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Lyrics & meaning

Kelvi Piranthathu

From Pachhai Vilakku · 1964

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Details
Pachhai Vilakku1964

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kelvi pirandhadhu andruA question was born back then
Nalla badhil kidaiththadhu indruA good answer was received today
Aasai pirandhadhu andruA desire was born back then
Yaavum nadandhadhu indruEverything has come to pass today
Male
Kelvi pirandhadhu andruA question was born back then
Nalla badhil kidaiththadhu indruA good answer was received today
Aasai pirandhadhu andruA desire was born back then
Yaavum nadandhadhu indruEverything has come to pass today
Male
Aandaan adimai maelor keezhorMaster, slave, upper class, lower class
Enbadhu maaraadhoWill this status quo never change?
Aandaan adimai maelor keezhorMaster, slave, upper class, lower class
Enbadhu maaraadhoWill this status quo never change?
Arasan illaamal janangal aalumA time where people rule without a king
Kaalamum vaaraadhoWill such an era not arrive?
Endroru kaalam yengiyadhunduThere was a time when people yearned for this
Indru kidaiththadhu badhil ondruToday, an answer has been found
Indru evarum bedham sonnaalToday, if anyone preaches discrimination
Irandu varudam jail unduThere is two years of imprisonment
Male
Kelvi pirandhadhu andruA question was born back then
Nalla badhil kidaiththadhu indruA good answer was received today
Aasai pirandhadhu andruA desire was born back then
Yaavum nadandhadhu indruEverything has come to pass today
Male
Vaanathil yeri chandira mandalaClimbing into the sky, to the lunar realm
Vaasalai thodalaamaa?…Can we touch its doorstep?...
Vaanathil yeri chandira mandalaClimbing into the sky, to the lunar realm
Vaasalai thodalaamaa?…Can we touch its doorstep?...
Male
Maandu kidakkum manidhanin maeniThe fallen, lifeless body of a human
Marupadi ezhalaamaa?..Can it rise again?..
Endroru kaalam yengiyadhunduThere was a time when people yearned for this
Indru kidaiththadhu badhil ondruToday, an answer has been found
Gnyaanam pirandhu vaanil parandhuWith wisdom born, flying high into the sky
Meendu vandhaan uyir konduHe returned alive with his breath intact
Male
Kelvi pirandhadhu andruA question was born back then
Nalla badhil kidaiththadhu indruA good answer was received today
Aasai pirandhadhu andruA desire was born back then
Yaavum nadandhadhu indruEverything has come to pass today
Male
Kulamagal vaazhum iniya kudumbamA sweet family where a virtuous woman lives
Kovilukku inaiyaagumIs equivalent to a sacred temple
Kulamagal vaazhum iniya kudumbamA sweet family where a virtuous woman lives
Kovilukku inaiyaagumIs equivalent to a sacred temple
Kurai theriyaamal uravu kondaalaeIf relationships are cherished without pointing out flaws
Vaazhvum suvaiyaagumLife itself becomes delightful
Padiththa maandhar irukkum naattilIn a country filled with educated citizens
Paarkkum yaavum podhu udamaiEverything one beholds belongs to the public
Nalla manamum pillai gunamumA good heart and a innocent, child-like nature
Namadhu veettin thani udamaiAre our home's exclusive, precious property
Male
Kelvi pirandhadhu andruA question was born back then
Nalla badhil kidaiththadhu indruA good answer was received today
Aasai pirandhadhu andruA desire was born back then
Yaavum nadandhadhu indruEverything has come to pass today

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Kelvi Pirandhadhu Andru' from the movie Pachhai Vilakku (1964) is an uplifting philosophical song written by Kannadasan that reflects on societal evolution, human scientific progress, and constitutional rights. The lyricist contrasts past human doubts and longings with present-day accomplishments, highlighting how ancient questions about equality, democracy, space exploration, and medical advancements have finally been answered by modern civilization. The song celebrates the end of feudalism and caste discrimination through law, the rise of democratic self-governance, and scientific breakthroughs such as space travel. It balances social progressivism with traditional ethics, concluding that a happy, forgiving family and a pure heart remain the ultimate personal treasures in an evolving world.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Antithesis / Muran (முரண்)

Kelvi pirandhadhu andru / Nalla badhil kidaiththadhu indru

Contrasting ideas placed together to emphasize transformation: 'Andru' (yesterday/past) vs 'Indru' (today/present), and social hierarchy terms like 'Aandaan' (master) vs 'Adimai' (slave).

Monai (மோனை - Alliteration)

Maandu kidakkum manidhanin maeni

Repetition of initial consonant sounds across adjacent words, creating a rhythmic cadence.

Rhetorical Question

Vaanathil yeri chandira mandala / Vaasalai thodalaamaa?…

Posing questions that express deep historical yearnings regarding social equality and human exploration.

Metaphor (உவமை)

Kulamagal vaazhum iniya kudumbam / Kovilukku inaiyaagum

Equating a harmonious family led by a virtuous woman directly to a sacred temple.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by the legendary duo Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy and sung by T. M. Soundararajan, this song uniquely incorporates legal and constitutional progress into film lyrics by explicitly referencing anti-discrimination laws ('Indru evarum bedham sonnaal / Irandu varudam jail undu'), reflecting the Protection of Civil Rights Act atmosphere of post-independence India.

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