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Lyrics & meaning

Buddhan Vanthan

From Ratha Thilagam · 1963

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Ratha Thilagam1963

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Buddhan vandha thisaiyilae porWar in the direction where Buddha came
Punidha gaandhi mannilae porWar in the land of holy Gandhi
Sathiyathin nizhalilae porWar in the shadow of truth
Dharma thaayin madiyilae por por porWar, war, war in the lap of Mother Dharma!
Male
Buddhan vandha thisaiyilaeIn the direction where Buddha came
Chorus :PorChorus: War!
Male :Punidha gaandhi mannilaeMale: In the land of holy Gandhi
Chorus :PorChorus: War!
Male :Sathiyathin nizhalilaeMale: In the shadow of truth
Chorus :PorChorus: War!
Male :Dharma thaayin madiyilaeMale: In the lap of Mother Dharma
Male & Chorus :Por por porMale & Chorus: War, war, war!
Male
Bharatha naattu thirumaganae vaaCome, blessed son of the nation of Bharath!
Pachai raththa thilagamittu vaaCome adorned with a tilak of fresh blood!
Poruthu vengalathai nokki vaaCome march towards the battlefield with fortitude!
Ponnalantha mannalakka va vaCome, come to measure the land that once measured gold!
Chorus :VavavaChorus: Come, come, come!
Male
Makkalaukku buthi solli vaaCome after bestowing wise counsel to the people!
Manaivi kannil muthamittu vaaCome after kissing your wife on her eyes!
Pettravarkku thaazh vanangi vaaCome after bowing low at the feet of your parents!
Per edukka por mudikka va vaCome, come to earn glory and finish the war!
Chorus :VavavaChorus: Come, come, come!
Male
Buddhan vandha thisaiyilaeIn the direction where Buddha came
Chorus :PorChorus: War!
Male :Punidha gaandhi mannilaeMale: In the land of holy Gandhi
Chorus :PorChorus: War!
Male :Sathiyathin nizhalilaeMale: In the shadow of truth
Chorus :PorChorus: War!
Male :Dharma thaayin madiyilaeMale: In the lap of Mother Dharma
Male & Chorus :Por por porMale & Chorus: War, war, war!
Male
Marubadikkum veezhvadhillai vaaCome, promising never to suffer defeat again!
Maranamaenum peruvadhendru vaaCome believing that death on the battlefield is a reward!
Paruva nenjai munn nimirthu vaaCome holding your youthful chest high with pride!
Pagaivanukkum oru uyir thaan va vaCome, come knowing that even the enemy has only one life!
Chorus :VavavaChorus: Come, come, come!
Chorus
Haaa…..aaa….aaa….aaa….aa….Vocalizing (Haaa...aaa...)
Male :Buddhan vandha thisaiyilae porMale: War in the direction where Buddha came
Punidha gaandhi mannilae porWar in the land of holy Gandhi
Sathiyathin nizhalilae porWar in the shadow of truth
Male & Chorus :Male & Chorus:
Dharma thaayin madiyilae por por porWar, war, war in the lap of Mother Dharma!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Buddhan Vandha Thisaiyilae is an inspiring patriotic song from the 1963 movie Ratha Thilagam, written by the legendary lyricist Kannadasan. The lyrics highlight the stark paradox faced by India: a nation anchored in peace, truth, non-violence, and the spiritual teachings of Buddha and Mahatma Gandhi is compelled to fight a war to defend its motherland and righteous values (Dharma). The song serves as a powerful call to arms for young Indian soldiers, urging them to embrace sacrifice with pride. It urges them to seek blessings from their parents and bid emotional farewells to their wives before stepping onto the battlefield. Kannadasan skilfully blends martial courage with moral consciousness, reminding the warrior that duty to the nation comes above all, while maintaining honor and dignity even toward the enemy.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Irony / Paradox

Buddhan vandha thisaiyilae por / Punidha gaandhi mannilae por

Juxtaposes figures of supreme peace and non-violence (Buddha, Gandhi) with the grim reality of war (por).

Metaphor

Pachai raththa thilagamittu vaa

'Pachai raththa thilagam' (tilak of fresh blood) serves as a metaphor for brave commitment and readiness to sacrifice one's life on the battlefield.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Makkalaukku buthi solli vaa / Manaivi kannil muthamittu vaa

Repetition of initial consonant sounds across successive lines ('M' sound: Makkalaukku / Manaivi).

Refrain / Anaphora

Dharma thaayin madiyilae por por por

Repetition of the word 'por' (war) and 'vaa' (come) at line endings to create a rhythmic call to action.

Did you know?

Trivia

Ratha Thilagam (1963), starring Sivaji Ganesan and Savitri, was produced against the backdrop of the 1962 Sino-Indian War. The soundtrack was composed by K. V. Mahadevan and sung with intense martial fervor by T. M. Soundararajan. Kannadasan composed this track specifically to boost national morale and patriotic spirit across Tamil Nadu during the border conflict.

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