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Bhagya Devathai album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Harahara Siva Siva

From Bhagya Devathai · 1959

Lyricist
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Singer
Ghantasala
Music director
Master Venu
Movie name
Bhagya Devathai
Movie release year
1959
Lyrics added on
12 Apr 2025

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Harahara sivasiva ambalavaanaa
Adiyaargal solvathai nambiduvaanaa
Varavara kaalam maari pochchuthu
Vaayaara avanai kumbiduvaanaa
Harahara sivasiva ambalavaanaa
Adiyaargal solvathai nambiduvaanaa
Varavara kaalam maari pochchuthu
Vaayaara avanai kumbiduvaanaa
Porantha veettilum puguntha veettilum
Porumaiyaai iruppava samsaari
Pathi perumai purinjava samsaari
Ooru sirikkavae ulagam sirikkavae
Perai keduppava peruchaali
Dagal pechai alappava peruchaali
Harahara sivasiva ambalavaanaa
Adiyaargal solvathai nambiduvaanaa
Varavara kaalam maari pochchuthu
Vaayaara avanai kumbiduvaanaa
Kazhuththu ponaalum kadamai thavaramal
Karpai kaappaval samsaari
Namm kannagi pondraval samsaari
Azhuththam thiruththamaa idhara pengalai
Aatti vaippava peruchaali
Pallai kaatti sirippava peruchaali
Harahara sivasiva ambalavaanaa
Adiyaargal solvathai nambiduvaanaa
Varavara kaalam maari pochchuthu
Vaayaara avanai kumbiduvaanaa
Maamiyin sollai thalaimeal kondu
Mathiththu nadappava marumagalaam
Dhinam thuthiththu nadappava marumagalaam
Maanam mariyaathai yaedhu illaamal
Maamiyai edhirppava madamaagalaam
Nilai maari nadappava madamaagalaam
Harahara sivasiva ambalavaanaa
Adiyaargal solvathai nambiduvaanaa
Varavara kaalam maari pochchuthu
Vaayaara avanai kumbiduvaanaa
Hara Hara Shiva Shiva, Lord of the sacred hall,
Will he believe what his devotees say?
Times have changed so much these days,
Will anyone pray to him wholeheartedly?
Hara Hara Shiva Shiva, Lord of the sacred hall,
Will he believe what his devotees say?
Times have changed so much these days,
Will anyone pray to him wholeheartedly?
Both in the home she was born and the one she married into,
The one who stays patient is a true homemaker,
The one who understands her husband's worth is a true homemaker.
Making the town and the world laugh in mockery,
The one who ruins the family's good name is a pest,
The one who spins cunning lies is a pest.
Hara Hara Shiva Shiva, Lord of the sacred hall,
Will he believe what his devotees say?
Times have changed so much these days,
Will anyone pray to him wholeheartedly?
Even if it costs her life, without failing in her duty,
The one who protects her virtue is a true homemaker,
The one who is like our noble Kannagi is a true homemaker.
Coldly and deliberately manipulating other women,
The one who bosses them around is a pest,
The one who flashes a fake smile is a pest.
Hara Hara Shiva Shiva, Lord of the sacred hall,
Will he believe what his devotees say?
Times have changed so much these days,
Will anyone pray to him wholeheartedly?
Respectfully obeying her mother-in-law's words,
The one who acts with dignity is a good daughter-in-law,
The one who honors her every day is a good daughter-in-law.
Without any shame or respect,
The one who opposes her mother-in-law is a foolish woman,
The one who strays from her rightful path is a foolish woman...
Hara Hara Shiva Shiva, Lord of the sacred hall,
Will he believe what his devotees say?
Times have changed so much these days,
Will anyone pray to him wholeheartedly?
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song from 'Bhagya Devathai' (1959) serves as a satirical yet moralistic commentary on shifting social values and family dynamics. Invoking Lord Shiva (Ambalavanan), the lyrics reflect on how times have changed and question whether devotion and moral integrity are still truly practiced. Through a series of comparisons, the song contrasts ideal domestic behavior with destructive traits. The lyrics praise a virtuous woman who preserves peace in both her birth and marital homes, comparing her to the legendary Tamil ideal of chastity, Kannagi. In contrast, deceitful and manipulative individuals who disrupt family harmony and ruin family honor are metaphorically branded as 'peruchaali' (bandicoots/rats). By outlining the qualities of a good daughter-in-law versus a disrespectful one, the song delivers a lighthearted yet sharp social sermon on ethics, respect for elders, and righteous living.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

“Perai keduppava peruchaali”

Compares a person who ruins the family reputation to a 'peruchaali' (a destructive pest/bandicoot rat) to emphasize their harmful nature.

Allusion

“Namm kannagi pondraval samsaari”

Refers directly to Kannagi, the heroine of the Tamil epic Silappatikaram, as the gold standard of virtue, loyalty, and chastity.

Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

“Porantha veettilum puguntha veettilum / Porumaiyaai iruppava samsaari”

Rhyming of the second letter ('ra') in 'Porantha' and 'Porumaiyaai'.

Monai (First Letter Rhyme)

“Porantha veettilum puguntha veettilum”

Alliteration of the starting sound 'Po' and 'Pu' across words in the same line.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Bhagya Devathai' (1959) features music by Master Venu and lyrics by the legendary Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass, who was known for blending folk wisdom and social commentary into catchphrase-filled film songs. Iconic playback singer Ghantasala rendered this song in Tamil; despite being primarily a legendary Telugu singer, Ghantasala recorded numerous acclaimed Tamil tracks during the 1950s with exceptionally clear diction.

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