- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- S. Janaki
- Music director
- Shyam
- Movie name
- Devathai – (1979)
- Movie release year
- 1979
- Lyrics added on
- 20 Jun 2023
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
'Galeer Galeer Endrae Kaalam' from the 1979 film Devathai is a deeply reflective and philosophical track composed by Shyam and penned by the master lyricist Kannadasan. Sung with immense emotional grace by S. Janaki, the song meditates on the relentless march of time ('kaalam') contrasted against the delicate, uncertain nature of human existence, which the protagonist compares to a fragile thread ('noolaai en vaazhkkaithaan thallaaduthu'). The lyrics weave cultural allegories and nature metaphors—such as agricultural cycles across Tamil months and the dynamic between a flower and a bee—to express that true happiness and fulfillment do not arrive passively; they require effort, patience, and sacrifice. The song celebrates the woman's selfless life, exalting her as a divine angel ('maatharil orr devathai') whose virtuous journey is as sacred as scripture.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Onomatopoeia (Rettai Kilavi)
“Galeer galeer endrae kaalam”
'Galeer galeer' imitates the rhythmic jingling sound of anklets, representing the steady, uninterrupted movement of time.
Simile (Upamai)
“Noolaai en vaazhkkaithaan thallaaduthu”
Life's vulnerability and lack of stability are directly compared to a fragile piece of thread swaying in the wind.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Nee maatharil orr devathai amma / Un vaazhkkai ellaam vedham amma”
The lyricist directly equates the woman to an angel ('devathai') among women and her life journey to sacred scripture ('vedham').
Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyming)
“Thaanaaga inbangal thaedi varaathu / Naamaaga theendum varai nammai thodaathu”
The second letter 'aa' in 'Thaanaaga' and 'Naamaaga' creates a harmonious Tamil poetic meter (Ethugai).
Rhetorical Question
“Vandai naadi poo varalaama”
Kannadasan uses a rhetorical metaphor ('Should a flower go seeking a bee?') to question social norms and expectations.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Devathai' (1979) features a musical score by Shyam, a prominent composer who delivered iconic tracks in both Tamil and Malayalam cinema in the late 70s and 80s. The song showcases Kannadasan's signature style of blending high philosophical truths with simple, evocative Tamil imagery, flawlessly brought to life by S. Janaki's expressive vocals.
Keep listening
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