Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Valiyor Silar Eliyor Thamai

From Mani Magudam · 1966

Lyricist
Bharathidasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
R. Sudharsanam
Details
Mani Magudam1966

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Valiyor silar eliyor thamaiShould some powerful people oppress the weak ones?
Vadhaiyae puriguvadhaDo they keep tormenting them endlessly?
Maharajargal ulagaaludhalDo great monarchs think their rule over the world...
Nilaiyaam enum ninaivaaIs a permanent state of affairs?
Nilaiyaam enum ninaivaaIs it a permanent state of affairs?
Male
Valiyor silar eliyor thamaiShould some powerful people oppress the weak ones?
Vadhaiyae puriguvadhaDo they keep tormenting them endlessly?
Maharajargal ulagaaludhalDo great monarchs think their rule over the world...
Nilaiyaam enum ninaivaaIs a permanent state of affairs?
Nilaiyaam enum ninaivaaIs it a permanent state of affairs?
Male
Kolaivaalinai edadaaPick up the lethal sword!
Migu kodiyoor seyal aravaeTo completely abolish the acts of the most cruel evil ones!
Kolaivaalinai edadaaPick up the lethal sword!
Migu kodiyoor seyal aravaeTo completely abolish the acts of the most cruel evil ones!
Kugaivaazh oru puliyaeO tiger residing in a cave!
Kugaivaazh oru puliyaeO tiger residing in a cave!
Uyar gunmaeviya manidhaO noble human endowed with high virtues!
Male
Valiyor silar eliyor thamaiShould some powerful people oppress the weak ones?
Vadhaiyae puriguvadhaDo they keep tormenting them endlessly?
Maharajargal ulagaaludhalDo great monarchs think their rule over the world...
Nilaiyaam enum ninaivaaIs a permanent state of affairs?
Nilaiyaam enum ninaivaaIs it a permanent state of affairs?
Male
Thalaiyaagiya aramae puriPractice the highest form of righteousness!
Sari needhi udhavuvaaiProvide equal justice to all!
Thalaiyaagiya aramae puriPractice the highest form of righteousness!
Sari needhi udhavuvaaiProvide equal justice to all!
Samamae porul jananayaagamProclaim that equality and democracy are the true wealth!
Enavae murasaraivaaiBeat the war drum to announce this!
Enavae murasaraivaaiBeat the war drum to announce this!
Male
Valiyor silar eliyor thamaiShould some powerful people oppress the weak ones?
Vadhaiyae puriguvadhaDo they keep tormenting them endlessly?
Maharajargal ulagaaludhalDo great monarchs think their rule over the world...
Nilaiyaam enum ninaivaaIs a permanent state of affairs?
Nilaiyaam enum ninaivaaIs it a permanent state of affairs?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Valiyor Silar Eliyor Thamai is a passionate revolutionary song written by Puratchi Kavignar Bharathidasan for the film Mani Magudam (1966). The lyrics question the arrogance of tyrannical rulers and the wealthy who oppress the weak, challenging the false assumption that autocratic rule or monarchical power is permanent. The song passionately urges virtuous people to awaken from slumber and rise like brave tigers to overthrow cruelty and injustice.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai / Metaphor)

Kugaivaazh oru puliyae

Compares a righteous human filled with noble virtues to a brave tiger waiting inside a cave ('Kugaivaazh oru puliyae').

Rhetorical Question

Maharajargal ulagaaludhal Nilaiyaam enum ninaivaa

Uses dramatic questioning to challenge the permanence of oppressive monarchies and social inequality.

Ethukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Valiyor silar eliyor thamai

The second consonant 'li' rhymes across contrasting terms to highlight social contrast between the powerful ('Valiyor') and the weak ('Eliyor').

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by Bharathidasan, one of Tamil literature's greatest Dravidian rationalist poets, this song reflects strong anti-feudal and democratic ideals. The film Mani Magudam starred S. S. Rajendran, a prominent actor-politician in Tamil cinema known for delivering powerful reformist dialogues.

Keep listening

More from Mani Magudam