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Lyrics & meaning

Manadhil Urudhi Vendum (Male)

From Kalvanin Kadhali -(1955) · 1955

Lyricist
Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyaar
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
G. Govindarajulu Naidu
Details
Kalvanin Kadhali -(1955)1955

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics↻ English translation
Male
Manathil uruthi vendumThere must be firmness in the mind,
Vaakkinilae inimai vendumThere must be sweetness in speech,
Ninaivu nallathu vendumThoughts must be noble and good,
Nerungina porul kaippada vendumThe desired goal must be attained.
Male
Manathil uruthi vendumThere must be firmness in the mind,
Vaakkinilae inimai vendumThere must be sweetness in speech,
Male
Ninaivu nallathu vendumThoughts must be noble and good,
Nerungina porul kaippada vendumThe desired goal must be attained.
Ninaivu nallathu vendumThoughts must be noble and good,
Nerungina porul kaippada vendumThe desired goal must be attained.
Male
Kanavu meippada vendumDreams must turn into reality,
Kanavu meippada vendumDreams must turn into reality,
Kaivasamaavathu viraivil vendumAttainment of success must happen swiftly,
Kaivasamaavathu viraivil vendumAttainment of success must happen swiftly.
Male
Manathil uruthi vendumThere must be firmness in the mind,
Vaakkinilae inimai vendumThere must be sweetness in speech.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic poem by Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyar, featured in the 1955 film Kalvanin Kadhali, serves as an inspiring anthem for willpower, character, and self-improvement. It lays down a simple yet powerful blueprint for ideal living: cultivating mental resolve, speaking with gentleness, harboring virtuous thoughts, and working focusedly toward realizing one's dreams without delay.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Epiphora (Anaphora at line endings)

“Manathil uruthi vendum / Vaakkinilae inimai vendum”

The word 'vendum' (meaning 'is required' or 'must be') is repeated at the end of consecutive lines, creating a rhythmic imperative cadence.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

“Kanavu meippada vendum / Kaivasamaavathu viraivil vendum”

Matching initial consonant sounds in Tamil poetry, seen in 'Kanavu' and 'Kaivasamaavathu'.

Parallelism

“Ninaivu nallathu vendum / Nerungina porul kaippada vendum”

Repeated grammatical structure expressing a sequence of noble desires and ideals.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyar in the early 20th century as a motivational verse for self-discipline and nation-building, this poem was adapted for the screen in 'Kalvanin Kadhali' (1955) starring Sivaji Ganesan. Music director G. Govindarajulu Naidu tuned it, and T.M. Soundararajan rendered it powerfully, cementing it as an eternal inspirational song in Tamil cinema.

Keep listening

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