- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- Vani Jairam
- Music director
- Sankar Ganesh
- Movie name
- Samsaram Adhu Minsaram
- Movie release year
- 1986
- Lyrics added on
- 27 Jan 2017
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This emotional lullaby from the film 'Samsaram Adhu Minsaram' captures a mother lamenting her newborn baby's plight amidst severe family strife and abandonment. She uses the imagery of cattle to reflect how adult stubbornness and ego ('the bull') bring unintended hardship upon an innocent child ('the calf'). The song expresses deep despair over being cast out by kin and ponders when their sorrowful situation will finally find relief.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor
“Kaalaiku thaanae veeraappu / Kandruku eno pollaappu”
Adults/family heads are metaphorically framed as stubborn bulls ('Kaalai'), while the helpless child is represented as an innocent calf ('Kandru').
Edukai (Second-letter Assonance)
“Katti karumbae kannaa / Kannam sivandha mannaa”
The second consonant sound 'tti' in 'Katti' rhymes with 'nna' in 'Kannam', creating a rhythmic flow characteristic of traditional Tamil poetry.
Hyperbole / Visual Imagery
“Kannukkul vellam ippodhu”
Describing tears overflowing like a flood ('vellam') within the eyes to dramatically highlight intense emotional suffering.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Samsaram Adhu Minsaram' (1986), directed by Visu with music composed by the duo Shankar-Ganesh, was a massive blockbuster that won the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment. This lullaby highlights the central theme of familial division and the tragic consequences borne by innocent children.
Keep listening
Songs with a similar feeling
From the same album
More songs from Samsaram Adhu Minsaram
View albumSpot an issue?
Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.