- Lyricist
- Suratha
- Singer
- P. Leela
- Music directors
- M. S. Vishwanathan, M. S. Gnanamani, T. A. Kalyanam
- Movie name
- Genova
- Movie release year
- 1953
- Lyrics added on
- 17 May 2025
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This poignant lamentation from the 1953 film 'Genova' captures the deep sorrow and anguish of separation. The heroine mourns the plight of her beloved prince, who has been unjustly imprisoned, and despairs over whether their hopes and love will ever find fulfillment in this world. She questions why love is punished as a sin on earth and laments the harshness of fate that has separated them. Expressing helpless agony, she compares their life to an unanchored boat tossing helplessly on turbulent waters. Praying to the supreme divine light, she wonders if happiness will ever return to their lives, filling the melody with profound pathos and romantic longing.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagaram)
“Kadhal vaazhvil kaniyaana kathirae”
The lover is metaphorically called a 'kaniyaana kathirae' (sweet ray of light) and 'karumaa maniyae' (precious gem/apple of the eye).
Simile (Upamai)
“Thadumaari aadum thoniyai pol”
The speaker compares their helpless, drifting life to a boat swaying wildly without an anchor ('Nankooraae illaathathanaal / Thadumaari aadum thoniyai pol').
Alliteration (Monai)
“Puvi raajapudhalvaa nee sirai vaazhvathaamo”
Initial consonant alliteration with the letter 'P' in 'Puvi' and 'Papam'.
Rhetorical Questions (Vinaa Ani)
“Aasaiyellaam veenaagumaa”
Despair and emotional dilemma are conveyed through repeated rhetorical questions asking if desires will end in vain and if joy will ever return.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Genova' (1953) is a historic film notable for being one of M. G. Ramachandran's (MGR) early releases as a lead hero before his rise to ultimate stardom, and it was produced as a Tamil-Malayalam bilingual. The soundtrack is special as it brought together early musical efforts from legend M. S. Viswanathan alongside M. S. Gnanamani and T. A. Kalyanam, featuring evocative lyrics penned by acclaimed Tamil poet Suratha.
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