Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Yemarathey Yemarathey

From Adimai Penn · 1969

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Adimai Penn1969

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
{ Yemaatradhae{ Do not deceive
YemaatradhaeDo not deceive
Yemaaradhae yemaaradhae } (3)Do not get deceived, do not get deceived } (3)
Male
{ Andha irutukum{ Even for that darkness
Paarkindra vizhi irukumThere will be eyes watching
Endha suvarukumFor any wall
Ketkindra kaadhirukum } (2)There will be ears listening } (2)
Male
{ Sollaamal{ Without speaking
Kollaamal kaathirukum } (2)Without killing, it lies in wait } (2)
Thaka samayathilAt the right moment
Nadanthadhai eduthuraikumIt will recount everything that happened
Male
YemaatradhaeDo not deceive
YemaatradhaeDo not deceive
Yemaaradhae yemaaradhaeDo not get deceived, do not get deceived
Male
{ Oru needhikum{ To justice
Nermaikum bayanthuviduAnd honesty, bow down in reverence
Nalla anbukum panbukumTo true love and noble virtue
Valaindhu kodu } (2)Yield and submit } (2)
Male
{ Indrodu pogatum{ Let it end with today
Thirundhividu } (2)Reform yourself } (2)
Undhan idhayadhaiYour heart
Nervazhi thirupividuTurn it toward the righteous path
Male
YemaatradhaeDo not deceive
YemaatradhaeDo not deceive
Yemaaradhae yemaaradhaeDo not get deceived, do not get deceived
Male
{ Nizhal pirivadhillai{ A shadow does not separate
Than udalai vitu adhuFrom its body, nor does it get
Azhivadhillai kaaladigalpatu } (2)Destroyed under footsteps } (2)
Male
Nee nadamaadumIf you pay attention
Paadhaiyil kavanam vaithaalTo the path you walk upon
Nadamaadum paadhaiyilOn the path you walk
Kavanam vaithaalIf you remain mindful
Male
Ingu nadapadhuWhatever happens here
Nalamaai nadanthuvidumWill turn out for the good
Male
{ Yemaatradhae{ Do not deceive
YemaatradhaeDo not deceive
Yemaaradhae yemaaradhae } (2)Do not get deceived, do not get deceived } (2)

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Yemaatradhae Yemaaradhae' from the 1969 film 'Adimai Penn' is an iconic philosophical anthem written by Vaali. The song acts as a moral warning and a guide for life, advising people neither to trick others nor to fall prey to deception. It emphasizes that secret misdeeds never remain hidden forever, as even the darkness has eyes and walls have ears to bear witness when the right time comes. The second half calls for immediate personal reform, urging the listener to bow only to justice, honesty, love, and virtue. Using the metaphor of a shadow that constantly stays with a body, the song illustrates the inescapable nature of karma and promises that mindful, righteous living leads to a prosperous and honorable life.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor / Personification

Andha irutukum Paarkindra vizhi irukum Endha suvarukum Ketkindra kaadhirukum

Attributes human sensory actions (seeing and hearing) to inanimate darkness and walls to symbolize constant observation of one's deeds.

Ethukai (Second Letter Rhyming)

Sollaamal / Kollaamal kaathirukum

The second consonant 'l' in 'Sollaamal' and 'Kollaamal' rhymes, creating a traditional Tamil poetic rhythmic harmony.

Mukai / Monai (Initial Rhyme & Polyptoton)

Yemaatradhae Yemaatradhae Yemaaradhae yemaaradhae

The deliberate variation between 'Yemaatradhae' (active form: don't cheat) and 'Yemaaradhae' (passive form: don't get cheated) creates a strong phonetic contrast and dual moral directive.

Imagery

Nizhal pirivadhillai Than udalai vitu adhu

Uses the inescapable nature of a shadow following the body as a visual metaphor for human actions and karma sticking with a person.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by K. V. Mahadevan and sung by T. M. Soundararajan, this song became one of the quintessential socio-political anthems for M. G. Ramachandran (MGR). It reinforced his popular cinematic persona as a righteous savior and moral teacher.

Keep listening

More from Adimai Penn