- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- V. Kumar
- Movie name
- Appa Tata
- Movie release year
- 1972
- Lyrics added on
- 9 Apr 2022
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This poignant philosophical song encapsulates the classic theme of human helplessness against destiny—'Man proposes, God disposes.' The protagonist reflects on how every gentle desire or hope for love, light, and togetherness was met with tragic irony. Instead of joy, fate granted sorrow; instead of light, darkness; and instead of enduring companionship, painful separation.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Antithesis / Contrast (Muran)
“Kaniyondru kettaen kaayondru koduththaan”
Contrasts opposing ideas in the same line or stanza to highlight tragic irony (e.g., asking for ripe fruit vs receiving unripe fruit, asking for light vs getting darkness).
Metaphor (Uvamaani)
“Alai modhum manathai thaniyaaga viduththaan”
Compares a distressed, turbulent mind to ocean waves crashing continuously.
Rhyme & Alliteration (Monai / Etukai)
“Nilavondru kettaen irul kaana azhaiththaan”
Repetition of initial letter/sound combinations (Kaniyondru, Kannondru, Ninaivondru, Nilavondru) creating rhythmic, melancholic musicality.
Anaphora / Refrain
“Naan ondru ninaiththaen / Avan ondru ninaiththaan”
The repeating refrain emphasizes the overarching philosophical theme of destiny overpowering human intention.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by V. Kumar with lyrics by Kannadasan, this song from the film 'Appa Tata' (1972) is renowned for TM Soundararajan's deep, emotional rendition that captured the existential grief characteristic of Kannadasan's signature philosophical tracks.
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