- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- Sirkazhi Govindarajan
- Music director
- Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
- Movie name
- Karnan
- Movie release year
- 1964
- Lyrics added on
- 8 May 2017
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
'Ullathil Nalla Ullam' is an iconic emotional and philosophical masterpiece from the 1964 Tamil film 'Karnan'. Sung in the voice of Lord Krishna (played by N. T. Rama Rao) as he reveals his divine form to the dying hero Karna (played by Sivaji Ganesan), the song pays homage to Karna's supreme righteousness, unmatched generosity, and tragic life journey. Despite facing constant rejection, injustice, and tragic destiny—being abandoned by his mother Kunti and unacknowledged by his Pandava brothers—Karna remained steadfast in his charity and loyalty. Krishna acknowledges that even though trickery was required to uphold cosmic Dharma, Karna's pure heart and noble legacy will shine eternally, making Krishna himself bow in reverence to a mortal hero.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Vallavan vaguthadhada / Karna varuvathai ethirkollada”
Repetition of the second consonant sound 'll' and 'rn' across lines for rhythmic flow (e.g., Vallavan / Karna).
Irony & Paradox
“Mannavar pani yerkum Kannanum pani seiya Unnadi panivanada karna”
Lord Krishna, the supreme deity worshipped by kings, humbly bows at the feet of a mortal warrior and asks for forgiveness.
Self-Deprecating Alliteration & Contrast
“Vanjathil veezhnthaayada karna / Vanjagan kannanada”
Use of 'Vanjathil' (deceit) and 'Vanjagan' (deceiver) where Krishna openly blames himself to elevate Karna's utter innocence and nobility.
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