- Lyricist
- Puratchi Dasan
- Singer
- P. Susheela
- Music director
- Rajan Nagendra
- Movie name
- Rathna Manjari
- Movie release year
- 1961
- Lyrics added on
- 19 May 2024
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This classic song from Rathna Manjari (1961) is a poetic ode extolling the beauty, virtue, and royal nobility of a woman. Using high literary Tamil, the lyricist Puratchi Dasan compares her presence to the artistic grandeur of poet Kamban's Tamil verse and a blossoming floral masterpiece. She is praised as the living embodiment of womanhood, likened to a radiant celestial moon and a vital vine descending from the historic Pandyan monarch Nedumaran. The second stanza offers profound blessings for her future, wishing her a mind filled with wisdom, victory accompanied by sweet music, and a long life of a hundred years filled with righteousness and leadership. Ultimately, it calls upon her to leave behind an enduring legacy of glory and fame.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Arul peruga kalai sindha / Azhagu pongida kanden”
The initial letter 'A' is repeated across consecutive lines ('Arul' and 'Azhagu'), creating melodic harmony in Tamil poetry.
Metaphor (Uvamaani)
“Nirai penmai vilakaaga / Vaazhgindra vinmadhiyo”
The subject is metaphorically described as 'Nirai penmai vilakaaga' (a glowing lamp of complete womanhood) and 'Vinmadhiyo' (the celestial moon living on earth).
Literary & Historical Allusion
“Perumaiyulla kamban thamizh / Nedumaran sandhadhiyil”
Direct references to legendary epic poet Kamban ('Kamban thamizh') and ancient Pandyan King Nedumaran ('Nedumaran sandhadhiyil') to evoke grandeur and ancient lineage.
Edhukai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Aranjeidhu arasu kandu / Paaraandu vaazhndhirundhu”
The second consonant sound 'ra' rhymes across lines ('Aranjeidhu' and 'Paaraandu'), establishing rhythmic flow.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by the renowned Kannada-Tamil composer duo Rajan-Nagendra, 'Rathna Manjari' (1961) featured lyrics by Puratchi Dasan who was known for blending classical literary Tamil roots with mainstream cinema. Singer P. Susheela's rendition of this song is celebrated for its precise Tamil diction and classical nuances.
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