- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singers
- P. Susheela, P. B. Sreenivas
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Movie name
- Panithirai
- Movie release year
- 1961
- Lyrics added on
- 26 Jul 2019
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
'Orae Kelvi' is a romantic duet from the 1961 Tamil film 'Panithirai', featuring lyrics penned by the legendary lyricist Kannadasan. The song unfolds as a playful and tender dialogue between two lovers exchanging expressions of affection, desire, and emotional intimacy. The male lover speaks of a single question burning in his heart, which is matched by the female lover's single answer of love and devotion. Throughout the track, the lyrical imagery transitions between playful teasing—such as covering dimpled cheeks with kisses and cradling one another like a child—and deep romantic surrender. Kannadasan captures the innocent joy of romance by comparing gentle speech to the sweet babble of a child ('Mazhalai polae thamizhil pesi') and defining love as the natural reciprocity of smiles and embraces.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Upamai)
“Mazhalai polae thamizhil pesi”
Compares the sweet, endearing speech of the beloved to the innocent babbling of a young child ('Mazhalai polae').
Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Sirikkum podhu sirippadhu thaan / Kaigal anaikkum podhu anaippadhu thaan”
The second consonant sound 'ri' in 'Sirikkum' and 'i' in 'Kaigal' (or the matching rhythm across lines) establishes a melodic flow in the stanza.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Unnai kuzhandhaiyaakki madiyil vaithu”
Metaphorically treats the adult lover as a tender infant being cradled in a lap to sing a song.
Iyaipu (End Rhyme)
“Aasai allavaa / Kaadhal allavaa”
Both lines end with the rhyming question 'allavaa', creating a pleasing lyrical repetition.
Did you know?
Trivia
The lyrics for this track were penned by Kannadasan for the 1961 film 'Panithirai'. Kannadasan was renowned for infusing deep emotional resonant Tamil idioms into lighthearted romantic songs, such as comparing sweet speech to 'Mazhalai Thamizh'.
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