- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singers
- T. M. Soundararajan, Vasantha
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Movie name
- Vasantha Maligai
- Movie release year
- 1972
- Lyrics added on
- 21 Jul 2018
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
'Oru Kinnathai Endhukindren' is an iconic song from 'Vasantha Maligai' (1972) depicting a wealthy protagonist drowning his deep psychological pain, heartbreak, and disillusionment in alcohol and sensory indulgence. Surrounding himself with wine, music, and courtly dancers, he attempts to numb his mind, yet keeps questioning the purpose of his turmoil ('Why, why, why?'). He rationalizes his indulgence by comparing himself to a crane seeking immediate gratification in the fish it catches, brushing aside societal ideas of heaven and morality.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor
“Intha kokkuikku thevai / Kooriya mookinil sikkiya meen mattumae”
The protagonist compares himself to a crane ('kokku') and his immediate sensory desires to a fish ('meen') caught in its beak.
Metaphor
“Inba sakaram sutruthadaa... athil naan chakaravathiyada”
He visualizes his hedonistic realm as a spinning 'wheel of pleasure' (Inba sakaram) where he crowns himself as the emperor (Chakaravathi).
Iyaipu (Rhyme)
“Katti mudinthathadaa… / Athil kattil amainthathada…”
The lines end with matching suffixes ('-thadaa'), creating a rhythmic flow characteristic of Tamil lyrics.
Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Katazhaganadhor… / Katti mudinthathadaa…”
The second consonant sound 'ta/t' repeats across consecutive lines.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Vasantha Maligai' (1972) features music composed by K. V. Mahadevan, with legendary playback singer T. M. Soundararajan (TMS) rendering this track for Sivaji Ganesan. The song is famous for Sivaji Ganesan's theatrical intoxication sequence and signature glass-holding dance movements, capturing both the grandeur and tragic ruin of his character Vijay.
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