- Lyricist
- Lyricist Not Known
- Singer
- P. Susheela
- Music director
- Kunnakudi Vaithiyanathan
- Movie name
- Annai Abirami
- Movie release year
- 1972
- Lyrics added on
- 25 Apr 2023
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This song from Annai Abirami (1972) laments the triumph of falsehood over truth in governance and society. It uses powerful allegories to describe how unrighteousness (Adharma) occupies thrones of power while truth (Satyam) is banished into exile, drawing a direct parallel to Lord Rama and Vaidehi (Sita) being sent to the forest. Despite the dominance of evil forces attempting to destroy moral virtue, the song holds onto spiritual resilience, noting that the divine teachings of the Bhagavad Gita continue to echo like a guiding light even amidst chaos and turmoil.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor / Epic Allusion (Uvamaani)
“Vaithegi ramanai pol vanavaasam ponathammaa”
Compares the exile of truth in contemporary times to the forest exile of Rama and Sita (Vaidehi) from the Ramayana.
Antithesis / Contrast
“Ariyanaiyil poiyyirunthu ... Unmai vanavaasam ponathammaa”
Contrasts falsehood sitting on a royal throne ('poiyyirunthu arasaala') with truth being banished into the woods ('unmai vanavaasam').
Monai (Initial Assonance / Alliteration)
“Ariyanaiyil poiyyirunthu arasaala vanthathammaa”
Repetition of the initial 'A' sound across words in the line ('Ariyanaiyil', 'Arasaala').
Personification
“Adharmam dharmathai thannai azhikkavae thudikkuthammaa”
Personifies abstract concepts like Dharma (Righteousness) and Adharma (Unrighteousness) as active beings engaged in a battle for survival.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song is composed by the renowned classical violinist and composer Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan, sung soulfully by P. Susheela. Known for combining Carnatic ragas with dramatic cinematic themes, the soundtrack enhances the emotional and moral weight of the film Annai Abirami (1972).
Keep listening
Songs with a similar feeling
From the same album
More songs from Annai Abirami
View albumSpot an issue?
Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.