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Kaanchi Thalaivan album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Makkal Oru

From Kaanchi Thalaivan · 1963

Lyricist
Aalangudi Somu
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Movie name
Kaanchi Thalaivan
Movie release year
1963
Lyrics added on
2 Oct 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Makkaloru thavaru seidhaal…
Maamannan theerppalippaan…
Mannavanae thavaru seidhaal…
Maanilathil yaar poruppaar…
Ninaithu vandha seyalondru
Nadandhu pona kadhaiyondru
Needhi dhevan kaaladiyil
Veezhndhu vitten naan indru
Ninaithu vandha seyalondru
Nadandhu pona kadhaiyondru
Needhi dhevan kaaladiyil
Veezhndhu vitten naan indru
Ninaithu vandha seyalondru
Nadandhu pona kadhaiyondru
Iruttinil thavitha iruvarai kaakka
Yaettrida muyandren oru vilakkai
Iruttinil thavitha iruvarai kaakka
Yaettrida muyandren oru vilakkai
Andha iruttinil naanae moozhgivitten…
Iruttinil naanae moozhgivitten
Ingu yaaridam solven en vazhakkai
Yaaridam solven en vazhakkai
Ninaithu vandha seyalondru
Nadandhu pona kadhaiyondru
Needhi dhevan kaaladiyil
Veezhndhu vitten naan indru
Ninaithu vandha seyalondru
Nadandhu pona kadhaiyondru
Murai ketta mannanukku
Mudiyedharkku
Neri ketta nenjirkku ninaivedharkku
Karai pattu pona indha karam edharkku
Indha karam edharkku…
If the people make a mistake,
the great king delivers justice.
If the king himself does wrong,
who in this world will hold him accountable?
What I set out to do was one thing,
but the story turned out to be another.
At the feet of the God of Justice,
I have fallen today.
What I set out to do was one thing,
but the story turned out to be another.
At the feet of the God of Justice,
I have fallen today.
What I set out to do was one thing,
but the story turned out to be another.
To save two people struggling in the dark,
I tried to light a lamp.
To save two people struggling in the dark,
I tried to light a lamp.
In that very darkness, I have drowned,
I myself have drowned in the darkness.
To whom can I take my plea here?
To whom can I take my plea?
What I set out to do was one thing,
but the story turned out to be another.
At the feet of the God of Justice,
I have fallen today.
What I set out to do was one thing,
but the story turned out to be another.
For a king who strayed from righteous rule,
why does he need a crown?
For a heart that lost its conscience, why does it need thought?
Why should these stained hands exist?
Why should these hands exist...?
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This poignant song expresses deep remorse, guilt, and philosophical questioning of righteousness and accountability. The protagonist laments that while a king judges his subjects for their misdeeds, there is no higher earthly authority to hold a king accountable when he errs. He intended to act as a savior and bring light to those suffering in darkness, but his actions backfired, trapping him in despair and tragedy instead. Feeling broken and morally compromised, he questions the value of his ruler's crown, his memories, and even his own physical existence after failing to upholds his duties.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Moonaai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

“Makkaloru thavaru seidhaal…”

Repetition of the initial sound 'Ma' across consecutive lines (Makkaloru, Maamannan, Mannavanae, Maanilathil), creating a rhythmic and lyrical resonance.

Contrast / Antithesis (Ethirmai)

“Ninaithu vandha seyalondru / Nadandhu pona kadhaiyondru”

Juxtaposition of intention versus reality ('Ninaithu vandha' vs 'Nadandhu pona'), highlighting the tragedy of noble intentions yielding unfortunate outcomes.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

“Iruttinil thavitha iruvarai kaakka / Yaettrida muyandren oru vilakkai”

Light ('vilakku') and darkness ('iruttu') are used metaphorically to represent moral guidance/help and confusion/tragedy respectively.

Did you know?

Trivia

Kaanchi Thalaivan (1963) is a historical drama starring M. G. Ramachandran (MGR), S. S. Rajendran, and C. R. Vijayakumari. The music for the film was composed by the legendary K. V. Mahadevan, with lyrics penned by Aalangudi Somu.

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