- Lyricist
- Papanasam Sivan
- Singer
- P. U. Chinnappa
- Music directors
- G. Ramanathan, C. R. Subbaraman
- Movie name
- Rathna Kumar
- Movie release year
- 1949
- Lyrics added on
- 16 May 2020
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This song reflects on the essential dualities of life and the unyielding nature of fate. Papanasam Sivan uses everyday realities—such as the balance between night and day, hunger and taste, and pain and pleasure—to illustrate that true joy cannot be appreciated without experiencing sorrow. Forgetting this fundamental balance leads to unnecessary mental anguish.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Antithesis (Ethirnilayi)
“Paaridhanil iravindri Pagalum illai... Naeravarum thunbamindrae Inbamundo”
Contrasting opposites such as night/day (Iravu/Pagal) and sorrow/joy (Thunbam/Inbam) to highlight the balance of life.
Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navortchi)
“Aaraai kanneer neer sorindhaalum”
Describing tears flowing like an entire river to emphasize deep distress.
Rhetorical Question
“Azhithae ezhudhavum mudindhidumo”
Using questions to assert philosophical truths that fate cannot be altered by grief.
Ethukai (Second-letter rhyme)
“Andrun thalaiyil / Adhilor ezhuthinai”
Matching of the second consonant sound across lines, such as 'nd' in 'Andrun' and 'Adhilor'.
Did you know?
Trivia
Rathna Kumar (1949) featured both P. U. Chinnappa and M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, two of the earliest superstars of Tamil cinema. The lyrics written by Papanasam Sivan, known as the 'Tamil Tyagayya', carry his iconic Carnatic-infused philosophical tone regarding karma and destiny.
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