Ulagame Nee Manithanai
From Ivan · 2002
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| …………………. | ... |
| Chorus | |
| Ulagamae nee manidhanai | O World, why do you |
| Mirugamaai aakuvadheno | turn humans into beasts? |
| Amaidhiyae nee irukka orr | O Peace, must you wander without |
| Idammindri alaindhidalaamo | a place to rest? |
| Male | |
| Sindhum ratha kodugalae | Are lines of spilled blood |
| Indha naattin varaipadamaa | the map of this nation? |
| Rana maagudhada manam noguthada | It becomes a painful wound, the heart aches |
| Idhu thaan sariya muraiyaa | Is this proper and right? |
| Chorus | |
| Ulagamae nee manidhanai | O World, why do you |
| Mirugamaai aakuvadheno | turn humans into beasts? |
| Amaidhiyae nee irukka orr | O Peace, must you wander without |
| Idammindri alaindhidalaamo | a place to rest? |
| Male | |
| Inimel dharmam nyaayam urangaadhu | From now on, righteousness and justice will not sleep |
| Imayam bayanthu kuliril nadungathu | The Himalayas will not tremble in fear of the cold |
| Thalaigal nimira thadaigal ingu yedhu | What obstacles are here to hold our heads high? |
| Vidiyal vedikkum vizhippu varum bothu | When dawn explodes and awakening arrives |
| Male | |
| Edharkkum thunindha idhayam sengolaagum | A heart bold enough for anything will become the scepter |
| Manadhil idigal muzhanga malai thoolaagum | When thunder rumbles in the mind, mountains will turn to dust |
| Varum vanja vanmurai narambugalai | The nerves of deceitful violence that approach |
| Aruthu odukkuvom | We will cut and suppress |
| Inimel dharmam nyaayam urangaadhu | From now on, righteousness and justice will not sleep |
| Chorus | |
| Ulagamae nee manidhanai | O World, why do you |
| Mirugamaai aakuvadheno | turn humans into beasts? |
| Amaidhiyae nee irukka orr | O Peace, must you wander without |
| Idammindri alaindhidalaamo | a place to rest? |
| Male | |
| Kodumaigal seidhavar kodumaiyil baliyaavaar | Those who commit atrocities will fall victim to cruelty |
| Kadamaiyai seibavar kadavulin mozhiyaavaar | Those who do their duty will become the voice of God |
| Adippavar vayittrinnil adippavan ini varuvaan | One who strikes back at the oppressor will now emerge |
| Thudippavar thuyarinai thudaithida thunintheluvaan | He will rise bravely to wipe away the sorrow of the suffering |
| Male | |
| Mugathinilae araindhavarin | Hold the hand of the one who slapped your face |
| Karam pidithae muthamvei | and kiss it |
| Marubadiyum arai vizhundhaal | If a slap falls upon you again |
| Adhai edhirthae yutham sei | Fight against it and wage war |
| Female | |
| Nee paarkkira paarvaiyilae | In the very look you give |
| Varum sodhanai bayapadumae | Incoming trials will be terrified |
| Vellai malligaipoo sigapaagidumoo | Will the white jasmine flower turn red? |
| Both :Manidham valarppom manidhaa | Both: Let us nurture humanity, O human! |
| Chorus | |
| Sindhum ratha kodugalae | Are lines of spilled blood |
| Indha naatin varaipadamoo | the map of this nation? |
| Ranamaagudhada manam noguthada | It becomes a painful wound, the heart aches |
| Idhu thaan sariya muraiya | Is this proper and right? |
ஓஓஓஹ் ஓஓஓஹ் ஓஓஓஹ் ஓஓஓஹ்
ஓஓஓஹ் ஓஓஓஹ் ஓஓஓஹ் ஓஓஓஹ்
...
உலகமே நீ மனிதனை
மிருகமாய் ஆக்குவதேனோ..
அமைதியே நீ இருக்க ஓர்
இடமின்றி அலைந்திடலாமோ
O World, why do you
turn humans into beasts?
O Peace, must you wander without
a place to rest?
சிந்தும் ரத்தக் கோடுகளே
இந்த நாட்டின் வரைபடமா
ரணமாகுதடா மனம் நோகுதடா
இதுதான் சரியா முறையா
Are lines of spilled blood
the map of this nation?
It becomes a painful wound, the heart aches
Is this proper and right?
உலகமே நீ மனிதனை
மிருகமாய் ஆக்குவதேனோ
அமைதியே நீ இருக்க ஓர்
இடமின்றி அலைந்திடலாமோ.....
O World, why do you
turn humans into beasts?
O Peace, must you wander without
a place to rest?
இனிமேல் தர்மம் நியாயம் உறங்காது
இமயம் பயந்து குளிரில் நடுங்காது
தலைகள் நிமிர தடைகள் இங்கு ஏது
விடியல் வெடிக்கும் விழிப்பு வரும்போது
From now on, righteousness and justice will not sleep
The Himalayas will not tremble in fear of the cold
What obstacles are here to hold our heads high?
When dawn explodes and awakening arrives
எதற்கும் துணிந்த இதயம் செங்கோலாகும்
மனதில் இடிகள் முழங்க மலை தூளாகும்
வரும் அஞ்சும் வன்முறை நரம்புகளை
அறுத்து ஒடுக்குவோம்
இனிமேல் தர்மம் நியாயம் உறங்காது
A heart bold enough for anything will become the scepter
When thunder rumbles in the mind, mountains will turn to dust
The nerves of deceitful violence that approach
We will cut and suppress
From now on, righteousness and justice will not sleep
உலகமே நீ மனிதனை
மிருகமாய் ஆக்குவதேனோ
அமைதியே நீ இருக்க ஓர்
இடமின்றி அலைந்திடலாமோ.....
