- Lyricist
- Parthi Bhaskar
- Singer
- M. S. Subbulakshmi
- Music director
- S. V. Venkatraman
- Movie name
- Meera (1945) Film
- Movie release year
- 1945
- Lyrics added on
- 22 Jun 2019
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This soulful devotional composition from the movie 'Meera' depicts saint-poetess Meera's intense yearning for Lord Krishna. Addressing Krishna by various divine names such as Janardhana, Giridhari, and Dwarakadhish, Meera questions why He continues to withhold His divine grace. She cries out that even inanimate stones would melt if they witnessed the agony she endures for His love. Likening her spiritual devotion to a precious pearl retrieved after diving deep into the sea, she begs Krishna not to let it slip from her hands. As the song progresses, Meera pleads for the doors of the temple to open so she may finally have His divine vision (darshan). She implores Him to remember her unwavering status as His eternal servant. In the climax, the spiritual connection culminates with Lord Krishna residing permanently in the temple of Meera's heart, accepting her total surrender.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Kadalil kulithoru Mutheduthaen”
Meera's lifelong spiritual quest and intense devotion are metaphorically depicted as diving deep into the ocean to extract a rare pearl.
Hyperbole (Uvacharam)
“Kandu kallum karaiyum”
Exaggeration used to emphasize extreme emotional pain, stating that even lifeless stones would melt upon observing her suffering.
Anaphora / Repetend
“Karunaiyae purivaayo Gadhiyilaen giridhaari”
The frantic rhythmic repetition of 'Karunaiyae purivaayo Gadhiyilaen giridhaari' underlines the devotee's utter desperation and complete surrender.
Initial Rhyme (Monai)
“Janaarthanaa jagan naadhaa”
Rhythmic matching of initial consonant sounds ('J' sound in Janaarthanaa and jagan) creates a musical, chant-like invocation.
Did you know?
Trivia
This classic song features the legendary Carnatic vocalist M. S. Subbulakshmi, who starred as Meera in the 1945 Tamil film directed by American filmmaker Ellis R. Dungan. Her immortal renditions in this film catapulted her to nationwide fame, paving the way for the 1947 Hindi version which was personally introduced on screen by Sarojini Naidu.
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