- Lyricist
- Aabavanan
- Singers
- P. B. Sreenivas, Aabhavanan
- Music director
- Manoj – Gyan
- Movie name
- Oomai Vizhigal
- Movie release year
- 1986
- Lyrics added on
- 26 Jul 2018
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
Tholvi Nilaiyena Ninaithaal from the film Oomai Vizhigal (1986) is a high-spirited motivational anthem urging perseverance in the face of extreme adversity. The lyrics argue that defeat is merely a temporary state and should never lead a person to abandon life, dignity, or motherly dreams. Even if material wealth and rights are stripped away, one must never surrender their inner spirit, self-respect, or core principles.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Urimai izhanthom / Udaimaiyum izhanthom / Unarvai izhakkalaama…”
Repetition of the initial vowel sound 'U' in consecutive lines ('Urimai', 'Udaimaiyum', 'Unarvai') creates an emphatic rhythm.
Edhukai (Second Letter Assonance)
“Yuddhangal thondrattum / Rathangal sindhattum”
Matching of the second consonant sound across lines to build melodic consistency.
Metaphor
“Vidiyalukkillai dhooram”
'Vidiyal' (Dawn) is used as a metaphor for liberation, relief, and the end of dark struggles.
Rhetorical Questioning
“Vaazhvai sumaiyena ninaithu / Thaayin kanavai midhikkalaama…”
The lyricist repeatedly uses rhetorical questions ending in '-aama' to provoke deep reflection and moral awakening.
Did you know?
Trivia
Oomai Vizhigal (1986) was a pathbreaking thriller created by film institute students, directed by Aravindraj and written/produced by Aabavanan. The music was composed by the duo Manoj-Gyan along with Aabavanan. Sung by the veteran legend P. B. Sreenivas, this song remains an iconic motivational track in Tamil popular culture, often quoted in speeches and inspiring literature.
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