- Lyricist
- Vindhan
- Singer
- P. A. Periyanayaki
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Movie name
- Koondukkili
- Movie release year
- 1954
- Lyrics added on
- 6 Oct 2019
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This song portrays the sweet confusion, innocent awakening, and physical sensations experienced by a young protagonist falling in love. Experiencing symptoms of romantic longing for the first time, she playfully questions why her body and mind act in ways beyond her control—such as feeling goosebumps upon seeing her beloved, involuntary smiling, sleepless nights where the bed feels as sharp as thorns, and even sweet sugarcane tasting bitter. Through a series of innocent rhetorical questions, lyricist Vindhan elegantly captures the classic tropes of Tamil romantic poetry (Viraham and Kaadhal), contrasting physical sensations with emotional turmoil. The song captures the delightful vulnerability and self-discovery that accompanies newfound affection.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Rhetorical Question (Vinaa Alangaaram)
“Padukkaiyilae padukka ponaa mullaa edhukku kuthanum”
The speaker asks 'why does the bed prick like thorns?' not to seek a literal answer, but to poetically convey the restlessness caused by romantic longing.
Metaphor / Contrast (Muran)
“Karumbai vetti thinnaa kooda vaai edhukku kasakkanum”
Contrasts the inherent sweetness of sugarcane with the bitter taste in her mouth, metaphorically illustrating how love alters her senses.
Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Karumbai / Kannam”
The second letter 'r' ('ரு') in Karumbai rhymes structurally with the second letter 'n' ('ன்') in Kannam in Tamil poetic meter.
Monai (First Letter Alliteration)
“Ungalai kandavudan / Udambedhukku silukkanum”
The initial vowel sound 'U' is repeated in consecutive lines ('Ungalai' and 'Udambedhukku'), creating a rhythmic flow.
Did you know?
Trivia
Koondukkili (1954) holds a monumental place in Tamil cinema history as the only film where the two legendary stalwarts of Tamil cinema, M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) and Sivaji Ganesan, shared screen space together. The film's music was composed by K. V. Mahadevan, and the lyrics were penned by Vindhan, a celebrated reformist writer known for his realistic and poignant lyrics.
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