- Lyricist
- Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyaar
- Singer
- T. R. Mahalingam
- Music director
- R. Sudharsanam
- Movie name
- Naam Iruvar – 1947 Film
- Movie release year
- 1947
- Lyrics added on
- 26 Apr 2020
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
Viduthalai Viduthalai is a stirring anthem composed by Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyar that advocates for holistic freedom, encompassing both social emancipation and political liberation. Bharathiyar proclaims freedom for all historically oppressed and marginalized communities, explicitly listing various social groups to demand absolute equality. He visions a transformed nation where every citizen works in noble, skilled professions, attains higher education and wisdom, and lives without the stigma of poverty, slavery, or caste-based degradation.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Adukkuthodar (Repetition for Emphasis)
“Viduthalai viduthalai viduthalai”
The word 'Viduthalai' (Freedom) is repeated three times successively to evoke passion, urgency, and intense emotional resonance.
Ethukai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Paraiyarkkum ingu theeyar ... Maravarkkum viduthalai”
In classical Tamil prosody, Ethukai involves the rhyming of the second letter of words across lines, as seen in 'Paraiyarkkum' and 'Maravarkkum'.
Monaai (Initial Consonant Alliteration)
“Thiramai konda theemaiyattra Thozhil purinthu yaavarum”
Repetition of the 'Th' consonant sound across 'Thiramai', 'theemaiyattra', and 'Thozhil' creates a rhythmic cadence.
Anaphora
“Ezhai endrum adimai endrum”
Repetition of the phrase 'Ezhai endrum adimai endrum' reinforces the social reformative message against poverty and servitude.
Did you know?
Trivia
This iconic poem by Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyar was featured in the milestone 1947 Tamil movie 'Naam Iruvar', directed by A. V. Meiyappan and scored by R. Sudarsanam. Released in the year of India's independence, the film heavily utilized Bharathiyar's patriotic songs (sung by Carnatic legend D. K. Pattammal and others) to celebrate liberation and inspire social equality across Tamil Nadu.
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