- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singers
- Jikki, K. R. Ramasamy
- Music director
- Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
- Movie name
- Sugam Enge
- Movie release year
- 1954
- Lyrics added on
- 23 Mar 2019
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This song is a poignant reflection combining personal anguish, devotion, and social commentary. The protagonist views the entire world through the image of the beloved or divine, yet feels overwhelming sorrow due to societal oppression, hypocrisy, and inequality around them. Kannadasan masterfully contrasts high spiritual ideals and noble thoughts with the harsh reality of human greed, where wicked people thrive and the poor suffer in bondage. The song ends as a passionate plea for social reform, questioning when human exploitation and class distinctions will finally come to an end.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhukai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Kannil thondrum kaatchi yaavum / Mannil veezhum kanneer vellam”
The second consonant 'n' (ன/ண்) matches across lines: 'Kannil' and 'Mannil', creating rhythmic harmony.
Moonaai (Initial Letter Alliteration)
“Kannil thondrum kaatchi yaavum / Kanna unadhu kaatchiyae”
Repetition of the 'K' sound across words in the line ('Kannil', 'kaatchi', 'Kanna', 'kaatchiyae').
Hyperbole (Uruvagaimai / Metaphorical Exaggeration)
“Mannil veezhum kanneer vellam”
'Kanneer vellam' (flood of tears) metaphorically exaggerates grief to emphasize deep pain and sorrow.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Sugam Enge' (1954) featured music composed by the iconic duo Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy and starred K. R. Ramasamy and Savitri. Lyricist Kannadasan used early Tamil cinema's platform to seamlessly weave socialist themes and social justice commentary into philosophical film songs.
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