- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- Swarnalatha, M. S. Rajeswari, K. S. Chitra
- Music director
- Shankar Ganesh
- Movie name
- Aadi Viradham
- Movie release year
- 1991
- Lyrics added on
- 29 Mar 2026
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This devotional film song from 'Aadi Viradham' (1991) revolves around a philosophical debate and emotional tug-of-war regarding motherhood, divine grace, and duty. The lyrics depict a confrontation between a human birth mother and a divine serpent goddess over the rightful custody of a child born as a result of a divine boon during the auspicious Friday of the month of Aadi. One side argues that a child given by divine intervention belongs to God as a sacred trust, while the human mother argues that her physical sacrifice, pregnancy, and nurturing give her ultimate maternal claim. The dialogue uses rich metaphors of nature, such as pearls from the ocean, rain returning to clouds as vapor, and flowers blooming on vines, to express complex spiritual and earthly perspectives on ownership, duty, and love.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uvamai / Uruvagamm)
“Patham maasam maanikkam”
The child born after ten months of pregnancy is metaphorically called a 'Maanikkam' (Ruby/Gem), highlighting her immense value and preciousness.
Edhugai (Second-letter rhyming)
“Mukkulichi mutheduthaal / Uppu kadal ketkkuma”
Rhyming of the second letter 'k' in 'Mukkulichi' and 'Uppu' across adjacent lines creates a pleasing rhythmic flow.
Nature Allegory (Uvamai Kadai)
“Boomiyin thaagathai theerthathum / Meendum thaan / Aaviyaai vanathil poguthu”
The lyricist Vaali uses scientific and natural cycles—rain falling to Earth to quench thirst and evaporating back to the sky—as an allegory for divine boons returning to their creator.
Anaphora / Alliteration (Monaai)
“Paanaiyil sor irundha / Paanaiku adhu sondhamaa”
Repetition of initial consonants like 'P' in 'Paanaiyil', 'Paanaiku', 'Poojaikkuthaan', and 'Poo' creates musical harmony.
Did you know?
Trivia
The film 'Aadi Viradham' (1991) is a classic Tamil devotional drama directed by Rama Narayanan, known for his signature style of combining snake myths, divine miracles, and family drama. The music composed by Shankar-Ganesh features traditional devotional rhythms mixed with dramatic vocal interplay among veteran singers Swarnalatha, M.S. Rajeswari, and K.S. Chithra. Legendary lyricist Vaali cleverly embedded traditional Tamil philosophical debates into the song lines.
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