- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- M. Balamuralikrishna
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Movie name
- Thiruvilaiyadal
- Movie release year
- 1965
- Lyrics added on
- 4 Oct 2017
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This iconic song from 'Thiruvilaiyadal' (1965) is sung by the prideful musician Hemanatha Bhagavatar (played by T. S. Balaiah), who enters the court of King Shenbaga Pandiyan in Madurai to challenge all local musicians. Expressing intense arrogance, Hemanatha Bhagavatar boasts that a single day is far too short to demonstrate the vastness of his musical mastery. He boasts that his voice easily surpasses classical instruments like the flute (Kuzhal) and lute (Yaazh), and that any opponent who hears him will flee in awe.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Sledai / Pun (Raga-mudra)
“Ezhunthodi... thodi... / Dharbaaril evarum undo / Mohana suvai... / Kaanada...”
The lyrist Kannadasan brilliantly weaves names of Carnatic ragas (Todi, Darbari Kanada, Mohanam, Kanada) as puns directly into the lyrical sentences expressing grandiosity.
Ethugai (Second letter rhyming)
“Ennakku inaiyaaga dharbaaril / Kalaiyaadha mohana suvai”
The second consonant sound 'n/l' pairs harmoniously across lines, enhancing rhythmic flow.
Metaphor
“Yen paatu thaen ada / Isai dheivam naan ada”
The singer compares his song directly to honey ('thaen') and proclaims himself to be the embodiment of music ('isai dheivam').
Did you know?
Trivia
Although the music for 'Thiruvilaiyadal' was composed by K. V. Mahadevan, this legendary song was sung by Carnatic maestro Dr. M. Balamuralikrishna. It is famous for its clever inclusion of raga names (Raga Mudra) embedded in the lyrics by Kannadasan—specifically Todi, Darbari Kanada, Mohanam, and Kanada—while portraying Hemanatha Bhagavatar's towering pride.
Keep listening
Songs with a similar feeling
From the same album
More songs from Thiruvilaiyadal
View albumSpot an issue?
Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.