- Lyricist
- T. K. Sundara Vadhyar
- Singer
- M. S. Rajeswari
- Music director
- Sudharsanam
- Movie name
- Kalathur Kannamma
- Movie release year
- 1960
- Lyrics added on
- 12 Aug 2019
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This poignant prayer song portrays the profound loneliness and longing of orphaned children who surrender themselves entirely to Lord Muruga. Having never experienced parental affection or soothing words, they address the deity as their only true mother, father, and savior. They contrast their tragic plight with nature and human society, noting how even pets like cats, dogs, and birds are cherished in human laps like offspring, and even tiny insects like flies and ants find sweet comfort in creation. Questioning why they alone are deprived of love, they call upon Lord Muruga's divine mercy to fill the void of their orphaned lives.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Anaphora / Repetition (Emoni)
“Ammaavum neeyae appaavum neeyae”
The repetitive use of 'neeyae' ('you alone') at the end of clauses emphasizes total surrender and reliance on the divine.
Simile (Uvamai)
“Pettra pillai polae nalluravaai koodi vaazhuthae”
The word 'polae' ('like') compares the warm treatment received by household animals to the love given to biological children.
Rhetorical Questioning (Vinah)
“Idhai ariyaaiyo muruga un karunai illaiyo”
The singer plaintively questions Lord Muruga ('ariyaaiyo', 'illaiyo') not out of doubt, but to dramatically evoke divine compassion.
Did you know?
Trivia
Kalathur Kannamma (1960) marked the iconic screen debut of Kamal Haasan as a child artist at the age of five. His performance earned him the Rashtrapati Award (President's Gold Medal). Composed by R. Sudarsanam, this soul-stirring song sung by M. S. Rajeswari remains one of the most famous orphan-lament songs in Tamil cinema history.
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