- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- K. S. Chithra, Chorus
- Music director
- Sankar Ganesh
- Movie name
- Dharma Devan
- Movie release year
- 1989
- Lyrics added on
- 14 Aug 2020
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This song pays rich tribute to the legendary Tamil actor and former Chief Minister M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) and his wife Janaki Ramachandran. The lyrics describe how marginalized, impoverished, and differently-abled individuals found hope, sustenance, and dignity through MGR's social welfare schemes and philanthropy. By comparing MGR's compassion to divine grace, lyricist Vaali highlights his contributions like free artificial limbs, hearing aids, school uniforms, and the mid-day meal scheme for school children. The song elevates MGR and Janaki Ramachandran to the status of living deities who stepped in to help humanity when temple gods remained silent spectators.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Antithesis (Edhir-sol)
“Kannumilla kaadhumilla ... Indru vaazhkaiyilae”
Contrasts the helpless past ('Kannumilla kaadhumilla...') with the empowered present ('Kannum undu kaadhum undu...').
Emona / Rhyme (Monai)
“Kannumilla kaadhumilla / Kaiyum illa kaalum illa”
Repetition of starting sounds/letters across phrases like 'Kannumilla' / 'Kaiyum illa'.
Metaphor (Uruvagamm)
“Kalviyin deebathai yaetri vaithaan”
Comparing MGR directly to a god ('Oru devan ingae pirandhan') and education to a lamp ('Kalviyin deebathai').
Did you know?
Trivia
This song praises the former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M. G. Ramachandran (MGR), and V. N. Janaki. Lyricist Vaali was a close associate of MGR and wrote numerous iconic political and social welfare songs celebrating MGR's schemes like the Noon Meal Scheme and assistance for the disabled.
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