- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Movie name
- Gauravam
- Movie release year
- 1973
- Lyrics added on
- 16 May 2017
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
The song 'Neeyum Naanumaa' from the 1973 legal drama 'Gauravam' depicts a intense ideological clash and battle of egos between an arrogant, undefeated senior advocate, Barrister Rajnikant, and his idealistic young nephew/foster-son, Kannan (both played by Sivaji Ganesan). The lyrics draw heavy parallels to mythological events from the Mahabharata and the Vamana avatar of Lord Vishnu, comparing the generational courtroom duel to the master-disciple confrontation between Drona and Arjuna.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor & Allegory (Uvamaani)
“Arivai Koduthadho Dhronarin gouravam... Arjunan gouravam”
Kannadasan masterfully compares the courtroom clash to Dronacharya facing Arjuna in Mahabharata, as well as King Mahabali being subdued by Vamana.
Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)
“Arivai Koduthadho / Thoduthadhae”
Consonance of the second letter 'ri' and 'dh' across consecutive lines (Arivai / Thoduthadhae).
Iyaibu (End rhyme)
“Dhronarin gouravam / Arjunan gouravam”
Rhyming of ending syllables like 'gouravam' and 'ulagilae' across stanzas.
Numerical Contrast / Symbolism
“Mudivilae arubadhai Irubadhu velluma ulagilae”
The lyricist uses numbers 'Arubadhai' (60, representing the senior lawyer's age and experience) and 'Irubadhu' (20, representing the youth and modern idealism) to symbolize generational conflict.
Keep listening
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