- Lyricist
- A. Maruthakasi
- Singer
- Seerkazhi Govindarajan
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Movie name
- Kongu Nattu Thangam
- Movie release year
- 1961
- Lyrics added on
- 12 Apr 2025
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This philosophical song from 'Kongu Nattu Thangam' delivers a strong moral message regarding the importance of rational thought, discernment, and critical thinking. It warns against blindly trusting hearsay or surface-level visual appearances. The lyricist emphasizes that while animals with five senses may fall prey to optical illusions—like deer chasing mirages or moths flying into flames—humans are blessed with the sixth sense of reason (pagutharivu) specifically to evaluate reality through thorough investigation before making judgments. Furthermore, the lyrics counsel against being swayed by bad advice or deceitful companions who exploit situational misunderstandings to derail one's moral path. By eliminating treacherous company and using logical inquiry, mental delusions and anxieties will naturally dissolve, leaving a peaceful and wise mind.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Monal / Rhyme (Edhukai)
“Kandathai kettadhai nambaadhae / Nenjilae sanjalam kolladhae”
Second letter harmony across consecutive lines, such as 'Kandathai' and 'Nenjilae' or 'Aandavan' and 'Aanaalum'.
Metaphor / Analogy (Uwamai)
“Endhiram polae aagathae / Kaanalai neerendru Maan kottam nambidalaam”
Comparing irrational humans to animals deceived by senses (deer chasing a mirage, moth falling into flame) and to mindless machines ('Endhiram polae').
Rhetorical Question
“Aanaalum manidharkku Yen thandhaan pagutharivai”
The lyricist asks why God gave humans reasoning power if they fail to use it, emphasizing moral awareness.
Alliteration (Moonaai)
“Sandharppa kolaraal / Sandhegam thondridalaam / Sadhikaarar serkkai”
Repetition of initial consonants like 'Sa' sound in 'Sandharppa', 'Sandhegam', and 'Sadhikaarar'.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song reflects the Rationalist Movement's (Dravidian movement) strong influence on Tamil cinema lyricists during the 1950s and 60s, prominent in A. Maruthakasi's philosophical songs. It champions 'Pagutharivu' (rationalism), urging listeners to question assumptions rather than accepting hearsay.
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