- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Movie name
- Aasaikku Vayasillai
- Movie release year
- 1979
- Lyrics added on
- 4 Oct 2021
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
The song 'Aasaikku Vayasillai' is a philosophical masterpiece penned by Kannadasan that explores the ageless and uncontrollable nature of human desire. It emphasizes that from early childhood to extreme old age, no person is immune to the lure of passion. To illustrate this universal truth, Kannadasan draws from Hindu mythology, citing King Yayati, who borrowed his son's youth to satisfy his desires, and Sage Vishwamitra, whose years of ascetic penance dissolved upon seeing the celestial nymph Menaka. The lyrics further contrast the aging physical body with the immortal youthfulness of human cravings. While the skin wrinkles and hair turns grey with time, the mind remains forever vulnerable to desire. The song serves as a reflective commentary on human weakness, asserting that desire is the ultimate puppet master directing human lives until their very end.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uvamaani / Uvameyam)
“Yaarai vittathu aasai valai”
Desire is metaphorically described as a net ('aasai valai') that traps everyone, and as a thread ('aasai endroru nool') upon which humans dance.
Mythological Allusion
“Vayothi mannan aasaipattaan / Pillaiyidaththil ilamaithannai Kadanaai vaangi anupaviththaan”
References the Hindu mythological tale of King Yayati who swapped his old age for his son Puru's youth to continue enjoying worldly pleasures.
Mythological Allusion
“Menagai mugaththil punnagai paarththu / Vishvaamiththiran puththi kettaan”
References Sage Vishwamitra breaking his intense penance due to his attraction to the nymph Menaka, yielding a child (Shakuntala).
Rhetorical Question
“Manasukku yaedhu mudhumai nilai”
Poses philosophical questions to highlight that old age affects only the physical body, not the mental impulses of desire.
Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Aasaikku vayasillai / Adhai adakkiya manasillai”
Repetition of the initial letter 'Aa' across connected lines.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song features lyrics by the renowned lyricist Kannadasan, who was celebrated for seamlessly weaving ancient Indian mythology and profound Vedantic philosophy into accessible Tamil cinema lyrics. The references to King Yayati and Sage Vishwamitra showcase his trademark style of using classical lore to explain universal human psychological traits.
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