- Lyricist
- Udumalai Narayanakavi
- Singers
- M. K. Thiyagaraja Bagavathar, Kannamba
- Music director
- Alandur Sivasubramaniyam
- Movie name
- Ashok Kumar
- Movie release year
- 1941
- Lyrics added on
- 10 Mar 2020
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This deeply philosophical song from the 1941 film Ashok Kumar reflects on the illusory nature of material existence and the absence of lasting happiness in worldly pursuits. The lyricist compares worldly pleasures to a mirage (kaanal neer) that can never satisfy true spiritual thirst. The song stresses that real virtue lies in Jeeva Kaarunyam (compassion for all living beings) and warns that those who engage in violence, speak divisive words, or live heartlessly will be deprived of God's grace. Furthermore, the song highlights the tragedy of human obsession with the classic three worldly temptations—land, wealth, and sensual desires (man, porul, maadhar). It laments how people wander aimlessly through life, groveling before unworthy individuals and losing their path to salvation (meetchi).
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Uvamai (Metaphor/Simile)
“Kodum kaanal neer thanil”
Compares worldly happiness to drinking water from a mirage (kaanal neer), illustrating that material desires can never quench spiritual thirst.
Anaphora / Repetition (Adukkuthodar)
“Kidaiyaadhu vaazhvinilae sugamae”
Emphatic repetition of 'Kidaiyaadhu' (Not found) underscores the absolute impossibility of finding true peace through material life.
Traditional Alliterative Triad (Muumani / Triad Trope)
“Kanavilum manporul maadharil oyaa”
References the classical Tamil philosophical triad of worldly attachments: land (man), wealth (porul), and sensual desire/women (maadhar).
Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Dhisaithisai thirindhom”
Alliteration of the 'Dh' sound in 'Dhisaithisai thirindhom' creates a rhythmic sense of wandering in circles.
Did you know?
Trivia
Ashok Kumar (1941) was a landmark Tamil film starring the legendary M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar (MKT). The lyrics were penned by Udumalai Narayanakavi, a celebrated reformist lyricist known for weaving strong ethical, social, and spiritual lessons into classical Carnatic-style cinema music.
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