Karunai Magan
From Aalayamani · 1962
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Music director
- Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
- Details
- Aalayamani1962
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Karunai magan kaal izhandhaan… | The merciful son lost his leg... |
| Kanda makkal manamodindhaar… | The people who witnessed it were broken-hearted... |
| Uyir thozhan kai izhandhaan… | The dearest friend lost his hand... |
| Uthamiyaal kannizhandhaal… | The virtuous woman lost her eyesight... |
| Sirithavarai kalangha vaitha dheivamae… ae… | Oh God, who made those who once laughed weep... |
| Engu sendraai engu sendraai… | Where did you go, where did you go... |
கருணை மகன் கால் இழந்தான்.....
கண்ட மக்கள் மனமொடிந்தார்.....
உயிர் தோழன் கை இழந்தான்....
உத்தமியாள் கன்னிழந்தால்......
சிரித்தவரை கலங்க வாய்த்த தெய்வமே...ஏ....
எங்கு சென்றாய் எங்கு சென்றாய்....
The merciful son lost his leg...
The people who witnessed it were broken-hearted...
The dearest friend lost his hand...
The virtuous woman lost her eyesight...
Oh God, who made those who once laughed weep...
Where did you go, where did you go...
Karunai magan kaal izhandhaan…
The merciful son lost his leg...
Kanda makkal manamodindhaar…
The people who witnessed it were broken-hearted...
Uyir thozhan kai izhandhaan…
The dearest friend lost his hand...
Uthamiyaal kannizhandhaal…
The virtuous woman lost her eyesight...
Sirithavarai kalangha vaitha dheivamae… ae…
Oh God, who made those who once laughed weep...
Engu sendraai engu sendraai…
Where did you go, where did you go...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
These poignant lines capture a profound sense of tragic misfortune and existential grief. The verses describe how noble and virtuous individuals suffer severe physical losses—a compassionate man losing his leg, a loyal friend losing a hand, and a righteous woman losing her sight—leaving the onlookers shattered. The speaker cries out to the Almighty, questioning divine justice for bringing sorrow to those who were once happy, asking where God has vanished during their darkest hour.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Epiphora (Esaibu / Ending Repetition)
“Karunai magan kaal izhandhaan… / Uyir thozhan kai izhandhaan… / Uthamiyaal kannizhandhaal…”
The root verb 'izhandhaan' / 'izhandhaal' (meaning 'lost') is repeated at the ends of consecutive lines to emphasize the dramatic sequence of devastating physical losses.
Initial Alliteration (Moonaai)
“Karunai magan kaal izhandhaan…”
The repetition of the consonant sound 'Ka' in 'Karunai' and 'kaal' creates rhythmic harmony at the beginning of the verse.
Repetition for Emphasis (Adukkuthodar)
“Engu sendraai engu sendraai…”
The urgent query 'Engu sendraai' is repeated back-to-back to heighten the tragic pathos and emotional desperation of searching for an absent deity.
Did you know?
Trivia
Aalayamani (1962) is a classic Tamil drama directed by K. Shankar, starring Sivaji Ganesan, S. S. Rajendran, and B. Saroja Devi. Although listed as unknown in the prompt, the iconic musical score was composed by the legendary duo Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy, with lyrics crafted by Kannadasan, creating timeless melancholic masterpieces.
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