- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singers
- P. Susheela, Chorus
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Movie name
- Thirumal Perumai
- Movie release year
- 1968
- Lyrics added on
- 14 Oct 2019
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This song from the movie Thirumal Perumai compares Lord Krishna to a thief, highlighting the divine paradox of Krishna's butter-stealing past. The lyrics assert that stealing for a righteous and selfless cause—such as taking unused wealth from uncharitable people to serve divine work and humanity—is itself a noble act of honesty. The song emphasizes that purity of intention matters above all; if the heart is pure and the motive serves the greater good, such actions reflect true justice for mankind.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Monai (Alliteration)
“Kannanukkum kalvanukkum”
Repetition of the initial 'Ka' sound in 'Kannanukkum' and 'kalvanukkum'.
Adukkuthodar (Repetition for Emphasis)
“Naadi naadi”
The word 'Naadi' is repeated consecutively to emphasize the active search for uncharitable households.
Paradox / Oxymoron
“Nalladharkku thiruduvadhum Naanayam thaan thozhi”
Equating the act of stealing ('thiruduvadhum') with honesty ('Naanayam'), conveying that noble intent redefines the morality of an action.
Did you know?
Trivia
Thirumal Perumai (1968) is a classic Tamil devotional film directed by A. P. Nagarajan, starring Sivaji Ganesan. The music was composed by K. V. Mahadevan with iconic lyrics penned by Kannadasan.
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