- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singers
- P. Susheela, L. R. Eswari
- Music director
- T. R. Pappa
- Movie name
- Avare En Deivam
- Movie release year
- 1969
- Lyrics added on
- 21 Jul 2021
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This song presents a lively debate contrasting traditional values with modern viewpoints regarding female modesty, domestic duties, personal rights, and freedom. One side critiques modern attire and behavior as overly explicit and lacking modesty, asserting that classical virtues and devotion to family preserve dignity. The counter-argument asserts that extreme tradition reduces women to silent statues or slaves, advocating that true modernity lies in equality, mutual service, and mutual respect in marriage. Ultimately, the lyrics bridge both views by concluding that true culture is maintaining self-respect and chastity while simultaneously championing modern rights and equal freedom for women.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Upamai Ani)
“Udal saakku moottaipol thonuthu”
Compares a fully covered body to a coarse burlap sack using the explicit comparative word 'pol' (like).
Metaphor / Analogy
“Kovil silaigal veliyil vizhunthaal Kallaai maarumadi”
Compares women from respected households to sacred temple idols, emphasizing that stepping outside moral boundaries destroys sacred sanctity.
Muran (Antithesis)
“Vaazhvathu pazhamaiyadi / ... urimai naagareegamdi”
Contrasts the opposing concepts of 'Pazhamai' (Old-fashioned tradition) and 'Naagareegam' (Modernity/Progressiveness) across alternating lines.
Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Padiththa pothum pengalin kadamai / Padhiyin sevaiyadi”
The initial letter/consonant sound 'Pa' recurs across these lines, creating poetic cadence.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Avare En Deivam' (1969) features lyrics by the legendary Tamil poet Kannadasan. The song showcases his signature style of structuring lyrical debates that highlight contemporary cultural clashes between traditional orthodox norms and progressive modern ideals in 1960s Tamil society.
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