- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- J. P. Chandrababu
- Music director
- Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
- Movie name
- Kavalai Illaadha Manithan
- Movie release year
- 1960
- Lyrics added on
- 2 Apr 2019
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This classic song composed by Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy with lyrics by Kannadasan reflects on human existence, pain, and ultimate wisdom. It highlights the irony of human life: a person enters the world crying and leaves it crying, yet forgets to live joyfully and laugh without worries in between. The song contrasts human sorrow with nature, pointing out that nature's tears bring life and prosperity, whereas human sorrow only serves as a tragic spectacle.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Anaphora (Emoni / Repetition)
“Pirakkumbodhum azhugindraai…..”
Repetition of 'Pirakkumbodhum azhugindraai' and 'Irakkumbodhum azhugindraai' emphasizes the rhythmic cycle of human sorrow from birth to death.
Antithesis / Paradox
“Iyarkai azhuthaal ulagam sezhikkum”
Contrasting 'Iyarkai azhuthaal ulagam sezhikkum' (If nature cries, world flourishes) with 'Manithan azhuthaal iyarkkai sirikkum' (If man cries, nature laughs) creates a poignant philosophical paradox.
Personification
“Iravin kanneer paniththuli enbaar”
Attributing human emotions like crying and laughing to nature, clouds, and night ('Iravin kanneer', 'Iyarkkai sirikkum').
Rhyme / Monorhyme (Iyaibu)
“Thannalam marandhaal perum perinbam”
The end rhymes with 'inbam' and 'perinbam' create a lyrical harmony reflecting spiritual growth.
Did you know?
Trivia
This philosophical gem from the 1960 movie 'Kavalai Illaadha Manithan' (Man Without Worries) features music by the iconic duo Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy and vocals by legendary singer P. B. Sreenivas. The lyrics penned by Kannadasan are considered among his most profound philosophical reflections on life, nature, and self-realization.
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