- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- Srinivas, Chorus, Swarnalatha
- Music director
- Mahesh Mahadevan
- Movie name
- Nammavar
- Movie release year
- 1994
- Lyrics added on
- 18 Jul 2019
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This energetic song from Nammavar (1994) serves as a socially conscious critique of student indiscipline and general societal corruption. Through satirical lyrics, Vairamuthu highlights how educational spaces are ruined by vandalism, vulgarity, and drug abuse, emphasizing that real heaven lies in cleanliness—both literal cleanliness of one's surroundings and moral purity of mind. The song calls on students to maintain integrity, noting that true education should build strong character rather than degrade societal values.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Hyperbole / Surreal Metaphor
“Ulaavum nilaavil vellai adikkalaam”
Whitewashing the moon represents an exaggerated, whimsical desire to clean every corner of existence.
Antithesis / Contrast
“Nalla vaarthai kooda ippo Ketta vaarthai aanadhu”
Contrasts the evolution of good words turning into bad words to illustrate moral degradation.
Metaphor
“Sutham enbadhai marandhaal Naadum kuppai maedu thaan”
Compares a nation without discipline and cleanliness to a heap of rubbish.
Emonai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Sorgam enbadhu namakku / Sutham ulla veedu thaan”
Repetition of the 'Su' sound at the beginning of words in adjacent lines.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song is from Nammavar (1994), directed by K. S. Sethumadhavan and starring Kamal Haasan. The film's soundtrack was composed by Mahesh Mahadevan, marking a celebrated debut that earned him a National Film Award - Special Mention. Lyricist Vairamuthu used contemporary student slang mixed with social satire to fit the movie's college backdrop.
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