- Lyricist
- Aalangudi Somu
- Singer
- P. Susheela
- Music director
- V. Kumar
- Movie name
- Patham Pasali
- Movie release year
- 1970
- Lyrics added on
- 16 Apr 2024
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This song from the 1970 movie 'Patham Pasali' is a poignant eulogy dedicated to C. N. Annadurai (affectionately known as 'Anna'), the revered scholar and former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. Composed by V. Kumar with lyrics by Aalangudi Somu, the song pays homage to Anna's visionary leadership, political philosophy, and unparalleled mastery over Tamil literature and rhetoric. The lyrics seamlessly integrate Anna's most famous quotes and political maxims, such as appreciating merit wherever it lies ('Even the neighbor's garden jasmine has fragrance'), resilience ('Hearts that can endure anything are needed'), universal brotherhood ('One community, one God'), and the guiding principles of 'Duty, Dignity, and Discipline'. It reflects the deep public mourning following his passing and immortalizes his legacy at his final resting place along Marina Beach.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Monaai (Initial Alliteration)
“Kadamai kanniyam kattupaadu”
Repetition of the initial consonant sound 'Ka' across words in the line for rhythmic cadence.
Etukai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Ondrae kulam ena sonnavaraam / Oruvane devan enbavaraam”
Rhyming of the second consonant sound 'ndr' across consecutive lines (Ondrae / Oruvane).
Metaphor (Uruvagamm)
“Kaaviyamaai aanavaraam”
Comparing the late leader's life and legacy directly to a classic epic (Kaaviyam).
Did you know?
Trivia
The song incorporates authentic political slogans coined by C. N. Annadurai. Phrases like 'Maattraan thottathu malligayum manakkum' (appreciating good qualities in political opponents) and 'Kadamai, Kanniyam, Kattupaadu' (Duty, Dignity, Discipline) were foundational mottos of the Dravidian movement in Tamil Nadu.
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