- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- Kamal Haasan
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Movie name
- Mahanadhi
- Movie release year
- 1994
- Lyrics added on
- 25 Jun 2019
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This song expresses resilience, self-respect, and unyielding determination in the face of intense personal tragedy and hardship. Opening with Mahakavi Subramania Bharathiyar's iconic verse ('Vedikkai Manidharai Polae Naan Veezhven Endru Ninaithaayo'), the protagonist declares that he will not perish or break like ordinary men who succumb to fate. Instead, he vows to rejuvenate his spirit and retain clarity of mind. The song reinforces his roots as a proud child of Mother Kaveri, asserting that a self-respecting soul will never bow down or crash like a severed kite. He strives to rebuild his broken family life and reclaim past happiness, inspired by the eternal truth of Bharathiyar's motivating words.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Literary Allusion (இலக்கியக் குறிப்பு)
“Naan veezhven endru ninaithaayo”
The opening lines directly quote Mahakavi Subramania Bharathiyar's famous poem 'Nalladhore Veenai Seidhe', using it to evoke invincible willpower.
Simile (உவமை)
“Kaatraadi pol arundhu Veezhvadhillaiyadi”
Compares the protagonist's resilience to a kite whose string has broken, emphasizing that even cut free, he will not simply crash and fall.
Ethirai / Rhyme (எதுகை)
“Thanmaanam ulla nenjam / Ennaalum thaazhaadhu”
Use of second-letter rhyming across line pairs such as 'Thanmaanam' and 'Ennaalum', or 'Anbaana' and 'Annaalil'.
Did you know?
Trivia
The opening lines of this track feature the famous immortal poetry of Mahakavi Subramania Bharathiyar. Music for the 1994 film 'Mahanadhi' was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics for the remaining portion written by Vaali and sung by Kamal Haasan along with Ilaiyaraaja.
Keep listening
Songs with a similar feeling
From the same album
More songs from Mahanadhi
View albumSpot an issue?
Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.