- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singers
- P. Susheela, L. R. Eswari
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Movie name
- Savale Samali
- Movie release year
- 1971
- Lyrics added on
- 24 Dec 2019
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This song presents a philosophical debate between two contrasting perspectives on women's rights, marriage, and traditional values. One perspective advocates for modern female agency, urging a woman not to endure an unhappy or unfulfilled marriage out of fear of social stigma, framing marriage as a contract that can be broken when affection is absent. The opposing perspective emphasizes traditional cultural virtues, family honor, and filial devotion, arguing that straying from established societal norms brings disrepute.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Iyaipu (End Rhyme)
“Kattuppadaadhae / Unadhu urimaiyai vittu tharaadhae / Vetkappadaadhae”
The repetitive rhyming suffix '-adhae' creates a persuasive rhythm urging liberation.
Simile (Upamai)
“Vaazhgiraal vidhavai polae”
Compares a married woman living without love or marital rights to a widow ('vidhavai polae').
Metaphor (Urvagam)
“Ival vaazhaadha pen endru ooraarin sollambu”
Metaphorically compares harsh rumors and taunts of local society to sharp arrows ('sollambu').
Yamakam / Wordplay
“Manam illaadhadhai manam enbadhu”
Plays on the homonym 'manam' (mind/heart/consent) versus 'manam' (marriage/union).
Did you know?
Trivia
Written by poet Kannadasan for the 1971 film Savale Samali (starring Sivaji Ganesan and Jayalalithaa), the song features music composed by M. S. Viswanathan and vocals by P. Susheela and L. R. Eswari, highlighting the ideological divide between modern individualism and traditional Tamil womanhood.
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