- Lyricist
- Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyaar
- Singer
- Surendran
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Movie name
- Neethikku Thandanai
- Movie release year
- 1987
- Lyrics added on
- 4 Feb 2021
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This powerful song serves as a passionate lament against corruption, systemic injustice, and the moral apathy of society. The narrator addresses humanity directly, questioning why people remain passive and silent when truth is punished while deceit and betrayal prevail in society and law courts. The lyrics critique how power and wealth bend the legal system, leaving the righteous to suffer in silence while conspirators win. It asks deep philosophical questions about human conscience, justice, and the dark historical patterns of power-hungry leaders who sacrifice human bonds and morality for power.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagamm)
“Idhayaththil erimalai vedikkavillai”
'Erimalai' (volcano) is used metaphorically to express intense righteous anger and moral outrage that ought to erupt within human hearts.
Personification
“Kann kettu pona sattam Thalaiyaatti nindrathu”
The law ('sattam') is personified as a blind entity standing and submissively nodding its head to power.
Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Sathikaarar potta thittam / Sabaiyaeri vendrathu”
Repetition of the initial consonant sound 'Sa' in consecutive lines.
Rhetorical Question
“Manasatchi seththu ponaal Edhu vanthu saatchi sollum”
Questions asked to provoke deep introspection about moral corruption rather than to elicit a direct response.
Did you know?
Trivia
The film 'Neethikku Thandanai' (1987) was directed by S. A. Chandrasekhar with story and dialogues written by former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M. Karunanidhi. The film's soundtrack was composed by the legendary M. S. Viswanathan.
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