- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- Ilayaraja
- Music director
- Gangai Amaran
- Movie name
- Pannaipurathu Pandavargal
- Movie release year
- 1982
- Lyrics added on
- 6 Aug 2022
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This poignant philosophical track from 'Pannaipurathu Pandavargal' laments the tragic silence of justice, righteousness, and morality in a world plagued by selfishness, nepotism, and arrogance. The singer addresses justice directly as a guardian that ought to stay ever vigilant, questioning why it has succumbed to a deep, inescapable slumber while righteousness stands mute.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Personification
“Thoongaatha niyaayangalae”
Justice ('niyaayangal') and righteousness ('dharmangal') are personified as entities capable of sleeping, waking, and becoming mute.
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Siraiyaakki kondaayae silaiyaagi nindraayae”
In Tamil poetry, Edhugai is the rhyming of the second letter of adjacent words or lines, seen here with 'Sirai' and 'Silai'.
Simile / Metaphor
“Unnai nizhalaaga serum unmai”
The consequence of one's misdeeds following them silently and inevitably is compared to a person's own shadow.
Rhetorical Question
“Dharmangal ellaam ingu oomaiyaagi ponatho”
The speaker asks whether all moral righteousness has become mute, highlighting moral outrage rather than seeking a literal answer.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Pannaipurathu Pandavargal' (1982) was directed by editor-director B. Lenin. Though Gangai Amaran composed the music for the film, his legendary elder brother Ilaiyaraaja sang this emotive track written by Kaviarasu Kannadasan.
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