Aalaiyitta
From Kuravanji · 1960
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- C. S. Jayaraman
- Music director
- T. R. Pappa
- Details
- Kuravanji1960
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Aalaiyitta karumbagha aakivaitha kayavanukku | To the scoundrel who crushed her like sugarcane fed into a mill, |
| Maalaiyitta mangai mayanginaal | The maiden who wedded him swooned in despair. |
| Maaliyidu munnae maranathai thazhuvadharkku | To embrace death before being forced into misery, |
| Poovirundha valli purappataal | Valli, gentle as a flower, set forth. |
| Male | |
| Poovirundha valli purappataal endrarindhu | Knowing that flower-like Valli had departed, |
| Thol kodukka kaalai thunai nadanthaan | A brave youth walked along to lend a supportive shoulder. |
| Thol kodukkum kaalaikku | For the valiant youth who offers his shoulder, |
| Thunaiyirundhu kaapadharkku | To stand alongside and protect him, |
| Soozhuraithu kuravanji thudithezhundhaal | The Kuravanji gypsy rose up resolutely, making a solemn vow. |
ஆலையிட்ட கரும்பாக ஆக்கிவைத்த கயவனுக்கு
மாலையிட்ட மங்கை மயங்கினாள்
மாலையிடு முன்னே மரணத்தைத் தழுவுதற்கு
பூவிருந்த வள்ளி புறப்பட்டாள்.......
To the scoundrel who crushed her like sugarcane fed into a mill,
The maiden who wedded him swooned in despair.
To embrace death before being forced into misery,
Valli, gentle as a flower, set forth.
பூவிருந்த வள்ளி புறப்பட்டாள் என்றறிந்து
தோள் கொடுக்கக் காளை துணை நடந்தான்
தோள் கொடுக்கும் காளைக்குத்
துணையிருந்து காப்பதற்கு
சூளுரைத்துக் குறவஞ்சி துடித்தெழுந்தாள்
Knowing that flower-like Valli had departed,
A brave youth walked along to lend a supportive shoulder.
For the valiant youth who offers his shoulder,
To stand alongside and protect him,
The Kuravanji gypsy rose up resolutely, making a solemn vow.
Aalaiyitta karumbagha aakivaitha kayavanukku
To the scoundrel who crushed her like sugarcane fed into a mill,
Maalaiyitta mangai mayanginaal
The maiden who wedded him swooned in despair.
Maaliyidu munnae maranathai thazhuvadharkku
To embrace death before being forced into misery,
Poovirundha valli purappataal
Valli, gentle as a flower, set forth.
Poovirundha valli purappataal endrarindhu
Knowing that flower-like Valli had departed,
Thol kodukka kaalai thunai nadanthaan
A brave youth walked along to lend a supportive shoulder.
Thol kodukkum kaalaikku
For the valiant youth who offers his shoulder,
Thunaiyirundhu kaapadharkku
To stand alongside and protect him,
Soozhuraithu kuravanji thudithezhundhaal
The Kuravanji gypsy rose up resolutely, making a solemn vow.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This verse describes a dramatic plight where a gentle maiden named Valli suffers immense cruelty at the hands of a deceitful man who treats her like crushed sugarcane. Unwilling to endure further suffering, she chooses to leave, willing to face death rather than dishonor. Seeing her distress, a valiant young man steps forward to offer his companionship and support. To safeguard this brave youth on his noble quest, a Kuravanji (gypsy woman) rises up with a binding pledge of protection and guidance, highlighting themes of sacrifice, heroism, and divine/destined guardianship.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Upamai)
“Aalaiyitta karumbagha aakivaitha kayavanukku”
The poet compares the suffering woman's exploitation to sugarcane crushed inside a heavy juice mill ('Aalaiyitta karumbagha').
Metaphor (Uruvagamm)
“Thol kodukka kaalai thunai nadanthaan”
The term 'Kaalai' (bull) is used metaphorically to denote a brave, strong, and noble young man.
Epanalepsis / Narrative Repetition (Thodarmoyil)
“Poovirundha valli purappataal endrarindhu”
Line 4 ends with 'Poovirundha valli purappataal', which is immediately repeated at the start of line 5 to create narrative continuity and dramatic rhythm.
Second Letter Rhyme (Etukai)
“Maalaiyitta mangai mayanginaal”
The second consonant 'la'/'li' rhymes harmoniously across 'Aalaiyitta', 'Maalaiyitta', and 'Maaliyidu'.
Did you know?
Trivia
This dramatic narrative verse from the film 'Kuravanji' (1960) features iconic theatrical renditions by veteran singer C. S. Jayaraman, set to music by T. R. Pappa. Lyricist Kannadasan utilizes classical poetic structures (reminiscent of traditional Kuravanji theatrical literature) to tell a modern cinematic story.
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