- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Movie name
- Paasa Deepam
- Movie release year
- 1973
- Lyrics added on
- 29 Jan 2024
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This philosophical song from Paasa Deepam (1973), written by Kannadasan and sung by T. M. Soundararajan under M. S. Viswanathan's musical composition, delivers a powerful message against alcoholism. The protagonist questions God about human folly, expressing anguish over how liquor destroys a person's intellect and ruins families, even driving men to sell their wives' sacred mangalsutra. Citing Sage Valluvar's ancient wisdom from the Thirukkural—which equates liquor drinkers to poison consumers—the song laments that people rarely learn until personal tragedy strikes. Kannadasan skillfully contrasts the destructive, shameful high of liquor with the refined, noble intoxication derived from earning genuine respect and praise through good deeds, concluding that virtue brings true joy.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Classical Allusion / Intertextuality
“Kallai kudithavargal Nanjai undorendru Valluvanaar solli Vaiththaar kuralilae”
Refers directly to Thiruvalluvar and his Thirukkural (specifically Kural 922, 'Kallunnoor nanjunnoor...'), reinforcing moral philosophy using ancient Tamil literature.
Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Aandavanae nee irunthaa sollu / Maandavanum kudithavanum ondru”
Tamil poetic convention where the second letter of consecutive lines share harmony (nd in Aandavanae / Maandavanum).
Antithesis / Contrast
“Ulloora bodhai varum pugazhilae / Panpaana bodhaiyillai kudiyillae”
Contrasts the base, disrespectful intoxication of alcohol ('kudiyillae') with the elevated, noble high derived from earned respect and fame ('pugazhilae').
Did you know?
Trivia
Lyricist Kannadasan was well known for weaving his own personal life experiences and classic Tamil literature into film songs. In this track, he adapts Thirukkural Chapter 93 (Kallunnamai / Abstaining from Liquor) to address social themes, delivering moral lessons in simple, conversational Tamil that resonated deeply with everyday audiences.
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