- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- T. R. Mahalingam
- Music director
- Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
- Movie name
- Kavalai Illaadha Manithan
- Movie release year
- 1960
- Lyrics added on
- 20 Mar 2019
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
In this poignant song from Kavalai Illaadha Manithan, lyrical genius Kannadasan presents a philosophical critique of idol worship and societal hypocrisy through a direct address to a temple deity. The protagonist, reduced to poverty and homelessness after a moneylender takes his house, compares his miserable human plight with the silent stone deity inside the temple.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Rhetorical Question (Vina)
“Naan deivamaa / Illai nee deivamaa”
The repeated question 'Naan deivamaa / Illai nee deivamaa' creates a stark philosophical debate between an idol and a suffering human.
Irony (Maranatakkal / Sol-muraan)
“Unakku paal pazham kadan thanthu / Kannai maraithaan”
Highlighting the irony that wealthy oppressors bribe stone gods with milk and fruit after destroying human lives.
Emona / Rhyme (Iyaibu)
“Yaarum illai / Perum illai”
The recurring end-rhymes 'illai' emphasize absolute deprivation and emptiness.
Did you know?
Trivia
Kavalai Illaadha Manithan (1960) features music composed by Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy and stars J.P. Chandrababu. Chandrababu gave a memorable, emotionally nuanced performance in this film, contrasting his usual comedic roles.
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