- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- T. R. Pappa
- Movie name
- Idhayam Parkiradhu
- Movie release year
- 1974
- Lyrics added on
- 18 Aug 2023
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This uplifting philosophical song from the movie Idhayam Parkiradhu (1974) addresses the inner strength, dignity, and spirit of the visually impaired. Lyricist Kannadasan opens with a wordplay contrasting 'Thumbikkai' (an elephant's trunk, where its physical power lies) with 'Nambikkai' (hope/faith, where human fortitude lies). The lyrics emphasize that physical blindness is not a curse or punishment, pointing out that true moral blindness belongs to sighted people who commit sins, betray others, or lack love and gratitude. The song encourages viewing the world through the heart and the 'third eye' of the mind rather than relying solely on physical vision. Through historical analogies of human progress and faith in time and divine justice, it serves as an inspiring anthem of hope and self-respect for those living without eyesight.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Pun / Wordplay (Iledai)
“Yaanaiyin balam edhilae thumbikkaiyilae / Manithanoda balam edhilae thumbikkaiyilae [nambikkaiyilae]”
Kannadasan uses phonological similarity between 'Thumbikkai' (trunk) and 'Nambikkai' (faith/hope) to draw a poetic comparison between physical strength and mental fortitude.
Metaphor (Uruvagamm)
“Nampikkaithaan vilakku”
Hope is directly metaphorsed as a 'vilakku' (lamp) that provides light and guidance to those living in darkness.
Muran (Contrast / Irony)
“Kann paarvai ulla manithar thaanae / Paavam seivathu”
Contrasts physical vision with moral blindness, arguing that those with actual sight are the ones committing sins, whereas the blind are innocent.
Symbolism
“Antha moondraavathu kann / Namm manathil illaiyo”
The 'third eye' traditionally associated with Lord Shiva is used as a symbol for wisdom, intuition, and inner vision residing within the human mind.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song features a famous linguistic cleverness by Kannadasan, leveraging the rhyming sound of 'Thumbikkai' (trunk) and 'Nambikkai' (faith). Sung by T. M. Soundararajan with music by T. R. Pappa, the composition remains one of Tamil cinema's iconic inspirational tracks celebrating resilience among the disabled.
Keep listening
Songs with a similar feeling
From the same album
More songs from Idhayam Parkiradhu
View albumSpot an issue?
Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.