- Lyricist
- Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyaar
- Singers
- Not listed
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Movie name
- Ore Oru Gramathiley
- Movie release year
- 1989
- Lyrics added on
- 21 Aug 2020
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
In this famous poem by Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyar, the poet fervently prays to Goddess Sivasakthi, questioning his life's purpose. He uses the metaphor of a beautifully crafted veena, asking if anyone would ever toss such a precious musical instrument into the dirt to be destroyed. Since the Divine Mother has blessed him with a glowing, sharp intellect, he pleads for the strength and capability to serve society meaningfully, rather than existing merely as an unproductive burden to the earth.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uvamai)
“Nallathor veenai seidhae”
Compares human intellect and divine potential to a finely crafted veena that should not be wasted in dust.
Rhetorical Question
“Nila sumaiyena vaazhnthida puriguvaiyoo”
Asks Sivasakthi if she created him with great intellect only to let him become a burden, emphasizing his yearning for purpose.
Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Nallathor veenai seidhae”
Repetition of the 'Na' sound at the start of words ('Nallathor', 'Nalangeda').
Imagery
“Enai sudar migum arivudan”
'Sudar migum arivu' creates a vivid visual representation of a luminous, blazing intellect.
Did you know?
Trivia
This verse is part of Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyar's iconic poem 'Sivasakthi'. Though featured in the 1989 film 'Ore Oru Gramathiley' with music by Ilaiyaraaja, it is one of the most celebrated literary works in Tamil history, widely performed in Carnatic music concerts and public addresses.
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