- Lyricist
- Vasan
- Singer
- Ilayarja
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Movie name
- Desiya Geetham
- Movie release year
- 1998
- Lyrics added on
- 28 Sept 2018
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
The song from 'Desiya Geetham' (1998) is a social commentary and lamentation on the modern state of post-independence India. It juxtaposes the extreme sacrifices made during the freedom struggle—metaphorically described as diving into fire to retrieve a pearl—with the tragic realities of present-day corruption, caste violence, religious division, and loss of justice. Mother India is personified as a mother held captive and reduced to a refugee by her own ungrateful children. Through intense imagery such as a mourning national flag and enduring heart wounds, lyricist Vasan questions whether Mahatma Gandhi's vision for a free and righteous nation has been reduced to an unfulfilled dream, highlighting the tragic shift where freedom is imprisoned while selfishness roams free.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor
“Theeyil moozhgi muthedutha”
Compares the heroic, perilous struggle for Indian independence to the act of diving into fire to retrieve a pearl.
Personification
“Ammaa neeyum pillai kaiyil Innum kaithiyaa”
Personifies the nation (Mother India) as a suffering mother who is imprisoned and made a refugee by her own children.
Antithesis (Contrast)
“Suthanthiram siraiyilae Suyanalam veliyilae”
Contrasts freedom being imprisoned inside with selfishness walking freely outside.
Personification
“Aadum kodi Paadum soga geethangal”
Attributes human sorrow and the ability to sing sad songs to the national flag.
Etukai (Tamil Second-letter Rhyme)
“Suthanthiram siraiyilae Suyanalam veliyilae”
Rhyming scheme on the second letter of consecutive words ('th' sound in Suthanthiram / Suyanalam).
Did you know?
Trivia
Desiya Geetham (1998) is a political drama film directed by Cheran, starring Murali. The musical score was composed by Ilaiyaraaja, and this song written by Vasan serves as the emotional backbone of the movie, highlighting political accountability and civic duty.
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