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Lyrics & meaning

Arasi Endral Enna

From Veeranganai · 1964

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
Seerkazhi Govindarajan
Music director
S. Vedhachalam
Details
Veeranganai1964

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kannkoduthu sithirathaiIs it wise to trade your eyes just to buy a picture?
Vaanguvadhum undooDoes anyone ever do such a thing?
Nee kadamaikku penmaiyaiIs it right for you to sacrifice womanhood...
Baliyidudhal nandroo...at the altar of duty?
Male
Arasi endraal ennaWhat does it matter if you are a queen?
Oru adimai endraal ennaWhat does it matter if you are a slave?
Arasi endraal ennaWhat does it matter if you are a queen?
Oru adimai endraal ennaWhat does it matter if you are a slave?
Neeyoru pennammaaYou are a woman, dear lady!
Nenjil nilaitha uruvam azhiyumaaCan the image etched in your heart ever fade away?
Neeyoru pennammaaYou are a woman, dear lady!
Nenjil nilaitha uruvam azhiyumaaCan the image etched in your heart ever fade away?
Arasi endraal ennaWhat does it matter if you are a queen?
Male
Kadamai ondrae peridhu endru kondaaiYou held that duty alone was paramount.
Kadamai ondrae peridhu endru kondaaiYou held that duty alone was paramount.
Makkal karudhuvadhae needhi endru nindraaiYou believed that public sentiment was true justice.
Avar madamai thanai indru neeyum kandaaiToday, you yourself have witnessed their foolishness.
Avar madamai thanai indru neeyum kandaaiToday, you yourself have witnessed their foolishness.
Needhi vazhangubhavar yaar unakku solvaaiTell me, who is there to give justice to you?
Needhi vazhangubhavar yaar unakku solvaaiTell me, who is there to give justice to you?
Male
Arasi endraal ennaWhat does it matter if you are a queen?
Oru adimai endraal ennaWhat does it matter if you are a slave?
Neeyoru pennammaaYou are a woman, dear lady!
Nenjil nilaitha uruvam azhiyumaaCan the image etched in your heart ever fade away?
Arasi endraal ennaWhat does it matter if you are a queen?
Male
Indrirukkum naalai pogum padhaviA royal post that exists today will disappear tomorrow.
Idhu iruppadhanaal unakku enna udhaviWhat actual benefit do you get by holding on to it?
Anbai vida idhu peridhaa solvaaiTell me, is this greater than love?
Anbai vida idhu peridhaa solvaaiTell me, is this greater than love?
Unnai azhaikkudhammaIt is calling out to you, dear lady!
Anbu azhaikkudhamma anbu azhaikkudhammaLove is calling you! Love is calling you!
Than vazhiyae selvaai…….Go along its path...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This emotional philosophical song from Veeranganai (1964) questions a queen who sacrifices her personal happiness, womanhood, and love for the sake of public duty and royal title. The speaker uses a striking metaphor, asking if anyone would blind themselves just to buy a painting, illustrating how foolish it is to abandon living emotions for a temporary title. He reminds her that public opinion is fickle, royal power is fleeting, and true justice for her personal sacrifices will never come from the masses. Ultimately, he urges her to break free from these rigid expectations, listen to the call of true love, and follow the path of her heart.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (உருவகம்)

Kannkoduthu sithirathai Vaanguvadhum undoo

Comparing sacrificing womanhood and true feelings for royal duty to giving up one's eyesight just to purchase a visual painting.

Rhetorical Question (வினா நயம்)

Arasi endraal enna Oru adimai endraal enna

Using contrasting questions (queen vs. slave) to argue that titles do not alter basic human emotional needs.

Second-Letter Rhyme / Ethukai (எதுகை)

Indrirukkum naalai pogum padhavi / Idhu iruppadhanaal unakku enna udhavi

The second consonant sound 'dha' matches across lines, enhancing the song's poetic rhythm.

Repetition / Anaphora (அடுக்குத் தொடர்)

Anbu azhaikkudhamma anbu azhaikkudhamma

Repetition of the phrase 'anbu azhaikkudhamma' to build strong emotional intensity and conviction.

Did you know?

Trivia

Veeranganai (1964) featured a musical score by S. Vedhachalam with lyrics penned by A. Maruthakasi. Sung with deep emotive resonance by Seerkazhi Govindarajan, this song stands out for its high classical Tamil philosophical questioning of royal duties versus personal human values.

Keep listening

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