- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singers
- T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Movie name
- Palum Pazhamum
- Movie release year
- 1961
- Lyrics added on
- 26 Feb 2018
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This classic song expresses deep emotional intimacy, soulmate-like understanding, and unconditional romantic love that transforms into maternal/filial affection. The lovers desire complete harmony where one speaks the thoughts of the other, sees the world through each other's eyes, and finds sustenance purely through love. As the lyric progresses, it reflects on deep longing, selflessness, and the pain of lost maternal presence.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Emonai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Naanpesa ninaipathellam / Nee pesa vendum”
Repetition of second letter consonants across lines, e.g., Naanpesa / Nee pesa, and Paalodu / Paavai.
Anaphora / Repetition
“Naanpesa ninaipathellam / Nee pesa vendum”
Repetition of key lines for emotional emphasis and musical cadence.
Metaphor
“Paavai un mugam paarthu / Pasiyaara vendum”
Comparing the beloved's presence and face to spiritual and physical nourishment (Paal, Pazham, Pasiyaara).
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by the legendary duo Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy for the 1961 film 'Paalum Pazhamum', this song features lyrics by Kannadasan and vocals by T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela. It remains one of Tamil cinema's most iconic melodies depicting selfless love.
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