- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- T. K. Ramamoorthy
- Movie name
- Aalayam
- Movie release year
- 1967
- Lyrics added on
- 29 Nov 2024
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This classic song explores the intense psychological conflict between human affection (paasam) and moral duty or virtue (panbu). Though righteousness attempts to suppress emotional attachment, deep affection ultimately triumphs over rigid principles. Kannadasan further reflects on human nature, observing that while a mind free of desire enjoys perfect peace, pressing needs and desperate circumstances can force even the most godly and principled human beings to compromise.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Iyaibu (End Rhyme)
“Paasam thudikkuthammaa / Panbu vanthu thaduththathammaa”
The repetition of the rhythmic suffix 'ammaa' / 'thammaa' at the end of lines creates a lyrical and melancholic cadence.
Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Aasaiyillaa nenjinilae / Amaithi irunthathammaa”
The use of matching initial phonetic sounds in adjacent lines ('Paasam' / 'Panbu' and 'Aasaiyillaa' / 'Amaithi').
Antithesis (Ethical Contrast)
“Panbai maraiththu vittu / Paasam jeyiththathammaa”
Juxtaposition of opposing forces such as affection vs. virtue, and peace vs. necessity.
Did you know?
Trivia
The 1967 movie 'Aalayam' featured music composed independently by T. K. Ramamoorthy following the split of the famous Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy duo. Lyricist Kannadasan was praised for writing deep philosophical truths about human vulnerability using very accessible Tamil words.
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