Ullukulla Chakaravarthy
From Panakkaran · 1990
- Lyricist
- Pulamaipithan
- Singer
- Ilayaraja
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Panakkaran1990
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Ullukkula chakaravarthy | An emperor on the inside, |
| Aana unmaiyila mezhuguvarthi | But in reality, a melting candle. |
| Naan ullukkula chakaravarthy | I am an emperor on the inside, |
| Aana unmaiyila mezhuguvarthi | But in reality, a melting candle. |
| Male | |
| Ullukkula chakaravarthy | An emperor on the inside, |
| Aana unmaiyila mezhuguvarthi | But in reality, a melting candle. |
| Naan ullukkula chakaravarthy | I am an emperor on the inside, |
| Aana unmaiyila mezhuguvarthi | But in reality, a melting candle. |
| Male | |
| Pethu eduthava yaaru | Who was the mother who gave birth to me? |
| Azhagu peruvachathu yaaru | Who was the one who affectionately named me? |
| Thatheduthathu yaaru | Who was the one who adopted me? |
| Ippo thathalippathu yaaru | Who is the one struggling in turmoil now? |
| Male | |
| Ullukkula chakaravarthy | An emperor on the inside, |
| Aana unmaiyila mezhuguvarthi | But in reality, a melting candle. |
| Naan ullukkula chakaravarthy | I am an emperor on the inside, |
| Aana unmaiyila mezhuguvarthi | But in reality, a melting candle. |
| Male | |
| {Amma vanthu sonnaalthan | Only if the mother comes and reveals it, |
| Appavin per theriyumada | Will the father's name be known, my friend. |
| Avalum sollavillaiyendral | If she too does not speak of it, |
| Thappagathan pogumada} (2) | Everything will end up in error. (2) |
| Male | |
| {Ellorum ingae mayakkathilae | Everyone here is under an illusion, |
| Eppothum vaazhvom kalakkathilae} (2) | We always live in state of confusion. (2) |
| Male | |
| Orupozhuthu athu vidiyatha | Will a new day never break? |
| Ada poda ulagam kedakuthu kedakuthu | Oh forget it, let the world stay as it is! |
| Male | |
| Ullukkula chakaravarthy | An emperor on the inside, |
| Aana unmaiyila mezhuguvarthi | But in reality, a melting candle. |
| Naan ullukkula chakaravarthy | I am an emperor on the inside, |
| Aana unmaiyila mezhuguvarthi | But in reality, a melting candle. |
| Male | |
| Pethu eduthava yaaru | Who was the mother who gave birth to me? |
| Azhagu peruvachathu yaaru | Who was the one who affectionately named me? |
| Thatheduthathu yaaru | Who was the one who adopted me? |
| Ippo thathalippathu yaaru | Who is the one struggling in turmoil now? |
| Male | |
| Ullukkula chakaravarthy | An emperor on the inside, |
| Aana unmaiyila mezhuguvarthi | But in reality, a melting candle. |
| Naan ullukkula chakaravarthy | I am an emperor on the inside, |
| Aana unmaiyila mezhuguvarthi | But in reality, a melting candle. |
| Male | |
| Aaa..haaa…aaa….aaa… | Aaa..haaa…aaa….aaa… |
| Aaa…haaa…aaa…aaaa… | Aaa…haaa…aaa…aaaa… |
| Ahaa…aaa..haaa…aaa…. | Ahaa…aaa..haaa…aaa…. |
| Male | |
| {Panthi pottu parimaara | To lay out a feast and serve food, |
| Pachai elai vetti vetti | They cut down a fresh green leaf. |
| Unda pinbhu erivarae | After eating, they discard it, |
| Echai elai kuppai thotti} (2) | The used leaf goes into the trash bin. (2) |
| Male | |
| {En thaayum andru | My mother too back then, |
| Pachai ilai | Was like a fresh green leaf. |
| Naan indru ingae echil illai} (2) | I am today a discarded leftover here. (2) |
| Male | |
| Puyalachu perum mazhaiyachu | It became a storm, it became heavy rain, |
| Intha vilaku athilum eriyuthu eriyuthu | Yet this lamp keeps burning through it all. |
| Male | |
| Ullukkula chakaravarthy | An emperor on the inside, |
| Aana unmaiyila mezhuguvarthi | But in reality, a melting candle. |
| Naan ullukkula chakaravarthy | I am an emperor on the inside, |
| Aana unmaiyila mezhuguvarthi | But in reality, a melting candle. |
| Male | |
| Pethu eduthava yaaru | Who was the mother who gave birth to me? |
| Azhagu peruvachathu yaaru | Who was the one who affectionately named me? |
| Thatheduthathu yaaru | Who was the one who adopted me? |
| Ippo thathalippathu yaaru | Who is the one struggling in turmoil now? |
| Male | |
| Ullukkula chakaravarthy | An emperor on the inside, |
| Aana unmaiyila mezhuguvarthi | But in reality, a melting candle. |
| Podaa poo… | Oh, get lost... |
| Naan ullukkula chakaravarthy | I am an emperor on the inside, |
| Aana unmaiyila mezhuguvarthi | But in reality, a melting candle. |
உள்ளுக்குள்ள
சக்கரவர்த்தி ஆனா
உண்மையில மெழுகுவர்த்தி
நான் உள்ளுக்குள்ள சக்கரவர்த்தி
ஆனா உண்மையில மெழுகுவர்த்தி
An emperor on the inside,
But in reality, a melting candle.
