- Lyricist
- Ramalinga Adigalar
- Singer
- Seerkazhi Govindarajan
- Music director
- T. R. Pappa
- Movie name
- Arutperum Jothi
- Movie release year
- 1971
- Lyrics added on
- 24 Apr 2023
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This famous devotional hymn from Thiru Arutpa was composed by Saint Ramalinga Adigalar (Vallalar). It expresses absolute and unwavering devotion to Lord Shiva. Vallalar lists several unthinkable, unnatural impossibilities in existence—such as a mother forgetting her offspring, a child forgetting its mother, a soul forgetting its body, a learned scholar forgetting knowledge, or eyes forgetting the involuntary action of blinking.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Ethukai (Second-letter rhyme)
“Pettra thaaithanai magan maranthaalum”
The second consonant 'ற்' (rr) rhymes consistently across major stanza openings: Pettra, Uttra, Kattra, and Nattra.
Monaai (First-letter alliteration)
“Uttra thegaththai uyir maranthaalum”
Repetition of the initial vowel sound 'U' in 'Uttra' and 'Uyirai' creates rhythmic alliteration.
Hyperbole / Auxesis (Emphasis through impossible scenarios)
“Kangal nindru imaippathu maranthaalum”
The poet stacks natural impossibilities to emphasize that his mindfulness of the Panchakshara mantra transcends all worldly and biological phenomena.
Did you know?
Trivia
This poem is part of the revered 'Thiruarutpa' written by Vallalar in the 19th century. It was adapted into the 1971 Tamil biographical movie 'Arutperum Jothi', composed by T. R. Pappa and rendered with majestic devotion by the legendary Carnatic singer Seerkazhi Govindarajan.
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