- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- S. Janaki
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Movie name
- Naan Paadum Paadal
- Movie release year
- 1984
- Lyrics added on
- 18 Sept 2018
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
Paadava Un Paadalai from the 1984 movie Naan Paadum Paadal, penned by lyricist Vairamuthu and set to music by Ilaiyaraaja, is a melancholic expression of grief, love, and emotional turbulence. The speaker reflects on her sorrow, visualizing her beloved's reflection in her tears while describing her heart as a delicate flower enduring an earthquake. She compares her lifeless existence to a lamp missing its wick, yet finds spiritual solace in the sacred marital bond (maangalyam) given to her.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Urvagam)
“Poovin nenjil boogambam”
Comparing the inner turmoil of a fragile heart to an earthquake hitting a delicate flower (Poovin nenjil boogambam).
Paradox
“Uyir pona pinnaalum udal ingu vaazhum”
Describing a state of living death where life has departed yet the physical body endures.
Alliteration (Moonaai)
“Puyalodu poraadum Poovaagum vaazhkkai”
Repetition of the 'P' sound creates a rhythmic flow across words in the line.
Rhyme (Edhugai / Iyaibu)
“Nee thantha maangalyam En jenma saabalyam”
End-rhyme between 'maangalyam' and 'saabalyam' emphasizes the emotional peak of marital devotion.
Did you know?
Trivia
Naan Paadum Paadal (1984) was directed by R. Sundarrajan with iconic music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja. This solo track features rendering by S. Janaki (and a counterpart version by S.P. Balasubrahmanyam), widely remembered for its soulful melody and expressive vocal modulations.
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