I am an emperor on the inside,
But in reality, a melting candle.
உள்ளுக்குள்ள
சக்கரவர்த்தி ஆனா
உண்மையில மெழுகுவர்த்தி
நான் உள்ளுக்குள்ள சக்கரவர்த்தி
ஆனா உண்மையில மெழுகுவர்த்தி
An emperor on the inside,
But in reality, a melting candle.
I am an emperor on the inside,
But in reality, a melting candle.
பெத்தெடுத்தவ
யாரு அழகு பேருவச்சது
யாரு தத்தெடுத்தது யாரு
இப்போ தத்தளிப்பது யாரு
Who was the mother who gave birth to me?
Who was the one who affectionately named me?
Who was the one who adopted me?
Who is the one struggling in turmoil now?
உள்ளுக்குள்ள
சக்கரவர்த்தி ஆனா
உண்மையில மெழுகுவர்த்தி
நான் உள்ளுக்குள்ள சக்கரவர்த்தி
ஆனா உண்மையில மெழுகுவர்த்தி
An emperor on the inside,
But in reality, a melting candle.
I am an emperor on the inside,
But in reality, a melting candle.
{ அம்மா வந்து
சொன்னால்தான் அப்பாவின்
பேர் தெரியுமடா அவளும்
சொல்லவில்லையென்றால்
தப்பாகத்தான் போகுமடா } (2)
Only if the mother comes and reveals it,
Will the father's name be known, my friend.
If she too does not speak of it,
Everything will end up in error. (2)
{ எல்லோரும்
இங்கே மயக்கத்திலே
எப்போதும் வாழ்வோம்
கலக்கத்திலே } (2)
Everyone here is under an illusion,
We always live in state of confusion. (2)
ஒரு பொழுது
அது விடியாதா அட
போடா உலகம் கெடக்குது
கெடக்குது
Will a new day never break?
Oh forget it, let the world stay as it is!
உள்ளுக்குள்ள
சக்கரவர்த்தி ஆனா
உண்மையில மெழுகுவர்த்தி
நான் உள்ளுக்குள்ள சக்கரவர்த்தி
ஆனா உண்மையில மெழுகுவர்த்தி
An emperor on the inside,
But in reality, a melting candle.
I am an emperor on the inside,
But in reality, a melting candle.
பெத்தெடுத்தவ
யாரு அழகு பேருவச்சது
யாரு தத்தெடுத்தது யாரு
இப்போ தத்தளிப்பது யாரு
Who was the mother who gave birth to me?
Who was the one who affectionately named me?
Who was the one who adopted me?
Who is the one struggling in turmoil now?
உள்ளுக்குள்ள
சக்கரவர்த்தி ஆனா
உண்மையில மெழுகுவர்த்தி
நான் உள்ளுக்குள்ள சக்கரவர்த்தி
ஆனா உண்மையில மெழுகுவர்த்தி
An emperor on the inside,
But in reality, a melting candle.
I am an emperor on the inside,
But in reality, a melting candle.
