- Lyricist
- Kalaipuli S. Thanu
- Singers
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Vanitha
- Music director
- Chandrabose
- Movie name
- Nallavan (1988)
- Movie release year
- 1988
- Lyrics added on
- 29 Jun 2022
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This song from Nallavan (1988) expresses deep anguish, dilemma, and emotional turmoil. The protagonist laments the tragic circumstance where his true identity is hidden behind a mask for the sake of love and bond. He feels trapped between complex familial relationships and duties, comparing his daily agony to walking on volcanic lava or bathing in a river of fire. Toward the end of the song, the response shifts from a questioning tone to a definitive declaration as the lullaby concludes.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Hyperbole / Metaphor
“Neruppaattril dhinamum naan kulikkindraenae / Erimalaiyil kuzhambil naan nadakkindraenae”
Compares extreme mental agony to bathing in a river of fire and walking on molten lava.
Simile (Upamai)
“Iru thalai kolli erumpaaga thavippathu naanamaa”
Uses 'erumpaaga' (like an ant), 'puzhuvaaga' (like a worm), and 'karumpaaga' (like sugarcane) to depict extreme helplessness and distress.
Rhyme (Iyaibu & Ethirai)
“Pottathu veshamthaan kaaranam paasamthaan”
End rhymes like 'veshamthaan' / 'paasamthaan' and 'kulikkindraenae' / 'nadakkindraenae' create rhythm and heighten poetic melancholy.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Nallavan' (1988) starred Vijayakanth and had music composed by Chandrabose. The song lyrics were written by prominent Tamil film producer and lyricist Kalaipuli S. Thanu.
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