- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Vani Jairam
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Movie name
- Anbulla Malare
- Movie release year
- 1984
- Lyrics added on
- 17 Apr 2019
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This poignant song uses the central metaphor of a tiny boat tossed around on turbulent ocean waves to reflect a woman's difficult journey through life. She carries a heavy emotional burden and searches for a safe haven amidst societal scrutiny, loneliness, and prejudice. The lyrics highlight the hypocrisy of a society that preaches morality yet judges vulnerable women harshly, offering temporary hope only to pull the rug out from under them. Despite the prevailing darkness and judgment from onlookers, finding solace in her child gives her strength to keep moving forward. The song captures the delicate balance between maternal hope and persistent sorrow, depicting women as flickering lamps struggling to stay lit amidst a sea of tears.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Uvamai / Metaphor (உவமை)
“Alai meedhu thadumaarudhae / Siru odam”
Compares a helpless woman struggling through societal hardships to a small boat ('Siru odam') tumbling in ocean waves ('Alai meedhu thadumaarudhae').
Metaphor (உருவகம்)
“Pillai ennum kodi mullai kan valara”
Refers to a sleeping child as a delicate jasmine creeper ('kodi mullai').
Metaphor (உருவகம்)
“Kanneeril thallaadum / Penn dheepangal”
Compares women to lit oil lamps ('penn dheepangal') flickering and struggling to stay afloat in tears.
Edhugai (எதுகை - Second Letter Rhyme)
“Aa… thadumaarum ingu nyaayangal / Idhanaal thaan pala kaayangal”
The second letters 'dha' in 'thadumaarum' and 'dha' in 'idhanaal' form a subtle rhyming rhythm across lines.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Anbulla Malare' (1984) features music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics written by Vairamuthu. The song vividly portrays social judgment and female resilience, a recurring thematic strength in Vairamuthu's 1980s film poetry.
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