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Lyrics & meaning

Viduthalai Viduthalai Viduthalai

From Naam Iruvar – 1947 Film · 1947

Lyricist
Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyaar
Singer
T. R. Mahalingam
Music director
R. Sudharsanam
Details
Naam Iruvar – 1947 Film1947

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Viduthalai viduthalai viduthalaiFreedom, freedom, freedom!
Viduthalai viduthalai viduthalaiFreedom, freedom, freedom!
Paraiyarkkum ingu theeyarTo the Paraiyars, and here to the Theeyars,
Pulaiyarkkum viduthalaiTo the Pulaiyars, freedom!
Paraiyarkkum ingu theeyarTo the Paraiyars, and here to the Theeyars,
Pulaiyarkkum viduthalaiTo the Pulaiyars, freedom!
Paravarodu kuravarukkumAlong with the Paravars and the Kuravars,
Maravarkkum viduthalaiTo the Maravars as well, freedom!
Viduthalai viduthalai viduthalaiFreedom, freedom, freedom!
Male
Thiramai konda theemaiyattraBy engaging in skilled and harm-free
Thozhil purinthu yaavarumProfessions, all people,
Thiramai konda theemaiyattraBy engaging in skilled and harm-free
Thozhil purinthu yaavarumProfessions, all people,
Therntha kalvi gyaanam yeidhiAttaining refined education and wisdom,
Vaazhvam indha naatilaeWe shall live prosperously in this country.
Viduthalai viduthalai viduthalaiFreedom, freedom, freedom!
Male
Ezhai endrum adimai endrumThat someone is poor or a slave,
Evanum illai jaadhiyilNo such person exists in any caste.
Ezhai endrum adimai endrumThat someone is poor or a slave,
Evanum illai jaadhiyilNo such person exists in any caste.
Izhivu konda manitharenbadhuA human being considered degraded or inferior,
Indhiyaavil illaiyaeDoes not exist in India anymore!
Izhivu konda manitharenbadhuA human being considered degraded or inferior,
Indhiyaavil illaiyaeDoes not exist in India anymore!
Viduthalai viduthalai viduthalaiFreedom, freedom, freedom!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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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