- Lyricist
- Ramalinga Adigalar
- Singer
- Seerkazhi Govindarajan
- Music director
- T. R. Pappa
- Movie name
- Arutperum Jothi
- Movie release year
- 1971
- Lyrics added on
- 26 Apr 2023
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This poignant devotional verse, written by Saint Ramalinga Adigalar (Vallalar) and featured in the biographical film 'Arutperum Jothi' (1971), expresses the profound anguish of a soul yearning for divine love and comfort. The devotee compares their deep mental fatigue and emotional isolation to an orphan longing for a mother's affection, turning to the Almighty as the ultimate Father in the holy shrine of Tiruvottiyur. The verse passionately appeals to the Lord, who sits enshrined within the devotee's own heart, asking why He remains silent like a mute instead of offering a comforting word. Recognizing the Lord as an ocean of virtue who constantly blesses His devotees, the speaker pleads for divine intervention to relieve their sorrow.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Upamai (Simile)
“Thaayilaar ena nenjagam thalarnthaen”
Compares the devotee's deep despair to the grief of a motherless child ('Thaayilaar ena') and the Lord's silence to a mute person ('Vaayilaar ena').
Uruvakam (Metaphor)
“Koyilaaga en nechagathamarntha”
Metaphorically describes the devotee's heart as a divine temple ('Koyilaaga en nechagathamarntha') where the Lord resides.
Etukai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Thaayilaar ena / Vaayilaar ena”
Rhyming of the second consonant sound 'yi' in 'Thaayilaar' and 'Vaayilaar'.
Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Oivilaathu nar thondrarukkarulvaai / Oongi seerottri oorudaiyeerae….”
Repetition of initial vowel sounds in 'Oivilaathu' and 'Oongi'.
Did you know?
Trivia
This song is a direct passage from the 'Thiruvarutpa', the celebrated collection of devotional poems composed by Swami Ramalinga Adigalar (Vallalar). In the 1971 film 'Arutperum Jothi', which chronicles Vallalar's spiritual life, master composer T. R. Pappa set these classical verses to music, and legendary Carnatic vocalist Seerkazhi Govindarajan rendered them with profound emotional resonance.
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