K. J. Jesudas delivers “Melum Keezhum” from the album “Yaarukkum Vetkamillai.” Kannadasan penned the lyrics, and G. K. Venkatesh composed the music. The song confronts societal judgment directly. It asserts a universal lack of shame.
Melum Keezhum
K. J. Jesudas • From “Yaarukkum Vetkamillai”
Melum Keezhum Lyrics Translation (from “Yaarukkum Vetkamillai”)
Kannadasan’s writing presents a harsh reality. He notes that in a world of blind individuals, possessing sight appears as a flaw. He warns that when one points a finger of accusation, three fingers point back at oneself.
Oorukku Vetkam IllaiThe town has no shame.
Indha Ulagukkum Vetkam IllaiThis world also has no shame.
Yarukkum Vetkam IllaiNo one has any shame.
Idhile Avalukku VetkamennaSo what shame would she have in this?
He SamudhayameOh, society!
Melum Keelum Kodugal PoduDraw lines both up and down.
Adhu Than OviyamThat is indeed a painting.
Nee Sonnal KaviyamIf you say it, then it’s a poem.
Oviyam Endral EnnavendruThere’s no one who knows what a painting truly is,
Therindhavar IllaiyadaOr what it means.
Kurudargal Ulagil Kangal IrundhalIn a world of the blind, if you have eyes,
Adhuthan TholliyadaThat is seen as a defect.
Melum Keelum Kodugal PoduDraw lines both up and down.
Adhu Than OviyamThat is indeed a painting.
Nee Sonnal KaviyamIf you say it, then it’s a poem.
Athanai Pazhamum Sothaigalai ThaneAren’t all fruits naturally flawed,
Andavan PadaippinileIn ‘God’s’ own creation?
Athi Pazhathai Kuttram KooraTo find fault with even a fig,
Yarukkum Vetkam IllaiNo one feels any shame.
Moodargal Ettriya Kuttramathai MarandhuForget the faults that fools have assigned,
Mudhugai ParungalLook at your own backs instead.
Mudhuginil Irukku Ayiram AzhukkuThere are a thousand blemishes on your backs.
Adhanai KazhuvungalGo and wash those away.
Melum Keelum Kodugal PoduDraw lines both up and down.
Adhu Than OviyamThat is indeed a painting.
Nee Sonnal KaviyamIf you say it, then it’s a poem.
Suttum Viralal Edhiriyai KattiWhen you point a finger at an enemy,
Kuttram KoorugaiyilAnd accuse them of wrongdoing,
Matrum Moondru Viralgal UngalThe other three fingers naturally point
Marbinai KattuthathadaBack toward your own chest.
Engeyavadhu Manidhan OruvanIf there’s any truly righteous person
Irundhal SolungalTell me where they are.
Irukkum Avanum Punidhan EndralIf that person is truly pure,
Ennidam KattungalThen show them to me.
Melum Keelum Kodugal PoduDraw lines both up and down.
Adhu Than OviyamThat is indeed a painting.
Nee Sonnal KaviyamIf you say it, then it’s a poem.
Appan Thavaru Pillaikku TherindhalIf a child knows their father’s mistakes,
Avanukku Vetkam IllaiThe father feels no shame.
Athanai Peraiyum Padaithane AndhaEven ‘Lord Shiva’, who created everyone,
Sivanukku Vetkam IllaiFeels no shame.
Ippodhu Indha Ulagam MuzhuvathumNow, throughout this entire world,
Evanukkum Vetkam IllaiNo one has any shame.
Ellar Kadhaiyum Ondrai MudikkumAnd even ‘Yama’, the God of Death, who ends everyone’s story,
Emanukkum Vetkam IllaiHe too feels no shame.
Melum Keezhum Music Video
The song concludes that all people, from common individuals to divine beings, hold imperfections. This “Melum Keezhum” lyrics meaning reveals judgment as a pointless act. It suggests focusing on one’s own faults instead.