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Lyrics & meaning

Innoruvar Dhayavu

From Thangarathinam · 1960

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Thangarathinam1960

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Innoruvar thayavedharkkuWhy do we need another person's mercy?
Innaattil vaazhvadharkkuTo live in this country?
Illaiyendra kuraiyum ingaeThe grievance of lacking anything here,
Inimaelum yen namakkuWhy should we have it anymore?
Female
Innoruvar thayavedharkkuWhy do we need another person's mercy?
Innaattil vaazhvadharkkuTo live in this country?
Illaiyendra kuraiyum ingaeThe grievance of lacking anything here,
Inimaelum yen namakkuWhy should we have it anymore?
Female
Kannithaai kaaveriVirgin mother Kaveri
Ennaalum thunaiyirukkaIs always there to support us,
Kannithaai kaaveriVirgin mother Kaveri
Ennaalum thunaiyirukkaIs always there to support us,
Kaigalilae uzhaippadharkkuTo work hard with our hands,
Balamirukka thiramirukkaThere is strength and skill present,
Kaigalilae uzhaippadharkkuTo work hard with our hands,
Balamirukka thiramirukkaThere is strength and skill present,
Female
Pon vilaiyum valamudaiyaRich with fertility that yields gold,
Kannaana nilamirukkaThere is precious land as dear as our eyes,
Pon vilaiyum valamudaiyaRich with fertility that yields gold,
Kannaana nilamirukkaThere is precious land as dear as our eyes,
Pugazhudanae ulagaiyaandaWhich ruled the world with fame,
Inam endra peyar irukkaThere is the name of a great race,
Pugazhudanae ulagaiyaandaWhich ruled the world with fame,
Inam endra peyar irukkaThere is the name of a great race,
Female
Innoruvar thayavedharkkuWhy do we need another person's mercy?
Innaattil vaazhvadharkkuTo live in this country?
Illaiyendra kuraiyum ingaeThe grievance of lacking anything here,
Inimaelum yen namakkuWhy should we have it anymore?
Female
Ennathaal imayam polaeWith thoughts as lofty as the Himalayas,
Uyarndhuvitta manamirukkaThere is an elevated mind present,
Latchiyamae uyiraagaTreating ideals as life itself,
Kondaadum gunamirukkaThere is a celebrated character present,
Ennathaal imayam polaeWith thoughts as lofty as the Himalayas,
Uyarndhuvitta manamirukkaThere is an elevated mind present,
Latchiyamae uyiraagaTreating ideals as life itself,
Kondaadum gunamirukkaThere is a celebrated character present,
Female
Munnaettra paadhaiyilaeOn the path of progress,
Arivodu naam nadakkaFor us to walk with wisdom,
Munnaettra paadhaiyilaeOn the path of progress,
Arivodu naam nadakkaFor us to walk with wisdom,
Kannottam kondavargalThose blessed with vision and compassion,
Vazhikatti kaathirukkaAre waiting to guide us on the way,
Kannottam kondavargalThose blessed with vision and compassion,
Vazhikatti kaathirukkaAre waiting to guide us on the way,
Female
Innoruvar thayavedharkkuWhy do we need another person's mercy?
Innaattil vaazhvadharkkuTo live in this country?
Illaiyendra kuraiyum ingaeThe grievance of lacking anything here,
Inimaelum yen namakkuWhy should we have it anymore?
Female
Vandhaarai varavettruWelcoming those who arrive,
Vaazhaveitha thennaaduThe southern land that made them thrive,
Vandhaarai varavettruWelcoming those who arrive,
Vaazhaveitha thennaaduThe southern land that made them thrive,
Valluvanaar podhumaraiyaiWhere Saint Valluvar bestowed the universal scripture,
Vazhangiya maanaaduThe great land that offered it,
Valluvanaar podhumaraiyaiWhere Saint Valluvar bestowed the universal scripture,
Vazhangiya maanaaduThe great land that offered it,
Female
Innaalil pirar kaiyaiIn these times, depending on others' hands,
Edhirpaathu vaazhuvadhaAre we to live expecting charity?
Innaalil pirar kaiyaiIn these times, depending on others' hands,
Edhirpaathu vaazhuvadhaAre we to live expecting charity?
Ennaalum thuyar megamShould clouds of sorrow forever
Namm meedhu soozhuvadhaSurround us and loom over us?
Ennaalum thuyar megamShould clouds of sorrow forever
Namm meedhu soozhuvadhaSurround us and loom over us?
Female
Innoruvar thayavedharkkuWhy do we need another person's mercy?
Innaattil vaazhvadharkkuTo live in this country?
Illaiyendra kuraiyum ingaeThe grievance of lacking anything here,
Inimaelum yen namakkuWhy should we have it anymore?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Innoruvar Thayavedharkku is an inspiring social song from the film Thangarathinam (1960), written by A. Maruthakasi and set to music by K. V. Mahadevan. Sung beautifully by P. Susheela, the song serves as a powerful call for self-reliance, self-respect, and hard work, urging people not to depend on the mercy or charity of others when they live in a land blessed with rich natural resources and historic pride. The lyrics celebrate the bounty of Tamil Nadu—symbolized by the perennial Kaveri river and fertile soil—and evoke the historic heritage of Thiruvalluvar and legendary Tamil rulers. By encouraging the listeners to hold high ideals, cultivate wisdom, and walk on the path of progress, the song preaches self-sufficiency and moral courage over despair and dependence.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Modhai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Innoruvar thayavedharkku / Innaattil vaazhvadharkku / Illaiyendra kuraiyum ingae / Inimaelum yen namakku

Repetition of the initial vowel 'I' across consecutive lines (Innoruvar, Innaattil, Illaiyendra, Inimaelum) creates a rhythmic flow.

Simile (Uvamai)

Ennathaal imayam polae

The poet compares noble thoughts to the grand heights of the Himalayas using the word 'polae' (like/as).

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Ennaalum thuyar megam / Namm meedhu soozhuvadha

Sorrow is directly conceptualized as dark clouds ('thuyar megam') gathering over life.

Did you know?

Trivia

Thangarathinam (1960) starred S. S. Rajendran and Vijayakumari. Lyricist A. Maruthakasi was renowned for weaving social consciousness, Dravidian cultural pride, and agricultural labor ethics into mainstream Tamil film songs during the 1950s and 1960s.

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