- Lyricist
- Aalangudi Somu
- Singer
- P. B. Sreenivas
- Music director
- C. N. Pandurangan
- Movie name
- Sathiyam Thavarathe
- Movie release year
- 1968
- Lyrics added on
- 24 Dec 2023
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
'Edhuda Vaazhkai' is a introspective philosophical track from the 1968 Tamil film 'Sathiyam Thavarathe', featuring lyrics by Aalangudi Somu and music by C. N. Pandurangan. Expressed through the velvety voice of P. B. Sreenivas, the song critiques the shallow and artificial nature of modern human life, questioning what truly constitutes a meaningful existence. The lyricist highlights human hypocrisy, pointing out how people project wisdom on public stages while harboring animalistic deceit inside. By summarizing human life into a brief, routine cycle of birth, education, marriage, aging, sin, and death, the song serves as a stern reminder of life's brevity and urges moral awakening.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Manidhan endra kootinilae / Nee maraindhu vaazhum mirugamada”
Compares the human body to a nest or outer shell ('kootinilae') hiding an untamed wild beast ('mirugamada'), symbolizing internal corruption beneath a civilized exterior.
Initial Rhyme / Alliteration (Monai / Ethugai)
“Maedaiyaeri paesi vittu / Maedhai polae nadithu vittu”
Uses matching initial sounds and rhythmic wordplay ('Maedaiyaeri' / 'Maedhai') to enhance the oral cadence and musicality of the commentary.
Rhetorical Question (Vinaa Nayam)
“Indraiya manidhanin latchiyama / Idhu dhaan manidhanin latchanama”
Asks thought-provoking rhetorical questions ('Idhu dhaan manidhanin latchanama') to challenge the audience to evaluate their integrity and principles.
Asyndeton / Narrative Progression
“Pirandhaan valarndhaan padithaan / Manandhaan….. petrraan pillaigalai”
Lists key human life milestones rapidly without conjunctions ('Pirandhaan valarndhaan padithaan...') to depict life as a mechanical, fleeting routine.
Did you know?
Trivia
Penning several acclaimed philosophical songs in 1960s Tamil cinema, lyricist Aalangudi Somu worked closely with composer C. N. Pandurangan for this track. Sung by P. B. Sreenivas, who was renowned for rendering moral-philosophical songs for various legendary Tamil screen icons.
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