- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- Srinivas, Sadhana Sargam
- Music director
- A. R. Rahman
- Movie name
- Paarthale Paravasam
- Movie release year
- 2001
- Lyrics added on
- 5 Aug 2018
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
Azhagae Sugamaa is a deeply emotional duet depicting a separated husband and wife who inquire after each other's well-being with gentle vulnerability. Instead of mere pleasantries, they ask if the intangible remnants of their love—the anger, the solitude, the bed, the single pillow, and the memory of their last kiss—are fine. The song captures the regret of letting ego ruin their bond and the realization of how deeply incomplete they are without each other. Ultimately, it ends on a hopeful plea for reconciliation, comparing life to a circle that can restart at the exact point where it broke off.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Anaphora / Repetition (Eretudharal / Refrain)
“Azhagae sugamaa.. / Unn kobangal sugamaa..”
The word 'Sugamaa' (Are you fine?) is repeated at the end of multiple lines, creating a rhythmic and emotional cadence that underscores persistent concern and affection.
Simile (Uvamai)
“Vaazhkai orr vattampolae / Mudintha idathil thodangaathaa..”
Life is explicitly compared to a circle using the comparison marker 'polae' ('vattampolae'), expressing the hope that relationships can loop back to a new beginning.
Imagery & Visual Contrast
“Veliyae azhuthaal vetkam endru / Vilakkai anaithu azhuthen”
Turning off the lights to cry in secret contrasts internal sorrow with public pride, giving a vivid visual image of private grieving.
Tamil Rhyme Scheme (Edhugai)
“Azhagae unnai pirinthen / En arivil ondrai izhanthen”
Second-letter rhyming seen between 'Azhagae' (zh) and 'Izhanthen' / 'Veliyae' / 'Vilakkai' across lines.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by A.R. Rahman for veteran director K. Balachander's 100th film 'Paarthale Paravasam' (2001), this emotional track was rendered by Sadhana Sargam and Srinivas with lyrics penned by Vairamuthu. The song remains one of Tamil cinema's most celebrated portrayals of marital separation and mature yearning.
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