- Lyricist
- Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniam
- Music director
- T. G. Lingappa
- Movie name
- Sabaash Meena
- Movie release year
- 1958
- Lyrics added on
- 16 Oct 2019
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
In this classic song, the protagonist gazes upon a portrait (sithiram) of his beloved, feeling as if the picture itself has come alive and is speaking to him. As he looks at her pearl-like smile, his mind becomes captivated and swoons in sweet romantic intoxication. He recalls past moments spent together in the metaphorical moonlight of love, filled with joyful melodies and happiness. However, the happiness proved fleeting—much like a sleight-of-hand magic trick, the blissful vision dissolved. His joyful days swimming in the stream of love ended in heartbreak, leaving behind only sweet memories in the form of her talking portrait.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Upamai)
“Muthu charangalai pol mogana punnagai minnudhadi…”
Compares the beloved's smile to gleaming strands of pearls ('Muthu charangalai pol mogana punnagai').
Simile (Upamai)
“Kan kattu vithaiyai pol andha kaatchi marainthathadi”
Compares the sudden disappearance of happiness to a magic trick or illusion ('Kan kattu vithaiyai pol').
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Kaadhal nilaavinilae / Anbennum odaiyilae”
Metaphorically equates love to moonlight ('Kaadhal nilaavinilae') and to a stream ('Anbennum odaiyilae').
Refrain (Pallavi repetition)
“Sithiram pesudhadi”
The phrase 'Sithiram pesudhadi' is repeated regularly to anchor the song's emotional theme of longing through a picture.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Sithiram Pesudhadi' is one of the most famous Tamil songs from the 1958 comedy-drama film 'Sabaash Meena', directed by B. R. Panthulu, featuring music composed by T. G. Lingappa and lyrics by Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniam. The phrase 'Chithiram Pesuthadi' became so iconic in Tamil pop culture that director Mysskin used it as the title for his acclaimed 2006 debut movie.
Keep listening
Songs with a similar feeling
From the same album
More songs from Sabaash Meena
View albumSpot an issue?
Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.