- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- Vani Jairam
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Movie name
- Naan Nanethan
- Movie release year
- 1980
- Lyrics added on
- 21 Jun 2022
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This devotional and tribute song praises the epic heroine Kannagi from Silappatikaram, elevating her to the stature of Thamizh Thai (Tamil Mother) and Goddess Kali. Written by Kannadasan, the song celebrates her ideal virtues of marital devotion, chastity, modesty, forgiving nature, and graceful demeanor. It highlights her acceptance of her husband Kovalan upon his return from the courtesan Madhavi, hailing her as the ultimate paragon and literary ideal for women across ages. The composition asks for her divine guidance and wisdom for humanity to walk in the paths of righteousness.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Kanagamani silampanintha kaaliyamma / Thamizhthaayae engum nilaiththaauae”
Equating Kannagi to Goddess Kali and Thamizh Thai (Tamil Mother), merging epic heroism with divine maternal veneration.
Anaphora / Refrain
“Thalai niraiya poo mudiththu kungumamittu... Kanniyamaai vaazhnthu vantha kulamagalammaa”
Repetition of the refrain praising the grace, attire, and modest gait of the noble woman at regular intervals.
Ethukai (Second-letter rhyme in Tamil prosody)
“Paththinigal anaivarukkum ilakkiyam neeyae / Paraththaiyar paal sendravanai meettaval neeyae”
Rhyming of the second letter in consecutive lines, such as 'Paththinigal' and 'Paraththaiyar'.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song invokes the central theme of the ancient Tamil epic 'Silappatikaram', composed by Ilango Adigal. Lyricist Kannadasan skillfully blends traditional Tamil classical imagery—such as 'Silambu' (anklet), 'Kaaviri poompattinam', and 'Karpu' (chastity)—with devotional hymn cadence set to music by maestro K. V. Mahadevan.
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