Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Sathya Needhi Maaraa

From Harichandra -1944 Film · 1944

Lyricist
C. A. Lakshmana Das
Singer
P. U. Chinnappa
Music director
S. V. Venkatraman
Details
Harichandra -1944 Film1944

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Sathya needhi maaraa imaadhaiThis woman who never deviates from truth and justice,
Vaanguvaar undoIs there anyone to buy her?
Sathya needhi maaraa imaadhaiThis woman who never deviates from truth and justice,
Vaanguvaar undoIs there anyone to buy her?
Porulandri vaanguvaar undoIs there anyone to buy her by offering wealth?
Yaaraenum vaanguvaar undoIs there anyone at all who will buy her?
Male
Nithya maevum vaelaiyaeThe daily tasks assigned to her,
Ninaivaagavae seivaalShe performs with complete devotion and care.
Nithya maevum vaelaiyaeThe daily tasks assigned to her,
Ninaivaagavae seivaalShe performs with complete devotion and care.
Nindhaiyaedhumae paesaalShe never speaks a single word of reproach,
Nindhaiyaedhumae paesaa maadhaiThis woman who never utters harsh or evil words,
Vaanguvaar undoIs there anyone to buy her?
Porulandri vaanguvaar undoIs there anyone to buy her by offering wealth?
Yaaraenum vaanguvaar undoIs there anyone at all who will buy her?
Male
Kalaignaaniyaana muniyinTo clear the heavy debt owed to the wise sage,
Kadan theera naan ivalaiIn order to pay off the debt, I,
Kalaignaaniyaana muniyinTo clear the heavy debt owed to the wise sage,
Kadan theera naan ivalaiIn order to pay off the debt, I,
Kalaignaaniyaana muniyinTo clear the heavy debt owed to the wise sage,
Kadan theera naan ivalaiIn order to pay off the debt, I,
Vilai koorinaen naanaeHave set a price on her myself,
Vilai koorinaen ivalaiHave quoted a price for her,
Vilai koorinaenHave offered her for sale.
Porul thandhu vaanguvaar undoIs there anyone to give money and buy her?
Yaaraenum vaanguvaar undoIs there anyone at all who will buy her?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song depicts the heartbreaking moment from the epic legend of King Harichandra where he is forced to sell his beloved wife, Queen Chandramathi, in a public market. Having surrendered his entire kingdom to Sage Vishwamitra to honor a promise, Harichandra still owes the sage his ritual offering (dakshina). To uphold truth and honor his vow at all costs, he publicly offers his virtuous wife for sale as a maidservant. In the lyrics, Harichandra extols Chandramathi's flawless character—her truthfulness, righteousness, dutiful conduct in house chores, and gentle speech—while pleading sorrowfully with the public for someone to buy her so he can settle his debt. It represents the ultimate trial of righteousness, truth, and sacrifice in Indian mythology.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Rhetorical Question (Vinahuthal)

Vaanguvaar undo

The phrase 'Vaanguvaar undo' (Is there anyone to buy?) is used repeatedly across multiple lines to highlight the tragic plight and desperate appeal of the speaker.

Anaphora / Repetition (Erattai Kilavi / Anaphora)

Kalaignaaniyaana muniyin

The phrase 'Kalaignaaniyaana muniyin / Kadan theera naan ivalai' is repeated three times sequentially to emphasize the heavy moral burden of the sage's debt.

Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Sathya needhi maaraa imaadhai / Nithya maevum vaelaiyae

The second consonant sound matches between 'Sathya' (t-th) and 'Nithya' (t-th), creating a melodious poetic cadence.

Monaai (Alliteration)

Vilai koorinaen naanae

Repetition of the 'V' sound in 'Vilai koorinaen' creates rhythmic emphasis on the painful act of setting a price.

Did you know?

Trivia

In the 1944 movie Harichandra, this emotional song marks the climax of Harichandra's sacrifice. Directed by K. S. Mani, the film starred P. U. Chinnappa as Harichandra and M. V. Rajamma as Chandramathi. The story of Harichandra selling his wife and child in the slave market of Kashi is one of the most celebrated tragic sequences in classical Tamil theater and early Indian cinema.

Keep listening

More from Harichandra -1944 Film