- Lyricist
- Pulamaipithan
- Singer
- Ashok
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Movie name
- Manjal Nila
- Movie release year
- 1982
- Lyrics added on
- 15 Apr 2021
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This poignant song 'Kaatrae Yaazh Meettu' from the film 'Manjal Nila' (1982), written by Pulamaipithan, reflects deep social commentary and human pain. The speaker calls upon the wind to strum a harp in tune with the tearful life poetry of the suffering people. The lyrics highlight stark societal paradoxes—abundance in nature versus poverty in reality, grand religious worship versus unaddressed human sorrow, and the commercialization of virtue and political empty promises.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uvamaai)
“Ingu inbangalae kaanal vari / Thunbangalae neelaampari”
Pleasures are metaphorically described as a mirage ('kaanal vari') and sufferings as the solemn night raga Neelambari ('neelaampari').
Personification
“Kaatrae yaazh meettu”
The wind ('Kaatrae') is requested to act like a musician playing an instrument ('yaazh meettu').
Paradox / Irony
“Ingu gangai undu / Konjam thanneer illai / Vayal engum undu / Unna sorum illai”
Juxtaposes the existence of a mighty river (Ganges) with lack of water, and widespread fields with lack of food.
Emoni / Rhyme (Monai and Ethirai)
“Verum kovilgal engengum aaraathanai / Konjam koorungal ivar nenjil yaen vedhanai”
Internal and end rhymes like 'kaanal vari' and 'neelaampari', or 'aaraathanai' and 'vedhanai' create lyrical harmony.
Did you know?
Trivia
Written by the renowned poet Pulamaipithan, known for his socially conscious and politically sharp lyrics, 'Manjal Nila' features music by Ilaiyaraaja and vocals by K. J. Yesudas, delivering a deeply soulful melancholic classic.
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