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Dr. Siva album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Nallavar Kuralukku

From Dr. Siva · 1975

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Dr. Siva
Movie release year
1975
Lyrics added on
16 Jun 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Aa… aahaahaa… aahaahaa… aahaahaa…
Aahaahaa… aahaahaa… aahaahaa…
Aehaehae… aehaehae… aehaehae… ae… ae… ae…
Nallavar kuralukku madhippirukkum
Indha naattilae
Idhai naan sellum paadhaiyil kandu kondaen
Indha kaattilae
Nallavar kuralukku madhippirukkum
Indha naattilae
Idhai naan sellum paadhaiyil kandu kondaen
Indha kaattilae
Engum naan paarkkiren edhiroli kaetkkiren
Engum naan paarkkiren edhiroli kaetkkiren
Kaetkkiren… kaetkkiren… kaetkkiren…
Malai pol uyarndha manamirundhaal
Endha nilaiyilum manidhan vaazhalaam
Malai pol uyarndha manamirundhaal
Endha nilaiyilum manidhan vaazhalaam
Nalla pani pol urugum gunam irundhaal
Endha pagaivanum veezhndhida kaanalaam
Maaperum sabaiyilum maalaigal soodalaam
Maaperum sabaiyilum maalaigal soodalaam
Soodalaam… soodalaam… soodalaam…
Nallavar kuralukku madhippirukkum
Indha naattilae
Idhai naan sellum paadhaiyil kandu kondaen
Indha kaattilae
Iraigalai virumbi iravu pagal
Sila paravaigal thiriyum kaattilae
Andha paravaigal inathil pirandhavar pol
Silar padhavikku alaivaar naattilae
Andha paravaigal inathil pirandhavar pol
Silar padhavikku alaivaar naattilae
Pattamum padhaviyum thaedinaal koodumo
Pattamum padhaviyum thaedinaal koodumo
Koodumo… koodumo… koodumo…
Chedi mael padarndha kodigalai pol
Perum thalaivarum thondarum saeralaam
Chedi mael padarndha kodigalai pol
Perum thalaivarum thondarum saeralaam
Avar madiyinil edhaiyum maraithadhillai
Indha maanilam avar vasam aagalaam
Avar madiyinil edhaiyum maraithadhillai
Indha maanilam avar vasam aagalaam
Thyaagamum seelamum dhaesathai aalalaam
Thyaagamum seelamum dhaesathai aalalaam
Aalalaam… aalalaam… aalalaam…
Nallavar kuralukku madhippirukkum
Indha naattilae
Idhai naan sellum paadhaiyil kandu kondaen
Indha kaattilae
Ah... Ahaha... Ahaha... Ahaha...
Ahaha... Ahaha... Ahaha...
Ehehe... Ehehe... Ehehe... Eh... Eh... Eh...
A good person's voice will always be valued
In this land;
I realized this along my path
In this forest.
A good person's voice will always be valued
In this land;
I realized this along my path
In this forest.
Everywhere I look, I hear the echo;
Everywhere I look, I hear the echo;
I hear it... I hear it... I hear it...
If one has a heart as lofty as a mountain,
A person can live well in any circumstance.
If one has a heart as lofty as a mountain,
A person can live well in any circumstance.
If one has a kind nature that melts like snow,
One can watch even the fiercest enemy surrender.
One will be honored with garlands in great assemblies;
One will be honored with garlands in great assemblies;
Honored with garlands... honored... honored...
A good person's voice will always be valued
In this land;
I realized this along my path
In this forest.
Craving their prey day and night,
Certain birds wander through the forest.
Just like the breed of those birds,
Some people chase greedily after positions in this land.
Just like the breed of those birds,
Some people chase greedily after positions in this land.
Can titles and high office be gained merely by chasing them?
Can titles and high office be gained merely by chasing them?
Can they be gained?... Can they be gained?... Can they be gained?...
Like climbing vines spreading over a plant,
A great leader and his followers can unite.
Like climbing vines spreading over a plant,
A great leader and his followers can unite.
When a leader has hidden no dishonest gains in his lap,
This entire land can come under his care.
When a leader has hidden no dishonest gains in his lap,
This entire land can come under his care.
Sacrifice and high virtue can rule this country;
Sacrifice and high virtue can rule this country;
They can rule... they can rule... they can rule...
A good person's voice will always be valued
In this land;
I realized this along my path
In this forest.
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song from the 1975 Tamil movie 'Dr. Siva', written by Vaali, serves as a philosophical reflection on leadership, integrity, and righteousness. The protagonist draws parallels between nature—specifically a forest—and human society, emphasizing that true respect and power cannot be acquired by selfishly chasing titles or positions. Just as birds roam endlessly seeking prey, self-serving opportunists roam seeking political power, but true leadership is born of sacrifice, humility, and transparency.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Upamai (Simile)

Malai pol uyarndha manamirundhaal

Compares a noble heart to a high mountain ('Malai pol uyarndha manamirundhaal') and a gentle, compassionate nature to melting snow ('Nalla pani pol urugum gunam').

Emona / Rhyme (Monai and Etukai)

Indha naattilae / Indha kaattilae

Use of rhyming ending syllables such as 'naattilae' and 'kaattilae' to establish rhythm and musicality.

Metaphor & Political Allegory

Andha paravaigal inathil pirandhavar pol / Silar padhavikku alaivaar naattilae

Compares predatory birds roaming the woods for prey to opportunistic politicians hungering for office in society.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Dr. Siva' stars Sivaji Ganesan and Jayalalithaa. The music was composed by M. S. Viswanathan, and this iconic philosophical track was sung by T. M. Soundararajan, featuring lyrics by Vaali that subtly echoed contemporary political commentary in Tamil Nadu during the mid-1970s.

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