- Lyricist
- Udumalai Narayanakavi
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
- Movie name
- Nalla Theerppu
- Movie release year
- 1959
- Lyrics added on
- 1 Oct 2024
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This uplifting philosophical song emphasizes moral duty, resilience, and hard work, heavily inspired by classical Tamil literature like the Tirukkural. The song urges the listener to persevere regardless of fate or insurmountable obstacles, reminding them that dedicated effort always yields rewards. Furthermore, it advocates for living with self-respect, fulfilling one's duty above personal self-preservation, and honoring parents as living deities whose wisdom serves as holy scripture.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Literary Allusion (Kural Reference)
“Deivaththaal aagaathu endraalum / Muyarchi mei varuntha koolu tharum enbathaalum”
The opening lines are a direct poetic adaptation of Thirukkural verse 619: 'Deivathaan aagaath eninum muyarchi tan mei-varundha kooli tharum'.
Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyming)
“Malaiyathu kalangidinum / Kalangaathae manam kalangaathae”
The second consonant 'la' (ல) matches across adjacent lines ('Malaiyathu' and 'Kalangaathae'), creating a harmonious Tamil rhythmic flow.
Repetition / Epanalepsis
“Entha naalum entha naalum entha naalum”
Repetition of 'entha naalum' and 'kalangaathae' emphasizes resolute perseverance despite overwhelming distress.
Did you know?
Trivia
Lyricist Udumalai Narayana Kavi heavily incorporated Thirukkural concepts into film lyrics to spread moral and rationalist philosophy to the general public. The opening line of this song remains one of the most famous musical adaptations of Thiruvalluvar's couplets in Tamil cinema history.
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