O World, why do you
turn humans into beasts?
O Peace, must you wander without
a place to rest?
கொடுமைகள் செய்தவர் கொடுமையில் பலியாவார்
கடமையை செய்பவர் கடவுளின் மொழியாவார்
அடிப்பவர் வயிற்றினில் அடிப்பவன் இனி வருவான்
துடிப்பவர் துயரினை துடைத்திட துணிந்தெழுவான்
Those who commit atrocities will fall victim to cruelty
Those who do their duty will become the voice of God
One who strikes back at the oppressor will now emerge
He will rise bravely to wipe away the sorrow of the suffering
முகத்தினிலே அறைந்தவரின்
கரம் பிடித்தே முத்தம் வை
மறுபடியும் அறை விழுந்தால்
அதை எதிர்த்தே யுத்தம் செய்
Hold the hand of the one who slapped your face
and kiss it
If a slap falls upon you again
Fight against it and wage war
நீ பார்க்கிற பார்வையிலே
வரும் சோதனை பயப்படுமே
வெள்ளை மல்லிகைப்பூ சிகப்பாகிடுமோ
இருவர் :
மனிதம் வளர்ப்போம் மனிதா
In the very look you give
Incoming trials will be terrified
Will the white jasmine flower turn red?
Both: Let us nurture humanity, O human!
பெண் குழு :
உலகமே நீ மனிதனை
மிருகமாய் ஆக்குவதேனோ ஓஓஒஹ்
அமைதியே நீ இருக்க ஓர்
இடமின்றி அலைந்திடலாமோ.....
Are lines of spilled blood
the map of this nation?
It becomes a painful wound, the heart aches
Is this proper and right?
சிந்தும் ரத்தக் கோடுகளே
இந்த நாட்டின் வரைபடமா
ரணமாகுதடா மனம் நோகுதடா
இதுதான் சரியா முறையா
பெண் குழு :
உலகமே நீ மனிதனை
மிருகமாய் ஆக்குவதேனோ ஓஓஒஹ்
அமைதியே நீ இருக்க ஓர்
இடமின்றி அலைந்திடலாமோ....
ம்ம்ம்ம்.....ம்ம்..ம்ம்..ம்ம்ம்..ம்ம்ம்..ம்ம்ம்..(2)
………………….
...
Ulagamae nee manidhanai
O World, why do you
Mirugamaai aakuvadheno
turn humans into beasts?
Amaidhiyae nee irukka orr
O Peace, must you wander without
Idammindri alaindhidalaamo
a place to rest?
Sindhum ratha kodugalae
Are lines of spilled blood
Indha naattin varaipadamaa
the map of this nation?
Rana maagudhada manam noguthada
It becomes a painful wound, the heart aches
Idhu thaan sariya muraiyaa
Is this proper and right?
Ulagamae nee manidhanai
O World, why do you
Mirugamaai aakuvadheno
turn humans into beasts?
Amaidhiyae nee irukka orr
O Peace, must you wander without
Idammindri alaindhidalaamo
a place to rest?
Inimel dharmam nyaayam urangaadhu
From now on, righteousness and justice will not sleep
Imayam bayanthu kuliril nadungathu
The Himalayas will not tremble in fear of the cold
Thalaigal nimira thadaigal ingu yedhu
What obstacles are here to hold our heads high?
Vidiyal vedikkum vizhippu varum bothu
When dawn explodes and awakening arrives
Edharkkum thunindha idhayam sengolaagum
A heart bold enough for anything will become the scepter
Manadhil idigal muzhanga malai thoolaagum
When thunder rumbles in the mind, mountains will turn to dust
Varum vanja vanmurai narambugalai
The nerves of deceitful violence that approach
Aruthu odukkuvom
We will cut and suppress
Inimel dharmam nyaayam urangaadhu
From now on, righteousness and justice will not sleep
Ulagamae nee manidhanai
O World, why do you
Mirugamaai aakuvadheno
turn humans into beasts?
Amaidhiyae nee irukka orr
O Peace, must you wander without
Idammindri alaindhidalaamo
a place to rest?
Kodumaigal seidhavar kodumaiyil baliyaavaar
Those who commit atrocities will fall victim to cruelty
Kadamaiyai seibavar kadavulin mozhiyaavaar
Those who do their duty will become the voice of God
Adippavar vayittrinnil adippavan ini varuvaan
One who strikes back at the oppressor will now emerge
Thudippavar thuyarinai thudaithida thunintheluvaan
He will rise bravely to wipe away the sorrow of the suffering
Mugathinilae araindhavarin
Hold the hand of the one who slapped your face
Karam pidithae muthamvei
and kiss it
Marubadiyum arai vizhundhaal
If a slap falls upon you again
Adhai edhirthae yutham sei
Fight against it and wage war
Nee paarkkira paarvaiyilae
In the very look you give
Varum sodhanai bayapadumae
Incoming trials will be terrified
Vellai malligaipoo sigapaagidumoo
Will the white jasmine flower turn red?
Both :Manidham valarppom manidhaa
Both: Let us nurture humanity, O human!
Sindhum ratha kodugalae
Are lines of spilled blood
Indha naatin varaipadamoo
the map of this nation?
Ranamaagudhada manam noguthada
It becomes a painful wound, the heart aches
Idhu thaan sariya muraiya
Is this proper and right?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
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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