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Lyrics & meaning

Muthukku Muthaga Sad

From Anbu Sagodharargal · 1973

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
Ghantasala
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Anbu Sagodharargal1973

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
{Muthukku muthaagaMore precious than pearls to pearls,
Sothukku sothaagaMore valuable than wealth to wealth,
Annan thambi pirandhu vandhomWe were born as elder and younger brothers.
Kannukku kannaagaLike an eye protecting an eye,
Anbaalae inaindhu vandhomWe came united by love,
Onnukkul onnaaga} (2)Inseparable as one within another.
Male
Palli konda pillaiyidamBeside the child who lies sick,
Pattu thaan padippathindriOther than singing comforting songs,
Ullathoru noi theerkkaTo cure the disease inside,
Or kaasum illaiyadaWe do not have even a single coin, my dear brother.
Male
Thaalaatti valartha nenjamThe heart that raised you with lullabies,
Thaalaamal pulambuthadaIs lamenting unable to bear the pain.
Thambhiyarai thandha deivamThe God who gave us these younger brothers,
Nambiyadhai maranthathadaHas forgotten the faith we had in Him.
Male
Muthukku muthaagaMore precious than pearls to pearls,
Sothukku sothaagaMore valuable than wealth to wealth,
Annan thambi pirandhu vandhomWe were born as elder and younger brothers.
Kannukku kannaagaLike an eye protecting an eye,
Anbaalae inaindhu vandhomWe came united by love,
Onnukkul onnaagaInseparable as one within another.
Male
Sorgathin vaasal unnaiThe gates of heaven,
Sondham kolla theduthadaAre seeking to claim you as their own.
Pakkathil naan irukkaEven while I am standing right beside you,
Baalaganai naaduthadaDeath reaches out for this young child.
Male
Deivam unnai azhaippadhanaiThat God is calling you away,
Therinthathada en manamaeMy heart has come to realize.
Thevai oru jeevan endraalIf a life is required in exchange,
Naan poga sammathamaeI agree to surrender mine instead.
Naan poga sammathamaeI agree to surrender mine instead.
Male
Muthukku muthaagaMore precious than pearls to pearls,
Sothukku sothaagaMore valuable than wealth to wealth,
Annan thambi pirandhu vandhomWe were born as elder and younger brothers.
Kannukku kannaagaLike an eye protecting an eye,
Anbaalae inaindhu vandhomWe came united by love,
Onnukkul onnaagaInseparable as one within another.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant song depicts the immense bond of fraternal love and the heartbreaking agony of helpless poverty. The elder brother reflects on how dearly he holds his younger brothers, valuing their relationship far above worldly riches. When his sick younger brother faces grave illness, he suffers in anguish because he lacks money for medical treatment and can offer nothing but comforting songs.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor and Simile (Upamanai)

Muthukku muthaaga

Compares brothers to priceless pearls ('Muthukku muthaaga') and indispensable eyesight ('Kannukku kannaaga') to emphasize their invaluable bond.

Rhyme and Assonance (Edhugai / Monai)

Sothukku sothaaga

Uses rhythmic repetition of '-aaga' endings and initial letter sound alignments ('Muthukku' / 'Sothukku') to create a resonant, melodic cadence.

Pathos / Emotional Climax (Iraiyoer / Melodramatic Pledge)

Thevai oru jeevan endraal / Naan poga sammathamae

Expresses ultimate self-sacrifice where the protagonist offers his own life to God in exchange for his ailing brother's life.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is composed by K. V. Mahadevan, sung by T. M. Soundararajan, and written by Kannadasan for the 1973 film 'Anbu Sagodharargal', a remake of the Hindi hit film 'Pardoesi' (1972). It remains an iconic anthem of brotherly affection in Tamil cinema.

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