus
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Ivan
Movie release year
2002
Lyrics added on
13 Oct 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
………………….
Ulagamae nee manidhanai
Mirugamaai aakuvadheno
Amaidhiyae nee irukka orr
Idammindri alaindhidalaamo
Sindhum ratha kodugalae
Indha naattin varaipadamaa
Rana maagudhada manam noguthada
Idhu thaan sariya muraiyaa
Ulagamae nee manidhanai
Mirugamaai aakuvadheno
Amaidhiyae nee irukka orr
Idammindri alaindhidalaamo
Inimel dharmam nyaayam urangaadhu
Imayam bayanthu kuliril nadungathu
Thalaigal nimira thadaigal ingu yedhu
Vidiyal vedikkum vizhippu varum bothu
Edharkkum thunindha idhayam sengolaagum
Manadhil idigal muzhanga malai thoolaagum
Varum vanja vanmurai narambugalai
Aruthu odukkuvom
Inimel dharmam nyaayam urangaadhu
Ulagamae nee manidhanai
Mirugamaai aakuvadheno
Amaidhiyae nee irukka orr
Idammindri alaindhidalaamo
Kodumaigal seidhavar kodumaiyil baliyaavaar
Kadamaiyai seibavar kadavulin mozhiyaavaar
Adippavar vayittrinnil adippavan ini varuvaan
Thudippavar thuyarinai thudaithida thunintheluvaan
Mugathinilae araindhavarin
Karam pidithae muthamvei
Marubadiyum arai vizhundhaal
Adhai edhirthae yutham sei
Nee paarkkira paarvaiyilae
Varum sodhanai bayapadumae
Vellai malligaipoo sigapaagidumoo
Both :Manidham valarppom manidhaa
Sindhum ratha kodugalae
Indha naatin varaipadamoo
Ranamaagudhada manam noguthada
Idhu thaan sariya muraiya
...................
O world, why do you turn a human
into a beast?
O peace, for you to remain, without
a place to stay, should you wander?
Are the lines of spilled blood
the map of this nation?
It becomes a painful wound; my heart aches!
Is this right? Is this fair?
O world, why do you turn a human
into a beast?
O peace, for you to remain, without
a place to stay, should you wander?
From now on, righteousness and justice will not sleep.
The Himalayas will not tremble in fear of the cold.
What obstacles are here for heads to hold high?
Dawn will burst forth when awakening arrives.
A heart brave enough for anything will become a scepter.
When thunder roars in the mind, mountains will turn to dust.
The nerves of incoming treacherous violence,
we will sever and subdue!
From now on, righteousness and justice will not sleep.
O world, why do you turn a human
into a beast?
O peace, for you to remain, without
a place to stay, should you wander?
Those who committed atrocities will fall victim to atrocities.
Those who do their duty will become the voice of God.
One who strikes back at oppressors will now arrive.
He will rise courageously to wipe away the tears of the suffering.
Hold the hand of the one who slapped you on the cheek
and kiss it.
If a slap falls once again,
wage war against it!
In the glance that you cast,
the coming trial will tremble in fear.
Will a white jasmine flower turn red?
Both: Let us nurture humanity, O human!
Are the lines of spilled blood
the map of this nation?
It becomes a painful wound; my heart aches!
Is this right? Is this fair?
Chorus
Chorus
Male
Chorus
Male
Male
Chorus
Male
Male
Female
Chorus

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song from the movie Ivan (2002) is a powerful social commentary and call for justice composed by Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Mu. Metha. It addresses the moral decay in society, questioning why humanity succumbs to violence and why peace has become homeless. The narrator laments that blood spilling across the land seems to define the nation's map, causing deep distress and heartbreak. However, the song quickly shifts from lamentation to a rousing call to action. It asserts that righteousness and justice will no longer remain passive or slumber. A courageous heart, driven by conviction, can rise against tyranny and reduce overwhelming obstacles to dust. Emphasizing a balance between patience and righteous outrage, the song urges people to first respond with grace, but if oppression persists, to rise up and wage war against injustice. Ultimately, it ends on a hopeful note urging humanity to cultivate compassion and peace over hatred.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Rhetorical Question

“Ulagamae nee manidhanai Mirugamaai aakuvadheno”

The lyricist uses rhetorical questions to provoke introspection about societal violence and peace.

Metaphor

“Sindhum ratha kodugalae Indha naattin varaipadamaa”

Comparing spilled lines of blood to the geographical map of the country highlights the prevalence of violence.

Personification

“Amaidhiyae nee irukka orr Idammindri alaindhidalaamo”

Peace is personified as an entity searching for a place to reside, and Himalayan mountains are described as trembling in fear.

Monorime / Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyming)

“Inimel dharmam nyaayam urangaadhu / Imayam bayanthu kuliril nadungathu”

Tamil poetic feature where second letters match across lines (dharmam/Imayam, Thalaigal/Vidiyal).

Did you know?

Trivia

The song 'Ulagame Nee' is featured in the 2002 Tamil film Ivan, directed by Parthiban, who also played the lead role. The film tackles political corruption and social injustice, with music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja.

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