- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- P. Susheela
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Movie name
- Kodimalar
- Movie release year
- 1966
- Lyrics added on
- 12 Jul 2020
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This poignant composition from the 1966 film Kodimalar, penned by Kannadasan, expresses deep loneliness and sorrow. The protagonist addresses elements of nature—a flower and the moon—noting that they are free from earthly longing, hatred, and anguish. Unlike them, human emotional attachment, sight, and affection bring intense yearning and silent pain. In the second stanza, the speaker laments her tragic state of lacking marital bliss—having no wedding garland, dais, or ceremonial procession—and finding no compassion in the world around her. She poetically compares herself to a tender creeper flower wandering in search of a temple, slowly fading away as she searches for a meaningful life.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Apostrophe (Vili)
“Malarae.. malarae”
Addressing non-human elements of nature directly as if they could understand and converse.
Antithesis / Contrast
“Aasaigal unakkillai nilavae... Naan paarvaiyinaalum paasathinaalum Yenggugirenae”
Contrasting the emotionless, pain-free existence of the moon with the heavy emotional suffering of the human protagonist.
Simile (Uvamai)
“Naan kovilai thaedum kodi malaraaga”
Comparing oneself seeking a life of purpose to a creeper flower seeking a sanctuary temple.
Anaphora / Repetition
“Maalaiyum illai manavarai illai Oorvalam enakkillai malarae”
Repeated use of 'illai' (is not / does not have) to emphasize absolute loss and emptiness.
Did you know?
Trivia
Written by poet laureate Kannadasan, 'Kodimalar' features profound philosophical reflections woven into romantic longing. The title of the movie itself, 'Kodimalar' (creeper flower), directly mirrors the central metaphor of this song where the protagonist describes herself as 'kovilai thaedum kodi malaraaga'.
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