- Lyricist
- A. Maruthakasi
- Singer
- Seerkazhi Govindarajan
- Music director
- Pendyala Nageswara Rao
- Movie name
- Kalaivanan
- Movie release year
- 1959
- Lyrics added on
- 6 Feb 2025
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This classical song from Kalaivanan (1959) is a soulful plea by a devoted artist addressing a benevolent king or divine lord. The singer asks if he too does not belong to the esteemed realm of artists and scholars who deserve patronship and compassion. He offers a floral garland of poetic verses ('Paamalai') crafted out of pure devotion, seeking spiritual bliss and divine grace. Through elaborate Carnatic swara passages and emotional appeal, the vocalist implores the ruler to cast a merciful glance upon his humble existence and relieve his sorrow. The song beautifully blends classical musical prowess with deeply emotional lyrical pleading written by A. Maruthakasi.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagham)
“Undhan meedhu paamalaiyum soodi”
'Paamalai' literally means a garland made of poems/verses, metaphorically offering poetic praise as a sacred floral offering.
Rhyme / Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Aalum arasae unadharul vizhipaarvai”
Repetition of starting phonetic sounds in 'Aalum' and 'Ezhai' (or 'Anbu' and 'Inbamaana') creating rhythmic alignment across lines.
Anaphora (Repetition for Emphasis)
“Dharmaseela kalaivaanarukkullae”
Repeated invocation of 'Dharmaseela kalaivaanarukkullae' and 'Aalum arasae' to intensify the devotional plea.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Kalaivanan' (1959) is a notable musical film starring Akkineni Nageswara Rao (ANR) and Anjali Devi. The music composed by Pendyala Nageswara Rao features intricate Carnatic classical compositions, and this song in particular highlights the classical vocal range and expressive prowess of legendary singer Seerkazhi Govindarajan.
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