- Lyricist
- A. Maruthakasi
- Music director
- G. Ramanathan
- Movie name
- Manimekalai
- Movie release year
- 1959
- Lyrics added on
- 1 Feb 2026
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This song serves as a glorious tribute to the ancient Tamil epic Manimekalai, highlighting how it vividly mirrors the lifestyle, culture, and moral values of ancient Tamils. It celebrates the literary craftsmanship of the Sangam poet Seethalai Sathanar and recounts the noble narrative of Manimekalai, who utilized the sacred vessel Amudhasurabhi to eradicate hunger and uplift society. Furthermore, the song emphasizes the epic's portrayal of charity, righteousness, and female dignity, establishing Manimekalai as an immortal masterpiece among the Five Great Epics of Tamil literature (Aimperumkaappiyam) that delights the minds of readers across generations.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (உருவகம்)
“வளமான செந்தமிழ் இலக்கியச்சோலை வழங்கிய வாடாத மலர்மாலை”
Classical Tamil literature is poetically compared to a fertile grove, and the epic Manimekalai is described as an unfading garland of flowers harvested from it.
Second-letter Rhyme (எதுகை)
“அமுதசுரபி என்னும் அட்சய பாத்தரம் / அதனாலே பசி தீர்த்த மங்கையின் சரித்தரம்”
The repetition of the second consonant sound 'து' in 'அமுதசுரபி' and 'அதனாலே' provides a pleasing musical cadence to the narrative lines.
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Trivia
Composed by G. Ramanathan for the 1959 film Manimekalai, this classical song features Carnatic icon M. L. Vasanthakumari alongside N. L. Ganasaraswathi, with lyrics written by A. Maruthakasi celebrating the literary legend Seethalai Sathanar.
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