- Lyricist
- Ponnadiyan
- Singers
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Movie name
- Oruvar Vaazhum Aalayam
- Movie release year
- 1988
- Lyrics added on
- 2 Aug 2022
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
The song 'Pallaviye Saranam' from the movie 'Oruvar Vaazhum Aalayam' is a soul-stirring classical melody that allegorizes love through musical terminology. The lovers address each other as the 'Pallavi' (the foundational refrain of a Carnatic composition) and 'Isai' (music), expressing how their souls are intertwined like lyrics and melody. They recall intimate memories shared in nature—under mango trees during the crisp Margazhi winter and near lotus ponds—where their longing turned into ecstasy upon uniting. The second half explores the pain of separation, comparing a life without the beloved to music deprived of rhythm and melody. Woven with Carnatic swara passages and rhythmically intricate konnakol/solkattu, the lyrics celebrate the harmony of two hearts coming together in poetic and musical synthesis.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Rupaka Alankara (Metaphor)
“Pallaviyae saranam.....pallaviyae saranam / Un geedham thanthathadi salanam”
The beloved is metaphorically addressed as 'Pallavi' (refrain) and 'Geedham' (music), comparing love to a musical composition.
Upama (Simile / Imagery)
“Maan vizhi kalanthida thudiththaenae”
Uses 'Maan vizhi' (deer-like eyes) as a classical Tamil simile to represent beauty and innocence.
Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Thaniyae kidanthu thaviththaen / Thalirudal thazhuvida silirththaen”
Repetition of initial consonant sounds ('Th' in 'Thaniyae' and 'Thalirudal').
Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Iru uyir inainthapothu inbam vanthu / Paranthu paranthu paranthu magizhnthathu”
Matching second letter consonant sound ('ru' in 'Iru' and 'Paranthu').
Solkattu / Konnakol Integration
“Thagida thagathimi kidathajam”
Rhythmic percussion syllables integrated into lyrical composition to heighten musicality.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, 'Pallaviye Saranam' is set in a Carnatic classical framework (predominantly based on Raga Keeravani / Kalyani nuances) featuring intricate swara duets and solkattu recited by S. Janaki alongside S. P. Balasubrahmanyam. It remains one of the finest musical-themed Tamil songs of the late 1980s.
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