- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Movie name
- Vasantha Maligai
- Movie release year
- 1972
- Lyrics added on
- 25 Jun 2018
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This song from 'Vasantha Maligai' depicts a rich, tormented protagonist seeking refuge from sorrow through alcohol. Expressed through cynical, philosophical humor, the character contrasts the traditional values of wisdom (Madhi) and virtue with the modern reliance on liquor (Madhu) as an escape from existential pain.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Antithesis (Muran)
“Madhi irundhaal podhum andru / Madhu irundhaal podhum indru”
Contrasts the past ('andru') where wisdom ('madhi') was prioritized with the present ('indru') where wine ('madhu') takes precedence.
Personification / Metaphor
“Maalaiyil sooriyan kulikkindradhu / Athu madhuvai kadalilae kudikkindradhu”
Personifies the setting sun dipping into the ocean as bathing and drinking alcohol until its eyes turn red in the morning.
Ethugai (Second-letter rhyming)
“Madhi irundhaal podhum andru / Madhu irundhaal podhum indru”
The second letter 'dhi' and 'dhu' share phonetic harmony (d-sound), creating a classic Tamil poetic rhythm.
Iyaipu (End Rhyme)
“Maalaiyil sooriyan kulikkindradhu / Athu madhuvai kadalilae kudikkindradhu / Kaalai varai kudithu sivakkindradhu”
Consecutive lines end with the rhyming verb suffix '-kindradhu'.
Did you know?
Trivia
This song belongs to the classic film 'Vasantha Maligai' (1972) starring Sivaji Ganesan. The music was composed by K. V. Mahadevan and rendered by legendary playback singer T. M. Soundararajan (TMS) with lyrics penned by Kavinar Kannadasan.
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