- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- Shankar Mahadevan, S. Janaki
- Music director
- A. R. Rahman
- Movie name
- Mudhalvan
- Movie release year
- 1999
- Lyrics added on
- 10 Jun 2017
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
The song 'Mudhalvanae' from the movie Mudhalvan (1999) is a playful and romantic track composed by A. R. Rahman with lyrics by Vairamuthu. The heroine playfully addresses the hero, who has taken on the mantle of a Chief Minister (Mudhalvar), comparing political governance and public administration duties with romantic attention. She urges him to take a break from running the state, allocating funds, and visiting public places, and instead pay attention to her romantic longing ('kaadhal panjam'). The hero responds by highlighting his administrative responsibilities, questioning whether taking time off for love would solve the citizens' practical problems like water supply, while reassuring her that once his battle duties subside, he will return to her. Vairamuthu masterfully blends political terminology—such as taxes, curfews, relief funds, and cabinet ministers—with sensual and romantic metaphors.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uvamaani / Urvagathal)
“Oh kaadhal panjam vandhu nondhenae / Muththa nivaaranam enakillaiyaa”
Compares love deprivation to a famine ('kaadhal panjam') and a kiss to disaster relief funds ('muththa nivaaranam').
Contrast / Antithesis
“Vaalin osai ketkkum thalaivaa / Valaiyalosai ketkkavillaiyaa…”
Contrasts the harsh, metallic sound of battle weapons ('vaalin osai' - sword sounds) with the delicate, intimate sound of romance ('valaiyalosai' - bangle clinking).
Emoni / Alliteration (Monai)
“Pallivaasal thirandhaai palli thirandhaai / Palliyarai vara neramillaiyaa”
Repetition of initial consonant and vowel sounds ('Pallivaasal', 'palli', 'Palliyarai') creating a rhythmic poetic cadence.
Iyaibu (Rhyme / End Rhyme)
“Ulagham vaazha nidhi odhukku / En uyirum vaazha madhi odhukku”
Matching end sounds in lines like 'nidhi odhukku' and 'madhi odhukku'.
Keep listening
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