Kalviya Selvama Veerama
From Saraswathi Sabatham · 1966
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Details
- Saraswathi Sabatham1966
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Kalviya..selvama veerama | Is it education, wealth, or courage? |
| Annaiya thanthaiya deivama | Is it mother, father, or God? |
| Kalviya..selvama veerama | Is it education, wealth, or courage? |
| Annaiya thanthaiya deivama | Is it mother, father, or God? |
| Male | |
| Ondrillamal matrondru uruvaguma | Can one exist or take form without the other? |
| Idhil uyarvendrum thazhvendrum pirivaguma | Can there be a divide of superior or inferior among these? |
| Ondrillamal matrondru uruvaguma | Can one exist or take form without the other? |
| Idhil uyarvendrum thazhvendrum pirivaguma | Can there be a divide of superior or inferior among these? |
| Male | |
| Kalviya..selvama veerama | Is it education, wealth, or courage? |
| Annaiya thanthaiya deivama | Is it mother, father, or God? |
| Male | |
| Kattorkku porul indri pasi theeruma | For the educated, can hunger be satisfied without wealth? |
| Kattorkku porul indri pasi theeruma | For the educated, can hunger be satisfied without wealth? |
| Porul petrorkku arivindri pugal seruma | For those with wealth, can fame be earned without wisdom? |
| Kattorkku porul indri pasi theeruma | For the educated, can hunger be satisfied without wealth? |
| Porul petrorkku arivindri pugal seruma | For those with wealth, can fame be earned without wisdom? |
| Male | |
| Kattraalum petraalum balam aaguma | Even if one learns and earns, does it become strength? |
| Kattraalum petraalum balam aaguma | Even if one learns and earns, does it become strength? |
| Veeram kaanaadha vaazh endrum vaazhvaaguma | Can a life devoid of courage ever truly be called a life? |
| Veeram kaanaadha vaazh endrum vaazhvaaguma | Can a life devoid of courage ever truly be called a life? |
| Male | |
| Kalviya..selvama veerama | Is it education, wealth, or courage? |
| Male | |
| Padithavan karuthellaam sabhai yeruma | Will all the thoughts of an educated person be honored in the assembly? |
| Panam padaithavan karuthanaal sabhai meeruma | Will the opinion of a wealthy person dominate the assembly? |
| Padithavan karuthellaam sabhai yeruma | Will all the thoughts of an educated person be honored in the assembly? |
| Panam padaithavan karuthanaal sabhai meeruma | Will the opinion of a wealthy person dominate the assembly? |
| Male | |
| Padithavan padaithavan yaarayinum | Whoever the educated person or the wealthy person may be, |
| Padithavan padaithavan yaarayinum | Whoever the educated person or the wealthy person may be, |
| Balam padaithirunthal avanukkinayaguma | If someone possesses physical power, can anyone match them? |
| Balam padaithirunthal avanukkinayaguma | If someone possesses physical power, can anyone match them? |
| Male | |
| Kalviya..selvama veerama | Is it education, wealth, or courage? |
| Male | |
| Ondrukkul ondraaga karuvaanadhu | They originate within one another as a single core, |
| Adhu ondrinil ondraaga porulaanadhu | And manifest together as one reality, |
| Ondrukkul ondraaga karuvaanadhu | They originate within one another as a single core, |
| Adhu ondrinil ondraaga porulaanadhu | And manifest together as one reality, |
| Male | |
| Ondrai ondru pagaithaal uyarvedhu | If they conflict with each other, where is the greatness? |
| Ondrai ondru pagaithaal uyarvedhu | If they conflict with each other, where is the greatness? |
| Moondrum ooridathil irundhaal nigaryedhu | If all three exist together in one place, what can match it? |
| Moondrum ooridathil irundhaal nigaryedhu | If all three exist together in one place, what can match it? |
| Male | |
| Kalviya..selvama veerama | Is it education, wealth, or courage? |
| Male | |
| Moondru thalai muraikum nidhi venduma | Do you want wealth that lasts for three generations? |
| Kaalam mutrum pugazh valarkkum madhi venduma | Do you want wisdom that nurtures fame forever across time? |
| Moondru thalai muraikum nidhi venduma | Do you want wealth that lasts for three generations? |
| Kaalam mutrum pugazh valarkkum madhi venduma | Do you want wisdom that nurtures fame forever across time? |
| Male | |
| Thoongum pagai nadungum balam venduma | Do you want strength that makes even sleeping enemies tremble? |
| Thoongum pagai nadungum balam venduma | Do you want strength that makes even sleeping enemies tremble? |
| Ivai moondrum thunai irukkum nalam venduma | Do you want well-being where all three stand together in support? |
| Ivai moondrum thunai irukkum nalam venduma | Do you want well-being where all three stand together in support? |
| Male | |
| Kalviya..selvama veerama | Is it education, wealth, or courage? |
| Annaiya thanthaiya deivama | Is it mother, father, or God? |
| Ondrillamal matrondru uruvaguma | Can one exist or take form without the other? |
| Idhil uyarvendrum thazhvendrum pirivaguma | Can there be a divide of superior or inferior among these? |
| Kalviya..selvama veerama | Is it education, wealth, or courage? |
கல்வியா செல்வமா
வீரமா அன்னையா தந்தையா
தெய்வமா கல்வியா செல்வமா
வீரமா அன்னையா தந்தையா
தெய்வமா
Is it education, wealth, or courage?
