- Lyricist
- Mayavanathan
- Singer
- K. B. Sundarambal
- Music director
- R. Sudharsanam
- Movie name
- Poompuhar
- Movie release year
- 1964
- Lyrics added on
- 28 Jan 2020
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This poignant song captures Kannagi's agonizing grief and fierce moral outrage upon the unjust execution of her husband Kovalan in the movie Poompuhar (1964). It directly questions the concept of justice, mourning how human law can be swift and cruel while divine justice is often tragically delayed.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Traditional Tamil Proverb / Contrast
“Andru kollum arasin aanai... Nindru kollum dheivam ingae”
Refers to the ancient Tamil proverb 'Arasu அன்று kollum, Dheivam நின்று kollum' (The king kills immediately; God kills over time), contrasting swift human injustice with delayed divine justice.
Uruvagam (Metaphor)
“Uyirae pona pin udalenum koottukku”
'Udalenum koottukku' compares the physical human body to a bird's cage from which life escapes.
Upamai (Simile)
“Kaaladi thaamarai novadhu marandhu”
'Kaaladi thaamarai' compares her soft, beautiful feet to a delicate lotus flower.
Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Needhiyae neeyum”
Matching initial consonant-vowel sounds in words on the same line, such as 'Needhiyae' and 'neeyum'.
Did you know?
Trivia
Poompuhar (1964) is a cinematic adaptation of the epic Silappatikaram written by Ilango Adigal. The movie's sharp, powerful dialogues were penned by former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, emphasizing the central theme that misgovernance and unjust rule inevitably lead to destruction.
Keep listening
Songs with a similar feeling
From the same album
More songs from Poompuhar
View albumSpot an issue?
Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.