- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- P. Susheela
- Music director
- V. Kumar
- Movie name
- Kattila Thottila
- Movie release year
- 1973
- Lyrics added on
- 10 Oct 2023
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
The song 'Oru Vitha Mayakkam' is a romantic expression of youthful romance and intimate affection. The heroine describes the intoxicating spell ('mayakkam') that love casts upon young hearts in their twenties ('irupathil evarkkum iruppathu vazhakkam'). She eagerly awaits her beloved, describing her physical sensations—the restlessness, the reddening lips, and the racing pulse like lightning bolts—as natural symptoms of longing. Using evocative romantic imagery, she invites her lover to write his affection upon her like poetry on palm leaves, metaphorically equating her lap to a floral bed and her lips to a cup of sweet nectar. The song celebrates a passionate closeness where not even a breeze can pass between the lovers, portraying love as an uninhibited, sweet journey.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Uvamai Ani)
“Yaedugakal pol iru kannam irukka”
The lyricist explicitly compares the heroine's cheeks to blank palm-leaf manuscripts ('Yaedugakal pol') awaiting the hero's poetic touch.
Metaphor (Uruvagai Ani)
“Madithaan manjam malar manjam / Idhazhthaan kinnam madhu kinnam”
Directly equates her lap to a flower bed ('malar manjam') and her lips to a wine cup ('madhu kinnam') without using comparison words.
Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navortchi Ani)
“Naadi narambinil aayiram minnal odum kaaranam”
Exaggerates the physical sensation of romantic thrill by describing it as a thousand lightning bolts surging through her veins.
Emonai / Monai (Initial Rhyme)
“Madithaan manjam... / Idhazhthaan kinnam... / Idaithaan medai...”
Repetition of sound structure and rhythm at the start of consecutive lines ('Madithaan', 'Idhazhthaan', 'Idaithaan') creates a poetic cadence.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Oru Vitha Mayakkam' is a classic melody from the 1973 Tamil film *Kattila Thottila*, composed by V. Kumar, who was known for his melodious compositions in 1960s and 70s Tamil cinema. Sung gracefully by legendary playback singer P. Susheela with lyrics by Vaali, the track showcases Vaali's skill in infusing classical literary metaphors (like palm-leaf manuscripts) into a modern, youthful romantic track.
Keep listening
Songs with a similar feeling
From the same album
More songs from Kattila Thottila
View albumSpot an issue?
Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.