Is it mother, father, or God?
Is it education, wealth, or courage?
Is it mother, father, or God?
ஒன்றில்லாமல்
மற்றொன்று உருவாகுமா
இதில் உயர்வென்றும்
தாழ்வென்றும் பிரிவாகுமா
ஒன்றில்லாமல் மற்றொன்று
உருவாகுமா இதில் உயர்வென்றும்
தாழ்வென்றும் பிரிவாகுமா
Can one exist or take form without the other?
Can there be a divide of superior or inferior among these?
Can one exist or take form without the other?
Can there be a divide of superior or inferior among these?
கல்வியா செல்வமா
வீரமா அன்னையா தந்தையா
தெய்வமா
Is it education, wealth, or courage?
Is it mother, father, or God?
கற்றோர்க்கு
பொருள் இன்றி பசி
தீருமா கற்றோர்க்கு
பொருள் இன்றி பசி
தீருமா பொருள் பெற்றோர்க்கு
அறிவின்றி புகழ் சேருமா
கற்றோர்க்கு பொருள்
இன்றி பசி தீருமா பொருள்
பெற்றோர்க்கு அறிவின்றி
புகழ் சேருமா
For the educated, can hunger be satisfied without wealth?
For the educated, can hunger be satisfied without wealth?
For those with wealth, can fame be earned without wisdom?
For the educated, can hunger be satisfied without wealth?
For those with wealth, can fame be earned without wisdom?
கற்றாலும்
பெற்றாலும் பலம்
ஆகுமா கற்றாலும்
பெற்றாலும் பலம்
ஆகுமா வீரம் காணாத
வாள் என்றும் வாழ்வாகுமா
வீரம் காணாத வாள் என்றும்
வாழ்வாகுமா
Even if one learns and earns, does it become strength?
Even if one learns and earns, does it become strength?
Can a life devoid of courage ever truly be called a life?
Can a life devoid of courage ever truly be called a life?
கல்வியா செல்வமா
வீரமா
Is it education, wealth, or courage?
படித்தவன்
கருத்தெல்லாம் சபை
ஏறுமா பணம் படைத்தவன்
கருத்தானால் சபை மீறுமா
படித்தவன் கருத்தெல்லாம்
சபை ஏறுமா பணம் படைத்தவன்
கருத்தானால் சபை மீறுமா
Will all the thoughts of an educated person be honored in the assembly?
Will the opinion of a wealthy person dominate the assembly?
Will all the thoughts of an educated person be honored in the assembly?
Will the opinion of a wealthy person dominate the assembly?
படித்தவன்
படைத்தவன் யாராயினும்
படித்தவன் படைத்தவன்
யாராயினும் பலம்
படைத்திருந்தால்
அவனுக்கிணையாகுமா
பலம் படைத்திருந்தால்
அவனுக்கிணையாகுமா
Whoever the educated person or the wealthy person may be,
Whoever the educated person or the wealthy person may be,
If someone possesses physical power, can anyone match them?
If someone possesses physical power, can anyone match them?
கல்வியா செல்வமா
வீரமா
Is it education, wealth, or courage?
