- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singers
- S. Varalakshmi, Radha Jayalakshmi
- Music director
- Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
- Movie name
- Sivagangai Seemai
- Movie release year
- 1959
- Lyrics added on
- 19 Apr 2019
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This song is a glorious tribute to the rich heritage of the Tamil language and the historical valor of the Pandya kingdom (Thenpaandi Mandalam). Tamil is personified as a child born in the Podhigai mountains, raised affectionately in the lap of Pandya monarchs, and nurtured to poetic perfection through the Tamil Sangam academies. The lyrics celebrate the poetic brilliance fostered in royal assemblies and the flourishing cultural climate of the region. Furthermore, the verse honors the courageous warriors of the Tamil land who fought relentlessly to defend their nation, subjugate rival dynasties, conquer wild threats, and secure prosperity for Tamil Nadu.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Personification (Uruvagam)
“Malaiyil pirandhu Thennan madiyil kidandhadhu”
Tamil is personified as a child born on the mountains, resting on a king's lap, and raised by the Sangam academy.
Metaphor (Rupaka)
“Sanga thunaiyil valarndha tamil rathinamae”
The Tamil language is metaphorically praised as a precious jewel ('Rathinam').
Moonaiz / Initial Alliteration
“Pulavar sabai pugunthu / Pudhumai kavigal kandu / Polindhadhum thenpaandi mandalamae”
Repetition of the 'P' sound at the start of consecutive lines creates a rhythmic, melodic effect.
Emonai / Rhyming & Rhythm
“Noorupadai kooru pada / Veeru kodu maandhar”
Internal and line-ending meter characteristic of classical Tamil poetry (Aruseer Viruththam style).
Did you know?
Trivia
Sivagangai Seemai (1959) was written and produced by the legendary lyricist Kannadasan himself. It was conceived as a historical epic based on the Maruthu Pandiyar brothers of Sivagangai, competing directly with the contemporary release of Veerapandiya Kattabomman. The soundtrack was composed by the duo Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy and features rich Tamil classical poetry.
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