- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- S. Janaki
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Movie name
- Selvi
- Movie release year
- 1985
- Lyrics added on
- 8 Feb 2019
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This song expresses the innocent affection and devotion of a village girl who compares herself to a cuckoo bird. She sings of her humble roots—learning music from nature, canal ridges, and wild cuckoos—and conveys her deep emotional attachment to her beloved, seeing him as the true inspiration behind her songs. In the later verses, she recounts praying at the local temple on auspicious Fridays for their union, expressing a lifelong commitment from marriage until death, and believing their soul bond will endure across seven lifetimes. Written by Vaali, the lyrics use rustic imagery and traditional folk tropes to capture rural romance and spiritual devotion.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Idhu kaattu kuyilu / Idhu thaan idhu thaan unga veettu kuyilu”
Comparing the singer herself to a 'katta kuyilu' (wild cuckoo) and 'veettu kuyilu' (domestic bird) to reflect her natural origin and devotion.
Personification (Tharkurippetratrai Ani / Maantharuruvakkam)
“Kaathodu ila naathu kai korthu pesum”
Attributing human actions like 'kai korthu pesum' (holding hands and speaking) to the young crop and the breeze.
Second-Letter Rhyme (Edhugai)
“Pattila thottila / Kettu paadichava thaan”
Repetition of the 'll' sound in the second character across adjacent lines ('Pattila' / 'Kettu').
Initial Rhyme (Monaai)
“Veraarum naadaadha / Veraarkkum paadaadha”
Repetition of the 'V' sound at the beginning of adjacent lines ('Veraarum' / 'Veraarkkum').
Did you know?
Trivia
'Selvi' (1985) features lyrics by the legendary Vaali. The song uses 'Themmaangu' (traditional Tamil folk style) rhythms and rustic metaphors like 'Vaaikka varappu' (canal embankments) to evoke authentic Tamil rural ambiance.
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