- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Movie name
- Theerppu
- Movie release year
- 1982
- Lyrics added on
- 10 Feb 2023
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This haunting philosophical track from the movie 'Theerppu' (1982) contemplates the absolute certainty of death and the impermanence of earthly life. Sung and composed by M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics by Vaali, the song addresses the funeral pyre and divine destiny, noting that God sets an unalterable appointed date for every human being's departure from earth regardless of their worldly status or tears. The lyricist poignantly contrasts the burden of birth (felt by a single mother) with death (carried on the shoulders of four pallbearers). It highlights how accumulated earthly desires turn to ashes in an instant and highlights the agonizing pain of a mother's grief, which even Yama, the childless god of death, cannot comprehend.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Personification
“Theeyae unakkenna theeraatha pasiyo”
Fire is personified as an insatiable entity with an endless hunger that devours bodies without keeping count.
Muran (Contrast / Antithesis)
“Bhoomiyilae porakkaiyilae Oruththikkuththaan baaram / Bhoomi vittu pogaiyilae Naalu perkku paaram”
Contrasts the single mother carrying a child at birth ('oruththikkuththaan baaram') against four pallbearers carrying the deceased ('naalu perkku paaram').
Edhukai (Internal Rhyme / Monorhyme)
“Alli vachcha aasaiyellaam kolli vachchaa pochchu”
The second letter consonant rhyming of 'Alli' (gathered) and 'Kolli' (funeral fire), contrasting human greed with mortal end.
Rhetorical Question
“Pillai kutty illaatha emanukenna puriyum”
Questions the emotional capacity of Yama, emphasizing that someone without offspring cannot fathom maternal grief.
Did you know?
Trivia
Featured in the 1982 film 'Theerppu' starring Sivaji Ganesan, this song is composed and sung by music director M. S. Viswanathan himself. MSV was renowned for singing deeply philosophical numbers that required emotional gravitas and raw vocal texture, continuing a rich tradition in Tamil cinema popularized alongside lyricist Vaali.
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