Sumaithaangi (சுமைத்தாங்கி, Tamil; Burden Bearer, 1962)
A little of Plato's philosophy in Tamil cinema for you. The moral goal or telos of each philosophical system, it seems, is roughly about the same - 'becoming like God so far as is possible' -
homoiosis theoi kata to dunaton.
Our physical body apparently has two components, the mortal part and the immortal part which continues over generations as the society progresses. This immortal part is linked to divinity and can be communicated via our intellect. This immortal part, we wonder, whether it is related to the fundamental blocks of life, our DNA. There is a unity between the microcosm of human life and the macrocosmic order of the entire universe. The connecting bridge between these two is our intellect. It could also be the knowledge that we learn over the centuries that the generation next finds it easier to learn as it is hardwired deep in the crypts of our grey matter as we sail along on our journey on the ship of life.
If the order of the universe is comparable to divinity and our intellect is the path to this so-called God complex, we humans can theoretically become God-like. Hence, the title of the song, Manithan Enbavan Theivam Agalaam (மனிதன் என்பவன் தெய்வம் ஆகலாம்; A human can be God), from 1962 Tamil film, Sumaithanggi. In this film, the protagonist sacrifices his every desire and need for the wellbeing of his family. The prophetic lines in the song tell how a mere mortal can be equated to God. He will forever stay in memory from his philanthropic deeds, the sacrifices, the letting go and the empathy. All it takes is his mind and character.
Translation of the song...
A man can be God,
he gives everything away and becomes a philanthropist,
A little of Plato's philosophy in Tamil cinema for you. The moral goal or telos of each philosophical system, it seems, is roughly about the same - 'becoming like God so far as is possible' -
homoiosis theoi kata to dunaton.
Our physical body apparently has two components, the mortal part and the immortal part which continues over generations as the society progresses. This immortal part is linked to divinity and can be communicated via our intellect. This immortal part, we wonder, whether it is related to the fundamental blocks of life, our DNA. There is a unity between the microcosm of human life and the macrocosmic order of the entire universe. The connecting bridge between these two is our intellect. It could also be the knowledge that we learn over the centuries that the generation next finds it easier to learn as it is hardwired deep in the crypts of our grey matter as we sail along on our journey on the ship of life.
If the order of the universe is comparable to divinity and our intellect is the path to this so-called God complex, we humans can theoretically become God-like. Hence, the title of the song, Manithan Enbavan Theivam Agalaam (மனிதன் என்பவன் தெய்வம் ஆகலாம்; A human can be God), from 1962 Tamil film, Sumaithanggi. In this film, the protagonist sacrifices his every desire and need for the wellbeing of his family. The prophetic lines in the song tell how a mere mortal can be equated to God. He will forever stay in memory from his philanthropic deeds, the sacrifices, the letting go and the empathy. All it takes is his mind and character.
Translation of the song...
A man can be God,
he gives everything away and becomes a philanthropist,
like a banana tree, he can sacrifice himself,
can melt away like a candle to give light.
souls who lived for society will live on as statues,
souls who lived for society will live on as statues,
the heart which opens up to relationships will stay as a flower,
those who cry for others will be leaders,
mind, mind, can be a temple.
If one has the heart, even a deer can live in a bird cage,
If one has the heart, even a deer can live in a bird cage,
if there is a way, one can view a hill in a mustard seed,
if one endeavours, one can bear any burden on his head,
character, character, can be a temple.
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