- Lyricist
- Gangai Amaran
- Singers
- Ilayaraja, K. S. Chithra
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Movie name
- Enga Ooru Mappillai
- Movie release year
- 1989
- Lyrics added on
- 7 Oct 2018
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
In 'En Kaaviriyae Kanneer Edharkku' from the 1989 film Enga Ooru Mappillai, the protagonist tenderly comforts his beloved who is distressed by town gossip and harsh words. Addressing her affectionately as 'Kaavari' (the holy river) and 'Dheivamae' (divine goddess), he acknowledges how deeply hurtful malicious talk can be, drawing upon classical Tamil wisdom regarding the wounds of the tongue. He begs her not to let her heart wither, as his own strength depends entirely on her well-being.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Intertextuality / Classical Allusion (Thirukkural Reference)
“Theeyinaal sutta pun Seekkiram aaralaam Naavilae suttadhaal vandha Vadu aarumaa”
Lines 10-13 directly adapt Thirukkural 129 ('Theeyinaal sutta pun ullaarum aaraadhe naavinaal sutta vadu'), contrasting physical fire burns with the lasting scars caused by harsh words.
Metaphor
“En kaaviriyae... Dheivamae un nenjam”
The male lead addresses his beloved as Kaavari (river Kaaveri) and Dheivam (goddess) to signify her purity, grace, and sacred importance in his life.
Simile / Personification
“Oor ennai midhithaal kooda Boomiyaai thaanguven”
The hero compares his capacity for patience and tolerance to mother Earth ('Boomiyaai thaanguven') when enduring public humiliation.
Monai / Initial Alliteration
“Kanmani kaathiru Kanavugal ninaivugal Kanindhidum kalangaadhae”
Repetition of the initial 'Ka' sound across consecutive lines ('Kanmani', 'Kanavugal', 'Kanindhidum', 'Kalangaadhae') creates a rhythmic, soothing musicality.
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Trivia
This track features music composed by maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Gangai Amaran. The stanza quoting the Thirukkural concept of tongue burns versus fire burns is one of the most famous modern poetic references to ancient Sangam/Thirukkural literature in Tamil cinema.
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