- Lyricist
- Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniam
- Singer
- A. G. Rathnamala
- Music director
- G. Ramanathan
- Movie name
- Veerapandiya Kattabomman
- Movie release year
- 1959
- Lyrics added on
- 22 Apr 2024
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
In this tragic song from Veerapandiya Kattabomman, Kattabomman's wife, Jakkamma (played by Padmini), desperately pleads with her husband not to leave for the battlefield. She recounts a nightmare filled with dire bad omens that foretell catastrophe and widowhood. Her dream includes unbinding hair, withered flowers, screeching owls, a fallen royal elephant, ruined crops, turmeric turning into charcoal, and the fort walls collapsing. These symbols rooted in classical Tamil culture represent total destruction and the tragic fall of Panchalankurichi.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Anaphora / Repetition
“Pogadhae pogadhae en kanava”
The repetition of 'Pogadhae pogadhae' (Don't go, don't go) conveys emotional urgency and desperation.
Epiphora / Refrain (Iyalbu Repetition)
“Polladha soppanum naanum kanden”
The word 'kanden' (I saw) is repeated at the end of nearly every line to reinforce the vivid horror of her dream visions.
Simile (Uvamai)
“Adhu kombangari pola pochuthuthaan”
The line compares bright yellow turmeric turning dark like charcoal ('kombangari pola'), symbolizing the loss of auspiciousness and marital life.
Foreshadowing / Cultural Symbolism
“Pattathu yaanaiyum man melae saayakanden”
Classical Tamil bad omens (screeching owl, unbinding hair, fallen royal elephant) are used to foreshadow the collapse of the kingdom and Kattabomman's execution.
Did you know?
Trivia
Veerapandiya Kattabomman (1959) is a iconic historic biopic starring Sivaji Ganesan and Padmini. The song depicts classical Tamil 'Sakunam' (omens) used extensively in ancient Sangam literature to signal impending doom and tragic loss in battle.
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