Dasavatharam - Kallai mattum kandaal (தசாவதாரம் - கல்ைல மட்டும் கண்டால்)

Dasavatharam audio (music by Himesh Reshamiyya) was released amidst much fanfare on apr. 25, 2008. After hearing to all the songs over and over again, I couldn't digest the mediocre tracks for a much hyped movie. Except "mukundha, mukundha" and "Kallai mattum kandaal", none of the other songs even stick to my head.

Nevertheless, the trailer of the movie as well as the bits and pieces of story that I hear from here and there have been quite intriguing. Especially the lyrics of the song "kallai mattum kandaal" wanted myself to learn better about the history on which the movie is based on. Trailer:

The history goes like this: Most of the Hindu Brahmins can be further classified as Shaivaites (those who worship Lord Shiva) or Vaishnavites (those who worship Lord Vishnu). Kulothunga Chola II, a 12th century ruler of the Chola Dynasty (covering a part of southern India) was a Shaivaite. Otherwise supposed to be a peaceful ruler, he was known for his intolerance towards Vaishnavites. This included declaring Lord Shiva as the supreme god, forcing Vaishnavites to worship Lord Shiva, closure of Lord Vishnu temples and in some cases converting them to temples of Lord Shiva. History has it that the massive Thillai Natarajar temple in Chidambaram (that stands till today) housed idols of both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu before the king forced the idol of Lord Vishnu out of the temple. (source: wikipedia)

In the movie Dasavatharam, Rangarajan Nambi (a Vaishnavite) is one of the ten roles played by Kamal Haasan. Rangarajan Nambi guards the idol of Lord Vishnu inside the chidambaram temple, while the guards of Kulothunga Chola II try to force their way in. Outraged by Rangarajan Nambi's audacity, the king orders that Rangarajan Nambi be put to death by tethering him to Lord Vishnu's idol and drown the idol in the sea. Cut to the 21st century, when a researcher (played by Kamal) comes down to study the Tsunami that just hit Southern India, so that the movie goes forward.

I have tried to compile the lyrics of the wonderfully written song (written by poet Vaali) 'Kallai mattum kandal'. Along with it is some explanation provided to my understanding. Thanks to my Mom for clarifying a few lines.

On a lazy saturday afternoon, I must say that this was an interesting exercise. If there's a spelling mistake in the lyrics I've written here, forgive me. I tried to do the best I could with the tamil translator that I had. If there's a fault in the meanings itself, please provide your inputs so that I can correct them. Here goes the lyrics:

கல்ைல மட்டும் கண்டால் கடவுள் ெதரியாது
கடவுள் மட்டும் கண்டால கல்லடி ெதரியாது.
(Repeat)
If you visualize only the idol, you cannot see the god.
If you can see only the god, you'll not feel the pain.

எட்டில் ஐந்து ஏன் கழியும் என்றும், ஐந்தில் எட்டு ஏன் கழியாது?
அஷ்ட அக்ஷரம் ஏற்கும ெநஞ்சு பஞ்ச அக்ஷரம் பார்க்காது.
Ashtaksharam - ஓம் நமோ நாராயணாய
Panjaksharam - நம சிவாய
A mind that believes in Ashtaksharam (Om Namo Narayanaya contains 8 tamil letters - ashta akshar) cannot see Panjaksharam (Nama Sivaya contains 5 tamil letters - paanch akshar).

ஊழல் கண்ணில பார்த்தால் யாவும் குற்றம் தான்,
ஞான கண்ணில் பார்த்தால் யாரும சுற்றம் தான்.
One who sees with corrupt eyes can see only fault,
but one who can see with divine eyes can see only purity.



இல்ைல என்று சொன்ன பின்பும இன்றி அைமயாது,
தொல்ைல தந்த போதும் எங்கள் தில்ைல மாறாது.
(Repeat)
Just because you (the king) tell me NO, it doesn't become so,
Despite your hindrance, Thillai (Chidambaram) will not change.

வீர ைசவர்கள், உன்னால் எங்கள் வீர ைவணவம் தோற்காது.
மண்ணின் சொல்லுக்கு அஞ்சி என்றும் ேமற்ேக சூரியன் உதிக்காது.
We Veera Vaishnavites will not lose to you Shaivaites,
The sun does not rise in the west fearing the earth's orders.

ராஜலக்ஷ்மி நாயகன் சீனிவாசன் தான்,
சீனிவாசன் ேசய் இந்த விஷ்ணு தாசன் தான்.
I will be the humble follower of Lord Vishnu (Srinivasan).

நாட்டில் உண்டு ஆயிரம் ராஜராஜர் தான்,
ராஜனுக்கு ராஜன் இந்த ரங்கராஜன் நான்.
There can be hundreds of kings in the country,
but this Rangarajan is the king of all kings.



நீருக்குள்ேள மூழ்கினாலும் நீதி சாகாது,
ெநஞ்சுக்குள்ேள வாழும் எங்கள் ஜோதி சாகாது.
(Repeat)
Justice will not die even if I am drowned,
the fire in our hearts will never fade.

வீசும் காற்று வந்து விளக்கைணக்கும், ெவண்ணிலாைவ அது அைணத்திடுமா?
கொட்டும் வான்மைழ நிலம் நைணக்கும், அந்த வானம் தன்ைன அது நைனத்திடுமா?
The wind can put out a candle, but it cannot shut down a moon.
The rain from the clouds can wet the land, but can the sky itself become wet?

ைசவம் என்று பார்த்தால் ெதய்வம் ெதரியாது,
ெதய்வம் என்று பார்த்தால் சமயம் கிைடயாது.
If the Shaivaites sees differences in the idols, they cannot see the God.
If you see only the God, there is no religion.

கல்ைல மட்டும் கண்டால் கடவுள் ெதரியாது
கடவுள் மட்டும் கண்டால கல்லடி ெதரியாது.
If you visualize only the idol, you cannot see the god.
If you can see only the god, you'll not feel the pain.