- Lyricist
- Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyaar
- Singer
- P. Susheela
- Music director
- L. Vaidyanathan
- Movie name
- Ezhavathu Manithan
- Movie release year
- 1982
- Lyrics added on
- 16 Dec 2021
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
Senthamizh Naadennum Pothinilae is a celebrated patriotic poem written by Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyar that evokes deep love, pride, and reverence for Tamil Nadu and the Tamil language. The poet expresses that simply hearing the name of his motherland sweetens his ears like honey and invigorates his very breath with physical and spiritual strength. He highlights the geographical grandeur of Tamil Nadu, stretching from Kanyakumari in the south to Venkatam (Tirupati) in the north. Furthermore, Bharathiyar honors the unmatched cultural and literary contributions of Tamil Nadu. He commemorates legendary figures like Thiruvalluvar, whose Thirukkural gained global renown, and Kamban, the immortal author of the Kamba Ramayanam, alongside the heart-captivating epic Silappathikaram. The poem stands as a timeless anthem glorifying the heritage, intellect, and heroic legacy of the Tamil people.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
End Rhyme (Iyalbu Isonai)
“Senthamizh naadennum pothinilae / Inba thaen vanthu paayuthu kaadhinilae”
The line endings rhyme across the stanzas using 'pothinilae', 'kaadhinilae', 'pechchinilae', and 'moochchinilae', creating a rhythmic flow.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Inba thaen vanthu paayuthu kaadhinilae”
The joy of hearing the name of Tamil Nadu is metaphorically described as sweet honey flowing directly into the ears.
Personification
“Nindru niththam thavanj sei kumari ellai”
Kanyakumari at the southern tip of India is personified as a maiden standing continuously in deep spiritual penance at the ocean's edge.
Simile (Uwamai)
“Nalla kadhal puriyum arampaiyar pol”
The young maidens of Tamil Nadu are explicitly compared to 'arampaiyar' (celestial nymphs or maidens) who excel in expressions of love.
Extended Metaphor
“Nenjai allum silappathi kaaramendror / Mani yaaram padaiththa tamilnaadu”
The epic Silappathikaram is described as a precious gem-studded necklace ('mani yaaram') crafted by Tamil Nadu to captivate human hearts.
Did you know?
Trivia
This iconic poem was written by Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyar, one of modern Tamil literature's greatest revolutionaries and poets. It was incorporated into the 1982 Tamil feature film 'Ezhavathu Manithan' (The Seventh Man), directed by K. Hariharan. The film's soundtrack was composed by L. Vaidyanathan and featured classical and folk-infused renditions of several of Bharathiyar's poems. The poem remains one of the most popular cultural anthems used across schools and cultural events in Tamil Nadu to celebrate linguistic heritage.
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