- Lyricist
- A. Maruthakasi
- Singer
- R. Balasaraswathi Devi
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Movie name
- Asai Anna Arumai Thambi
- Movie release year
- 1955
- Lyrics added on
- 10 Oct 2021
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This poignant lamentation depicts a woman caught in deep distress and emotional turmoil following separation from her beloved husband. She anxiously questions whether joy or endless sorrow awaits her, fearing the collapse of her domestic life. Drawing a vivid comparison between her life and a frail boat trapped in a stormy sea, she calls out to the Divine Mother ('Jegan Maadhaa') in search of mercy and comfort amidst her endless suffering.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Antithesis (Muran)
“Sugam peruveno thuyar kaanuveno”
Contrasting 'Sugam' (happiness) with 'Thuyar' (sorrow) in the opening line to express intense dilemma and emotional uncertainty.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Udainthidumo illara kottai”
Framing family/marital life as a 'fortress' (illara kottai) that is at risk of breaking apart.
Simile (Uvamai)
“Thodarkadhai pol thunbam menmaelae”
Comparing endless suffering to a serialized story ('Thodarkadhai pol') and her helpless state to a boat in a storm ('Padakenavae').
Alliteration / Initial Assonance (Monai)
“Sugam peruveno thuyar kaanuveno / Soozhnizhai yaedhaagumo”
Repetition of initial phonetic patterns across lines such as 'Sugam' and 'Soozhnizhai'.
Did you know?
Trivia
Aasai Anna Arumai Thambi (1955) was a classic family drama film featuring lyrics penned by the famous lyricist A. Maruthakasi, who was celebrated for writing emotionally resonant and accessible Tamil verses.
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