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IsaimozhiLyrics · Translation · Meaning

Lyrics & meaning

Kelvi Piranthathu

From Pachhai Vilakku · 1964

Lyricist: Kannadasan
Singer: T. M. Soundararajan
Music director: Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Movie name: Pachhai Vilakku
Movie release year: 1964
Lyrics added on: 3 Dec 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics

↻ English translation

Kelvi pirandhadhu andru

Nalla badhil kidaiththadhu indru

Aasai pirandhadhu andru

Yaavum nadandhadhu indru

Kelvi pirandhadhu andru

Nalla badhil kidaiththadhu indru

Aasai pirandhadhu andru

Yaavum nadandhadhu indru

Aandaan adimai maelor keezhor

Enbadhu maaraadho

Aandaan adimai maelor keezhor

Enbadhu maaraadho

Arasan illaamal janangal aalum

Kaalamum vaaraadho

Endroru kaalam yengiyadhundu

Indru kidaiththadhu badhil ondru

Indru evarum bedham sonnaal

Irandu varudam jail undu

Kelvi pirandhadhu andru

Nalla badhil kidaiththadhu indru

Aasai pirandhadhu andru

Yaavum nadandhadhu indru

Vaanathil yeri chandira mandala

Vaasalai thodalaamaa?…

Vaanathil yeri chandira mandala

Vaasalai thodalaamaa?…

Maandu kidakkum manidhanin maeni

Marupadi ezhalaamaa?..

Endroru kaalam yengiyadhundu

Indru kidaiththadhu badhil ondru

Gnyaanam pirandhu vaanil parandhu

Meendu vandhaan uyir kondu

Kelvi pirandhadhu andru

Nalla badhil kidaiththadhu indru

Aasai pirandhadhu andru

Yaavum nadandhadhu indru

Kulamagal vaazhum iniya kudumbam

Kovilukku inaiyaagum

Kulamagal vaazhum iniya kudumbam

Kovilukku inaiyaagum

Kurai theriyaamal uravu kondaalae

Vaazhvum suvaiyaagum

Padiththa maandhar irukkum naattil

Paarkkum yaavum podhu udamai

Nalla manamum pillai gunamum

Namadhu veettin thani udamai

Kelvi pirandhadhu andru

Nalla badhil kidaiththadhu indru

Aasai pirandhadhu andru

Yaavum nadandhadhu indru

A question was born back then,

and a good answer has arrived today.

A desire was born back then,

and everything has come true today.

A question was born back then,

and a good answer has arrived today.

A desire was born back then,

and everything has come true today.

Master and slave, high

and low—will this division never change?

Master and slave, high

and low—will this division never change?

Without a king, will a time not come

when the people rule themselves?

There was a time we longed like that,

and today an answer has arrived:

if anyone discriminates today,

they will face two years in prison!

A question was born back then,

and a good answer has arrived today.

A desire was born back then,

and everything has come true today.

Can one rise into the sky

and touch the doorway of the moon?

Can one rise into the sky

and touch the doorway of the moon?

Can the lifeless body of a human

rise and wake again?

There was a time we wondered like that,

and today an answer has arrived:

with knowledge gained, man flew into the sky

and returned safely alive!

A question was born back then,

and a good answer has arrived today.

A desire was born back then,

and everything has come true today.

A sweet home blessed with a virtuous woman

is equal to a temple.

A sweet home blessed with a virtuous woman

is equal to a temple.

If relationships are built overlooking flaws,

life itself turns sweet.

In a land filled with educated people,

all that we see is shared by everyone.

A good heart and a childlike nature

are the true treasures of our home.

A question was born back then,

and a good answer has arrived today.

A desire was born back then,

and everything has come true today.

Male

Male

Male

Male

Male

Male

Male

Male

Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

'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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