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Lyrics & meaning

Needhikku Tholvi Nizhalanatho

From Pandavar Vanavasam · 1961

Lyricist
Kuyilan
Singers
Seerkazhi Govindarajan, Chorus
Music director
Ghantasala
Details
Pandavar Vanavasam1961

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Nedhikku tholvi nizhalaanadhooHas defeat become the shadow of justice?
Neriyizhandha vanjanai munn thalai thazhndhadhooHas it bowed its head before deceit that lost all morality?
Chorus :Haa..aaa..aaaChorus: Haa..aaa..aaa
Male
Vanjanaiyaale sagalamum thottraeHaving lost everything through deceit,
Vaakkai kakka vendiIn order to uphold their word,
Andhoo vanathu kekkindraaraeAlas, they enter the forest!
Male
Vanjanaiyaale sagalamum thottraeHaving lost everything through deceit,
Vaakkai kakka vendiIn order to uphold their word,
Andhoo vanathu kekkindraaraeAlas, they enter the forest!
Male
Vidhi vazhi katta dharumam pinn thodaraAs fate leads the path and righteousness follows behind,
Vizhipada ulagam eriyumendranjiFearing that the world would burn if he opened his eyes in rage,
Thalai kunithadhaegum dharman ivaneHere goes Yudhishthira, walking with his head bowed down.
Chorus :Andhoo vanathu kekkindraanaeChorus: Alas, he enters the forest!
Male
Sabaiyil seidha sabadham mudikkaTo fulfill the vow sworn in the royal assembly,
Samayam ennaal varumena enniAnxiously contemplating when the right time will arrive,
Kumaridum erimalaiyaana beemanBhima smolders like a erupting volcano.
Chorus :Andhoo vanathu kekkindraanaeChorus: Alas, he enters the forest!
Male
Theemaiyin uruvaam kaurava saenaiyaiThe Kaurava army, the very embodiment of evil,
Seerum than kanaiyaal maaippadhu endraeVowing to annihilate them with his fierce arrows,
Urudhiyum kondi paarthathan sendraanArjuna departed with unwavering resolve.
Male
Vanjanaiyaale sagalamum thottraeHaving lost everything through deceit,
Vaakkai kakka vendiIn order to uphold their word,
Andhoo vanathu kekkindraaraeAlas, they enter the forest!
Male
Ethanai yugamoo kandathu ulagamHow many ages has this world witnessed,
Evarukkum illai unnilai thaayaeYet no one has endured a state like yours, O Mother!
Ethanai yugamoo kandathu ulagamHow many ages has this world witnessed,
Evarukkum illai unnilai thaayaeYet no one has endured a state like yours, O Mother!
Boomiyai poale poruthirunthaayaeYou endured all hardships with patience like Mother Earth herself.
Chorus :Haa..aaa..aaaChorus: Haa..aaa..aaa

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song mournfully depicts the tragic departure of the Pandavas into exile (Vanavasam) following their defeat in the treacherous game of dice loaded against them by the Kauravas. It captures the contrasting emotional states of the brothers and Draupadi as they head into the wild. Yudhishthira walks with a bowed head, holding back righteous anger that could consume the world; Bhima boils with suppressed rage like a volcano waiting to erupt; Arjuna marches ahead resolute in his promise to destroy evil; and Draupadi bears her deep sorrow and humiliation with the immense forbearance of Mother Earth.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Kumaridum erimalaiyaana beeman

Bhima's raging anger and vow of vengeance are directly compared to an erupting volcano.

Simile (Uvamai)

Boomiyai poale poruthirunthaayae

Draupadi's boundless endurance and patience amidst suffering are explicitly compared to Mother Earth.

Alliteration (Monai)

Ethanai yugamoo kandathu ulagam / Evarukkum illai unnilai thaayae

Repetition of initial vowel sounds ('E') across lines creating a rhythmic poetic effect.

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Trivia

Pandavar Vanavasam (1961) is the Tamil dubbed version of the classic Telugu mythological film directed by Kamalakara Kameswara Rao. The score and songs were composed by the legendary musician Ghantasala, with lyrics for the Tamil soundtrack penned by Kuyilan.

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