- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singers
- T. M. Soundararajan, Banumathi
- Music director
- G. Ramanathan
- Movie name
- Ambikapathy (Old)
- Movie release year
- 1957
- Lyrics added on
- 10 Feb 2019
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
'Maasilaa Nilavae' from Ambikapathy (1957) is a celebrated romantic duet composed by G. Ramanathan and penned by Kannadasan, sung by T. M. Soundararajan and P. Leela. The song captures the transcendent nature of deep love, where nature itself seems to participate in and celebrate the union of the lovers. The imagery shifts between celestial stars acting as glowing lamps, breeze-swayed mango leaves, and the moonlit river waves, illustrating how true affection dissolves worldly differences and personal boundaries. In the climax, the lyricist uses the famous analogy of flute music dissolving into the wind, symbolizing how the lovers lose their individual identities and merge into a single harmonious soul.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Upamai (Simile / Metaphor)
“Aan ezhil mugham Vaan madhiyena”
Comparing the eyes to fish ('meen vizhi') and the male protagonist's face to the celestial moon ('vaan madhi').
Uruvagaimai (Analogy / Metaphor)
“Neerodu neer pola naam kooduvom”
Comparing the union of souls to water blending with water, where distinction disappears completely.
Tharkurippetratrai Ani (Personification / Idealistic Imagery)
“Maandhalir karam neetti”
Attributing human actions to nature, such as young mango leaves extending hands and fish leaping in joy upon seeing the heroine's eyes.
Anupraas (Alliteration / Monnai)
“Vaanam ingae boomi engae Vaazhvu thaazhvengae”
Repetition of initial consonants like 'Vaanam' and 'Vaazhvu' creating rhythmic harmony.
Did you know?
Trivia
This song from the 1957 classic 'Ambikapathy' starring Sivaji Ganesan and P. Bhanumathi features music composed by G. Ramanathan. Lyricist Kannadasan's line 'Gaanam veru kaattru veraai ketppadhae illai' remains one of Tamil cinema's most revered metaphors for ultimate emotional and spiritual oneness.
Keep listening
Songs with a similar feeling
From the same album
More songs from Ambikapathy (Old)
View albumSpot an issue?
Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.