- Lyricist
- C. A. Lakshmana Das
- Singer
- P. Leela
- Music director
- M. S. Gnanamani
- Movie name
- Maruthanad Elavarasee
- Movie release year
- 1950
- Lyrics added on
- 4 Mar 2026
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This song praises the ancient Tamil ideal of the heroic mother ('Veera Thaai'), drawing deeply from Sangam literature themes such as those found in Purananuru. The mother lovingly sends her son to the battlefield, handing him a sword with her blessings and instructing him to fight bravely. She admonishes him that he must face the enemy head-on and take wounds only on his chest; if he shows cowardice and returns with wounds on his back, she threatens to sever the very breast that nursed him.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Moonaiai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Veerath thaayai panivom / Oho viratha seela deivam”
Repetition of initial consonants/sounds in 'Veerath' and 'Viratha' creates an emphatic, rhythmic cadence suited for a heroic theme.
Classical Literary Allusion (Sangam Metaphor)
“Neeyunda sthanaththai naanaruththae paarmeal”
Refers directly to the famous Purananuru motif where a mother declares she would cut off her nursing breast if her son retreats in cowardice from battle.
Anaphora / Repetition for Emphasis
“Panivom….panivom….panivom….”
Repeated use of 'panivom' underscores the reverence and respect owed to the courageous mother.
Did you know?
Trivia
The theme of this song directly references ancient Tamil Purananuru poetry (specifically verse 86/278 themes) where mothers prioritized valor over life. The film 'Maruthanad Elavarasee' (1950) featured M. G. Ramachandran and V. N. Janaki in lead roles.
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