- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- M. Balamuralikrishna
- Music director
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Movie name
- Sigaram
- Movie release year
- 1991
- Lyrics added on
- 23 May 2017
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This profound song allegorizes Panchali's (Draupadi's) disrobing scene from the epic Mahabharata to illustrate the core philosophy of total spiritual surrender (Saranagathi). As long as Draupadi relies on her own physical effort and ego to save her honor, Lord Krishna does not appear. Only when she lets go of her own efforts and raises both hands above her head in absolute surrender does the divine intervene to protect her modesty. Lyricist Vairamuthu uses this story to impart a universal philosophical message: an ego-driven soul clinging to 'I' and 'mine' can never find true joy, whereas a soul that completely surrenders its self-will to the divine is liberated from all suffering.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Allegory (Uvamaani)
“Paanchaali kadharugiraal Parandhaaman varavillai”
The epic story of Draupadi's Vastraharan is used as an extended metaphor for the human ego versus absolute divine surrender (Saranagathi).
Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Thannai thaan kaaththu vida / Thaviththu kondu”
Repetition of the initial 'Th' sound across consecutive lines creating poetic rhythm.
Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyme / Anthesis)
“Inbam illai / Thunbam illai”
Rhyming of the second letter 'nba' along with contrasting philosophical concepts of joy (Inbam) and sorrow (Thunbam).
Anaphora (Repetition)
“Yen kaiyil yedhum illai Endru sonnaal”
Repetition of lines to emphasize Panchali's realization of her utter powerlessness.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song is featured in the 1991 Tamil musical drama movie 'Sigaram', starring legendary singer S. P. Balasubrahmanyam. Uniquely, SPB himself composed the music for this film in addition to acting as the protagonist, a music director. Lyricist Vairamuthu brilliantly encapsulated the profound Vedantic philosophy of 'Saranagathi' using simple Mahabharata imagery in this track.
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