ஆஆ ஹா ஆஆ
ஆஆ ஆஆ ஹா ஆஆ
ஆஆ ஆஹா ஆஆ ஹா
ஆஆ
Aaa..haaa…aaa….aaa…
Aaa…haaa…aaa…aaaa…
Ahaa…aaa..haaa…aaa….
{ பந்தி போட்டு
பரிமாற பச்சை இலை
வெட்டி வெட்டி உண்ட
பின்பு எறிவாரே எச்சி
இலை குப்பை தொட்டி } (2)
To lay out a feast and serve food,
They cut down a fresh green leaf.
After eating, they discard it,
The used leaf goes into the trash bin. (2)
{ என் தாயும்
அன்று பச்சை இலை
நான் இன்று இங்கே
எச்சில் இல்லை } (2)
My mother too back then,
Was like a fresh green leaf.
I am today a discarded leftover here. (2)
புயலாச்சு
பெரும் மழையாச்சு
இந்த விளக்கு அதிலும்
எறியுது எறியுது
It became a storm, it became heavy rain,
Yet this lamp keeps burning through it all.
உள்ளுக்குள்ள
சக்கரவர்த்தி ஆனா
உண்மையில மெழுகுவர்த்தி
நான் உள்ளுக்குள்ள சக்கரவர்த்தி
ஆனா உண்மையில மெழுகுவர்த்தி
An emperor on the inside,
But in reality, a melting candle.
I am an emperor on the inside,
But in reality, a melting candle.
பெத்தெடுத்தவ
யாரு அழகு பேருவச்சது
யாரு தத்தெடுத்தது யாரு
இப்போ தத்தளிப்பது யாரு
Who was the mother who gave birth to me?
Who was the one who affectionately named me?
Who was the one who adopted me?
Who is the one struggling in turmoil now?
உள்ளுக்குள்ள
சக்கரவர்த்தி ஆனா
உண்மையில மெழுகுவர்த்தி
போடா போ நான் உள்ளுக்குள்ள
சக்கரவர்த்தி ஆனா உண்மையில
மெழுகுவர்த்தி
An emperor on the inside,
But in reality, a melting candle.
Oh, get lost...
I am an emperor on the inside,
But in reality, a melting candle.
Ullukkula chakaravarthy
An emperor on the inside,
Aana unmaiyila mezhuguvarthi
But in reality, a melting candle.
Naan ullukkula chakaravarthy
I am an emperor on the inside,
Aana unmaiyila mezhuguvarthi
But in reality, a melting candle.
Ullukkula chakaravarthy
An emperor on the inside,
Aana unmaiyila mezhuguvarthi
But in reality, a melting candle.
Naan ullukkula chakaravarthy
I am an emperor on the inside,
Aana unmaiyila mezhuguvarthi
But in reality, a melting candle.
Pethu eduthava yaaru
Who was the mother who gave birth to me?
Azhagu peruvachathu yaaru
Who was the one who affectionately named me?
Thatheduthathu yaaru
Who was the one who adopted me?
Ippo thathalippathu yaaru
Who is the one struggling in turmoil now?
Ullukkula chakaravarthy
An emperor on the inside,
Aana unmaiyila mezhuguvarthi
But in reality, a melting candle.
Naan ullukkula chakaravarthy
I am an emperor on the inside,
Aana unmaiyila mezhuguvarthi
But in reality, a melting candle.
{Amma vanthu sonnaalthan
Only if the mother comes and reveals it,
Appavin per theriyumada
Will the father's name be known, my friend.
Avalum sollavillaiyendral
If she too does not speak of it,
Thappagathan pogumada} (2)
Everything will end up in error. (2)
{Ellorum ingae mayakkathilae
Everyone here is under an illusion,
Eppothum vaazhvom kalakkathilae} (2)
We always live in state of confusion. (2)
Orupozhuthu athu vidiyatha
Will a new day never break?
Ada poda ulagam kedakuthu kedakuthu
Oh forget it, let the world stay as it is!
Ullukkula chakaravarthy
An emperor on the inside,
Aana unmaiyila mezhuguvarthi
But in reality, a melting candle.
Naan ullukkula chakaravarthy
I am an emperor on the inside,
Aana unmaiyila mezhuguvarthi
But in reality, a melting candle.
Pethu eduthava yaaru
Who was the mother who gave birth to me?
