- Lyricist
- A. Maruthakasi
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Movie name
- Veera Kanal
- Movie release year
- 1960
- Lyrics added on
- 31 Dec 2024
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This powerful philosophical and revolutionary song from 'Veera Kanal' underscores the eternal truth that true immortality is achieved only through self-sacrifice and service to humanity. While countless people are born and die unnoticed, those who sacrifice themselves for social revolution, public welfare, and the upliftment of the oppressed live on forever in memory. The song laments the tragic reality where righteous, hard-working reformers face oppression and suffering at the hands of tyrants, causing the entire nation to grieve as if losing its own soul.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Etukai (Second letter rhyme / Antithesis)
“Pirappavargal palakodi / Irappavargal palakodi”
Contrasting 'Pirappavargal' (those born) with 'Irappavargal' (those who die) using second-letter rhyming to emphasize the cycle of life and mortality.
Uruvagam (Metaphor)
“Puratchi vidhai vidhaithu / Podhu nalam ennum payir valarthu”
Equating revolution to a seed ('Puratchi vidhai') and public welfare to a nurtured crop ('Podhu nalam ennum payir').
Uvamai (Simile)
“Kondhalikkum kadalai pol / Nenjamellaam kumurdhada”
Comparing the deep anguish of the heart to a churning, turbulent sea ('Kondhalikkum kadalai pol').
Refrain / Anaphora
“Pirappavargal palakodi... Thiyaagamae uyir naadi”
Repetition of the opening chorus throughout the song to continually reinforce the core theme that sacrifice is the key to immortality.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Veera Kanal' (1960), directed by G. K. Ramu, featured prominent actors Gemini Ganesan and M. N. Nambiar. Written by A. Maruthakasi and composed by K. V. Mahadevan, this song rendered by T. M. Soundararajan is widely remembered as one of Tamil cinema's most potent philosophical anthems on sacrifice and social justice.
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