- Lyricist
- Trichy Thiyagarajan
- Singers
- S. Janaki, Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Movie name
- Thulasi Maadam
- Movie release year
- 1963
- Lyrics added on
- 16 Jul 2021
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This classic song expresses the deep devotion and yearning of a young woman for her beloved. She compares herself to a lamp hidden under a pot and a strummed veena whose music belongs to him, expressing hope that the man whose picture she admires will one day hold her hand in marriage. She prays to Mother Thulasi (the sacred basil plant) to bless her love, asking that her wild, unchanneled emotions be transformed into a serene and auspicious union with her lord.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Upamai)
“Kudathul vilakkaai irukkindren”
Compares her current unacknowledged state to a lamp hidden inside a pot ('Kudathul vilakkaai'), a traditional Tamil proverb representing hidden value.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Meetiya veenai naan endraal / Adhan mellisai inbam avarthaanae”
Compares herself to a veena and her beloved to the sweet music produced when strummed.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Kanniyar manamoo kattaaru / Adhu kaaveri aaraai maaridavae”
Compares a young woman's turbulent mind to a wild mountain stream ('kattaaru') that calms into the sacred Kaveri river upon finding fulfillment.
Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Maiyai thottu ezhudhiyavar / En manadhai thottu ezhudhivittaar”
Repetition of the initial sound 'Ma' across words like 'Maiyai' and 'Manadhai'.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Thulasi Maadam' (1963) featured classic compositions by the legendary K. V. Mahadevan with lyrics penned by Trichy Thiyagarajan. The song beautifully blends romantic longing with traditional devotional worship of the sacred Thulasi plant.
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