- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- P. Susheela
- Music director
- V. Kumar
- Movie name
- Deiva Kuzhanthaikal
- Movie release year
- 1973
- Lyrics added on
- 29 May 2023
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This classic song expresses the deep, poignant love of a woman who devotionally considers her beloved to be her entire universe, yet laments her tragic plight of lacking legitimate status as a wedded wife. She compares mankind to ants swarming around sugarcane, highlighting how society objectifies her beauty, whereas her heart purely belongs to her lover as a delicate bud under his care.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Manitha kulam muzhuthum erumbu / Naan palarum virumbugindra karumbu”
Compares society to ants ('erumbu') attracted to sugarcane ('karumbu'), metaphorically capturing her desirability and unwanted external attention versus her inner devotion.
Anaphora (Adukku Repetition)
“Neeyae en ullaththin raagam / Neeyae en penmaikku naatham”
Repetition of 'Neeyae' (You alone) at the start of successive lines emphasizes exclusive, absolute emotional dedication.
Iyaibu (End Rhyme)
“Manaivi ena ninaikkum ninaippu / Manathil adhu inikkum inippu”
Matching end sounds ('ninaippu', 'inippu', 'thudippu', 'madhippu') create a melodic, rhythmic cadence characteristic of Kannadasan's poetry.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by V. Kumar (known as 'Mellisai Maamani') with lyrics by Kannadasan, 'Ponnulagam vanthaalum' highlights P. Susheela's expressive vocals depicting a woman's bittersweet longing for matrimonial legitimacy.
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