- Lyricist
- A. Maruthakasi
- Singer
- Trichy Loganathan
- Music director
- G. Ramanathan
- Movie name
- Satharam
- Movie release year
- 1956
- Lyrics added on
- 29 Jan 2026
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This philosophical song emphasizes the supreme value of honor, self-respect, true love, and selfless sacrifice. Citing the ancient Tamil poet Avvaiyar's wisdom against visiting places where one is not respected, the lyrics assert that living a dignified life is the greatest pride, while compromising self-respect leads only to everlasting shame. It further praises the virtue of a noble woman who safeguards both her family and her self-respect, noting that divine justice empathizes with genuine human suffering. Encouraging moral courage in the face of adversity, the song highlights that true, imperishable happiness comes not from material riches, but from love and sacrifices made for the downtrodden.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Monaai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Mann meedhu maanam ondrae pradhaanam”
Repetition of the initial 'm' sound across 'Mann' and 'maanam' creates rhythmic emphasis on self-respect.
Iyaibu (End Rhyme)
“Idhai marandhaale vazhvil kidaikkum sanmaanam / Maravaadha avamaanam”
Matching end sounds with 'sanmaanam' and 'avamaanam' enhances melodic structure and textual symmetry.
Ethirai (Antithesis / Moral Contrast)
“Idhai marandhaale vazhvil kidaikkum sanmaanam / Maravaadha avamaanam”
Juxtaposes 'sanmaanam' (reward/honor) with 'avamaanam' (disgrace) to highlight the consequence of abandoning self-respect.
Allusion (Ilakkiya Kurippu)
“Madhiyaadhar vaasal madhiththorukaal sendru ... Endra madhi sonna avvai mozhi thannai pottri”
Direct citation of classical Tamil ethical poet Avvaiyar's famous maxim regarding self-respect.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song opens with a direct quotation from Avvaiyar's classic ethical text (Kondrai Vendhan / Moodhurai literature), which advises against seeking entry into homes where one is unappreciated. Lyricist A. Maruthakasi seamlessly blended traditional Sangam-inspired moral wisdom into modern film songwriting, beautifully rendered in Trichy Loganathan's expressive voice under G. Ramanathan's musical direction.
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