- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- P. Susheela
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Movie name
- Sorgam
- Movie release year
- 1970
- Lyrics added on
- 24 Dec 2019
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
The song 'Oru Muthaarathil Muppadhu Muthu' is a deeply metaphorical and emotional piece expressing loss, illusion, and the unpredictable twists of fate. The lead character uses a necklace made of thirty pearls, framed by gold lines, as a metaphor for something precious she carefully nurtured, guarded with her eyes, and cherished within her heart—possibly her youth, innocence, or a cherished love affair.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“En kangal adhan kaaval / En nenjam adhan manjam”
Compares the eyes directly to a protective guard ('kaaval') and the heart to a resting bed ('manjam') for the precious pearls/feelings.
Personification
“Kaalam yennum dhaevan ennai kaeli seigiraan”
Attributes human action to 'Time', portraying it as a deity who actively mocks and plays tricks on the protagonist.
Iyaipu (Rhyming end words)
“sondhamaanadhae / aadugindradhae”
The lines end with rhythmic matching sounds ('-adhae') creating a melodic flow characteristic of traditional Tamil lyricism.
Ethugai (Second letter agreement)
“Paadal ondru raagam ondru / Kaalam yennum dhaevan ennai”
In poetic structure, the second letters or sound patterns align to create rhythmic symmetry across lines.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song was composed by the legendary music director M. S. Viswanathan for the 1970 movie 'Sorgam', starring Sivaji Ganesan and K. R. Vijaya. Sung exquisitely by S. Janaki with lyrics by Kannadasan, this track is renowned for its philosophical undertones hidden within romantic imagery.
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