- Lyricist
- Kambadasan
- Singers
- T. R. Mahalingam, T. S. Bhagavathy
- Music director
- S. V. Venkatraman
- Movie name
- Laila Majnu
- Movie release year
- 1950
- Lyrics added on
- 16 Dec 2025
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This poignant track from the 1950 classic Laila Majnu captures the intense anguish of separation and tragic love. The female narrative laments betrayal and emotional exhaustion, comparing her state to a scentless, withered flower and decrying the unyielding, stone-like nature of men. She feels her hopes dissolving into heartbreak as her love turns to despair. In response, the male voice (Majnu) reflects on his miserable fate, declaring himself the most unfortunate soul on earth. Unable to reunite with his beloved Laila—whom he considers his very life essence—he wanders aimlessly through darkness, diminishing steadily like a waning moon driven by her cherished memories.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Uvamai Ani)
“Vaasamillaa malar pol vaadi nindraen”
Compares her fading existence to a shadow ('Nizhal polaanathae') and her withered state to a scentless flower ('Vaasamillaa malar pol vaadi nindraen').
Anthesis / Oxymoron (Muran Thodai)
“Aavi soruthae en aasaiyae niraasaiyae”
Contrasts desire ('aasai') with despair ('niraasai') to highlight the transformation of hope into grief.
Metaphor & Simile
“Alai polae maarum kanavae”
Compares fleeting, unstable emotions to sea waves ('Alai polae') and characterises men's hearts directly as stone ('Aadavar nenjam kallae').
Imagery / Simile
“Thaei nilaviu polirulil naanalaithal paaraai”
Compares the protagonist's emotional and physical decline while searching for his beloved to a waning moon ('Thaei nilavu') losing light in dark night.
Did you know?
Trivia
Laila Majnu (1950) was a major Tamil musical hit produced under Sri Sukumar Productions and directed by F. Nagoor. T. R. Mahalingam played the lead role of Majnu (Qays) and sang his own classical portions. The film's soundtrack composed by S. V. Venkatraman became immensely popular for its rich Carnatic and classical-based tunes.
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