Azhagu peruvachathu yaaru
Who was the one who affectionately named me?
Thatheduthathu yaaru
Who was the one who adopted me?
Ippo thathalippathu yaaru
Who is the one struggling in turmoil now?
Ullukkula chakaravarthy
An emperor on the inside,
Aana unmaiyila mezhuguvarthi
But in reality, a melting candle.
Naan ullukkula chakaravarthy
I am an emperor on the inside,
Aana unmaiyila mezhuguvarthi
But in reality, a melting candle.
Aaa..haaa…aaa….aaa…
Aaa..haaa…aaa….aaa…
Aaa…haaa…aaa…aaaa…
Aaa…haaa…aaa…aaaa…
Ahaa…aaa..haaa…aaa….
Ahaa…aaa..haaa…aaa….
{Panthi pottu parimaara
To lay out a feast and serve food,
Pachai elai vetti vetti
They cut down a fresh green leaf.
Unda pinbhu erivarae
After eating, they discard it,
Echai elai kuppai thotti} (2)
The used leaf goes into the trash bin. (2)
{En thaayum andru
My mother too back then,
Pachai ilai
Was like a fresh green leaf.
Naan indru ingae echil illai} (2)
I am today a discarded leftover here. (2)
Puyalachu perum mazhaiyachu
It became a storm, it became heavy rain,
Intha vilaku athilum eriyuthu eriyuthu
Yet this lamp keeps burning through it all.
Ullukkula chakaravarthy
An emperor on the inside,
Aana unmaiyila mezhuguvarthi
But in reality, a melting candle.
Naan ullukkula chakaravarthy
I am an emperor on the inside,
Aana unmaiyila mezhuguvarthi
But in reality, a melting candle.
Pethu eduthava yaaru
Who was the mother who gave birth to me?
Azhagu peruvachathu yaaru
Who was the one who affectionately named me?
Thatheduthathu yaaru
Who was the one who adopted me?
Ippo thathalippathu yaaru
Who is the one struggling in turmoil now?
Ullukkula chakaravarthy
An emperor on the inside,
Aana unmaiyila mezhuguvarthi
But in reality, a melting candle.
Podaa poo…
Oh, get lost...
Naan ullukkula chakaravarthy
I am an emperor on the inside,
Aana unmaiyila mezhuguvarthi
But in reality, a melting candle.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Ullukkula Chakaravarthy' captures the profound pain, existential grief, and identity crisis of the protagonist. While he maintains the outward self-respect or inner stature of an emperor ('Chakaravarthy'), his actual life is melting away silently in emotional distress like a candle ('Mezhuguvarthi'). He questions his lineage, asking who his true mother and father are, and laments the tragic fate that left him abandoned and confused about his roots. Lyricist Pulamaipithan uses harsh, visceral metaphors of human exploitation, comparing a mother's life to a fresh banana leaf that is used for a grand meal and then tossed away into the trash bin as leftovers once satisfied. Despite the storms and torrential downpours of hardship in his life, the protagonist's inner light remains burning as a testament to resilience amidst suffering.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Ullukkula chakaravarthy / Aana unmaiyila mezhuguvarthi”
Compares the protagonist's inner pride to an emperor ('Chakaravarthy') and his tragic reality to a melting candle ('Mezhuguvarthi').
Extended Metaphor / Analogy
“Pachai elai vetti vetti / Unda pinbhu erivarae / Echai elai kuppai thotti”
Compares human relationships and exploitation to cutting a fresh green leaf for a feast, only to discard it in the trash once used.
Contrast / Anthesis
“Naan ullukkula chakaravarthy / Aana unmaiyila mezhuguvarthi”
Contrasts royal majesty ('Chakaravarthy') with silent self-sacrifice ('Mezhuguvarthi').
Rhyme (Emonai / Edhugai)
“Ullukkula chakaravarthy / Aana unmaiyila mezhuguvarthi”
Rhyming structure matching ending sounds like 'Chakaravarthy' and 'Mezhuguvarthi'.
Did you know?
Trivia
Although listed with unknown credits in some records, this famous song from Panakkaran (1990) was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, written by Pulamaipithan, and sung by Ilaiyaraaja himself. The film stars Rajinikanth and was a massive box-office success.
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