- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Movie name
- Arunodhayam
- Movie release year
- 1971
- Lyrics added on
- 16 Oct 2019
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This classic philosophical song from 'Arunodhayam' emphasizes the supremacy of one's own conscience over public opinion and false rumors. The lyricist Kannadasan reflects on the irony of human nature—how people easily spread slander, mistake virtues for vices, and blindly accept lies just like blind men describing an elephant based on partial perception. He advises that regardless of societal judgment, one must remain true to oneself, as conscience is the ultimate judge. The song also touches upon deep personal betrayal, using the vivid imagery of saving a drowning friend only to be pushed into the sea oneself. Despite the pain and helplessness of being misunderstood, the narrator finds solace in inner purity and self-reliance rather than seeking vindication from a fickle world.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Allusion (புராண/இலக்கியக் குறிப்பு)
“Kannagi vaazhvilum kalangam undu”
Refers to Kannagi, the epitome of chastity from the Tamil epic Silappatikaram, illustrating that rumors can tarnish even the purest character.
Simile & Parable (உவமை)
“Yaanaiyai paartha kurudanai pol”
Uses the famous ancient parable of the blind men and the elephant to highlight how ignorant people make flawed, partial judgments.
Rhyme / Monai & Edhukai (எதுகை / மோனை)
“Courtukku thaevai sila saatchi / Gunathukku thaevai manasaatchi”
Pairing 'Courtukku' (court) and 'Gunathukku' (character), as well as 'saatchi' (witness) and 'manasaatchi' (conscience) to contrast legal judgment with moral conscience.
Irony & Metaphor (முரண் / உருவகம்)
“Karaikku avanum vandhu vittaan / Kadalil naan thaan vizhundhu vitten”
Illustrates the irony of selflessness where helping a friend reach the shore results in the benefactor drowning in the ocean instead.
Did you know?
Trivia
This iconic song from 'Arunodhayam' (1971) stars Sivaji Ganesan and was composed by K. V. Mahadevan with lyrics by the legendary Kaviarasu Kannadasan, sung passionately by T. M. Soundararajan (TMS). It remains one of Tamil cinema's most famous philosophical anthems about conscience and moral fortitude.
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