- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- K. J. Yesudas
- Music director
- Devendran
- Movie name
- Kaalaiyum Neeye Maalaiyum Neeye
- Movie release year
- 1988
- Lyrics added on
- 6 Mar 2021
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This song is a deeply emotional, tragic lament sung by a protagonist who seeks refuge in alcohol during the dark hours of the night to numb their profound pain and regret. Overcome by grief and nostalgia, the character remembers the selfless love, sacrifices, and care of a maternal figure who dedicated her life to raising them, contrasting it with their current state of ruin and despair.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Iyaibu (End Rhyme)
“Sollaamal thavichchu sogaththil thudichchen / Ellaamae nenaichchu yaekkaththil kudichchen”
The lines end with matching rhyming suffixes, creating a rhythmic flow that emphasizes emotional despair.
Metaphor (Uvamaani)
“Kaalam seitha kolamithu”
Time/destiny is metaphorically described as a 'Kolam' (a traditional drawn pattern or design), representing the intricate and uncontrollable twists of fate.
Proverbial Imagery (Pazhamozhi Kakshi)
“Kann kettu pona pinbu dheivaththa arinjaen”
Uses the classic idiom of realizing divine truth only after losing sight, symbolizing late realization and repentance.
Did you know?
Trivia
This emotional song features in the 1988 Tamil film 'Kaalaiyum Neeye Maalaiyum Neeye', directed by R. Sundarrajan and starring Vijayakanth, Prabhu, and Radhika. The film's soundtrack was composed by Devendran, with lyrics written by the prolific lyricist Vaali.
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