- Lyricist
- Muthulingam
- Singer
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Movie name
- Payanangal Mudivathillai
- Movie release year
- 1982
- Lyrics added on
- 28 Jul 2019
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This song expresses a musician's emotional state as he embarks on his musical journey. He metaphorically describes lighting a lamp of ragas (musical notes) while encountering tempestuous emotions like a storm and rain. The singer wonders if his music will reach an audience and bring spring-like joy into his wilting life, offering his art as a devout prayer at the feet of the divine Mother Goddess Ambigai.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagham)
“Raaga deepam yetrum neram”
Lighting the musical passion is metaphorically depicted as lighting a lamp ('Raaga deepam').
Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navitchi)
“En vizhiyo kadal aanadhammaa”
Comparing tearful eyes to an entire ocean and inner turmoil to crashing waves.
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Niththam niththam ullam kalikka”
The second consonant sound matches across consecutive lines ('Niththam' and 'Kattra').
Monaai (First-letter Alliteration)
“Vaadidum en nenjam kulirndhidumo / Vasandhamum en vaazhvil malarndhidumo”
Matching starting letter sounds across words within the line ('Vaadidum' / 'Vasandhamum').
Did you know?
Trivia
'Raaga Deepam Yetrum Neram' is a celebrated composition from the blockbuster movie Payanangal Mudivathillai (1982), directed by R. Sundarrajan. The film's soundtrack, composed by Ilaiyaraaja and sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, won SPB the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer.
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