Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Pirappavargal Pala

From Veera Kanal · 1960

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Veera Kanal1960

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Pirappavargal palakodiMillions of people are born,
Irappavargal palakodiMillions of people die,
Irapillamal endrum vaazhaTo live forever without death,
Thiyaagamae uyir naadiSacrifice is the lifeblood!
Male
Pirappavargal palakodiMillions of people are born,
Irappavargal palakodiMillions of people die,
Irapillamal endrum vaazhaTo live forever without death,
Thiyaagamae uyir naadiSacrifice is the lifeblood!
Male
Pirappavargal palakodiMillions of people are born,
Irappavargal palakodiMillions of people die,
Irapillamal endrum vaazhaTo live forever without death,
Thiyaagamae uyir naadiSacrifice is the lifeblood!
Thiyaagamae uyir naadiSacrifice is the lifeblood!
Male
Puratchi vidhai vidhaithuSowing the seed of revolution,
Podhu nalam ennum payir valarthuNurturing the crop called public welfare,
Puratchi vidhai vidhaithuSowing the seed of revolution,
Podhu nalam ennum payir valarthuNurturing the crop called public welfare,
Adakku muraikkum aalaavorTo those who suffer under oppression,
Adaiyum parisum idhuthaano..hoo ooo ooIs this the reward received? Hoo ooo oo
Male
Pirappavargal palakodiMillions of people are born,
Irappavargal palakodiMillions of people die,
Irapillamal endrum vaazhaTo live forever without death,
Thiyaagamae uyir naadiSacrifice is the lifeblood!
Male
Makkal vaazhvai munnettraTo uplift the lives of the people,
Mangaiyar karppai kaappatraTo protect the honor of women,
Makkal vaazhvai munnettraTo uplift the lives of the people,
Mangaiyar karppai kaappatraTo protect the honor of women,
Nitham uzhaikkum uthamarinOf the virtuous ones who toil daily,
Nitham uzhaikkum uthamarinOf the virtuous ones who toil daily,
Nilaiyum ulagil idhu thaano..hoo oo oo ooIs this their plight in this world? Hoo oo oo oo
Male
Pirappavargal palakodiMillions of people are born,
Irappavargal palakodiMillions of people die,
Irapillamal endrum vaazhaTo live forever without death,
Thiyaagamae uyir naadiSacrifice is the lifeblood!
Male
Kondhalikkum kadalai polLike a surging, turbulent ocean,
Nenjamellaam kumurdhadaThe entire heart seethes with grief,
Kondhalikkum kadalai polLike a surging, turbulent ocean,
Nenjamellaam kumurdhadaThe entire heart seethes with grief,
Sondha uyir pirivadhu polAs if losing its own life,
Indha naadae thudikudhada..aaa aa aaaThis entire nation trembles in pain! Aaa aa aaa
Male
Pirappavargal palakodiMillions of people are born,
Irappavargal palakodiMillions of people die,
Irapillamal endrum vaazhaTo live forever without death,
Thiyaagamae uyir naadiSacrifice is the lifeblood!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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.

Keep listening

More from Veera Kanal