- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- Swarnalatha
- Music director
- Deva
- Movie name
- Thangarasu
- Movie release year
- 1992
- Lyrics added on
- 10 Mar 2021
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This sorrowful track conveys the deep anguish of a woman separated from her lover. Personifying him as a gentle breeze ('Poongaatrae'), she expresses how empty her life feels without his presence, comparing her bond with him to natural dependencies like roots needing water. She reflects on their past togetherness and laments her present loneliness where she feels trapped like a bird in a cage and helpless like a fish in boiling water. Written by Vaali, the lyricism draws heavily from traditional Sangam love poetry (Akam) tropes. The song moves between sweet memories of romance and intense sorrow, culminating in a desperate plea for her beloved to return before her heart and body break down completely.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagamaana Sangathi)
“Poongaatrae dhinamum theduraen / Sudum thanneeril thallaadum meenthaan”
Addressing the beloved as 'Poongaatrae' (Gentle Breeze) and comparing her emotional torment to 'Sudum thanneeril thallaadum meen' (A fish struggling in hot water).
Ethirai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Neerillaiyael verum illa / Oorillaiyael therum illa”
The second consonant sound matches across lines, creating a rhythmic and melodious flow typical of Tamil poetry.
Anaphora / Repetition (Adukku Thodar)
“Un peyara solli solli / Ennai kai thookki kaappatra vaa vaa”
Repetition of words like 'solli solli' and 'vaa vaa' to heighten the emotional urgency and longing.
Did you know?
Trivia
Thangarasu is an obscure 1992 Tamil film featuring lyrics written by the veteran lyricist Vaali. The song relies heavily on classical Tamil metaphors of nature and love to articulate grief and romantic longing.
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