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Lyrics & meaning

Megam Vanthathu

From Kavitha · 1962

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Movie name
Kavitha
Movie release year
1962
Lyrics added on
15 Jun 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Megam vanthathu minnal vandhadhu
Mazhai pozhiyavillai
Megam vanthathu minnal vandhadhu
Mazhai pozhiyavillai
Veedu thedi deepam vandhadhu
Oli pirakkavillai
Megam vanthathu minnal vandhadhu
Mazhai pozhiyavillai
Veedu thedi deepam vandhadhu
Oli pirakkavillai
Kaatru vandhadhu malar asainthathu
Manam asaiyavillai
Kaatru vandhadhu malar asainthathu
Manam asaiyavillai
Kannurangidum iravinilum
Pennurangavillai
Megam vanthathu minnal vandhadhu
Mazhai pozhiyavillai
Paal palangal thevai endraal
Veliyil sollalaam
Vannapattu saelai nagaigal
Kettu vaangi kollalaam
Kaadhalindru thevai endru
Ketka mudiyuma
Kaadhalindru thevai endru
Ketka mudiyuma
Indha kavalai thannai pirarkku
Solli theerkka mudiyuma
Megam vanthathu minnal vandhadhu
Mazhai pozhiyavillai
Veedu thedi deepam vandhadhu
Oli pirakkavillai
Megam vanthathu minnal vandhadhu
Mazhai pozhiyavillai
Nenjirukkum ninaivirukkum
Vaarthai illaiyae
Indha nilamai solla ulagil
Endha mozhiyum illaiyae
Thanjam endru vandha pinnum
Karunai illaiyae
Thanjam endru vandha pinnum
Karunai illaiyae
Edhai tharuvadhendrum peruvadhendrum
Puriyavillaiyae
Megam vanthathu minnal vandhadhu
Mazhai pozhiyavillai
Veedu thedi deepam vandhadhu
Oli pirakkavillai
Megam vanthathu minnal vandhadhu
Mazhai pozhiyavillai
Clouds gathered and lightning flashed,
yet the rain did not fall.
Clouds gathered and lightning flashed,
yet the rain did not fall.
A lamp came searching for the home,
yet light did not shine.
Clouds gathered and lightning flashed,
yet the rain did not fall.
A lamp came searching for the home,
yet light did not shine.
The breeze blew and the flower swayed,
yet the heart remained unmoved.
The breeze blew and the flower swayed,
yet the heart remained unmoved.
Even in the night when all eyes sleep,
this woman could not sleep.
Clouds gathered and lightning flashed,
yet the rain did not fall.
If milk and fruit are needed,
one can say it out loud.
Colorful silk sarees and jewels,
one can ask for and receive.
To say that love is needed today,
can anyone ask for that?
To say that love is needed today,
can anyone ask for that?
Can this deep sorrow of the heart
be healed by telling others?
Clouds gathered and lightning flashed,
yet the rain did not fall.
A lamp came searching for the home,
yet light did not shine.
Clouds gathered and lightning flashed,
yet the rain did not fall.
There is a heart and there are memories,
yet there are no words.
To describe this helpless state,
there is no language in the world.
Even after coming seeking refuge,
there is no kindness shown.
Even after coming seeking refuge,
there is no kindness shown.
What to give and what to receive,
I cannot understand...
Clouds gathered and lightning flashed,
yet the rain did not fall.
A lamp came searching for the home,
yet light did not shine.
Clouds gathered and lightning flashed,
yet the rain did not fall.
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Megam Vanthathu Minnal Vandhadhu is a poignant classic from the 1962 film Kavitha, penned by lyricist Kannadasan and sung by P. Susheela under K. V. Mahadevan's musical composition. The song utilizes vivid natural paradoxes—clouds and lightning that yield no rain, a lamp that fails to illuminate, and a breeze moving a flower while the human heart remains cold—to symbolize a woman's unfulfilled longing and emotional isolation in marriage. The heroine reflects on how physical needs and material desires like food, clothing, and ornaments can easily be voiced, but emotional intimacy and love cannot be demanded or shared publicly. She suffers in silence, caught in a state where feelings exist without words to convey them, highlighting the unspoken emotional distress faced by women under traditional social bounds.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Paradox / Metaphor (Ethirnilai / Uvamai)

“Megam vanthathu minnal vandhadhu / Mazhai pozhiyavillai”

The image of clouds and lightning arriving without rain, or a lamp arriving without producing light, serves as a powerful metaphor for external presence lacking internal fulfillment.

Antithesis / Contrast (Muran)

“Kannurangidum iravinilum / Pennurangavillai”

Contrasts the peaceful sleep of the eyes during nighttime with the restless insomnia of the distressed woman.

Refrain / Repetition (Adukku)

“Megam vanthathu minnal vandhadhu”

The recurring refrain reinforces the central thematic contrast between expectation and disappointment.

Did you know?

Trivia

Kannadasan's lyrics in this song are considered a landmark in Tamil cinema for tastefully portraying marital dissatisfaction and emotional distance without explicit dialogue, relying on natural allegories.

Keep listening

Songs with a similar feeling

Oh Oh Mr Brammachari1971
Irulum OliyumLighthearted
Saamiyilum Saami1973
Engal Thanga RajaLighthearted
Akkam Pakkam1963
Needhikku Pin PaasamLighthearted
Kulunga Kulunga Sirikkum1964
Kai Kodutha DeivamLighthearted
Pollatha Punsirippu1967
Penne Nee VazhgaLongingNature
Kaalam Seidha Komalithanatthil1962
Padithal Mattum PodhumaLighthearted

From the same album

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