Thathuva Kalaiyudan Vithagar
From Amuthavalli · 1959
- Lyricist
- Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
- Singers
- T. R. Mahalingam, S. C. Krishnan
- Music director
- Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
- Details
- Amuthavalli1959
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Thathuva kalaiyudan vidhagar paniyattrum | Where scholars serve with the art of philosophy, |
| Sangam valartha thamizhae | Oh Tamil, nurtured by the ancient Sangam academies! |
| Thanmaana thamizhagam sanmaanam pettrida | For self-respecting Tamil Nadu to earn honor and praise, |
| Thani pugazh konda thamizhae | Oh Tamil, possessing unique and matchless fame! |
| Male | |
| Mathaga thimir migum anniyan unaiyae | An arrogant foreigner who disrespects you, |
| Madhiyaadhu edhir kaalamoo | Without considering what the future holds, |
| Malaiyodu thalai modhum | Like a head crashing against a mountain, |
| Mamadhaiyin uruvathai | The very embodiment of their extreme arrogance, |
| Marainthoda seivaai thamizhae…ae…. | Make it vanish and run away, Oh Tamil! |
| Male | |
| Tharindhina tharindhina thirandhinna | Tharindhina tharindhina thirandhinna |
| Tharindhina tharindhina thirandhinna | Tharindhina tharindhina thirandhinna |
| Male | |
| Iyal isai naadaga kalaiyaalae | Through the arts of literature, music, and drama, |
| Igam meedhil seiyum thiyaagam | The noble sacrifice made upon this earth, |
| Idhanaal yaavarum adaivaar mogam | Because of this, everyone is captivated, |
| Inaindhidum thamizh suvai paaraai | Behold the rich and unifying sweet taste of Tamil! |
| Male | |
| Thannaalae thaan ketta thanthana kalainganae | Oh self-destructive artist ruined by your own actions, |
| Thalaiyai kanakidaathae | Do not overestimate yourself or count heads! |
| Kannaana ilakkiya kaadhaliyai kaanadha | You who have not seen the beloved literary realm, |
| Kasadanae kalangidadhae | Oh ignorant one, do not be distressed! |
| Male | |
| Annaalilae silar aaga endraarena | Boasting about how some became grand personalities back in the day, |
| Agandhaiyaal alaindhidadhae | Do not wander around filled with vanity and pride! |
| Innaalilae engal iyal isai kalaiyai | In present times, our arts of literature and music, |
| Nee elithaaga ennidaathae | Do not take them lightly or underestimate them! |
தத்துவக் கலையுடன் வித்தகர் பணியாற்றும்
சங்கம் வளர்த்த தமிழே
தன்மானத் தமிழகம் சன்மானம் பெற்றிட
தனிப் புகழ் கொண்ட தமிழே
Where scholars serve with the art of philosophy,
Oh Tamil, nurtured by the ancient Sangam academies!
For self-respecting Tamil Nadu to earn honor and praise,
Oh Tamil, possessing unique and matchless fame!
மத்தகத் திமிர்மிகும் அந்நியன் உன்னையே
மதியாது எதிர் காலமோ
மலையோடு தலை மோதும்
மமதையின் உருவத்தை
மறைந்தோட செய்வாய் தமிழே........
An arrogant foreigner who disrespects you,
Without considering what the future holds,
Like a head crashing against a mountain,
The very embodiment of their extreme arrogance,
Make it vanish and run away, Oh Tamil!
தரிந்தின தரிந்தின திரந்தின்னா
தரிந்தின தரிந்தின திரந்தின்னா
Tharindhina tharindhina thirandhinna
Tharindhina tharindhina thirandhinna
இயல் இசை நாடகக் கலையாலே
இகம் மீதில் செய்யும் தியாகம்
இதனால் யாவரும் அடைவார் மோகம்
இணைந்திடும் தமிழ்ச் சுவை பாராய்
Through the arts of literature, music, and drama,
The noble sacrifice made upon this earth,
Because of this, everyone is captivated,
Behold the rich and unifying sweet taste of Tamil!
தன்னாலே தான்கெட்ட தந்தனாக் கலைஞனே
தலையை கனத்திடாதே
கண்ணான இலக்கிய காதலியைக் காணாத
கசடனே கலங்கிடாதே
Oh self-destructive artist ruined by your own actions,
Do not overestimate yourself or count heads!
