- Lyricist
- Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyaar
- Singer
- Ilayaraja
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Movie name
- Bharathi
- Movie release year
- 2000
- Lyrics added on
- 7 May 2019
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
Ninnai Charanadaindhen is a deeply spiritual song written by Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyaar, expressing complete devotion and surrender (Sharanagati) to the divine feminine in the form of Kannamma. The speaker acknowledges human frailties—such as attachment to wealth, status, fame, along with inner battles against poverty, fear, and anxiety. By surrendering completely to Kannamma, the poet seeks freedom from these mental anxieties and ego-driven actions, surrendering his will to the divine.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Ponnai uyarvai pugazhai virumbidum / Ennai kavalaigal thinna thagaadhendru”
The second consonant sound 'n' ('ன்') rhymes across 'Ponnai' and 'Ennai', establishing traditional Tamil poetic meter.
Personification
“Ennai kavalaigal thinna thagaadhendru”
Worries (kavalaigal) are personified as living creatures capable of eating or consuming the speaker.
Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Anbu neriyil arangal valarthida”
The repetition of the initial vowel sound 'A' ('Anbu', 'arangal') adds rhythm and harmony to the verse.
Repetition (Anaphora / Sorkal Thirumpudhal)
“Naamariyom naamariyom”
The phrase 'naamariyom' ('we know not') is repeated to emphasize complete ego detachment and submission to cosmic wisdom.
Did you know?
Trivia
This poem is part of the immortal verse collection by Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyaar. In the 2000 biographical film 'Bharathi', the song was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja. Classical vocalist Bombay Jayashree performed a celebrated version of this song, and Ilaiyaraaja won the National Film Award for Best Music Direction for the soundtrack.
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