ஒன்றுக்குள்
ஒன்றாக கருவானது
அது ஒன்றினில் ஒன்றாக
பொருளானது ஒன்றுக்குள்
ஒன்றாக கருவானது அது
ஒன்றினில் ஒன்றாக
பொருளானது
They originate within one another as a single core,
And manifest together as one reality,
They originate within one another as a single core,
And manifest together as one reality,
ஒன்றை ஒன்று
பகைத்தால் உயர்வேது
ஒன்றை ஒன்று பகைத்தால்
உயர்வேது மூன்றும் ஓரிடத்தில்
இருந்தால் நிகரயேது மூன்றும்
ஓரிடத்தில் இருந்தால் நிகரயேது
If they conflict with each other, where is the greatness?
If they conflict with each other, where is the greatness?
If all three exist together in one place, what can match it?
If all three exist together in one place, what can match it?
கல்வியா செல்வமா
வீரமா
Is it education, wealth, or courage?
மூன்று தலை
முறைக்கும் நிதி வேண்டுமா
காலம் முற்றும் புகழ் வளர்க்கும்
மதி வேண்டுமா மூன்று தலை
முறைக்கும் நிதி வேண்டுமா
காலம் முற்றும் புகழ் வளர்க்கும்
மதி வேண்டுமா
Do you want wealth that lasts for three generations?
Do you want wisdom that nurtures fame forever across time?
Do you want wealth that lasts for three generations?
Do you want wisdom that nurtures fame forever across time?
தூங்கும் பகை
நடுங்கும் பலம் வேண்டுமா
தூங்கும் பகை நடுங்கும் பலம்
வேண்டுமா இவை மூன்றும்
துணை நிற்கும் நலம் வேண்டுமா
இவை மூன்றும் துணை நிற்கும்
நலம் வேண்டுமா
Do you want strength that makes even sleeping enemies tremble?
Do you want strength that makes even sleeping enemies tremble?
Do you want well-being where all three stand together in support?
Do you want well-being where all three stand together in support?
கல்வியா செல்வமா
வீரமா அன்னையா தந்தையா
தெய்வமா ஒன்றில்லாமல்
மற்றொன்று உருவாகுமா
இதில் உயர்வென்றும்
தாழ்வென்றும் பிரிவாகுமா
கல்வியா செல்வமா
வீரமா
Is it education, wealth, or courage?
Is it mother, father, or God?
Can one exist or take form without the other?
Can there be a divide of superior or inferior among these?
Is it education, wealth, or courage?
Kalviya..selvama veerama
Is it education, wealth, or courage?
Annaiya thanthaiya deivama
Is it mother, father, or God?
Kalviya..selvama veerama
Is it education, wealth, or courage?
Annaiya thanthaiya deivama
Is it mother, father, or God?
Ondrillamal matrondru uruvaguma
Can one exist or take form without the other?
Idhil uyarvendrum thazhvendrum pirivaguma
Can there be a divide of superior or inferior among these?
Ondrillamal matrondru uruvaguma
Can one exist or take form without the other?
Idhil uyarvendrum thazhvendrum pirivaguma
Can there be a divide of superior or inferior among these?
Kalviya..selvama veerama
Is it education, wealth, or courage?
Annaiya thanthaiya deivama
Is it mother, father, or God?
Kattorkku porul indri pasi theeruma
For the educated, can hunger be satisfied without wealth?
Kattorkku porul indri pasi theeruma
For the educated, can hunger be satisfied without wealth?
Porul petrorkku arivindri pugal seruma
For those with wealth, can fame be earned without wisdom?
Kattorkku porul indri pasi theeruma
For the educated, can hunger be satisfied without wealth?
Porul petrorkku arivindri pugal seruma
For those with wealth, can fame be earned without wisdom?
Kattraalum petraalum balam aaguma
Even if one learns and earns, does it become strength?
Kattraalum petraalum balam aaguma
Even if one learns and earns, does it become strength?
Veeram kaanaadha vaazh endrum vaazhvaaguma
Can a life devoid of courage ever truly be called a life?
Veeram kaanaadha vaazh endrum vaazhvaaguma
Can a life devoid of courage ever truly be called a life?
Kalviya..selvama veerama
Is it education, wealth, or courage?
Padithavan karuthellaam sabhai yeruma
Will all the thoughts of an educated person be honored in the assembly?
Panam padaithavan karuthanaal sabhai meeruma
Will the opinion of a wealthy person dominate the assembly?
Padithavan karuthellaam sabhai yeruma
Will all the thoughts of an educated person be honored in the assembly?
Panam padaithavan karuthanaal sabhai meeruma
Will the opinion of a wealthy person dominate the assembly?
