- Lyricist
- Isaignani Ilayaraja
- Singer
- Shashaa Tirupati
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Movie name
- Amma Kanakku
- Movie release year
- 2016
- Lyrics added on
- 8 Sept 2018
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This philosophical song from 'Amma Kanakku' reflects deeply on human free will versus destiny. It questions whether an individual has the autonomy to shape their own life path or if they are bound to wander aimlessly towards an already ordained destination. Through profound poetic reflections, the song ponders the ultimate source of human existence—whether derived from divine creation or maternal sacrifice—and compares life to ephemeral elements like a passing breeze or a dream.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Uvamaani)
“Siru kaattrai pola / Kanavai pola”
Compares the transient and elusive nature of life to a gentle breeze ('Siru kaattrai pola') and a fleeting dream ('Kanavai pola').
Paradoxical Imagery
“Kadalae nee / Nadhiyai thedi .. po po”
Urges the ocean to search for the river, inverting the natural phenomenon where rivers flow into the ocean, symbolizing an inverted, complex quest for purpose.
Rhetorical Questioning (Vina Porul)
“Edukka mudiyumaa / Amaikka mudiyumaa / Nee arivaayo…”
Uses repetitive introspective questions about control, destiny, and divine origin to evoke deep contemplation in the listener.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Amma Kanakku' (2016) is a Tamil drama written and directed by Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari, serving as a remake of her own Hindi film 'Nil Battey Sannata'. Maestro Ilaiyaraaja composed the film's music and personally penned the lyrics for this song, which was rendered by Shashaa Tirupati.
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