- Lyricist
- Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
- Singer
- P. Leela
- Music director
- S. V. Venkatraman
- Movie name
- Kodeeswaran
- Movie release year
- 1955
- Lyrics added on
- 28 Oct 2022
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
The song 'Panamae Thaan Jeeva Naadi' from the film Kodeeswaran (1955) is a sharp philosophical and satirical commentary on society's obsession with wealth. Opening with a classic reference to Thiruvalluvar's Thirukkural (stating that grace is needed for heaven while wealth is necessary for earth), the song establishes money as the ultimate 'lifeblood' driving human relationships and societal stature.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Allusion (Thirukkural Reference)
“Arul illarkku avvulagamillai / Porul illarkku ivvulagamillai”
The opening lines 'Arul illarkku avvulagamillai / Porul illarkku ivvulagamillai' directly cite Kural 247 by Thiruvalluvar, grounding the song's theme in ancient Tamil wisdom.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Bagavanae kelaiyaa pachondhi ulagilae”
Compares the changing, opportunistic nature of human society to a chameleon ('pachondhi').
Simile (Upamai)
“Jaladhosam pidichavan pol thalaiyai kanathidum”
Compares the arrogance and altered mindset brought by sudden wealth to physical afflictions like a heavy head from cold ('jaladhosam') or distorted vision from eye infections ('salaesuram').
Etukai (Second letter rhyme)
“Arul illarkku ... / Porul illarkku ...”
Rhyming of the second letter 'ru' in Arul and Porul.
Did you know?
Trivia
This track features lyrics by the legendary Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass, renowned for incorporating social satire and classical literature into popular cinema. The film 'Kodeeswaran' stars Sivaji Ganesan, and the soundtrack was composed by S. V. Venkatraman.
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