- Lyricist
- M. Karunanidhi
- Singer
- C. S. Jayaraman
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Movie name
- Kaanchi Thalaivan
- Movie release year
- 1963
- Lyrics added on
- 3 Oct 2019
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
Velga Naadu is a high-spirited patriotic battle hymn from the 1963 Tamil film Kaanchi Thalaivan, penned by M. Karunanidhi. The song serves as a rousing call to arms for soldiers marching out to war to defend their motherland and safeguard its honor. It glorifies bravery, comparing the soldier to a lion and describing how the love of his family—his children's sweet kisses and his wife's affectionate words—serves as perpetual inspiration and strength for his mountain-like shoulders. The lyrics celebrate the righteousness of the king, who stands tall like a sword and leads like a tiger, urging the brave warriors to heed his call, enter the battlefield with valor, and return with victory.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Anaphora / Repetition
“Velga naadu velga naadu velga velgavae”
Repetition of 'Velga naadu' and 'selga' creates a powerful, rhythmic marching cadence.
Upamai (Simile)
“Kuzhalai pola mazhalai pesum”
Compares the sweet babbling of children directly to the melody of a flute ('Kuzhalai pola').
Uruvagaim (Metaphor)
“Un kundru tholil pudhu balathai”
Compares the broad shoulders of the warrior to a mountain ('kundru thol') to emphasize strength.
Uruvagaim (Metaphor)
“Vengai puli mannanadaa”
Metaphorically compares the ruler to a ferocious tiger ('vengai puli mannan').
Did you know?
Trivia
Kaanchi Thalaivan (1963) featured M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) and S. S. Rajendran in lead roles. The film's dialogue and song lyrics were written by M. Karunanidhi, who infused Tamil cultural pride and martial valor into the song to resonate with political and social movements of the era.
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