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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vedham Anuvilum

From Salangai Oli · 1983

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. P. Sailaja
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Salangai Oli1983

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Gaaaaaaaa maaaaa niiiSwaras: Ga Ma Ni
Gamagasa gamagasaSwaras: Ga-ma-ga-sa ga-ma-ga-sa
Magasa magasaSwaras: Ma-ga-sa ma-ga-sa
Gasa gasa niiii saaaaaSwaras: Ga-sa ga-sa Ni Sa
Male
Nidhama nidhamagaSwaras: Ni-dha-ma ni-dha-ma-ga
Dhamaga dhamaga maga magaSwaras: Dha-ma-ga dha-ma-ga ma-ga ma-ga
Sari saaaa riiii gamagaaaa riiiiiSwaras: Sa-ri Sa Ri ga-ma-ga Ri
Gamaga madhani dhaninii sarii niiiSwaras: Ga-ma-ga ma-dha-ni dha-ni-ni sa-ri Ni
Male
Vedham anuvilum oru naadhamVeda is a musical sound present in every single atom.
Vedham anuvilum oru naadhamVeda is a musical sound present in every single atom.
Naan paadum raagangalThe ragas that I sing
Naadha vinodhamAre a delight of musical sound.
Male
Saavin oosai ketkumbodhumEven when hearing the sound of death,
paadham aadathoWill not my feet dance?
VedhamVeda.
Vedham anuvilum oru naadhamVeda is a musical sound present in every single atom.
Aaaaaaaa haaaaaaVocalizing melody (Aaaa haaa)
Male
Sangeeedha naatiyamaeMusic and dance combined
Oru yaagamAre a sacred ritual (Yagna).
NirisanidhamagaSwaras: Ni-ri-sa-ni-dha-ma-ga
Gagamarisaniii nirisanidhamagaSwaras: Ga-ga-ma-ri-sa-ni ni-ri-sa-ni-dha-ma-ga
Padhanisari sagadhamagani sarinidhaaniSwaras: Pa-dha-ni-sa-ri sa-ga-dha-ma-ga-ni sa-ri-ni-dha-a-ni
PadhagamarigaSwaras: Pa-dha-ga-ma-ri-ga
Sangeeedha naatiyamae oru yaagamMusic and dance combined are a sacred sacrifice.
Male
Dhaedhangal eriyumThough bodily pains burn,
Yagangal puriyumThrough performing spiritual sacrifices,
Aadugirein idhu amaidhiyin geedhamI continue to dance; this is a song of peace.
Jeevidhamae oru naatiyamaagumLife itself becomes a sacred dance.
Uyir pirindhalum nadamiduvenaeEven if life departs, I will continue to dance.
Uyir pirindhalum nadamiduvenaeEven if life departs, I will continue to dance.
Ennuyirai thedugirein naanaeI am searching for my own life soul.
Female
Aaaaa……aaaa…Vocalizing melody (Aaaa... aaaa...)
Male :Vedham anuvilum oru naa aaadhamMale: Veda is a musical sound present in every single atom.
Female :Aahahahhah aaaaaaaaaaFemale: Vocalizing melody (Aahahahhah aaaaaaaaaa)
aaaa aaaaa aaaaa aaaaaaaVocalizing melody (aaaa aaaaa aaaaa aaaaaaa)
Female
Maathru devoo bhavaa immHonor the mother as God (Sanskrit sacred phrase)
Pithru devoo bhavaaa immHonor the father as God
Aacharya devoo bhavaaa immHonor the teacher as God
Aacharya devoo bhavaaa immHonor the teacher as God
Athidhi dhevoo bhavaa immHonor the guest as God
Athidhi dhevoo bhavaa immHonor the guest as God
Female
Ennayaalum guruvendra deivamThe divine guru who rules over me
Edhir vandhu nadamaada vendumShould come in front of me and dance.
Salangaikul oli thanae vedhamThe sound inside the ankle bells is the sacred Veda itself.
Sannidhanam ini undhan paadhamYour feet are my sanctuary from now on.
Male
Natarajan paadhathil thalai saayumaaWill my head bow down at the feet of Lord Nataraja?
Naan sindhum kannerum karai meerumaWill the tears I shed overflow their banks?
Female :Natarajan paadhathil thalai saayumaaFemale: Will my head bow down at the feet of Lord Nataraja?
Naan sindhum kannerum karai meerumaWill the tears I shed overflow their banks?
Male
Kanavilum nanavilumIn dreams and in reality,
Kanavilum nanavilumIn dreams and in reality,
Azagiya bharadhangal aadaTo perform beautiful Bharatanatyam dance.
Female
Vedham anuvilum oru naadhamVeda is a musical sound present in every single atom.
Naan paadum raagangal naadha vinodhamThe ragas that I sing are a delight of musical sound.
Saavin oosai ketkum bodhumEven when hearing the sound of death,
Paadham aadatho ….vedhamWill not my feet dance? ...Veda.
Female
Vedham anuvilum oru naadhamVeda is a musical sound present in every single atom.
Naan paadum raagangal naadha vinodhamThe ragas that I sing are a delight of musical sound.
Saavin oosai ketkum bodhumEven when hearing the sound of death,
Paadham aadatho ….Will not my feet dance?...
Male
Jeyanthidhae shruguthinoVictorious are those with refined taste,
Rasahith tharaa kaveeshvaraaThe poetic kings who are filled with divine aesthetic rasa,
Naasthikeshamyakshak kaayaiFor their bodies and souls, there is no decay.
Male :Jaraa aa veadham maranajam bhayamMale: There is no fear of old age or death.
Female :VedhamFemale: Veda.
Male
{Naasthi jaraaaaThere is no old age,
Female :VedhamFemale: Veda.
Maranajam bhayamNor fear born of death,
Female :Vedham} (2)Female: Veda.
Female :Vedham veeeee dhammmmmmFemale: Veda... Veda!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Vedham Anuvilum Oru Naadham' is a masterwork of classical synthesis from the iconic film 'Salangai Oli' (Sagara Sangamam in Telugu), directed by K. Viswanath with music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja. The song elevates art—specifically Carnatic music and Bharatanatyam—to a divine spiritual plane. The lyrics convey that music and dance are not merely forms of entertainment, but a sacred yagna (sacrifice) and the very breath of life itself, existing within every atom of the universe.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Sangeeedha naatiyamae Oru yaagam

Comparing divine arts like music and dance to a 'Yaagam' (sacred ritual/sacrifice) and life to a 'Naatiyam' (dance).

Rhetorical Question (Vinaa Ani)

Saavin oosai ketkumbodhum paadham aadatho

The artist asks whether their feet would refrain from dancing even at the sound of death, emphasizing absolute devotion.

Anaphora / Refrain

Vedham anuvilum oru naadham

Repetition of the core theme 'Vedham anuvilum oru naadham' throughout the composition to reinforce the ubiquity of divine rhythm.

Did you know?

Trivia

This song is the Tamil version of 'Vedam Anuvanuvuna Nadam' from K. Viswanath's classic film 'Sagara Sangamam' (1983). The Tamil dubbing 'Salangai Oli' achieved cult status. The film features legendary performances by Kamal Haasan and Jayaprada. The soundtrack by Ilaiyaraaja won the National Film Award for Best Music Direction.

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