- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- Karthik
- Music director
- A. R. Rahman
- Movie name
- Chekka Chivantha Vaanam
- Movie release year
- 2018
- Lyrics added on
- 6 Aug 2018
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This poetic track from Mani Ratnam's 'Chekka Chivantha Vaanam' (composed by A. R. Rahman) delves into philosophical themes of fate, bloodline conflict, unchecked ambition, and karma. Vairamuthu uses the metaphor of raindrops falling indiscriminately—some giving life to a seed, others vanishing upon a funeral pyre—to illustrate how human beings are driven by predetermined fate ('Praaptham'). As insatiable greed and desire burn the world, sky and earth turn crimson red with blood. The lyricist reflects on the dualities of life: victories and defeats, light and darkness, and blessings that turn into curses. It serves as a haunting musical commentary on the movie's central plot involving three brothers consumed by greed and violent power struggles.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uvamaani)
“Vidhai mel ondraai / Sidhai mel ondraai”
Compares human lives to raindrops whose landing places (a sprouting seed or a burning funeral pyre) are governed entirely by fate.
Paradox / Oxymoron (Muran)
“Varam pondra saabam ellaam / Inbam pol kaanum thunbam ellaam”
Juxtaposes opposing concepts like blessings appearing as curses and pain appearing as pleasure to highlight life's deceptive nature.
Color Symbolism and Imagery
“Vaanum mannum / Sekka chivakkum”
Uses 'sekka chivakkum' (crimson red) and 'uthiram' (blood) to evoke vivid visuals of violence, destruction, and intense passion.
Monai and Edhukai (Rhyme & Alliteration)
“Vidhai mel ondraai / Sidhai mel ondraai”
Maintains Tamil prosodic harmony through rhyming second consonants ('Vidhai' / 'Sidhai').
Did you know?
Trivia
The film's title 'Chekka Chivantha Vaanam' translates directly to 'Crimson Red Sky', a central motif written into the chorus by Vairamuthu ('Vaanum mannum sekka chivakkum'). Composed by A. R. Rahman, the soundtrack received wide acclaim for blending atmospheric orchestral arrangements with traditional Tamil philosophical poetry.
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