- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- S. Varalakshmi
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Movie name
- Thaai
- Movie release year
- 1974
- Lyrics added on
- 28 Apr 2024
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This emotional prayer song from the film 'Thaai' (1974) features a devoted wife pleading with Goddess Sivasakthi to protect her husband, her marital bond (maangalyam), and her family line. She reflects on the selflessness of womanhood, declaring that her sight, her life, and her duty to her child are all dedicated to her husband's well-being. To reinforce her plea, she invokes iconic epic figures—Ahalya, Arundhati, and Kannagi—whose patience, chastity, and truth prevailed over supreme suffering. She asks the Goddess if her humble desire for her husband's protection will similarly be granted.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Allusion (Purana and Epic References)
“Agaligai nambikkai paliththathammaa / Andru arunthathi ninaiththathu nadanthathammaa / Kannagi kanneer jeyiththathammaa”
The lyrics invoke figures like Ahalya, Arundhati, and Kannagi to compare the protagonist's devotion and plight to these legendary chaste women.
Anaphora / Repetition (Emoni/Refrain)
“Mangalam kaappaai sivasakthi / En maangalyam kaappaai sivasakthi”
The persistent refrain 'sivasakthi' and 'kaappaai' reinforces the prayerful and rhythmic appeal to the deity.
Rhetorical Question
“Intha kaarigai aasaiyum palikaathaa”
The line asks whether a woman's pure desire will not be fulfilled, emphasizing hope and devout faith.
Consonance / Alliteration (Moni)
“Kannagi kanneer jeyiththathammaa”
Repetition of consonant sounds like 'k' creates musical cadence in Tamil poetry.
Did you know?
Trivia
Sung by the legendary classical singer and actress S. Varalakshmi, this track stands out for her powerful carnatic-style vocal delivery, which was a trademark of her performance in devotional and dramatic maternal roles during the Golden Era of Tamil cinema.
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