- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- A. R. Rahman, Karthik
- Music director
- A. R. Rahman
- Movie name
- Aaytha Ezhuthu
- Movie release year
- 2004
- Lyrics added on
- 11 Aug 2018
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
Jana Gana Mana (Yuva) from Aaytha Ezhuthu is a high-energy youth anthem calling upon the young generation to actively participate in society and politics. The lyrics urge youth to cast away fear, bridge the economic gap between rich and poor, and break corrupt systemic barriers. It warns that when good citizens remain passive, cunning politicians ('foxes') take control, and thus calls for youth leadership to steer society back onto the right path.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Monorhyme / Rhyme (Iyaiputh Thodai)
“Oliyae vazhiyaaga / Malaiyae padiyaaga / Pagaiyum podiyaaga”
Rhyming endings in consecutive lines such as vazhiyaaga, padiyaaga, podiyaaga.
Simile (Upamai)
“Malaigalil nuzhaikindra nadhiyena / Suyavazhi amaithu”
Comparing the youth carving their own independent journey to a river cutting through mountains.
Metaphor (Uruvagaim)
“Narigalin naataamai thodangividum”
Using 'foxes' as a metaphor for corrupt political opportunists who rule when good people step aside.
Antithesis / Parallelism
“Achchathai vidu / Latchiyam thodu / Vetrumai vidu vetriyai thodu”
Juxtaposition of dropping negatives and seizing positives in consecutive rhythmic clauses.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by A.R. Rahman for Mani Ratnam's political thriller 'Aaytha Ezhuthu' (and its Hindi counterpart 'Yuva'), the song serves as the main anthem for Surya's character Michael Vasanth, a student activist inspired by real-life activist George Reddy.
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