- Lyricist
- Panchu Arunachalam
- Singer
- Sujatha Mohan
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Movie name
- Gaayathri
- Movie release year
- 1977
- Lyrics added on
- 7 Nov 2018
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This classic song from 'Gaayathri' (1977) expresses the tender romantic feelings, bodily sensations, and quiet melancholy experienced by a young woman in love. Using nature as a metaphor, the lyrics compare delicate lips yearning for love to fragile flowers swaying in the cold morning dew, capturing both the pleasure and the sweet pain ('kaayam') that love brings to a maiden's life. The verse narrative moves gracefully through the stages of intimacy—from meeting eyes and feeling initial shyness, to the birth of musical harmony in togetherness, and finally the serene awakening after a night of deep physical and emotional connection.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Moonaai (Initial Alliteration)
“Kaalaippaniyil aadum malargal / Kaadhal ninaivil vaadum idhazhgal”
Repetition of the initial consonant sound 'Kaa' across consecutive lines for rhythmic flow.
Metaphor (Uvamaani)
“Kaalaippaniyil aadum malargal / Kaadhal ninaivil vaadum idhazhgal”
Comparing soft lips longing for love to flowers swaying and wilting in the morning mist.
Iyaibu (End Rhyme)
“Raagam pirakkum / Adhil thaalam irukkum”
Matching end sounds ('aada', 'pirakkum', 'irukkum') to create musical rhythm.
Visual Imagery
“Kaalaippaniyil aadum malargal”
Evoking rich visual scenes of morning dew on flowers and romantic physical embrace.
Keep listening
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