- Lyricist
- Udumalai Narayanakavi
- Singer
- C. S. Jayaraman
- Music director
- C. R. Subbaraman
- Movie name
- Manamagal
- Movie release year
- 1951
- Lyrics added on
- 26 Mar 2020
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This song from the film 'Manamagal' (1951) serves as a moral guide emphasizing restraint in speech, emotional regulation, and rational living. Written by Udumalai Narayanakavi, it integrates classic ethical Tamil literature—specifically quoting Thirukkural couplets (Kurals 127 and 129) and referencing Saint Avvaiyar's teachings. The lyrics emphasize that while physical wounds caused by weapons heal over time, emotional wounds inflicted by harsh words cause permanent scarring. The second half of the song reinforces Dravidian rationalist values of the era, warning against mindless anger, greedy desires, unconsidered speech, and blaming society for personal shortcomings. It calls on humanity to embrace moral wisdom found in ancient Tamil texts to lead a righteous and harmonious life.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Literary Allusion (Ilakkia Kurippu)
“Yaagavaraayinum naagaakka kaavaakkal”
Direct borrowing and paraphrasing of Thirukkural couplets (Kural 127: 'Yagavarayinum nagakka...' and Kural 129: 'Theeyanal sutta punn...'), as well as referencing Avvaiyar's didactic poetry.
Metaphor (Uvamanai)
“Sollambu sutta thunbam maaradhu”
'Sollambu' (Arrow of words) metaphorically compares destructive, cruel words to sharp arrows shot from a bow.
Emoni / Ethugai (Consonance / Second-letter Rhyme)
“Villambu putta punn vedhanai tharadhu”
Use of matching second consonants across lines ('Villambu' / 'Sollambu', 'Aasaiyinaal' / 'Pagutharivaiyum') to establish rhythm.
Antithesis (Muran)
“Villambu putta punn vedhanai tharadhu ... Sollambu sutta thunbam maaradhu”
Contrast between the physical wound of a bow's arrow ('Villambu') which heals, versus the psychological wound of a word's arrow ('Sollambu') which never heals.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Manamagal' (1951) was directed by S. V. Sahasranamam and written by N. S. Krishnan, featuring music composed by C. R. Subburaman. Udumalai Narayanakavi, known as 'Kavirayar', frequently embedded Thirukkural quotes, reformist ideals, and rationalist principles of the Dravidian movement directly into film song lyrics.
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