- Lyricist
- Muthulingam
- Singer
- K. S. Chitra
- Music director
- Laxmikant-Pyarelal
- Movie name
- Mangai Oru Gangai
- Movie release year
- 1987
- Lyrics added on
- 4 Jan 2021
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This song is a social reform anthem advocating for fearless living, women's empowerment, and socio-economic justice. It urges people to live courageously with planning and vision, holding bravery as a guiding principle and aiming high without self-imposed limits. The lyrics challenge patriarchal attitudes that treat women as subordinates, turning the table on dowry practices by pointing out that men who put a price on themselves in marriage markets become mere commodities. Furthermore, the song highlights the blatant hypocrisy of society and law enforcement: poor people are punished for petty mistakes, while corrupt leaders, deceptive speakers, and wealthy smugglers are treated with honour and applause. Calling out the sleeping system of justice, the song inspires unity and revolutionary spirit to break free from unjust norms and build an equal society.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Iyaibu (End Rhyme)
“Por thoduppom naal kurippom”
The lines end with identical suffix forms ('koduppom', 'thoduppom', 'kurippom', 'vaguppom'), creating a strong rhythmic and motivational cadence.
Moonaai (Initial Alliteration)
“Vaanamae ellaiyaai veeramae kolgaiyaai”
Repetition of the initial sound 'Vaa' and 'Vee' in 'Vaanamae' and 'veeramae'.
Metaphor
“Nenjil thunivenum kodiyinai yaettri vaippom”
Comparing courage to a flag raised high within one's heart ('Nenjil thunivenum kodiyinai yaettri vaippom').
Irony / Social Satire
“Yaezhai chinna poiyai sonnaal ... Maedai yaeri poiyai sonnaal Kaiyai thatturaan”
Contrasting how a poor man's small lie leads to punishment while a politician's lie on stage receives applause.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Mangai Oru Gangai' (1987) is a Tamil film directed by T. Hariharan, featuring music composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal in one of their rare Tamil projects. The lyrics penned by Muthulingam strongly reflect the social themes of female independence and systemic criticism prevalent in mid-1980s Tamil cinema.
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