- Lyricist
- Panchu Arunachalam
- Singer
- Ilayaraja
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Movie name
- Poottatha Poottukkal
- Movie release year
- 1980
- Lyrics added on
- 13 Oct 2021
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This poignant song portrays the tragic fate of an innocent woman whose life is disrupted like a delicate flame caught in a violent storm. Enticed by standard desires of love and motherhood, she falls prey to deception and strays from her path, ending up in ruin. The lyricist reflects on her grief, social stigma, and the cruel judgement of a society that offers no redemption or peace to a woman who has faltered.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Soorai kaatril aaduthae deepathin jodhiyae”
The life of the helpless woman is metaphorically compared to a lamp's flame battling a violent tempest ('Soorai kaatril aaduthae deepathin jodhiyae').
End Rhyme (Iyaibu)
“Paadhai maari ponaal paedhai / Paava saettril kalandhaal kodhai”
The words 'paedhai' and 'kodhai' at the end of consecutive lines create a melodious rhyme scheme.
Allusion / Proverbial Alliteration
“Kallaana podhum kanavan deivam / Pullaana podhum purushan deivam”
Refers to the traditional Tamil adage 'Kallaanaalum kanavan, pullaanaalum purushan', reinforcing traditional socio-cultural norms.
Did you know?
Trivia
Poottatha Poottukkal (1980) was directed by the acclaimed filmmaker J. Mahendran. Sung by Ilaiyaraaja himself, the track exemplifies his distinctively expressive, rustic vocal delivery used to convey deep sorrow and moral philosophy in realistic Tamil parallel Tamil cinema of that era.
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