Track 7

Uma

This song is a celebration of my sister Uma's life and sacrifice. That sense of loss permeates this tribute, as does the greater loss and destruction of innocence.

Pone pontra meniyazhe
En Thamil selviyalzhe Uma.

Uma, with her heart of gold,
is a true Tamil daughter.

Karum koonthal azhako kaar mekamo?
Kavarum punnakayo malar vannamo?
Malar mangaye ne maaninamo?
Manitha neyathin pirappidamo?
Than uyirai man uyirai mathitha maathave
Thanthayin uyir kaaka thalathil uyir thuranthu
Mangaye maara pukazhum petrai
Manam thanil nirainthu vittai
Konraro umathu izhamayai
Venraro ethum udaimayai
Kandaro katpin thahaimayai - eenar
Pendeero kayavar pilzhaigal thaano - ponne.

Your hair is like the rain clouds, and your smile is like a fresh bloom.
Are you some kind of timid deer?
Humanity is born of you.
You sacrificed your life for your aged father.
In so doing you became sacred.
Were they able to snuff out your youth?
Did they achieve anything at all?
Will they ever know about your pure life?
Are they cowards or evil people?