- Lyricist
- A. Maruthakasi
- Singer
- Seerkazhi Govindarajan
- Music director
- G. Ramanathan
- Movie name
- Sarangathara
- Movie release year
- 1958
- Lyrics added on
- 15 Jan 2026
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This song presents a profound philosophical reflection on human life, morality, and the supremacy of fate. It outlines a series of fundamental comparisons: just as a flower without fragrance, a town without a river, or a king without justice lacks inherent worth, a person lacking wisdom or truthfulness remains devoid of glory. The lyricist emphasizes that human distress over life's outcomes is futile, as destiny is unyielding and every aspect of creation and destruction is governed by divine divine willpower.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Needhiyillaa vendhanukku orr uyarvum illai”
Repetition of the initial letter 'Na'/'Ne' sound across consecutive lines ('Needhiyillaa', 'Nadhiyillaa', 'Naariyar').
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Madhiyillaa moorgarukkorr magimai illai”
Matching of the second consonant sound 'dhi' in 'Madhiyillaa', 'Nidhiyillaa', and 'Vidhiyin'.
Anaphora (Rhythmic Refrain)
“Veenil varuthi enna payan”
Repetition of the phrase 'Veenil varuthi enna payan' to reinforce the central philosophical motif of futility.
Did you know?
Trivia
This iconic philosophical song from Sarangathara (1958) was composed by G. Ramanathan and rendered powerfully by Seerkazhi Govindarajan. Written by A. Maruthakasi, the lyrics draw inspiration from classical Tamil didactic literature like Niti Venba, framing traditional moral maxims into cinematic carnatic melody.
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