- Lyricist
- Mayavanathan
- Singer
- P. Susheela
- Music director
- Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
- Movie name
- Thendral Veesum
- Movie release year
- 1962
- Lyrics added on
- 5 May 2023
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This philosophical and poetic song explores the fundamental role of desire ('aasai') in driving human progress and existential growth. It presents a cascading logic: desire gives birth to courage, courage leads to clarity, clarity yields wisdom, and wisdom ultimately forms a meaningful life. The lyrics go on to detail how desire manifests across different roles and life stages—from a farmer anticipating a harvest, a lover longing for his maiden, a poet yearning to create, to the Creator who continually desires new creations. In human life, youth seeks novelty while old age seeks reflection. Ultimately, desire is depicted not as a weakness, but as the primordial spark that propels nature, time, and human existence forward.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Anadiplosis (Chain Rhyme / Antandai)
“Aasaiyil pirappathu thunivu / Andha thunivinil pirappathu thelivu / Thelivinil pirappathu arivu”
The end of one line becomes the beginning concept of the next line (Aasai -> Thunivu -> Thelivu -> Arivu -> Vaazhvu), creating a logical chain of causation.
Epanaphora / Anaphora
“Vidhaithavan manadhil vilavadhil aasai / Kaadhalan ninaivil kanniyin aasai”
Repetition of 'aasai' at the end of consecutive lines to emphasize the pervasive nature of desire in every mind and stage of life.
Antithesis (Contrast)
“Ilamaiyil pudhumaigal padipadhil aasai / Mudhumaiyil padippadhai ninaippadhil aasai”
Contrasting youth ('Ilamai') with old age ('Mudhumai') to illustrate how the nature of desire transforms over the human lifespan.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Aasaiyil Pirappathu Thunivu' from the film 'Thendral Veesum' (1962) is renowned for its profound philosophical depth composed by Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy and written by lyricist Mayavanathan. P. Susheela's timeless rendition beautifully balances cinematic melody with rich philosophical discourse.
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