- Lyricist
- Muthulingam
- Singer
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Music director
- Shyam
- Movie name
- Kallukkul Therai
- Movie release year
- 1981
- Lyrics added on
- 20 Dec 2020
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This poignant song expresses profound grief, helplessness, and the cruel inevitability of fate. The speaker laments how life's once-vibrant promises and joyous moments have crumbled into suffering, metaphorically described as a flower garden turning into thorns and a river boat capsizing mid-journey. Personifying Time as a ruthless hunter whose arrows strike down human happiness, the protagonist feels burdened by blame and unable to alter the tragic course of life.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Kaalam ennum vana vedan veesum ambai yaar thaanguvaar”
Time is metaphorically depicted as a wild hunter (vana vedan) firing arrows of destiny.
Imagery & Personification
“Veenai ondru mann maelae veezhnthae soga pann paaduthae”
A veena lying on the ground is given human emotion as it plays a tragic tune of grief, symbolizing ruined potential and broken spirit.
Simile / Metaphor
“Kaanal neeraai kadhaiyaanathae”
Life's journey turning into a mirage represents the illusionary nature of lost hope.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Kallukkul Therai' (1980) was directed by cinematographer P.S. Nivas and stars Vijayakanth. The lyrics by Muthulingam utilize vivid classical Tamil allegories of nature to depict tragedy and helplessness.
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