- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Movie name
- Aayirathil Oruvan
- Movie release year
- 1965
- Lyrics added on
- 20 Apr 2017
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
Adho Andha Paravai Polae is a celebrated anthem of freedom, equality, and human dignity from the 1965 film Aayirathil Oruvan. Sung with stirring enthusiasm, the protagonist calls upon oppressed individuals to break the chains of servitude and live joyfully, drawing parallels to the uninhibited freedom seen in birds flying in the sky and ocean waves rolling onto the shore. Kannadasan poetically illustrates that elements of nature—wind, water, and time—do not discriminate against anyone based on social status, as all human beings undergo the same fundamental journey of birth, hunger, love, and mortality. The song elevates into a passionate rally for universal liberty, declaring that millions must unite to claim their fundamental rights. It envisions a world transformed into a sacred temple where people can dance and sing without fear, advocating for liberation across every land where human beings are subjected to bondage.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Uvamai)
“Adho andha paravai Polae vaazha vendum”
Compares the desired uninhibited human freedom to the natural movement of birds and ocean waves using 'Polae' (like).
Anaphora (Repetition / Monai)
“Orae vaanilae / Orae mannilae / Orae geetham”
Repeated use of 'Orae' (One/Same) at the beginning of consecutive lines to emphasize human equality and shared existence.
Personification
“Kaatru nammai Adimai endru vilagavillaiyae”
Attributes human prejudice to natural elements like wind, ocean, and time, emphasizing that nature does not discriminate against slaves.
Rhyme / Parallel Structure (Etukai)
“Thondrumbodhu thaai... Vaazhumbodhu... Pogumbodhu verupaadhai”
Rhythmic rhyming structure reflecting different stages of life through Tamil suffixes ('Thondrumbodhu', 'Vaazhumbodhu', 'Pogumbodhu').
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by the legendary duo Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy and rendered by T. M. Soundararajan, this song became an iconic anthem closely associated with M. G. Ramachandran's screen persona and political ideology. Its philosophical lyrics on equality and freedom played a major role in establishing MGR's image as a messiah of the masses.
Keep listening
Songs with a similar feeling
From the same album
More songs from Aayirathil Oruvan
View albumSpot an issue?
Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.