- Lyricist
- V. Lakshmanan
- Singer
- K. J. Yesudas
- Music director
- S. Balachandar
- Movie name
- Bommai
- Movie release year
- 1964
- Lyrics added on
- 27 Feb 2019
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This philosophical song uses the metaphor of a puppet or doll ('bommai') to contemplate human existence, power dynamics, and the impermanence of control. The lyrist reflects that regardless of status—whether a child, follower, deity, working laborer, or wise scholar—everyone is ultimately driven by forces beyond their control, such as fate, nature, emotion, and death.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Extended Metaphor (Uruvagaim)
“Neeyum bommai naanum bommai / Ninaichu paarthaa ellaam bommai”
Comparing every aspect of creation—human beings, gods, societal roles, nature, and intellect—to helpless dolls driven by higher powers.
Refrain / Anaphora
“Neeyum bommai naanum bommai”
Repetition of the signature chorus lines across the song to reinforce the central theme of universal powerlessness.
Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Vallavan kaiyil nallavan bommai”
Matching initial consonant and vowel sounds across words in the same line.
Ethukai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Allum pagalum uzhaippavan bommai / Dhinam allal pattu alaibavan bommai”
Syllabic harmony in the second letter of successive words, such as 'Allum' and 'allal'.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song is from the movie 'Bommai' (1964), directed and scored by the multi-talented Veena maestro S. Balachander. Sung by K. J. Yesudas, this song is renowned for its profound philosophical lyrics written by V. Lakshmanan.
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