- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra
- Music director
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Movie name
- Sigaram
- Movie release year
- 1991
- Lyrics added on
- 28 May 2017
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
Idho Idho En Pallavi from the 1991 movie Sigaram is a poetic exploration of love using Carnatic musical terminology as a central motif. The protagonist compares her life and budding romance to the opening lines (Pallavi) of a song, yearning for her lover to complete it into a full musical composition (Geetham) and transform her devotion into sacred text (Vedham). She marvels at the magical feeling of love that fills her life like a full moon in the sky and an intoxicating elixir in a cup. In the later verses, the lyrics highlight the timelessness and immutability of their connection. While physical elements like skies and seasons may change, their deep bond remains constant. By framing themselves as pitch and melody, hymn (Keerthanai) and prayer (Praarthanai), the song celebrates love as an elevated, divine artistic union that defies fate.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Pun / Double Entendre (Sledai)
“Ival undhan saranam endraal”
The word 'Saranam' plays on a double meaning: in Carnatic music, it refers to the verse following the Pallavi, while in a literary/spiritual context, it means 'surrender' or 'refuge'.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“En vaazhkai ennum koppaiyil”
Life is explicitly conceptualized as a cup ('koppai') holding the potion of love.
Rhetorical Question (Vinaa Ani)
“Paruvangalum niram maaralaam Nam paasam maaruma”
Uses a series of questions to emphasize the timelessness and permanence of love against natural changes.
End Rhyme (Iyaibu)
“Nee keerthanai naan praarthanai”
The lines end with rhyming musical concepts ('keerthanai' and 'praarthanai'), reinforcing harmony.
Did you know?
Trivia
The film 'Sigaram' (1991) features legendary singer S. P. Balasubrahmanyam not only as the music composer and lead singer (alongside K. S. Chithra) for this song, but also as the lead actor and director of the movie. Vairamuthu's lyrics cleverly integrate classical musical concepts like Pallavi, Saranam, Geetham, Keerthanai, and Sudhi to draw parallels with life and love.
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