S P Balasubrahmanyam jots down lyrics while practising for Ulaga Manitham Thalaikal - 21st June 2007. Photograph: Oviar Pugazhenthi
Among the late, great S P Balasubrahmanyam's body of work, which spans over five decades and over 40,000 songs, were several enthusiastic contributions to the Tamil Eelam liberation struggle. Encompassing a variety of styles and speeds, Balasubrahmanyam frequently voiced the lyrics of Eelam revolutionary poets Puthuvai Ratnathurai, who was forcibly disappeared in May 2009, Kasi Ananthan and Joe Puradchi. We look back at a selection of SPB's Eelam liberation songs.
Operation Ellaalan
Balasubrahmanyam lent his voice to two tracks on an album marking 'Operation Ellaalan', the raid on Sri Lanka's Anuradhapura Air Force base carried out successfully by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The album was composed by Theivendran. Balasubrahmanyam sang the songs Allithinru (listen), written by Joe Puradchi, and Vaanathileri (listen) whose lyrics were written by Eelam poet Puthuvai Ratnathurai.
Thaayaga Manne (video above)
A song recorded for the Eelam film 'Ellaalan'. The lyrics to the song were also penned by Puthuvai Ratnathurai.
Karaikal Thazhuvum Kaatru (listen)
You who drove your chariots over the waves
You who became flames in the deep sea
The burning ocean has not cooled
The sorrows have not scattered
The departed Sea Tigers have not left our hearts
Peralaiyin meethinile therizhuthu ponavare
Aalkadalin meethinile theeyenave aanavare
Ventha kadal aaralaiye, vethanaikal theeralaiye
Senra kadal pulikal enkal nenchai vittu pokalaiye
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Athu Yaar Alukaiyo/Chinna Chinna Veedu (listen)
A poignant call and response style song, where SPB roleplays the LTTE leader describing the idyllic childhoods of a liberated Tamil Eelam.
We will build small houses
And grow up on the terraces
We will tie swings to the mango trees
And forget our sorrows
This will all return to us
We will be kings in our nation
Chinna chinna veedu katti
Thinnaiyile naam valarvom
Mamarathil oonchal katti
Thunbankalai naam marappom
Meendu vanthu sernthidume
Thesathil arasarkal aavom
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Ulaga Manitham Thalaikal (listen)
It is not right to say an island
With two nations has just one
It is not wrong to kill the foe
That invades our land and kills us
Irandu thesam ulla theevai
Onru endraal sari alla
Mannai thinru emmai kollum
Pakaiyai kondraal pilai alla
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Karum Puli Padai (listen)
Eelam is our homeland, reclaiming it our goal.
Eelam enkal thaayakam, meetpathu enkal latchiyam.
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Should our people seek refuge across the world?
Or should we die as slaves in our rightful land?
Ulakam engum emathu makkal agathiyaaka povatha?
Urimaiyulla mannil naangal adimaiyaaka saavatha?
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Ezhuchiyum Veeramum (listen)
A tribute song to the countless revolutionary poets and writers of the Eelam struggle, both fighters and civilians.
The Tamil Eelam revolution erupted from the fire in your lines.
Ungal ezhuththukkal neruppaana varikalai kondathaal thamileela puratchi vediththathe
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Imran Paandian Padaiyani (listen)
A tribute to the Imran Paandian Regiment, the LTTE leader's personal security unit. From the album Eeddi Munaikal (pictured above).
Ethanai Ethanai Maaperum Vetrikal (listen)
An upbeat song with tongue-in-cheek lyrics praising the prowess and innovation of the Tigers.
Ungalai Engal Thesam Marakkuma (listen)
A song paying tribute to Tamil political prisoners in Sri Lanka and incarcerated around the world.
Iruthi Yuttham (listen)
An energetic track layered with folk rhythms, praising the Sea Tigers.
Naadengum Vaazhkinra Thamizha (listen)
A song calling on Tamils around the world to unite in the struggle for Tamil Eelam.
Ithu Puzhigal Vaanpadai (listen)
A tribute to the Tamil Eelam Air Force.
