- Lyricist
- K. P. Kamatchisundaram
- Singer
- M. M. Mariyappa
- Music director
- M. S. Gnanamani
- Movie name
- Maruthanad Elavarasee
- Movie release year
- 1950
- Lyrics added on
- 10 Feb 2026
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This song from the 1950 film 'Maruthanad Elavarasee' is a rustic folk track set during a long, grueling journey through a forest toward the kingdom of Maruthanadu. It weaves a practical dialogue between travelers coaxing their tired ox with progressive socio-political messages typical of the era. Lyricist K. P. Kamatchisundaram emphasizes egalitarian principles—calling for the abolition of class disparities, liberation from royal tyranny, and universal food security through honest labor. Through the motif of relentless travel despite physical hunger and fatigue, the song symbolizes resilience, agricultural pride, and optimistic hope for an equitable future.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Folk Refrain (Themmangu / Oral Tradition)
“Thannaanae nannaanaa naa nae”
Use of 'Thannaanae' oral rhythmic filler words typical of Tamil rustic folk songs to maintain pace during physical work or long journeys.
Social Realism / Egalitarian Theme
“Makkal ellorum samamaaga venum / Yaettra thaazhvum maranjidavae venum”
Explicit political commentary advocating social equality and the eradication of caste/class disparities.
Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyming)
“Paadu padavenum palanum peravenum / Naadu sezhikkanum naamum pozhaikkanum”
Harmonizing second letters of paired lines ('Paadu' / 'Naadu'), standard in traditional Tamil prosody.
Monaai (Initial Alliteration)
“Vegam koranjaachachu thegam melinju pochchu”
Repetition of initial consonants like 'v' in 'Vegam' and 'Veembu' creating rhythmic flow.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Maruthanattu Ilavarasi' (1950) was a successful historical adventure film produced by Jupiter Pictures, starring M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) and V. N. Janaki (who later became his wife). The film's dialogues and lyrics played a key role in propagating Dravidian social reform ideals of equality, human dignity, and hard work, which laid the foundation for MGR's iconic political persona.
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