- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- P. Susheela
- Music director
- M. S. Sanjay
- Movie name
- Prayachitham
- Movie release year
- 1974
- Lyrics added on
- 19 Feb 2024
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This poignant song draws an allegorical parallel between the mythical sibling relationship of Goddess Meenakshi of Madurai and her divine brother Lord Vishnu (Maayavan/Krishna) and a human sister pining for her estranged brother. The sister likens her plight to Goddess Meenakshi waiting for her brother Vishnu to perform the ritual of giving away the bride at her wedding. Through deeply emotional rhetoric, she questions if sibling bond and childhood affection could ever fade into lie, pleading for her brother to return and fulfill his duties as her protector and family elder.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Allegory / Mythological Allusion (Uvamanai)
“Mayangugiraal intha madurai meenatchi Maayavan annanai kaanavillai endru”
The lyrics metaphorically compare the sister to Goddess Meenakshi of Madurai and her brother to Lord Vishnu (Maayavan), evoking the traditional Tamil myth where Vishnu gives away Meenakshi in marriage to Lord Shiva.
Simile (Upamai)
“Malar polum kannil kanneer ezhunthu”
Comparing the eyes of the grieving sister to soft blossoms filled with tearful dew drops.
Monoreyme / Initial Assonance (Edukku & Monai)
“Manamedai kandu maanikka meenaal”
Repetition of the initial 'M' sound across consecutive lines ('Manamedai', 'Maanikka', 'Manakkolam', 'Manjal'), adding a lyrical rhythm.
Did you know?
Trivia
Kannadasan was famous for embedding rich Tamil cultural mythology and fraternal devotion into film lyrics. Drawing upon the celestial sibling bond between Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Vishnu (traditionally celebrated during the Chithirai Thiruvizha in Madurai), he elevated deep human emotional conflicts into sacred archetypes easily understood and felt by Tamil audiences.
Keep listening
Songs with a similar feeling
From the same album
More songs from Prayachitham
View albumSpot an issue?
Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.