- Lyricist
- Mu. Metha
- Singer
- K. J. Jesudass
- Music director
- Chandrabose
- Movie name
- Maduraikkara Thambi
- Movie release year
- 1988
- Lyrics added on
- 25 Apr 2021
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
'Iravum Oru Naal Vidiyum' is a powerful revolutionary and motivational song penned by the renowned Tamil poet Mu. Metha for the movie Maduraikkara Thambi (1988). The song functions as a clarion call to the oppressed and working-class people, exhorting them to cast away cowardice, unite, and march forward to reclaim their rights. By contrasting human fear with the unyielding strength of natural forces like storms and tigers, the lyrics instill fearlessness in the face of death and hardship.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Iravum oru naal vidiyum adhanaal”
Night ('Iravum') is used as a metaphor for dark periods of oppression, while dawn ('Vidiyum') represents freedom and justice.
Personification / Natural Imagery
“Puyallum puliyum azhuvathu illai”
Attributes fearlessness to inanimate natural forces (storms) and fierce animals (tigers) to inspire human courage.
Monaai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Thegamum oru naal oointhida koodum / Thaagangal ooyaathu”
Matching initial consonant sounds across words in lines, such as 'Thegamum' and 'Thaagangal'.
Contrast / Antithesis
“Thegamum oru naal oointhida koodum / Thaagangal ooyaathu”
Contrasts physical mortality ('body perishing') with immortal ideological determination ('thirst never ceasing').
Did you know?
Trivia
Written by Mu. Metha, a prominent figure in the 'Vaanambadi' modern poetry movement in Tamil literature, the song's lyrics reflect socialist and humanistic themes characteristic of his literary style.
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