- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- P. Susheela
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Movie name
- Naanum Oru Penn
- Movie release year
- 1963
- Lyrics added on
- 14 Apr 2017
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
In this emotional song from Naanum Oru Penn (1963), the protagonist expresses her deep anguish over colorism and societal rejection. She addresses Lord Krishna, noting the hypocrisy of human nature: Krishna is dark-complexioned yet universally revered, beloved, and worshipped, whereas a dark-complexioned woman is ostracized and judged solely by her skin color.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Ethirmai (Irony / Contrast)
“Unnai maruppaarillai... Ennai kandaalum porupparillai”
Contrasts society's unconditional love for dark-complexioned Krishna with its cruel rejection of a dark-complexioned woman.
Upamai (Simile)
“Adhil poo pondra ninaivondru”
Compares soft, vulnerable human feelings and memories to a delicate flower using 'pondra' (like).
Uruvagam (Metaphor)
“Ponnaana manam ondru”
Metaphorically describes a pure, loving, and innocent heart as golden ('ponnaana manam').
Iyaibu (Rhyme / Anaphora)
“Padaithai kannaa ... Koduthai kannaa”
Repetition of 'kannaa' at the end of successive lines creates a rhythmic refrain filled with devotion and emotional plea.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song is from Naanum Oru Penn (1963), directed by U. R. Swamy and starring Vijayakumari and S. S. Rajendran. The music was composed by R. Sudarsanam, sung soulfully by P. Susheela, with iconic lyricist Kannadasan penning the powerful lyrics tackling color bias.
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