- Lyricist
- Aalangudi Somu
- Singers
- L. R. Eswari, Chorus
- Music director
- R. Sudharsanam
- Movie name
- Karthigai Deepam
- Movie release year
- 1965
- Lyrics added on
- 11 Apr 2025
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This iconic track from 'Karthigai Deepam' poetically explores the origin and sensations of romantic love. It begins with simple natural physics and metaphors: clapping hands produces rhythm, while meeting eyes sparks love. When love is fulfilled, it yields ultimate bliss. The latter half illustrates the sweet agony and restlessness of love, where longing turns even a soft velvet bed into a bed of thorns, keeping the lover awake till dawn with a shy, fearful heart unable to voice its deep desire.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Repetition (Adukkuthodar)
“Kaiyum kaiyum modhinal”
Words like 'Kaiyum kaiyum', 'Kannum kannum', and 'Varum varum' are repeated for rhythmic emphasis and poetic flow.
Antithesis (Maranu)
“Velvettu panjanaiyum / Mullaai thondrum”
The contrast between a soft 'Velvettu panjanai' (velvet bed) feeling like 'Mullai' (thorns) highlights the restlessness caused by romantic longing.
Iyalbu Navitchi Aani (Natural Metaphor)
“Poovu vandai modhinaal”
Comparing the union of lovers to a flower meeting a honeybee is a classic Sangam-inspired natural motif.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by R. Sudarsanam for the 1965 film 'Karthigai Deepam', the song features lyrics by Aalangudi Somu and vocals by L. R. Eswari along with chorus support. Aalangudi Somu was celebrated for weaving simple folk philosophy into romantic cinema songs.
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