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Lyrics & meaning

Soru Manakkum

From Ambikapathy (Old) · 1957

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
V. N. Sundaram
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Details
Ambikapathy (Old)1957

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Vetri vendharVictorious King!
Chorus :VaazhgaChorus: Long live!
Male :Chola mandala aathipathiSovereign of the Chola realm!
Chorus :VaazhgaChorus: Long live!
Male :Kanni thamil kaavalanProtector of pristine Tamil!
Chorus :VaazhgaChorus: Long live!
Male :Maamannar kulothunga cholarThe great emperor Kulothunga Chola!
Chorus :VaazhgaChorus: Long live!
Male
Soru manakkum so naadaaO land where the aroma of boiled rice wafts!
Soli manakka pughazh manakka ponniyanumWhere fame and the Kaveri River fragrance the region!
Aaru manakkum punal naadaaO land blessed with sweet river waters!
Aatchi manakka arul manakumWhere governance and grace fill the air with aroma!
Eezhamadhil seevi manakkum kulothunghaa…O Kulothunga, whose fame scents even the land of Lanka!
Vettri manakka veeram manakkaFragrant with victory and valor!
Puvaniyellaam peru manakka pirandhaai neeYou were born to make your renown smell sweet across the entire world!
Perarinjar pottri manakkaPraised by great scholars!
Vaazhiyavae… vaazhiyavae…May you live long! May you live long!
Male
Velga nin kottram mannaMay your scepter conquer, O King!
Viraikamal aathi maalaiThe fresh, fragrant garland of ancient heritage...
Nalgidum manamaeBestows its sweet scent!
Intha naanilam veesa annaalWafting across this vast earth in those times!
Sollilae vendhan aagiBecoming a master ruler through words...
Soozhthunakku unmai koorumWho speaks the absolute truth to all around...
Mallinukku anjaa koothanOttakoothan, the poet who fears no mighty wrestler...
Mana mazigh aagiyaalae aagiyaalae..ae…ae…ae..Has delighted the king's heart with joy!
Male
Varum pagaivar padai kanduSeeing the approaching enemy forces...
Maar thatti kalam pughumThumping their chests and entering the battlefield...
Makkalai petror vaazhgha… aaa…aaaLong live the parents who raised such courageous citizens!
Manam konda thunaivarkkuTo their beloved soulmates...
Vidai thandhu vel thandhaBidding farewell and handing them spears for war...
Mara kula pengal vaazhga…Long live the women of the warrior lineage!
Urangkondu poraadi udhirathil neeraadiFighting courageously and bathing in victory's blood...
Aram kaatha ullam vaazhga…Long live the noble souls who safeguarded righteousness!
Thiramaana pughazh kondaPossessing skill and everlasting glory...
Dhidamaana tholgalumWith mighty and steadfast shoulders...
Seyal veerar marabum vaazhga…Long live the valiant heritage of heroic men of action!
Aa…aaa…aa…aaa…(Vocalizations)
Aaa…aaa….aaa…aaa…aa…aaa….aaa..(Vocalizations)
Aaa….aaa….aaa….aaa….aaa…aa…aaa…(Vocalizations)

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This grand praise song from the 1957 classic movie Ambikapathy celebrates King Kulothunga Chola, his prosperous realm, and the martial heritage of the Tamil country. It praises the Chola kingdom for its rich agriculture, righteousness, patronization of Tamil, and military bravery, highlighting court poet Ottakoothan and the heroic women who proudly sent their husbands to defend the nation.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Anaphora / Repetition (Adukkuthodar)

Chorus :Vaazhga

The word 'Vaazhga' (Long live) and 'Manakka' (fragrant/scented) are repeated sequentially across multiple lines to build rhythmic enthusiasm and eulogize the king.

Imagery and Metaphor (Uruvagamaana Sorkkal)

Soru manakkum so naadaa

The lyricist uses olfactory imagery extensively ('Soru manakkum', 'Soli manakka', 'Aaru manakkum') to metaphorically describe prosperity, fame, and righteousness as fragrant scents.

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Trivia

Ambikapathy (1957), starring Sivaji Ganesan and P. Bhanumathi, was a historical romantic drama based on the legendary poet Kamban's son Ambikapathy and his love for King Kulothunga Chola's daughter Amaravathi. The soundtrack features lyrics by Kannadasan set in classical Tamil poetic meters.

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