- Lyricist
- Mu. Metha
- Singer
- Mano
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Movie name
- Thendral Varum Theru
- Movie release year
- 1994
- Lyrics added on
- 5 Dec 2021
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This emotional track from 'Thendral Varum Theru' (1994) with lyrics by renowned Tamil poet Mu. Metha addresses the hardships, injustice, and societal judgment faced by women. Through vivid metaphors comparing a woman's suffering to fallen flowers, withered fruits, and melting candle wicks, the narrator calls out society's cruelty and hypocrisy. The song draws powerful biblical and epic allusions—citing Jesus Christ's famous words ('Let he who is without sin cast the first stone') and the epic Ramayana ('Sita being tested by fire due to a washerman's gossip')—to highlight how historical prejudices against women continue to repeat themselves in modern times.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Uvamaani / Metaphor
“Penn urugum mezhugu thiriyaa”
Compares a woman's state to fallen flowers (Udhirntha poovaa) and melting candle wicks (Mezhugu thiriyaa) to evoke empathy.
Allusion / Epic Reference
“Salavai seiyum Manithan naavil Seedhai azhukkaanaal”
Refers to the Ramayana trial of Sita by fire and the washerman's slander to critique societal gossip and moral double standards.
Biblical Allusion
“Paavam seiyyaathavan Aval mael kal veesalaam”
Echoes the Biblical teaching from John 8:7 ('Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her').
Apostrophe / Personification
“Nilave oliyae kel Avar kadhaigalaiyae”
Addresses nature (the moon, light, sea, and waves) as listeners to witness human grief.
Did you know?
Trivia
The lyricist Mu. Metha (M. Metha) is a Sahitya Akademi Award-winning Tamil poet and lyricist renowned for integrating strong social realism, feminist perspectives, and reformist themes into mainstream Tamil cinema songs.
Keep listening
Songs with a similar feeling
From the same album
More songs from Thendral Varum Theru
View albumSpot an issue?
Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.