- Lyricist
- Muthulingam
- Singer
- S. Janaki
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Movie name
- Agal Vilakku
- Movie release year
- 1979
- Lyrics added on
- 15 Nov 2018
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
Maalai Nera Kaattrae from Agal Vilakku (1979) is a poignant song where the female protagonist addresses the evening breeze, projecting her personal grief and heartbreak onto nature. She questions whether the breeze is silent because its own hopes and love have failed, drawing a metaphor between life's shifting rhythms and swimming through an endless ocean of despair. In the later verses, she compares her tragic plight to that of Sita from the Ramayana who was subjected to the trial by fire. She laments that the sorrows described in ancient tales have become her own reality, conveying profound melancholy and feelings of betrayal.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Personification
“Maalai nerakkaattrae / Mounam raagam yeno”
The evening breeze is addressed as a sentient being capable of feeling heartbreak and singing a silent melody.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Thuyar enum kadalinil”
Sorrow is metaphorically framed as a vast ocean ('Thuyar enum kadal') through which the heart must swim.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Manam enum malarilae”
The mind is described as a tender flower ('Manam enum malar').
Simile (Uvamai)
“Penmaan seedhai polae”
The speaker compares herself to Sita, who was as gentle and innocent as a doe.
Mythological Allusion
“Neruppilae kulirkkavae / Ramam sonnaan andru”
Refers to the epic Ramayana where Rama instructed Sita to undergo the fire trial (Agnipravesham).
Did you know?
Trivia
Agal Vilakku (1979) stars Vijayakanth and Shoba in lead roles. The film's musical score was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, featuring soulful renditions including vocal performances by S. Janaki.
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