- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- P. Susheela
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Movie name
- Kandhan Karunai
- Movie release year
- 1967
- Lyrics added on
- 29 Aug 2019
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
'Solla Cholla Inikkudhadaa' is a celebrated devotional hymn composed for the 1967 mythological Tamil film 'Kandhan Karunai'. Lyricist Kannadasan captures the transcendent bliss experienced by a devotee while chanting Lord Murugan's holy name. The song references the legend of Swaminatha Swamy, where young Murugan explained the divine essence of the Pranava Mantra (Om) to his father, Lord Shiva, thereby earning the title 'Thagappan Swami' (the teacher to his father). The lyrics beautifully blend linguistics, philosophy, and devotion. Kannadasan notes that while Tamil defines 'Murugan' as beauty itself, the human heart identifies that beauty specifically as Kumaran. The song further praises Murugan as the inner spirit behind all acts of love and blessing among living beings, declaring that while Yugas (cosmic ages) pass and decay, Murugan's youthful bloom never ages.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Adukku Thodar (Repetition for Emotional Emphasis)
“Solla cholla inikkudhadaa murugaa…”
The phrase 'Solla cholla' repeats the verb 'solla' (to speak) sequentially to emphasize continuous recitation and the overwhelming sweetness experienced with each repetition.
Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Pillai piraayathilae / Periya peyar pettravanae”
The letter 'P' ('Pi' and 'Pe') is repeated at the start of adjacent words, creating a rhythmic cadence (Pillai / Periya / Peyar / Pettravanae).
Uruvagamm (Metaphor)
“Un mugamalarin azhaghu mattum”
Murugan's face is metaphorically equated to a lotus flower ('Mugamalar' = Mugam + Malar) to signify purity, blooming beauty, and divinity.
Personification
“Ulagil ulla thottil ellaam / Un peyar paadum”
Inanimate cradles ('thottil') are personified as loving beings that sing the praises and name of Murugan.
Did you know?
Trivia
Kandhan Karunai (1967) was a iconic Tamil mythological film directed by A. P. Nagarajan, featuring music by K. V. Mahadevan and lyrics by Kannadasan. The film featured a stellar star cast including Sivaji Ganesan, Gemini Ganesan, Sivakumar (as Murugan), and Jayalalithaa. This song was rendered by P. Susheela and remains one of the most popular Tamil devotional tracks dedicated to Lord Murugan.
Keep listening
Songs with a similar feeling
From the same album
More songs from Kandhan Karunai
View albumSpot an issue?
Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.