- Lyricist
- Mu. Metha
- Singer
- Dr. Lavanya
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Movie name
- Karakattakari
- Movie release year
- 2004
- Lyrics added on
- 12 May 2019
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This song is a deeply emotional lamentation filled with affection, sorrow, and ultimate hope. The singer affectionately addresses a loved one using precious metaphors like 'spilled pearls' and 'gathered gems,' expressing how seeing their tears pierces the heart like a sharp spear. The lyrics contrast past joy with present hardship, comparing their plight to thorn-flowers blooming in a garden that once bore rare Kurinji blossoms. Despite the isolation and life struggles likened to a lonely tree standing against adversities, the song transitions into a message of resilience. It highlights that hope and good intentions are the truest wealth for the poor, reassuring that times will inevitably change and despair will give way to better days.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Kotti vecha muthae / Naan kuvichu vecha rathinamae…”
Addressing the beloved as 'Kotti vecha muthu' (spilled pearl) and 'Kuvichu vecha rathinam' (gathered ruby/gemstone) metaphorically equates human worth and affection with precious jewels.
Simile (Uvamaani)
“Etti paakkum kanneeru / Nenjil eetti pola kuthudhammaa”
The line uses 'pola' (like) to compare the piercing grief of tears to a sharp spear thrust into the heart ('eetti pola kuthudhammaa').
Antithesis / Contrast
“Kurinji poo pootha / Indha thottathula / Nerunji poo pookka”
Contrasting 'Kurinji poo' (a rare, precious blossom) with 'Nerunji poo' (a thorny flower) symbolizes the tragic shift from happy times to painful adversity.
Simile (Uvamaani)
“Thaniyaaga tharuga pola / Naan aadum aattam”
Comparing oneself to 'Thaniyaaga tharuga' (a lonely palm tree/sprout) illustrates solitude, vulnerability, and endurance amidst life's struggles.
Did you know?
Trivia
Written by the renowned Tamil lyricist and poet Mu. Metha, this song showcases his signature style of using deep poetic imagery, social consciousness, and folk-inspired emotional depth to portray human sorrow and hope.
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