- Lyricist
- Trichy Bharathan
- Singer
- Vani Jairam
- Music director
- Kunnakudi Vaithiyanathan
- Movie name
- Mel Naattu Marumagal
- Movie release year
- 1975
- Lyrics added on
- 8 Nov 2023
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
Kalaimagal Kaiveenai from Mel Naattu Marumagal (1975) is a classical-fusion Tamil song that reflects on the philosophical balance between traditional values and modern artistic innovation. The lyrics invoke Saraswati, the goddess of learning and art, celebrating how artistic wealth enriches human life while arguing that art must naturally evolve to reflect changing times. However, the song cautions that modern progress should never abandon underlying moral values, genuine affection, and spiritual devotion. Highlighting the famous classical maxim 'Pazhayana kazhiththalum pudhiya puguththalum' (discarding the obsolete and embracing the new), the track blends Carnatic swara passages (solfège) with cinematic melody, underscoring true culture as an equilibrium of character, devotion, and creative expression.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Monaai (Initial Alliteration)
“Pazhayana kazhiththalum pudhiya puguththalum”
Repetition of the initial letter 'Pa' across consecutive words in the line for rhythmic structure.
Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyming)
“Padiththa medhaigal vaarththaiyadi / Pazhaguthal naagareegamadi”
Matching of the second consonant 'da' sound between consecutive lines ('Padiththa' and 'Pazhaguthal').
Metaphor
“Kalaimagal kaiveenai muzhanguthammaa / Kalai valam naavengum peruguthammaa”
Comparing human speech and artistic talent to the divine music produced by Saraswati's Veena.
Classical Literary Quotation
“Pazhayana kazhiththalum pudhiya puguththalum / Padiththa medhaigal vaarththaiyadi”
Direct adaptation of the ancient Nannool grammatical adage 'Pazhayana kazhithalum pudhiya puguthalum' regarding cultural evolution.
Did you know?
Trivia
Mel Naattu Marumagal (1975) features music composed by the legendary Carnatic violinist Kunnakudi Vaithiyanathan, starring Sivakumar, Jayachitra, Kamal Haasan, and Vani Ganapathy. Singer Vani Jairam delivered an intricate classical performance incorporating complex Carnatic swaraprastara (solfège improvisations), which became one of her celebrated film renditions of the 1970s.
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