- Lyricist
- Na. Kamarasan
- Singer
- P. Jayachandran
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Movie name
- Needhikku Thalaivanangu
- Movie release year
- 1976
- Lyrics added on
- 18 Nov 2019
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This philosophical song reflects on the social disparities, internal complexities, and transient nature of human life. It contrasts the harsh realities of the poor sleeping on streets with the intoxicated luxury of the wealthy residing in mansions. The song emphasizes how human desires, devotion to one's mother, injustice, and destiny intertw, reminding us that life is ultimately an impermanent journey that concludes in the earth.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Antithesis (Edhir-sol)
“Ezhaiyin urakkangal paadhaiyilae / Andha maaligai mayakkangal bodhaiyilae”
Contrasts the sleeping place of the poor on the streets with the intoxicated luxury in mansions.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Ivan thaai madi kovil yena valarndhaan”
Compares the mother's lap to a divine temple ('thaai madi kovil') and life to an imaginary procession ('karpanai oorvala vaazhkkai').
Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)
“Ethanai manidhargal ulagathilae / Ammaa ethanai ulagangal idhayathilae”
Rhyming of the second consonant in consecutive lines (Ethanai / Ammaa, Pakkatthil / Nalla).
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Trivia
This song belongs to the 1976 Tamil movie 'Needhikku Thalaivanangu' starring M. G. Ramachandran (MGR). The music was composed by M. S. Viswanathan and sung by T. M. Soundararajan. Poet Na. Kamarasan wrote the lyrics, embedding deep philosophical thoughts suited for MGR's iconic screen persona.
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