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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Arivukku Virunthagum

From Arivaali · 1963

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
S. V. Venkatraman
Details
Arivaali1963

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Arivukku virunthaagum thirukkuralaeThirukkural, which serves as a feast for the intellect!
Arivukku virunthaagum thirukkuralaeThirukkural, which serves as a feast for the intellect!
Valluvar aakki namakkaliththa arumporulaeOh precious treasure that Valluvar created and gave us!
Valluvar aakki namakkaliththa arumporulaeOh precious treasure that Valluvar created and gave us!
Male
Arivukku virunthaagum thirukkuralae….Thirukkural, which serves as a feast for the intellect...
Male
Ulagukku olipolae….ae….Like light to the world...
Ulagukku olipolae udalukku uyir polaeLike light to the world, like life to the body.
Ulagukku olipolae udalukku uyir polaeLike light to the world, like life to the body.
Payirukku mazhaipolae….ae…Like rain to crops...
Payirukku mazhaipolae painthamizh mozhiyaalaeLike rain to crops, crafted in the rich Tamil language.
Male
Arivukku virunthaagum thirukkuralae….Thirukkural, which serves as a feast for the intellect...
Male
Aram porl inbam enappadum muppaaleIt is the three-part work comprising Virtue, Wealth, and Love.
Anupavaththaalae thaan suvaiththatharkkappaalaeBeyond taste, it is something to be experienced.
Aram porl inbam enappadum muppaaleIt is the three-part work comprising Virtue, Wealth, and Love.
Anupavaththaalae thaan suvaiththatharkkappaalaeBeyond taste, it is something to be experienced.
Male
Avaniyil ullorgal anaivarum thanaipolaeSo that all the people of this world, as their own self,
Avaniyil ullorgal anaivarum thanaipolaeSo that all the people of this world, as their own self,
Avasiyam kattrunarnthu payanperum ninaipaalaeWith the thought that they must learn, understand, and benefit from it.
Avasiyam kattrunarnthu payanperum ninaipaalaeWith the thought that they must learn, understand, and benefit from it.
Male
Arivukku virunthaagum thirukkuralae….Thirukkural, which serves as a feast for the intellect...
Male
Vaazhum vazhi muraikku ilakkanamaanathuIt serves as the grammar for the way of living.
Manam mozhi mei inikka vaarththitta thaenathuIt is honey poured to sweeten mind, word, and body.
Male
Vaanagam pol virintha perum porul kondathuIt contains vast meaning expanded like the sky.
Vaanagam pol virintha perum porul kondathuIt contains vast meaning expanded like the sky.
Em mathathirkkum podhuvennum paaraattai kandathuIt earned praise for being universal to any religion.
Em mathathirkkum podhuvennum paaraattai kandathuIt earned praise for being universal to any religion.
Male
Arivukku virunthaagum thirukkuralae….Thirukkural, which serves as a feast for the intellect...
Valluvar aakki namakkaliththa arumporulaeOh precious treasure that Valluvar created and gave us!
Male
Arivukku virunthaagum thirukkuralae….Thirukkural, which serves as a feast for the intellect...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a high tribute to Thirukkural, the classic ethical masterpiece authored by Thiruvalluvar. The lyricist portrays the text as an intellectual feast, comparing its value to light for the world, soul for the body, and rain for crops. It celebrates Thirukkural's sweet Tamil composition and its timeless wisdom across the three realms: Virtue, Wealth, and Love. The song highlights Thirukkural as a universal grammar of righteous living that transcends all religious boundaries, urging everyone in the world to study, internalize, and benefit from its sky-deep meaning.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Ulagukku olipolae udalukku uyir polae

Compares Thirukkural's indispensability to light for the world, soul for the body, and rain for crops using 'polae' (like).

Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)

Arivukku virunthaagum thirukkuralae

Directly identifies Thirukkural as a grand feast for human intellect.

Moni (Initial Alliteration)

Avaniyil ullorgal anaivarum thanaipolae / Avasiyam kattrunarnthu payanperum ninaipaalae

Repetition of the initial vowel sound 'A' across consecutive lines for poetic rhythm.

Metaphor

Manam mozhi mei inikka vaarththitta thaenathu

Refers to the text as honey poured to sweeten mind, word, and body.

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Trivia

From the 1963 film Arivaali starring Sivaji Ganesan and P. Bhanumathi. Lyricist A. Maruthakasi specifically highlighted the secular and universal appeal ('Em mathathirkkum podhu') of Thirukkural in this song, set to music by S. V. Venkatraman and rendered powerfully by T. M. Soundararajan.

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