- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- K. J. Yesudas
- Music directors
- Ilayaraja, M. S. Vishwanathan
- Movie name
- En Iniya Pon Nilavae
- Movie release year
- 2001
- Lyrics added on
- 10 Oct 2020
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This song portrays the poignant sorrow of a naive woman grieving over lost or illusory love. Love is depicted not as a lasting reality, but as a fleeting dream—comparable to seeking water from a mirage in the desert. The lyrics express the pain of solitude after togetherness, where fond memories of youth remain trapped in darkness. Using vivid imagery of short-lived phenomena like ocean waves, rainbows, and biting winter winds, the song emphasizes the impermanence of relationships and human desire. The heart is described as enduring agony like suffering on hot embers during an isolated, one-way journey of emotional longing.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Uvamai (Simile)
“Neeril thondrum alaigalai polae”
Compares fleeting memories and relationships to waves in water ('alaigalai polae') and a rainbow in the sky ('vaanavil pola').
Uruvagaimai (Metaphor)
“Kaanal neeril thaagam theerkkum”
Metaphorically compares searching for true love to trying to quench thirst with mirage water ('Kaanal neer').
Eduhai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Inainthathae irunthum thanaimaiyil vaazhum / Ilamai ninaivo iruttinil vaazhum”
Rhyming of the second letter 'raa/da/na' or vowel sound in consecutive lines (e.g., Inainthathae / Ilamai - 'na' sound harmony).
Moonaai (First-letter Alliteration)
“Thaniyae thodarum oru vazhi payanam / Thanalil thavikkum manathukku salanam”
Alliteration of the initial consonants 'Tha' in 'Thaniyae' and 'Thanalil'.
Did you know?
Trivia
The central metaphor 'Kaanal Neer' (mirage) is a classical Tamil poetic device frequently used in Sangam literature to denote deceptive or unachievable desires.
Keep listening
Songs with a similar feeling
From the same album
More songs from En Iniya Pon Nilavae
View albumSpot an issue?
Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.