- Lyricist
- Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyaar
- Singer
- Rajkumar Bharathi
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Movie name
- Bharathi
- Movie release year
- 2000
- Lyrics added on
- 26 Apr 2019
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This powerful reformist poem composed by Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyar calls for universal equality, social justice, and women's empowerment. Using the famous allegory of a mother cat birthing kittens of varied colors to show that physical or superficial differences do not alter fundamental worth, Bharathiyar strongly critiques the artificial divisions of caste, race, and socioeconomic status. He emphasizes that love and mutual respect are the true foundation for a flourishing society.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Allegory (Uvamaani)
“Vellai nirathoru poonai ... Avai perukkoru niram aagum”
Bharathiyar uses the mother cat and her multi-colored kittens as a metaphor for humanity, demonstrating that despite external differences in skin color or lineage, all human beings share equal fundamental dignity.
Metaphor (Uruvagaim)
“Kangal irandinil ondrai kuthi kaatchi keduthidalaamo”
Comparing women to one of two eyes of humanity emphasizes that suppressing women is akin to intentionally blinding oneself.
Emona / Rhyme (Monai)
“Pennukku gnyaanathai vaithaan / Puvi paeni valarthidum eesan”
Initial rhyme and sound harmony across words in lines, such as 'Pennukku' and 'Puvi' or 'Ezhaigal' and 'Selvam'.
Did you know?
Trivia
This track features verses from Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyar's famous poem 'Vellai Nirathoru Poonai'. In the biographical film 'Bharathi' (2000), directed by Gnana Rajasekaran, the music was composed by Ilaiyaraaja, and the musical rendition highlights Bharathiyar's visionary ideals on social equality and feminism.
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