- Lyricist
- A. Maruthakasi
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
- Movie name
- Deivame Thunai
- Movie release year
- 1959
- Lyrics added on
- 9 Sept 2020
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This philosophical song highlights the absolute primacy of honor, self-respect, and dignity in human life. It asserts that material possessions, cattle, immense wealth, social status, and a large family are utterly useless if one sacrifices personal integrity. While lost wealth can eventually be regained, lost honor is gone forever, making those without dignity no better than empty chaff. The song urges individuals to hold self-respect high in their hearts, stand upright, and live a life focused on lasting fame and moral righteousness.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Monai (Alliteration)
“Maanamae prathaanam”
Repetition of the initial 'M' sound in words like Maanamae, Mathiththu, Maadum, Makkal across lines.
Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Vaazhvu varinum thaazhvu varinum”
Matching of second consonants in paired phrases such as 'Vaazhvu' and 'Thaazhvu'.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Maanam izhantha pergal padharae”
Comparing people who have lost their dignity to empty, worthless grain chaff ('padhar').
Did you know?
Trivia
Penned by the revered lyricist A. Maruthakasi for the 1959 film 'Deivame Thunai', the song heavily echoes ancient Sangam Tamil moral principles and Tirukkural chapter 'Maanam' (Honor), which preaches that living without self-dignity renders life meaningless.
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