Padithavan padaithavan yaarayinum
Whoever the educated person or the wealthy person may be,
Padithavan padaithavan yaarayinum
Whoever the educated person or the wealthy person may be,
Balam padaithirunthal avanukkinayaguma
If someone possesses physical power, can anyone match them?
Balam padaithirunthal avanukkinayaguma
If someone possesses physical power, can anyone match them?
Kalviya..selvama veerama
Is it education, wealth, or courage?
Ondrukkul ondraaga karuvaanadhu
They originate within one another as a single core,
Adhu ondrinil ondraaga porulaanadhu
And manifest together as one reality,
Ondrukkul ondraaga karuvaanadhu
They originate within one another as a single core,
Adhu ondrinil ondraaga porulaanadhu
And manifest together as one reality,
Ondrai ondru pagaithaal uyarvedhu
If they conflict with each other, where is the greatness?
Ondrai ondru pagaithaal uyarvedhu
If they conflict with each other, where is the greatness?
Moondrum ooridathil irundhaal nigaryedhu
If all three exist together in one place, what can match it?
Moondrum ooridathil irundhaal nigaryedhu
If all three exist together in one place, what can match it?
Kalviya..selvama veerama
Is it education, wealth, or courage?
Moondru thalai muraikum nidhi venduma
Do you want wealth that lasts for three generations?
Kaalam mutrum pugazh valarkkum madhi venduma
Do you want wisdom that nurtures fame forever across time?
Moondru thalai muraikum nidhi venduma
Do you want wealth that lasts for three generations?
Kaalam mutrum pugazh valarkkum madhi venduma
Do you want wisdom that nurtures fame forever across time?
Thoongum pagai nadungum balam venduma
Do you want strength that makes even sleeping enemies tremble?
Thoongum pagai nadungum balam venduma
Do you want strength that makes even sleeping enemies tremble?
Ivai moondrum thunai irukkum nalam venduma
Do you want well-being where all three stand together in support?
Ivai moondrum thunai irukkum nalam venduma
Do you want well-being where all three stand together in support?
Kalviya..selvama veerama
Is it education, wealth, or courage?
Annaiya thanthaiya deivama
Is it mother, father, or God?
Ondrillamal matrondru uruvaguma
Can one exist or take form without the other?
Idhil uyarvendrum thazhvendrum pirivaguma
Can there be a divide of superior or inferior among these?
Kalviya..selvama veerama
Is it education, wealth, or courage?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Kalviya Selvama Veerama' is a philosophical debate song from the 1966 Tamil mythological film 'Saraswathi Sabatham'. Written by Kannadasan and set to music by K. V. Mahadevan, the song poses a fundamental question: which among Knowledge (Saraswathi), Wealth (Lakshmi), and Courage (Parvathi) is the supreme virtue? The lyrics compare this trio to mother, father, and God, questioning if one can exist without the others. Through a series of thought-provoking rhetorical queries, the poet illustrates the shortcomings of possessing one virtue without the rest. Knowledge cannot satisfy hunger without wealth; wealth cannot gain genuine fame without wisdom; and neither education nor riches can offer protection without courage and strength. The song concludes that no single virtue is superior or inferior, as true prosperity and perfection exist only when all three co-exist harmoniously.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Etuhaai (Second letter rhyming)
“Kattorkku porul indri pasi theeruma / Porul petrorkku arivindri pugal seruma”
Rhyming of the second consonant across lines, such as in 'Kattorkku' and 'Porul' or 'Padithavan' and 'Panam'.
Rhetorical Question (Vinaa Alangaaram)
“Kalviya..selvama veerama / Annaiya thanthaiya deivama”
Using continuous rhetorical questions to challenge the audience to reflect on the interdependency of virtues.
Anaphora (Repetition for Emphasis)
“Ivai moondrum thunai irukkum nalam venduma”
Repetition of phrases like 'Ivai moondrum' and 'Ondrukkul ondraaga' across lines to reinforce the core message of unity among the three virtues.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Saraswathi Sabatham' (1966) was directed by A. P. Nagarajan, starring Sivaji Ganesan, Padmini, Geminis Ganesan, and Savitri. The music was composed by K. V. Mahadevan, and this iconic debate song was sung by T. M. Soundararajan, perfectly capturing the movie's central theme of debate between Saraswathi, Lakshmi, and Parvathi.
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