- Lyricist
- A. Maruthakasi
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- G. Ramanathan
- Movie name
- Karpukkarasi
- Movie release year
- 1957
- Lyrics added on
- 23 Nov 2025
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This song is a grand eulogy from the 1957 movie Karpukkarasi that blends devotion to the Goddess of Arts (Saraswati/Tamil Thai) with praise for the legendary Tamil poet Kamban and Tamil pride. It references the famous literary legend where Kamban humbled himself to sell 'kottik kizhangu' (tubers) on the street to redeem a blunder made by his son Ambikapathi. The lyricist praises the noble spirit that resides in the pure white heart of artists and southern speakers, honoring those who safeguarded the Tamil language, honor, and self-respect throughout history.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uvamai)
“Thumbai malar idhayaththil”
Compares the pure heart of an artist to a white Thumbai (Leucas aspera) flower, signifying innocence and artistic clarity.
Repetition / Anaphora (Adukkuthodar)
“Tharankaaththu mozhi kaaththu thanmaanang kaaththu nindra”
The word 'kaaththu' (protected) is repeated rhythmically to emphasize the continuous protection of dignity, language, and self-respect.
Epiphora (Iyaibu)
“Thamizh makkal thalaivaa pottri pottri”
The repetition of 'pottri' (praise) at the ends of lines creates a devotional cadence characteristic of classical Tamil praise poetry (Stotram).
Did you know?
Trivia
The song refers to the popular Tamil folklore surrounding the court poet Kamban and his son Ambikapathi. Music director G. Ramanathan composed this classical-style track for 'Karpukkarasi' (1957), sung with powerful diction by T. M. Soundararajan, featuring lyrics penned by the renowned poet A. Maruthakasi.
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