You who have not seen the beloved literary realm,
Oh ignorant one, do not be distressed!
அந்நாளிலே சிலர் ஆகா என்றார் என
அசந்தையால் அலைந்திடாதே
இந்நாளில் எங்கள் இயலிசைக் கலையை
நீ எளிதாக எண்ணிடாதே.......
Boasting about how some became grand personalities back in the day,
Do not wander around filled with vanity and pride!
In present times, our arts of literature and music,
Do not take them lightly or underestimate them!
Thathuva kalaiyudan vidhagar paniyattrum
Where scholars serve with the art of philosophy,
Sangam valartha thamizhae
Oh Tamil, nurtured by the ancient Sangam academies!
Thanmaana thamizhagam sanmaanam pettrida
For self-respecting Tamil Nadu to earn honor and praise,
Thani pugazh konda thamizhae
Oh Tamil, possessing unique and matchless fame!
Mathaga thimir migum anniyan unaiyae
An arrogant foreigner who disrespects you,
Madhiyaadhu edhir kaalamoo
Without considering what the future holds,
Malaiyodu thalai modhum
Like a head crashing against a mountain,
Mamadhaiyin uruvathai
The very embodiment of their extreme arrogance,
Marainthoda seivaai thamizhae…ae….
Make it vanish and run away, Oh Tamil!
Tharindhina tharindhina thirandhinna
Tharindhina tharindhina thirandhinna
Tharindhina tharindhina thirandhinna
Tharindhina tharindhina thirandhinna
Iyal isai naadaga kalaiyaalae
Through the arts of literature, music, and drama,
Igam meedhil seiyum thiyaagam
The noble sacrifice made upon this earth,
Idhanaal yaavarum adaivaar mogam
Because of this, everyone is captivated,
Inaindhidum thamizh suvai paaraai
Behold the rich and unifying sweet taste of Tamil!
Thannaalae thaan ketta thanthana kalainganae
Oh self-destructive artist ruined by your own actions,
Thalaiyai kanakidaathae
Do not overestimate yourself or count heads!
Kannaana ilakkiya kaadhaliyai kaanadha
You who have not seen the beloved literary realm,
Kasadanae kalangidadhae
Oh ignorant one, do not be distressed!
Annaalilae silar aaga endraarena
Boasting about how some became grand personalities back in the day,
Agandhaiyaal alaindhidadhae
Do not wander around filled with vanity and pride!
Innaalilae engal iyal isai kalaiyai
In present times, our arts of literature and music,
Nee elithaaga ennidaathae
Do not take them lightly or underestimate them!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song is a impassioned tribute to the enduring glory, depth, and resilience of the Tamil language and its classical art forms (Mutthamizh—prose, music, and drama). It highlights how Tamil was carefully cultivated by ancient Sangam academies and scholars, instilling pride, self-respect, and renown across Tamil Nadu. The lyrics issue a stern warning to arrogant adversaries and foreign detractors who disrespect the language, comparing their pride to a fragile head crashing uselessly against a timeless mountain.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Thannaalae thaan ketta... / Kannaana ilakkiya...”
In lines 16, 18, 20, and 22 ('Thannaalae', 'Kannaana', 'Annaalilae', 'Innaalilae'), the second consonant cluster '-nna-' creates a strong rhythmic harmony across stanza lines.
Monai (Initial Consonance/Alliteration)
“Mathaga thimir migum anniyan unaiyae...”
Repetition of the 'Ma-' sound in lines 5-9 ('Mathaga', 'Madhiyaadhu', 'Malaiyodu', 'Mamadhaiyin', 'Marainthoda') drives rhythmic intensity and poetic emphasis.
Metaphor
“Malaiyodu thalai modhum mamadhaiyin uruvathai”
Comparing foolish hubris to a person crashing their head against a mountain ('Malaiyodu thalai modhum') emphasizes the absolute futility of opposing the timeless strength of Tamil.
Did you know?
Trivia
Featured in the 1959 film 'Amuthavalli', this musical sequence highlights the dynamic vocal clash typical of classical Tamil dramatic music. Composed by Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy with lyrics by Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass, singer-actor T. R. Mahalingam delivers high-pitched classical Tamil lyrics with characteristic dramatic gusto.
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