- Lyricist
- Mani Amuthavan
- Singer
- Anthony Daasan
- Music director
- Santhosh Narayanan
- Movie name
- Iraivi
- Movie release year
- 2016
- Lyrics added on
- 7 Mar 2017
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This song from 'Iraivi' is a poignant expression of remorse, isolation, and painful self-realization. The singer laments his past recklessness, acknowledging that ignoring his partner's wise advice led to his tragic downfall. He compares his current state to a caged bird that flew away from its flock, now stranded in a dead-end alley of his own making.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uvamai)
“Koondu kili aanen”
Compares his self-inflicted loss of freedom to becoming a bird trapped inside a cage ('Koondu kili aanen').
Metaphor
“Poovunu thaan theeya mochi / Suttu kitten ponnae”
Compares dangerous, destructive temptations to a fire that was mistaken for a gentle flower.
Simile (Uvamai)
“Siterumbu pondhu kulla / Segaricha dhaaniyama”
Compares the way he carefully preserves her memories in his heart to an ant meticulously storing grains inside its nest.
Assonance / Rhyme (Kannu Mannu)
“Kannu mannu theriyama”
Rhythmic pairing of Tamil words 'Kannu' (eye) and 'Mannu' (earth) to idiomatically convey acting blindly or recklessly.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Othaiyila Nikkuren' features in the critically acclaimed film 'Iraivi' (2016), composed by Santhosh Narayanan with lyrics penned by Mani Amuthavan. The lyrics reflect the central thematic thread of the movie—how men's reckless actions, ego, and refusal to listen to the women in their lives lead to ruin and regret.
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