- Lyricist
- Bharathidasan
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- Shankar Ganesh
- Movie name
- Naan Yen Pirandhen
- Movie release year
- 1972
- Lyrics added on
- 28 Dec 2020
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This powerful reformist poem written by revolutionary poet Bharathidasan pays tribute to the sacrifices of the working class. Addressing elements of nature and human creation—such as manicured groves, lotus ponds, and industrial machinery—the poet reminds them that their existence and beauty are built upon the blood, sweat, and lives of fallen laborers. The song sharply critiques economic inequality and questions the moral justice of wealthy oppressors who exploit workers.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Apostrophe (Personification)
“Sithira cholaigalae”
Directly addressing non-human entities like manicured groves, lotus ponds, machines, and the earth as if they can hear and witness labor history.
Metaphor
“Ratham sorindhanaro Ungal vaerinilae…”
Comparing the nourishment of tree roots to the blood spilled by workers who cleared and cultivated the lands.
Rhetorical Question
“Selvargal needhi nandro”
Asking whether the self-serving justice and logic of the rich is truly fair, prompting reflection from the audience.
Anaphora / Repetition
“Ungal vaerinilae…”
Repeating key phrases to emphasize the sacrifice of comrades and the eternal truth of worker labor.
Did you know?
Trivia
Written by 'Puratchi Kavinjar' Bharathidasan, this iconic labor anthem was featured in the 1972 M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) film 'Naan Yen Pirandhen'. The movie's music was scored by the duo Shankar-Ganesh, and the track was famously rendered by T. M. Soundararajan.
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