- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Music director
- A. R. Rahman
- Movie name
- Duet
- Movie release year
- 1994
- Lyrics added on
- 28 Jul 2018
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
Naan Paadum Sandham from the movie Duet (1994) explores the philosophical theme of duality and unity in human existence, brotherhood, and nature. Through poetic metaphors, lyricist Vairamuthu highlights how contrasting elements—such as day and night, joy and sorrow, two riverbanks, or two brothers—come together to form a single, harmonious experience, much like a musical duet. The song underscores the deep bond between two brothers who, despite having different voices, talents, or paths, share the same underlying essence, mother, and language. It beautifully conveys that life itself is a duet composed of complementary opposites working in total harmony.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (உருவகம்)
“Kaalam oru duet adhilae / Vaazhkai oru duet adhilae”
Directly compares abstract concepts like Time ('Kaalam') and Life ('Vaazhkai') to a musical duet.
Antithesis / Oxymoron (முரண்)
“Iravu pagal rendum undu / Inba thunbam rendum undu”
Juxtaposes contrasting binary pairs (night/day, pleasure/pain, two banks/one river) to emphasize harmony in opposites.
Monorhyme / Second-letter Rhyme (எதுகை - Ethukai)
“Kural veru aanaalum / Porul ondru allavaa”
The second letter consonant match creates a rhythmic flow in paired lines such as Kural (குரல்) and Porul (பொருள்).
Keep listening
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