- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Movie name
- Miruthanga Chakravarthi
- Movie release year
- 1983
- Lyrics added on
- 24 Dec 2019
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This song from 'Miruthanga Chakravarthi' is a heartfelt prayer and lamentation sung by an expert mridangam artist to Lord Shiva, the master of cosmic sound and dance. Caught in a severe domestic conflict where his wife maintains an agonizing silence and his son rebels against his command with harsh words, the protagonist feels emotionally shattered. He metaphorically compares his plight to that of a mridangam drum—getting struck from both sides simultaneously. In deep anguish, he questions Lord Shiva about the purpose of his musical hands if he cannot mend his family. He draws parallels between Shiva playing his udukkai drum to govern cosmic fate and his own life struggle, asking why destiny treats him with such cruelty and whether this injustice is truly fair.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Uvamai Ani)
“Mirudhangam pol ingu naanum / Yaen iru pakkam adi vaanga vendum”
The speaker explicitly compares his emotional plight to a mridangam drum ('Mirudhangam pol'), which receives blows on both ends, symbolizing how he is caught between his silent wife and rebellious son.
Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Naadha mayamaana iraivaa / Vaedha mayamaana sivanae”
The second letter 'dha' (தா / த) matches across lines ('Naadha' and 'Vaedha'), creating a pleasing rhythmic harmony.
Monai (First-letter Alliteration)
“Maalai soodiyaval maunathil irukka”
The starting sound 'M' repeats in 'Maalai' and 'Maunathil' within the same line.
Rhetorical Question
“Indha viralgal irundhenna payanae”
The singer asks what the use of having his skilled hands and fingers is, emphasizing his despair rather than seeking a literal answer.
Did you know?
Trivia
In the film 'Miruthanga Chakravarthi' (1983), starring Sivaji Ganesan as a master mridangam exponent, this iconic song composed by M. S. Viswanathan and written by Poet Vaali serves as a pivotal emotional climax. Sung powerfully by T. M. Soundararajan, the song cleverly uses the central element of the film—the mridangam—as a poetic metaphor for domestic turmoil.
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