- Lyricist
- Kuyilan
- Singer
- Nithyashree Mahadevan
- Music director
- V. Dakshinamurthy
- Movie name
- Asai Magan
- Movie release year
- 1953
- Lyrics added on
- 5 Oct 2021
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This song is a deeply philosophical and moralistic reflection on the transience of human existence and the inescapable consequences of unrighteous actions. It serves as a stern reprimand to a son who betrayed his filial duties, brought ruin into his father's life, and succumbed to destructive worldly temptations. The lyricist warns that mere tears cannot cleanse the weight of sin once moral boundary lines are crossed. By contrasting the worldly desires brought by birth with the ultimate disillusionment brought by death, the verse reminds humanity of the universal cosmic law. It cautions individuals against chasing fleeting vices that inevitably lead to self-destruction.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Vesi valaiyil veezhum manithaa”
The repetition of the initial consonant 'V' sound in 'Vesi', 'valaiyil', and 'veezhum' creates a rhythmic emphasis on the theme of falling into temptation.
Antithesis (Muran)
“Jananaththaalae aasaigal ingae / Maranaththaalae niraasai angae”
Juxtaposition of birth (Jananaththaalae) versus death (Maranaththaalae), and desires (aasaigal) versus disillusionment (niraasai) to highlight the earthly cycle.
Rhetorical Question
“Neeyoru maanidano”
The lyricist uses a rhetorical question to challenge the character's humanity and moral conscience after abandoning his duties.
Did you know?
Trivia
Asai Magan (1953) featured lyrics penned by the popular poet Kuyilan, who was known for embedding strong social reform messages and philosophical reflections into film songs during the Golden Era of Tamil cinema.
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