- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- M. S. Vishwanathan, Chorus
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Movie name
- Mr.Sampath
- Movie release year
- 1972
- Lyrics added on
- 9 Oct 2022
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
The song 'Oru kelvi unai ketppen' from the movie 'Mr. Sampath' (1972) is a satirical and reflective commentary on the moral decline of contemporary society. Structured around the continuous chant of 'Hare Rama Hare Krishna', the protagonist addresses the Divine directly, questioning when humanity will ever redeem itself and prosper morally. The lyrics highlight the tragic reality where falsehoods are easily marketed and accepted, while truth, righteousness, and justice are reduced to mere fictions. Invoking the mythological concept of the 'Pathavadharam' (the tenth incarnation, Kalki), the singer urges divine intervention to vanquish the rampant evil and wonders what ultimate verdict Time will deliver upon a corrupt world.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Refrain (Repetition)
“Hare raama hare krishna”
The line 'Hare raama hare krishna' is repeated constantly throughout the song as a chanting refrain, contrasting divine perfection with human corruption.
Rhetorical Question
“Ulagam eppo urupadumoo sol”
The speaker poses rhetorical questions to God/society asking when the world will reform, emphasizing frustration with moral decline.
Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Pachai pulugae virpanai aaguthu”
The repetition of the initial consonant sound 'Pa' in 'Pachai' and 'pulugae' creates a rhythmic flow.
Iyaipu (End Rhyme)
“Pachai pulugae virpanai aaguthu / Dharmam needhi karpani aanadhu”
The verbal endings 'aaguthu' and 'aanadhu' create an end-rhyme scheme between consecutive philosophical observations.
Did you know?
Trivia
The film 'Mr. Sampath' (1972) stars Cho Ramaswamy in the lead role and is adapted from R. K. Narayan's famous 1949 novel 'Mr. Sampath - The Printer of Malgudi'. The composer M. S. Vishwanathan sang this song himself, giving it a distinctive theatrical and satirical vocal delivery that perfectly complemented Vaali's sharp lyrics.
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