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Lyrics & meaning

Velga Naadu

From Kaanchi Thalaivan · 1963

Lyricist
M. Karunanidhi
Singer
C. S. Jayaraman
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Kaanchi Thalaivan1963

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Velga naadu velga naadu velga velgavaeVictory to the land, victory to the land, may it be victorious!
Veera sanga naadham kettu selga selgavaeHearing the heroic sound of the conch, march forth, march forth!
Padaigal selgavae padaigal selgavaeLet the armies march forth, let the armies march forth!
Chorus
Velga naadu velga naadu velga velgavaeVictory to the land, victory to the land, may it be victorious!
Veera sanga naadham kettu selga selgavaeHearing the heroic sound of the conch, march forth, march forth!
Padaigal selgavae padaigal selgavaeLet the armies march forth, let the armies march forth!
Chorus
Velga naadu velga naadu velga velgavaeVictory to the land, victory to the land, may it be victorious!
Male
Thaayin aanai ketpadharkkuTo listen to the command of the motherland,
Thalai vananghum thangamaeYou bow your head like pure gold.
Thalai koduthu thaayin maanamGiving your life to protect the honor of the motherland,
Kaathiduvaai singamaeYou shall protect it like a lion!
Sendru vaa vendru vaa…Go forth and return victorious...
Chorus
Velga naadu velga naadu velga velgavaeVictory to the land, victory to the land, may it be victorious!
Veera sanga naadham kettu selga selgavaeHearing the heroic sound of the conch, march forth, march forth!
Padaigal selgavae padaigal selgavaeLet the armies march forth, let the armies march forth!
Male
Kuzhalai pola mazhalai pesumThe lisping chatter like a flute sound,
Kuzhandhaigalin muthamumThe sweet kisses of the children,
Konjugindra anjugathinThe affectionate parrot-like tender speech,
Kola mozhi sathamumAnd the beautiful voices,
Male
Kuzhalai pola mazhalai pesumThe lisping chatter like a flute sound,
Kuzhandhaigalin muthamumThe sweet kisses of the children,
Konjugindra anjugathinThe affectionate parrot-like tender speech,
Kola mozhi sathamumAnd the beautiful voices,
Un kundru tholil pudhu balathaiWill grant new strength to your mountain-like shoulders
Vazhangumadaa nithamumEvery single day!
Sendru vaa vendru vaa…Go forth and return victorious...
Chorus
Velga naadu velga naadu velga velgavaeVictory to the land, victory to the land, may it be victorious!
Veera sanga naadham kettu selga selgavaeHearing the heroic sound of the conch, march forth, march forth!
Padaigal selgavae padaigal selgavaeLet the armies march forth, let the armies march forth!
Male
Magimai konda mannin meedhuUpon this glorious sacred land,
Edhirigalin kaalgalThe feet of the enemies,
Chorus
Edhirigalin kaalgalThe feet of the enemies,
Male
Malar parippadhillaiyadaaAre not plucking flowers!
Veerargalin kaigalThe hands of the warriors,
Chorus
Maa veerargalin kaigalThe hands of the great warriors!
Male
Sendru vaa vendru vaa…Go forth and return victorious...
Chorus
Velga naadu velga naadu velga velgavaeVictory to the land, victory to the land, may it be victorious!
Veera sanga naadham kettu selga selgavaeHearing the heroic sound of the conch, march forth, march forth!
Padaigal selgavae padaigal selgavaeLet the armies march forth, let the armies march forth!
Male
Ongiya vaal pondra vadivamadaaHe has a stature like an elevated sword!
Avar oli vazhiyil ulagathin padivamadaaIn the path of his light, the world's image is reflected!
Vengai puli mannanadaaHe is the king like a fierce tiger!
Veerargalin thalaivanadaaHe is the commander of warriors!
Avar kattalaikku kaathirundha nallavanaeO good man who awaited his royal command,
Kalam nokki purappadadaa vallavanae…Depart towards the battlefield, O capable hero...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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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