- Lyricist
- Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyaar
- Singer
- Seerkazhi Govindarajan
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Movie name
- Padikkadha Medhai
- Movie release year
- 1960
- Lyrics added on
- 28 Oct 2019
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This iconic song, adapted from Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyar's 'Kannan Pattu' (specifically 'Kannan En Sevagan'), depicts the supreme Lord Krishna arriving in the guise of a humble servant named Rangan. The protagonist marvels at his good fortune, wondering what great penances he must have performed in past lives to earn the service of God Himself, who has unexpectedly entered his home as a worker from the shepherd caste. The song highlights Krishna's devotion to his duties: protecting the family's wealth, entertaining children, and safeguarding the household as tenderly as eyelids protect the eyes. Ultimately, the song celebrates God's multifaceted relationship with humanity—serving not just as a worker, but as a loyal friend, wise minister, inspiring teacher, and supreme deity wrapped in the humble attire of a servant.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Upamai)
“Kannai imai irandum / Kaappadhu pol / En kudumbam vannamura kaakkindraan”
Compares Krishna's protective care over the narrator's family to the way eyelids naturally protect the eyes.
Contrast (Muran)
“Panbilae dheivamaai… / Paarvaiyilae saevaganaai rangan”
Contrasts Krishna's inner divine nature ('dheivamaai') with his outward appearance as a humble servant ('saevaganaai').
Alliteration (Monai)
“Nanbanaai mandhiriyaai / Nallaasiriyanumaai”
Repetition of initial consonant sounds ('N') across lines describing the various roles Krishna plays.
Did you know?
Trivia
This song is based on Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyar's famous work 'Kannan En Sevagan' from the 'Kannan Pattu' collection. In the film 'Padikkadha Medhai' (1960), starring Sivaji Ganesan, the music was composed by K. V. Mahadevan and sung by T. M. Soundararajan, beautifully integrating Bharathiyar's classical literary masterpiece into popular Tamil cinematic music.
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