T. M. Soundarajan delivers ‘Bommalattam Idhu’ from the album ‘Mathar Kula Manickam,’ with Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass’s lyrics and S. Rajeswara Rao’s contemplative score. The track uses philosophical questions about human existence.
Bommalattam Idhu
T. M. Soundarajan • From “Mathar Kula Manickam”
Bommalattam Idhu Lyrics Translation T. M. Soundarajan | Mathar Kula Manickam
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass compares life to a puppet show controlled by hidden strings. ‘This body is a lie, merely a bag filled with air,’ states one lyric, dismissing physical form as temporary illusion.
Ye Manidha Indha Kaayamae PoiyadaO man, this physical body is a lie.
Idhu Kaatradaitha PaiyadaIt’s just a bag filled with air.
Bommalaattamidhu BommalaattamdhuThis is a puppet show, it’s a puppet show.
Nambiduvaai Manidha ManidhaBelieve it, O man, O man.
Nambiduvaai ManidhaBelieve it, O man.
Andha Bommaiyil Nee Orr BommaiyadaAmong those puppets, you’re just a puppet too.
Idhu Unmaiyada ManidhaThis is the truth, O man.
Idhai Unarndhu Paaraai MoodaRealize this and see, you fool.
Thiraiyil Maraindha SoothrathaarikkaeTo the ‘puppeteer’ hidden behind the screen,
Theriyumada Namadhattamour movements are well-known.
Avanukkae Theriyumadaa NamadhattamOnly he knows the way we dance.
Maru NimishathilaeIn the very next moment,
Maru Nimishathilae Enna Aagumowhat’ll happen in the next moment,
Maayaa Ulagin Ottamin the race of this ‘illusory world’?
Aattu Mandhaiyada Namm KoottamOur crowd is like a flock of sheep.
Nari Vandhu Vittaal ThindaattamIf a fox shows up, it’s total chaos.
Kaadhal Ooridam Kalyaanam OoridamLove’s in one place and marriage is in another.
Vindhaiyada Indha UlagamThis world is a strange thing.
Perum Vindhaiyada Indha UlagamThis world is a great mystery.
Baedhamattra Kalyaana MaedaiyumEven the selfless wedding stage,
Naadaga Maedaiyadais just a stage for a play.
Ivai Yaavum Naanmugan LeelaiyadaThese are all the ‘divine play’ of the Creator.
Unaiyae Nambidadhaedaa MoodaaDon’t just believe in yourself, you fool.
Bommalaattamidhu BommalaattamdhuThis is a puppet show, it’s a puppet show.
Nambiduvaai Manidha ManidhaBelieve it, O man, O man.
Nambiduvaai ManidhaBelieve it, O man.
Andha Bommaiyil Nee Orr BommaiyadaAmong those puppets, you’re just a puppet too.
Idhu Unmaiyada ManidhaThis is the truth, O man.
Idhai Unarndhu Paaraai MoodaRealize this and see, you fool.
Ninaivil Neendhidum Payanam YaavumaeAll the journeys swimming through our memories,
Nilaiyil Serndhu Vidumawill they ever reach a state of permanence?
Nilaiyil Serndhu VidumaWill they ever reach stability?
Vazhiyinilae Ennenna NaerumoWhat’ll happen along the path?
Varum Vidhi Maariduma ManidhaWill the coming fate ever change, O man?
Vaazhvu NirandharamaaIs life permanent?
Maraiyum Vaanavilladaa ManidhaIt’s just a fading rainbow, O man.
Manidha Preyathanam Vetri KandaalIf human effort alone brought success,
Baghavaan Yedhu Ulaginilaethen where’s ‘God’ in this world?
Marandhae Neeyum Sagada VaazhvilaeForgetting yourself in this ‘wheel-like life’,
Maari Maari Oodathaedon’t keep running in circles.
Madhiyae IzhandhidaathaeDon’t lose your senses.
Manoradham SolladhaeDon’t chase after your ‘imaginary desires’.
Madhimayangiyae ThullaadhaeDon’t jump around in a daze.
Bommalattam Idhu Music Video
The ‘Bommalattam Idhu’ lyrics translation examines predetermined fate through vivid metaphors of divine control and worldly chaos. S. Rajeswara Rao’s composition reinforces this meditation on illusion.