- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- P. Susheela
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Movie name
- Vilaiyattu Pillai
- Movie release year
- 1970
- Lyrics added on
- 13 May 2023
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This emotional song expresses a wife's grief over her changing marital dynamic as financial fortune replaces affection. She reflects on their early days when they were poor and struggled with hunger, yet remained deeply united through mutual warmth and love. In contrast, the sudden influx of wealth has corrupted her husband's heart, leading him to forget his affection and distance himself emotionally from her.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Emonai / Monai (Alliteration)
“Padupattom andru pasithirundhom / Andha pasiyilum pasathai anaithirundhom”
Repetition of the 'Pa' consonant sound in 'Padupattom', 'pasithirundhom', 'pasiyilum', and 'pasathai' highlights the relationship between suffering/hunger and love.
Edhukai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Thaazhndhirundhom oru kaalathilae / Vaazha vandhom vandha selvathilae”
The second consonant 'zh' in 'Thaazhndhirundhom' rhymes with 'r' in 'Vaazha' across stanzas, maintaining rhythm.
Antithesis / Irony (Muran)
“Andha pasiyilum pasathai anaithirundhom / Vaazha vandhom vandha selvathilae Anbu marandhadhamma”
Contrasts past physical hunger filled with love against present material wealth filled with emotional neglect.
Rhetorical Question
“Avaridmae thuyaram endraal naan / Evaridam poyi adhai eduthuraippen”
The lyricist uses a poignant rhetorical question to underscore her emotional helplessness and isolation when the spouse himself becomes the tormentor.
Did you know?
Trivia
From the movie Vilaiyattu Pillai (1970) starring Sivaji Ganesan, this song highlights Kannadasan's mastery in translating everyday marital conflicts and emotional paradoxes into simple yet profound classical Tamil lyrics, beautifully rendered by P. Susheela under K. V. Mahadevan's composition.
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