- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- T. K. Kala, Theni Kunjarammal
- Music director
- A. R. Rahman
- Movie name
- Karuththamma
- Movie release year
- 1994
- Lyrics added on
- 5 Nov 2017
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This deeply poignant song from Bharathiraja's 'Karuththamma' (1994) addresses the tragic social evil of female infanticide practiced in certain rural regions. Framed deceptively as a soothing maternal lullaby ('Aararoo'), the lyrics express a mother's agonizing grief as her newborn baby girl is forced to be put to death using toxic cactus sap ('kalli paal'). The mother mourns that society deprives her daughter of even basic life and mother's milk, painfully offering a final wish that the child be reborn as a boy in her next life so the world will grant her a place to live.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Irony / Contrast (Paradoxical Lullaby)
“Kalli paala nee kudichu Kannuranghu nalla badi”
The traditional, gentle 'Aararoo' lullaby structure designed to soothe an infant to sleep is juxtaposed with the horrifying reality of eternal sleep induced by cactus poison.
Metaphor
“Poi vaadi anna kili”
The innocent newborn baby girl is tenderly addressed as 'Anna kili' (swan-bird), emphasizing her fragility, purity, and gentleness.
Emoni / Second Letter Rhyme (Edhugai)
“Pudhu nellu naan avikka / Vidhi vandhu serndhathadi”
Traditional Tamil poetic rhyme scheme where second letters match across lines (e.g., Pudhu / Vidhi, Thaaipaalu / Thalai).
Did you know?
Trivia
'Karuththamma', directed by Bharathiraja with an iconic score by A. R. Rahman, brought the dark reality of female infanticide into national consciousness in India. Lyricist Vairamuthu received the National Film Award for Best Lyrics for his work in the soundtrack, which powerfully captured the rural social landscape.
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