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Kaanchi Thalaivan album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Uyirai Tharugiren

From Kaanchi Thalaivan · 1963

Lyricist
Aalangudi Somu
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Movie name
Kaanchi Thalaivan
Movie release year
1963
Lyrics added on
29 Sept 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Uyirai tharugindren thaayae
Oorai kaappaayae…ae…ae….
Uyirai tharugindren thaayae
Oorai kaappaayae…ae…..ae….
Uyirai tharugindren thaayae …ae….ae….
Agamum puramum paadiya mannil
Anniyar paadham padalaamo
Agamum puramum paadiya mannil
Anniyar paadham padalaamo
Thogai thogaiyaaga pagaivar vandhaalum
Thagartheriyaamal vidalaamo…
Thogai thogaiyaaga pagaivar vandhaalum
Thagartheriyaamal vidalaamo… oo…oo oo
Uyirai tharugindren thaayae
Oorai kaappaayae…ae…ae….
Uyirai tharugindren thaayae … ae… ae…
Kalamadhil nindru edhiriyai vendru
Thalaigalai ennum karam engae
Kalamadhil nindru edhiriyai vendru
Thalaigalai ennum karam engae
Ulagam viyandha thiramai sumandha
Urangaadha veera gunam engae
Ulagam viyandha thiramai sumandha
Urangaadha veera gunam engae
Engae… engae…
Uyirai tharugindren thaayae
Oorai kaappaayae…ae…ae….
Uyirai tharugindren thaayae … ae… ae…
Maattraanin kodi parakka
Maadhaavae poruppaaiyo…
Aattraamai kondu ingae
Annaiyae iruppaaiyo..
Koottramaai maaraamal
Kodiyavarai vellaamal
Kottravaiyae iruppaayo…
Kottravaiyae iruppaayo…
I offer my life, O Mother!
Will you protect our land?
I offer my life, O Mother!
Will you protect our land?
I offer my life, O Mother!
On this soil that sang of love and valor,
can an enemy's foot ever tread?
On this soil that sang of love and valor,
can an enemy's foot ever tread?
Even if enemies march in massive swarms,
can they be left without being crushed?
Even if enemies march in massive swarms,
can they be left without being crushed?
I offer my life, O Mother!
Will you protect our land?
I offer my life, O Mother!
Standing on the battlefield to conquer the enemy,
where is the hand that counts their severed heads?
Standing on the battlefield to conquer the enemy,
where is the hand that counts their severed heads?
Holding the prowess that amazed the whole world,
where is that sleepless warrior spirit?
Holding the prowess that amazed the whole world,
where is that sleepless warrior spirit?
Where is it? Where?
I offer my life, O Mother!
Will you protect our land?
I offer my life, O Mother!
While an enemy's flag flies high,
O Mother, will you tolerate it?
Overwhelmed by helplessness,
O Mother, will you just stand by?
Without turning into the god of death,
without defeating the cruel foes,
O Kotravai (goddess of war), will you just remain still?
O Kotravai (goddess of war), will you just remain still?
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song from the film Kaanchi Thalaivan (1963) is a powerful patriotic and martial invocation directed to Goddess Kottravai (the ancient Tamil deity of war and victory) and Motherland. The speaker offers his own life as a sacrifice in exchange for the protection and sovereignty of the realm, invoking classical Tamil concepts of heroism and pride. \n\nThe lyrics reference ancient Sangam literary traditions like Agam (love/interior life) and Puram (war/exterior life), questioning how foreign forces could be allowed to desecrate such sacred ground. It serves as a stirring call to arms, demanding to know where the legendary martial strength of the land has gone while urging the divine mother figure to rally her people against tyranny.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Alliteration)

“Agamum puramum paadiya mannil / Anniyar paadham padalaamo”

Repetition of the initial consonant/vowel sound across lines or words, such as 'Agamum' and 'Anniyar' or 'Ulagam' and 'Urangaadha'.

Edhukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

“Ulagam viyandha thiramai sumandha / Urangaadha veera gunam engae”

Rhyming of the second letter in consecutive lines, such as 'Agamum' / 'Anniyar' (g / n sound harmony) or 'Kalamadhil' / 'Thalaigalai' and 'Ulagam' / 'Urangaadha'.

Rhetorical Question

“Maattraanin kodi parakka / Maadhaavae poruppaaiyo…”

Using deep rhetorical questions to awaken pride and warrior spirit in the listener.

Classical Allusion (Sangam Literature)

“Agamum puramum paadiya mannil”

References the classic Sangam poetry divisions 'Agam' (interior/love) and 'Puram' (exterior/warfare), as well as 'Kottravai', the ancient Tamil war goddess.

Did you know?

Trivia

Kaanchi Thalaivan is a historical fiction film based on Pallava history starring M. G. Ramachandran (MGR), S. S. Rajendran, and P. Bhanumathi. The lyrics by Aalangudi Somu incorporate deep Sangam literary references like 'Agam', 'Puram', and 'Kottravai', reinforcing Tamil historical pride.

Keep listening

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