- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Movie name
- Paattum Bharadhamum
- Movie release year
- 1975
- Lyrics added on
- 28 Jan 2024
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
In this classic song from 'Paattum Bharadhamum', the protagonist expresses intense longing and devotion for his beloved, who is portrayed both as a muse and a divine goddess. He compares her departure to a cuckoo bird flying beyond the boundaries he set, leaving him as an empty body without a soul. Through poetic imagery, he laments her absence while remembering her smile like the refreshing winter mist of Margazhi and his eyes filled with rain clouds of grief. He elevates his love to monumental epic standards, stating that classical literary giants like Kamban and Kalidasa would see their own ideal heroines (Sita and Shakuntala) in her. Ultimately, the song conveys that love and artistic inspiration remain forever youthful; even as physical aging takes over, the passion in his heart never fades.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Avalillai endraal naan verum koodu”
Compares his body without his beloved to an empty shell or nest ('verum koodu').
Second-letter Rhyme (Edhukai)
“Narai vizhunthaalum nenjil / Thirai vizhavillai”
The second consonant 'ra' matches across lines ('Narai' / 'Thirai').
Initial Alliteration (Monai)
“Karpanaikku maeni thanthu / Kaal salangai pottu vittaen”
Repetition of the initial letter 'Ka' in consecutive phrases.
Apostrophe (Thoodhu)
“Devikku thoodhu solla thendralae odu”
Addressing the gentle wind ('thendral') directly to act as a messenger, a classic Tamil literary convention.
Simile / Imagery (Upama)
“Margazhi paniyandro / Avalathu sirippu”
Comparing the beloved's smile to the cold, pristine mist of the month of Margazhi.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Paattum Bharadhamum' (1975), starring Sivaji Ganesan and Jayalalithaa, is a landmark film centered on music and classical dance. The soundtrack composed by M. S. Viswanathan features rich classical ragas, and this song in particular is celebrated for Kannadasan's elevated literary references to classical epics and poets like Kamban and Kalidasa.
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