- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- S. Janaki
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Movie name
- Thyagi
- Movie release year
- 1982
- Lyrics added on
- 23 Feb 2023
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
The song 'Oru Poo Vaaduthu' from the 1982 film 'Thyagi' is a poignant, emotion-laden track that contrasts external performance with internal suffering. The protagonist is performing on stage before an audience of strangers, but their gaze brings her no true happiness. Only the presence of her beloved or protector brings genuine meaning to her life. She compares her declining state to a wilting flower ('Oru poo vaaduthu') and her lonely life struggle to wading through a mirage on cold, dark monsoon nights. Desperately yearning for peace and emotional refuge in her protector's embrace, she continues to dance on a glass-like stage until her feet bleed. Vaali's lyrics brilliantly capture the paradox of a performer whose climactic dance and high-pitched songs are merely expressions of profound grief—where sorrow itself becomes the underlying melody ('Sogam thaanae raagaam'). S. Janaki's evocative vocal delivery paired with M. S. Viswanathan's soulful composition heightens this haunting tragic mood.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Urvagam)
“Oru poo vaaduthu oru poo vaaduthu”
The 'fading flower' is a metaphor for the heroine's declining happiness, youth, and fragile life amidst distress.
Monai (Initial Rhyme)
“Kaarkaala iravugalil / Naan kaanalil paaya”
The repetition of the initial consonant sound 'Kaa' in 'Kaarkaala' and 'Kaanalil' creates a rhythmic beat.
Iyaipu (End Rhyme)
“Uchchakkattam idhu / Uchcha sthaayi idhu”
The rhyming end word 'idhu' creates musical parallelism between lines 31 and 33.
Contrast / Muran
“Pachchaikiliyin aadal thanilae... Sogam thaanae raagaam”
Contrasts the outwardly joyful acts of dancing and singing ('green parrot dancing', 'cuckoo singing') with the inner reality of pain ('sorrow is the melody').
Did you know?
Trivia
The film 'Thyagi' (1982) stars Chevalier Sivaji Ganesan in dual roles alongside Sujatha. Composed by the legendary M. S. Viswanathan and written by Vaali, 'Oru Poo Vaaduthu' stands out as a classic example of a tragic cabaret/stage performance song. Singer S. Janaki seamlessly blended the energetic rhythmic tempo needed for a dance track with the emotional pathos of a woman bleeding internally, making it one of the memorable compositions of the early 80s.
Keep listening
Songs with a similar feeling
From the same album
More songs from Thyagi
View albumSpot an issue?
Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.