- Lyricist
- Vallalar Ramalinga Adigal
- Music director
- S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
- Movie name
- Konjum Salangai
- Movie release year
- 1962
- Lyrics added on
- 19 Aug 2020
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This immortal hymn is a prayer composed by the saint-poet Vallalar (Ramalinga Swamigal) from his 'Deiva Manimaalai', depicted in the film 'Konjum Salangai' (1962). The speaker prays to Lord Shanmuga (Murugan) for the spiritual discipline required to live a noble, virtuous life. The central request is for good company—seeking fellowship with pure-hearted saints who meditate on the Lord's lotus feet with undivided focus, while strictly avoiding hypocrites who mask their true intentions with deceptive words.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Iyaipu (End Rhyme)
“Uththamartham uravu vendum / Uravu kalavaamai vendum”
The word 'vendum' (is needed / must be) is systematically repeated at the end of several lines, creating a rhythmic, prayerful cadence.
Metaphor (Uruvagamm)
“Madhamana pei pidiyaathirukka vendum”
Arrogance and religious fanaticism are metaphorically described as a 'pei' (demon) that possesses a person.
Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Ullondru vaiththu puramondru pesuvaar / Uravu kalavaamai vendum”
Repetition of the initial vowel 'U' across lines four and five creates melodic flow.
Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Orumaiyudan ninathu / Thirumalaradi ninaikkindra”
The second consonant sound 'ru' rhymes in 'Orumaiyudan' and 'Thirumalaradi'.
Did you know?
Trivia
Although the lyrics are from Arutprakasa Vallalar Ramalinga Adigal's 19th-century spiritual work 'Arutpa' ('Deiva Manimaalai'), this rendition was adapted for the 1962 musical classic 'Konjum Salangai'. The film's music was composed by S. M. Subbaiah Naidu, and this soul-stirring devotional track was sung by Sulamangalam Rajalakshmi. 'Konjum Salangai' is historically significant for being the first Tamil film released with 100 prints globally and is renowned for its iconic inclusion of classical Nadaswaram music played by Karukurichi Arunachalam.
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