- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singers
- Vani Jairam, B. S. Sasirekha
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Movie name
- Unmaiye Un Vilai Enna
- Movie release year
- 1976
- Lyrics added on
- 12 Jul 2024
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This song from 'Unmaiye Un Vilai Enna' (1976) portrays a dramatic historical-philosophical debate concerning the Protestant Reformation, indulgences, and corruption within religious institutions. One perspective satirizes the sale of papal indulgences—selling forgiveness for gold—while questioning the authority of clergy acting as commercial brokers between humans and God. The opposing perspective defends church traditions, denounces Martin Luther as a divisive figure disrupting faith, and calls for burning radical texts that challenge orthodoxy while upholding the sanctity of the Bible. Through Kannadasan's incisive lyrics, the song explores the clash between institutional religious dogma and individual conscience, highlighting how human greed and pride can corrupt sacred practices.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Monaai (Assonance / Initial Rhyme)
“Paavam seiyyungal idhiloru / Paththiram vaangungal”
Matching initial letters across adjacent words or line pairs, such as 'Paavam' and 'Paththiram' in lines 1 and 2, or 'Madhavazhipaadu' and 'Manitharukkaanathandro' in lines 27 and 28.
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Saaththiram thannai kaasukku vittravan / Antha naaththigan athanai saathagamaakki”
Matching second consonants across lines, such as 'Aabaththil' and 'Ivan' in lines 23 and 25, or 'Saaththiram' and 'Antha naaththigan' in lines 43 and 45.
Irony / Satire
“Pudhu paavamum seiyya anumathi tharuvaar / Palanai ennippaar”
The lyrics use sarcasm ('Pudhu paavamum seiyya anumathi tharuvaar') to mock the concept of buying forgiveness with money.
Rhetorical Questioning
“Idhil madhagurumaargal tharagarkal aavathu / Maaberum paavamandro”
Using questions like 'Maaberum paavamandro?' to emphasize the absurdity of priests acting as commercial brokers.
Did you know?
Trivia
The film 'Unmaiye Un Vilai Enna' (1976) featured music composed by M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics by Kannadasan. This song uniquely addresses historical European Church history and the Protestant Reformation involving Martin Luther and Papal indulgences, a rare subject matter for Tamil cinema songs of the 1970s.
Keep listening
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