- Lyricist
- Ravi Abraham
- Singers
- Dhanraj Manickam, Keerthi Iyer, IniN Joe
- Music director
- Navaneethan
- Movie name
- Nizhal Ulagam
- Movie release year
- 2011
- Lyrics added on
- 21 Jul 2020
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This song from 'Nizhal Ulagam' captures the relentless struggle, ambiguity, and burning desire of an aspiring artist striving to make his mark in the cinema world ('Thirai ulagamae enadhu yaekkamae'). He compares his journey to navigating a vast ocean, where time slips away amidst sweat and confusion, yet his determination drives him to keep pushing until his limits are tested. Through vivid imagery of a child searching for its mother and a crane waiting patiently for fish, the lyrics depict both vulnerability and quiet patience in pursuit of a dream. Ultimately, the film industry and life itself present an enigma where beginnings and ends are blurred into a puzzle, yet the protagonist resolves to keep striving regardless of the uncertain outcome.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Upamai)
“Thaayai thedum kuzhandhaipola / Meenai thedum naaraipoala”
Compares the protagonist's desperate search and patient wait to a child searching for its mother and a heron waiting for a fish.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Kadal pola therigiradhae / Andha kadalukkul neendhidavae”
Compares the overwhelming and vast world of cinema/dreams to an endless ocean that one must swim across.
Rhyme / End Rhyme (Iyaibu)
“En nokkamae vazhiyin aakkamae / Thirai ulagamae enadhu yaekkamae”
Uses matching line-ending vowel sounds ('aakkamae', 'yaekkamae', 'thaakkumae', 'saagudhae') to create a rhythmic, melancholic flow.
Repetition (Adukkuthodaru)
“Sutri sutri ivan pirigiraan / Kaaththu kaaththu ivan kidakkiraan”
Repeats words like 'Sutri sutri' (circling) and 'Kaaththu kaaththu' (waiting) to emphasize continuous, persistent action.
Did you know?
Trivia
Nizhal Ulagam (2011) is an independent Tamil film directed by Ravi Abraham that explores the dark realities and internal struggles faced by youngsters attempting to enter the film industry ('shadow world'). Lyricist Ravi Abraham penned these introspective verses to highlight the existential disorientation experienced by aspiring artists.
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