- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- P. Susheela
- Music director
- Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
- Movie name
- Paadha Kaanikkai
- Movie release year
- 1962
- Lyrics added on
- 13 May 2017
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
The song 'Ettaduku Maligaiyil' from the 1962 movie Paadha Kaanikkai is a poignant lament sung by a heartbroken woman speaking to her companion ('adi'). She expresses deep sorrow over her lover who raised her hopes to immense heights—metaphorically placing her in an 'eight-story mansion'—only to abandon her completely. What she envisioned as a joyous, grand procession like a temple chariot turned into a bitter struggle filled with non-stop tears.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Ettaduku Maligaiyil yetri vaitha”
The 'eight-story mansion' serves as a metaphor for raising someone's status, hopes, and expectations to supreme heights in a romantic relationship.
Simile (Uvamai)
“Ullam vaithu kadal Pol aasai vaithu”
Contrasts a tiny, hand-sized heart ('Kaiyalavu Ullam') with desires that are vast like an ocean ('kadal pol aasai').
Iyaipu (Rhyming Endings)
“Sendranadi indru / Verupattu nindranadi”
The rhythmic repetition of the end-suffix '-adi' across multiple line endings adds a conversational and sorrowful tone addressed to a female friend.
Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Kaiyalavu / Kadal”
The initial 'Ka' sound is repeated in 'Kaiyalavu' and 'Kadal' within the same verse, creating euphonic harmony.
Keep listening
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