- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- P. Suseela
- Music director
- S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
- Movie name
- Snegithi
- Movie release year
- 1970
- Lyrics added on
- 19 Aug 2020
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This poignant song composed for the 1970 film Snegithi delves into the pain of separation, lost love, and the cruel ironies of destiny. The speaker laments the initial meeting of eyes and the birth of a passion that was ultimately torn apart by time. Even as he tries to seal away his memories of his beloved by figuratively closing her temple doors, her heart remains ever-present in his thoughts. Kannadasan uses poignant metaphors of nature—bees drawn to artificial flowers, birds seeking water in mirages, and rain clouds giving everything without gaining happiness—to depict human vulnerability, tragic attachments, and the search for inner peace after heartbreaks.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Iyaibu (End Rhyme)
“Kangal inainthathenna / Kadhal piranthathenna”
The repetitive ending '-enna' in words like inainthathenna, piranthathenna, pirinththathenna, and siriththathenna creates a melodic rhythm expressing questioning anguish.
Metaphor (Uvamai / Urvagam)
“Kaagith poovilum vandu varum / Kaanal neerukkum paraavai varum”
Comparing false hope or unattainable love to paper flowers ('kaagith poov') and mirages ('kaanal neer').
Personification
“Kavithai siriththathenna”
Attributing the human emotional act of laughing to 'poetry' (Kavithai) as it mocks the tragedy of the lovers.
Moonaai (Initial Alliteration)
“Kangal inainthathenna / Kadhal piranthathenna”
Repetition of the 'Ka' sound across line beginnings (Kangal, Kadhal, Kaalam, Kavithai).
Did you know?
Trivia
Penned by the legendary lyricist Kannadasan for the 1970 movie Snegithi, the song highlights his signature style of blending deep existential philosophical observations with tragic romantic themes using vivid imagery from nature.
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