- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- P. Susheela
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Movie name
- Thenum Paalum
- Movie release year
- 1971
- Lyrics added on
- 30 May 2024
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This classic song from 'Thenum Paalum' (1971) celebrates the cultural and moral ideal of monogamy and total devotion in romantic love, summarized by the famous Tamil adage 'Oruvanukku Oruththi' (One man for one woman). Drawing inspiration from the ancient wisdom of the Thirukkural, the lyrics argue that true happiness and contentment stem from unwavering commitment to a single partner rather than seeking satisfaction in divided affections.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Uruvagam (Metaphor)
“Ulagamenum tamil koyililae”
Compares the world ('Ulagam') to a Tamil temple ('Tamil koyil'), elevating earthly life to a sacred space governed by virtuous ideals.
Iyaipu (End Rhyme)
“Antha sugam idhu tharumo / Intha sugam adhu tharumo”
Both consecutive lines end with the symmetrical interrogative word 'tharumo', creating a musical end-rhyme.
Allusion (Mythological / Cultural)
“Sriraman janaki thirumugaththai paarththirunthaan”
References the epic lore of Lord Rama and Sita (Janaki) as the ultimate cultural symbol of devotion and marital fidelity.
Analogy
“Kaalamellaam vaanamathil kaanpathellaam orr nilavu”
Draws an analogy between the single moon that illuminates the sky and the single partner who fills one's heart.
Did you know?
Trivia
The lyricist Kannadasan anchored the song's primary theme around the core tenet of Tamil morality—monogamy—as codified in the Thirukkural. Composed by M. S. Viswanathan and sung by P. Susheela, the song remains one of Tamil cinema's most revered cultural anthems on fidelity and romantic devotion.
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