- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- P. Susheela, S. P. Shailaja
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Movie name
- Dharma Pathini
- Movie release year
- 1986
- Lyrics added on
- 3 Jul 2017
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This song is a powerful devotional prayer and an impassioned plea to the Supreme Goddess (Malaimagal / Goddess Parvati / Annapoorneswari) sung during a traditional Sumangali Poojai. The lyrics begin with traditional Sanskrit slokas praising the divine Mother as the provider of bliss, beauty, and sustenance, asking for her blessings for marital harmony and prosperity. As the song progresses, the tone shifts into a deeply moving appeal regarding the plight of an innocent wife suffering injustice. The protagonist questions why truth is suffering while falsehood prospers, invoking the spirit of Kannagi who burnt Madurai down in anger against injustice. She calls upon the Goddess as a fellow woman and the ultimate witness to intervene and protect her marital bond (the sacred kungumam and manjal). The song concludes with traditional chant-like blessings for the chaste wife, her husband, their righteous domestic life, and the enduring light of love.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Stotra / Hymn Borrowing (Sanskrit Sloka)
“Nithyaananthakari varaabayakari”
The song opens with the famous Annapurna Stotram composed by Adi Shankara ('Nithyaananthakari varaabayakari...'), anchoring the song in deep classical devotion before transitioning to Tamil.
Emonai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Sumangali poojai idhu / Sugam tharum velai idhu”
Matching second consonants across lines, such as 'Sumangali' and 'Sugam' (m sound/group) or 'Naayagan' and 'Neengaamal' (n sound).
Alliteration (Monaai)
“Mangala mangaiyin manjalum thangida”
Repetition of initial consonants like 'Ma' in 'Mangala mangaiyin manjalum' and 'Malai magalae'.
Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)
“Ezhaiyin kanneerum vaalaagumae”
Comparing the tears of the impoverished woman to a sharp sword capable of destroying tyrannical rule ('Ezhaiyin kanneerum vaalaagumae').
Allusion (Thollachal / Epic Reference)
“Kannagikkum en pola / Aanadhadi / Then madhurai theeyaagi / Ponadhadi”
Direct reference to Kannagi from the epic Silappatikaram, who burned the city of Madurai when her husband was wrongly executed.
Did you know?
Trivia
The opening lines of the song are directly taken from the Sri Annapurna Stotram composed by Adi Shankaracharya. In Tamil cinema, Vaali frequently blended classical Sanskrit chants into Tamil film lyrics to create an authentic ritualistic atmosphere.
Keep listening
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