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Megam Karuththirukku album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Azagana Puli Mane

From Megam Karuththirukku · 1987

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
K. J. Yesudass
Music director
Manoj – Gyan
Movie name
Megam Karuththirukku
Movie release year
1987
Lyrics added on
2 Jun 2022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Azhagaana pullimaanae….
Azhagaana pullimaanae unakkaaga azhuthenae
Ponnukku thaali edhukku
Moonu mudichchu vegumaanam oo….
Aarumudichchu avamaanam
Azhagaana pullimaanae unakkaaga azhuthenae
Anthapuraththa kaaval kaakka naanum vanthenga
En annaakkayira kaaval kaakka yaarum illeenga
Vazhakkukku naanum poga maattaen maanae
Vakkaelukku fees-u enna maanamthaanae
Azhagaana pullimaanae unakkaaga azhuthenae
Vaazhai maraththil oonjal katta vasathi irukaathu
Nee tholai paaththu maadu pudichchaa thozhilukkaagaathu
Puzhuvukku aasapattu pogum menae
Thoondiyilae maadikkittaa sogamthaanae
Azhagaana pullimaanae unakkaaga azhuthenae….
Manasu mattum vella thaanae mayakkam theeraathaa
Naan kanneeraalae kazhuvi paarththaa karuppum maaraathaa
Nenjukkullae mullu thachchu vadumpothu
Naakkukullae punnu vanthaa vaarththa yaedhu
Azhagaana pullimaanae….
Azhagaana pullimaanae unakkaaga azhuthenae
Ponnukku thaali edhukku
Moonu mudichchu vegumaanam oo….
Aarumudichchu avamaanam
Azhagaana pullimaanae unakkaaga azhuthenae…..
Beautiful spotted deer...
Beautiful spotted deer, I wept for you.
Why does a woman need a thaali (sacred wedding thread)?
Three knots are an honor, oh...
Six knots are a disgrace.
Beautiful spotted deer, I wept for you...
I came to guard the inner chambers,
Yet there was no one to protect my own modesty.
I will not take this to court, my deer,
For what is the lawyer's fee? It is my own dignity, isn't it?
Beautiful spotted deer, I wept for you.
A banana tree is not strong enough to hang a swing on.
If you choose an ox just by looking at its coat, it will not do the work.
Oh fish that gets lured by the worm,
If you get caught on the hook, is it not pure sorrow?
Beautiful spotted deer, I wept for you...
When the heart inside is pure white, will this confusion not clear?
Even if I wash it with my tears, will this dark shade not change?
When a thorn pierces the heart and leaves it withering,
And sores break out on the tongue, what words can be spoken?
Beautiful spotted deer...
Beautiful spotted deer, I wept for you.
Why does a woman need a thaali (sacred wedding thread)?
Three knots are an honor, oh...
Six knots are a disgrace.
Beautiful spotted deer, I wept for you...
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This poignant song expresses intense grief, betrayal, and a critique of societal expectations. The protagonist addresses a beloved 'spotted deer' while reflecting on his powerlessness and lost self-respect. He draws vivid contrasts between sacred bonds (three knots of marriage) and oppressive shackles or bondage (six knots), highlighting the tragic loss of dignity despite serving others honorably.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Azhagaana pullimaanae unakkaaga azhuthenae

Addressing the beloved or lost spirit as a 'pullimaan' (spotted deer) symbolizes innocence and vulnerability.

Contrast / Anthesis (Ethirnnilai)

Moonu mudichchu vegumaanam oo…. Aarumudichchu avamaanam

Contrasting 'Moonu mudichchu' (three knots of marriage/honor) with 'Aarumudichchu' (six knots of captivity/shackles).

Analogy / Allegory

Puzhuvukku aasapattu pogum menae / Thoondiyilae maadikkittaa sogamthaanae

Comparing human greed and tragic missteps to a fish getting hooked while chasing a worm.

Did you know?

Trivia

Featured in the 1987 film 'Megam Karuththirukku', this moving track was composed by the musical duo Manoj-Gyan and rendered by K. J. Yesudas. Vairamuthu's lyrics utilize folk metaphors to convey deep philosophical anguish.

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