- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- Mano, K. S. Chitra, Uma Ramanan
- Music director
- Shankar Ganesh
- Movie name
- Oor Kavalan
- Movie release year
- 1987
- Lyrics added on
- 6 Jan 2021
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This poignant song from the film Oor Kavalan expresses deep emotional angst, tragedy, and consolation. The protagonist laments the paradoxical cruelties of life using vivid metaphors of natural impossibilities, such as a river catching fire or roots turning hostile to a plant. It reflects on the pain of love and suffering, comparing a helpless soul to a fish caught on a hook of sorrow. Towards the end, a comforting voice reassures that the perceived crisis is not insurmountable, urging the distressed person not to lose hope or shed tears, emphasizing solidarity and shared suffering.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Paradox / Hyperbole
“Aathukkullae theepudichaa / Yaaru vandhu thee anaippaa”
The concept of fire catching inside a river ('Aathukkullae theepudichaa') is an impossible paradox used to highlight absolute despair and helplessness where even a protective element becomes destructive.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Thunbam enum thoondil melae / Thulli thulli aadum meenae”
Sorrow is directly conceptualized as a fishing hook ('Thunbam enum thoondil'), and the suffering soul is portrayed as a fish caught upon it.
Rhetorical Question
“Kaadhal enna ketta kanava / Adhu kangal rendum senja thavara”
The lyricist uses poignant rhetorical questions to question fate, love, and existence.
Did you know?
Trivia
Oor Kavalan (1987) stars Rajinikanth and Radhika in lead roles. The soundtrack was composed by the duo Shankar-Ganesh, with lyrics written by the celebrated poet Vaali.
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