- Lyricist
- Kambadasan
- Singer
- M. L. Vasanthakumari
- Music director
- S. V. Venkatraman
- Movie name
- Kannin Manigal
- Movie release year
- 1956
- Lyrics added on
- 1 Aug 2025
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This poignant song uses traditional lullaby elements combined with tragic metaphors to express deep worry, helplessness, and grief over a precious life. The singer compares the subject of affection to a delicate lamp exposed to a harsh wind, a tiny boat caught in a river flood, and a fine veena thrown into dust to be ruined. Even as spring arrives and nature rejoices, the singer's heart remains in continuous despair and endless tears.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uvamai)
“Anbin dheepam idhae”
Compares love/life to a lamp ('Anbin dheepam'), a small boat ('Chinnajchiru padake'), and a fine musical instrument ('Nalla veenai').
Rhetorical Question
“Kurudaai anaivatho kaattrinilae”
Expresses existential dread through unresolved questions about whether fate will ruin something precious.
Alliteration (Monaai)
“Vanthathu vasantham / Vaazhvin kuyil aaduthae”
Repetition of initial 'Va' and 'Vaa' sounds across consecutive lines to create a melodic rhythm.
Did you know?
Trivia
Rendered by Carnatic music legend M. L. Vasanthakumari, this song highlights the dramatic lyricism of Kambadasan set to composition by S. V. Venkatraman, showcasing a classic fusion of classical vocal expertise and theatrical film scoring of 1950s Tamil cinema.
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