- Lyricist
- T. Rajendar
- Singer
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Music director
- T. Rajendar
- Movie name
- Mythili Ennai Kaathali
- Movie release year
- 1986
- Lyrics added on
- 8 Jun 2022
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
In this expressive song composed and written by T. Rajendar for Mythili Ennai Kaathali, the protagonist laments the painful separation from his beloved spouse. He asserts that just as melody cannot exist without a voice, true happiness cannot exist without a wife. His anguish manifests in sleeplessness, loss of appetite, and a sense that time spent away from her is completely wasted like empty husk.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Monaith Thodai (Alliteration)
“Saareeram illaamal sangeethamaa / Samsaaram illaamal santhoshamaa”
Repetition of the initial 'Sa' sound across words in the line creates a musical rhythm.
Uvamai (Metaphor/Simile)
“Unnai kaanaatha kannumthaan / Karunthelaagi kottuthu”
The pain in the eyes deprived of seeing the beloved is poetically compared to the intense venomous sting of a black scorpion.
Uvamai (Analogy)
“Unnai paaraatha pozhuthumthaan / Verum Patharaagi ponathae”
Time spent without the beloved is compared to 'patharu' (empty, useless grain chaff), symbolizing worthlessness.
Anaphora (Repetition for Emphasis)
“Kiliyae kiliyae engae ponae / Rathiyae rathiyae engae ponae”
Repetition of endearing terms 'Kiliyae' (parrot) and 'Rathiyae' (goddess of love) highlights intense longing.
Did you know?
Trivia
T. Rajendar multi-tasked as the director, actor, lyricist, and music composer for Mythili Ennai Kaathali (1986). The soundtrack became a massive commercial success, with SPB's passionate rendition of this song making it an iconic heartbreak anthem in 1980s Tamil cinema.
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