- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- K. J. Yesudas
- Music director
- Raveendran
- Movie name
- Dharma Devathai
- Movie release year
- 1986
- Lyrics added on
- 11 May 2019
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This song acts as a narrative theme defining the idealist struggle of the female protagonist in 'Dharma Devathai'. She is portrayed as a devoted guardian of law who considers the police department as sacred as a temple. However, when she witnesses systemic corruption—metaphorically expressed as the protective fence consuming the very crop it was meant to guard—she experiences deep heartbreak and abandons the compromised system to seek justice independently on the streets.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyming)
“Needhi vazhi nindra magal / Veedhi vazhi purappattaal”
The second consonant 'dhi' (தி) rhymes across both lines ('Needhi' and 'Veedhi'), creating a strong rhythmic Tamil poetic match.
Iyaipu (End Rhyme)
“Poonaigal vandhadhammaa / Vittilgal vandhadhammaa”
Both lines end with the identical word 'vandhadhammaa', establishing end rhyme.
Metaphor & Proverbial Allusion
“Veliyae payirgalai / Meivadhu kandaal”
Refers to the famous Tamil proverb 'Veliye payirai meindhal' (If the fence eats the crop), metaphorically describing corrupt protectors who destroy what they are meant to guard.
Metaphor / Irony
“Puliyai saaippadharkku / Poonaigal vandhadhammaa”
Uses the metaphor of weak cats coming to take down a tiger to mock the villain's foolish attempt to destroy a strong, righteous hero.
Allusion
“Dharumathin vaazhvu thanai / Soodhu kavvum / Marupadiyum dharumam vellum”
Direct allusion to Mahakavi Subramania Bharati's famous lines from Panchali Sabatham, emphasizing that evil may temporarily cloud justice, but righteousness ultimate triumphs.
Did you know?
Trivia
The film 'Dharma Devathai' (1986) stars Vijayakanth and Radhika, with music composed by Raveendran and lyrics by Vaali. Radhika plays an upright police officer who turns into a vigilante when the corrupt legal system fails her, fitting the song's central characterization of a 'Dharma Devathai' (Goddess of Justice).
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