- Lyricist
- Pattukkottai Kalyanasundram
- Singer
- Jikki
- Music director
- Pondiyala Srinivasan
- Movie name
- Naan Valartha Thangai
- Movie release year
- 1958
- Lyrics added on
- 21 Aug 2022
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This upbeat and philosophical song from Naan Valartha Thangai (1958), written by lyricist Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram, blends a lively club/dance rhythm with deep social philosophy. The song advises listeners to appreciate the simple beauty of nature—like a blooming rose—without trying to possess or destroy it, reminding us that physical youth and outward beauty fade while good character endures. Through clever phrasing, the lyrics promote egalitarian values and universal brotherhood ('one community, one justice'), rejecting caste discrimination. It portrays love and harmony as uplifting forces that transcend social divisions, wrapping serious moral lessons inside an energetic and entertaining melody.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Second letter rhyme)
“Maalai neram vandhadhu paaru / Magizhum paravai gaanam kelu”
Matching second consonants across consecutive lines, such as 'Maalai' and 'Magizhum' or 'Arugil' and 'Azhagum'.
Metaphor / Symbolism
“Asaiyum roja malarai kandaal... Arugil nerungi parithu vidathae”
The rose serves as a metaphor for delicate beauty; plucking it represents selfish destruction of fragile natural grace.
Social Reformist Philosophy
“ondrae jaadhi ondrae needhi / Un kulam en kulam engae solvaai”
Direct rhetorical questioning to dismantle caste superiority and promote universal equality.
Rhythmic Vocalization (Scatting)
“Oo jolli maali jolli maali haepapa haepapa”
Use of phonetic non-lexical refrains ('haepapa', 'jolli maali', 'hayililla') to create an infectious, westernized dance rhythm.
Did you know?
Trivia
Lyricist Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram was famous for weaving strong egalitarian and socialist ideals into popular Tamil cinema tracks. In this song, he embedded the famous egalitarian slogan 'Ondre Jaadhi Ondre Needhi' (One Caste, One Justice) inside a western-style dance number rendered by Jikki.
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