- Lyricist
- Velavan
- Singer
- P. Leela
- Music director
- S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
- Movie name
- Deivame Thunai
- Movie release year
- 1959
- Lyrics added on
- 10 Sept 2020
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
In this classic song composed in the style of a traditional Tamil Bharatanatyam Padam, the heroine expresses her playful exasperation to her close confidante (addressed gracefully as 'annamae' or swan). She describes an encounter by a picturesque stream where she decked herself in fragrant Kadamba flowers and civet perfume, attempting to win Lord Murugan's attention through subtle gestures and rhythmic songs. Despite her romantic efforts, her beloved Lord Murugan remained oblivious to her affection. She humorously questions his emotional intelligence, wondering what kind of man needs romantic feelings explicitly spelled out, and begs her friend to go bring him to her so she can speak her mind.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Uvamai / Metaphor
“Sonnaalthaan theriyumo annamae”
Addressing the female companion as 'Annamae' (swan) compares her gracefulness and elegance to that of a swan.
Iyaibu (End Rhyme)
“Oodaiyilae neerodaiyilae / Malar soodaiyilae vilaiyaadayilae”
Rhyming endings in consecutive phrases ('Oodaiyilae', 'soodaiyilae', 'vilaiyaadayilae') create a lyrical rhythm echoing the flow of water.
Alliteration / Monai
“Ponnampala nadana mannan thirukumaran / Pulli mayilonukku ullamellam thiranthu”
Repetition of initial consonant sound 'P' in 'Ponnampala' and 'Pulli' enhances musicality.
Did you know?
Trivia
The lyrics follow the classical Nayaka-Nayaki bhava tradition of Tamil devotional literature, where the human soul (the heroine) longs for union with the divine (Lord Murugan, son of Lord Shiva who dances in the Ponnambalam of Chidambaram).
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