- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Music director
- Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
- Movie name
- Aalayamani
- Movie release year
- 1962
- Lyrics added on
- 21 Feb 2019
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
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.
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