- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Movie name
- Bairavi
- Movie release year
- 1978
- Lyrics added on
- 17 Apr 2019
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This poignant song expresses the deep grief and righteous fury of a loving brother who has lost his beloved sister ('sella kili'). He remembers her fondly while lamenting her tragic death, comparing the journey to heaven on a funeral palanquin. He vents his frustration at a harsh, ungrateful world where honest work goes unrewarded and the poor suffer injustice. The song turns into a fierce pledge as he swears upon his mother and sister to take revenge, reclaim justice, and prove that righteousness ('dharmam') ultimately triumphs.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Nandoorudhu nariyoorudhu”
Repetition of the initial 'Na' sound across words creates a rhythmic folk cadence.
Metaphor (Uvamaani)
“Naan valatha sella kili kannil aadudhu”
Refers fondly to his affectionate sister as a 'sella kili' (pet parrot).
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Aadudhu thottil ondru / Pillai illai angae”
Matching second consonant 'l' in successive lines ('Aadudhu' / 'Pillai' / 'Aagaayam').
Contrast / Euphemism
“Pallaakkil irandu vagai o / Ondril yeri kondaal”
Contrasts a wedding palanquin with a bier (funeral palanquin) to metaphorically describe her death.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Bairavi' (1978) marked Rajinikanth's debut as a solo lead actor. Distributor Kalaipuli S. Thanu coined and bestowed the famous title 'Superstar' on Rajinikanth during the film's release promotion.
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