- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- S. Varalakshmi
- Music director
- Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
- Movie name
- Sivagangai Seemai
- Movie release year
- 1959
- Lyrics added on
- 16 Apr 2019
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This poignant song from Sivagangai Seemai expresses deep sorrow, displacement, and grief arising from war and colonial oppression. It questions the suffering of innocent people who are tossed around like dry leaves in a violent storm, forced to wander in search of peace and loved ones after losing their freedom and homes. Through questioning tones, the lyricist lamenting the subjugation of the motherland and the kingdom, highlighting the tragic state of a refuge-seeking people with no one left to offer comfort or healing. It vividly conveys the anguish of resistance and defeat under British rule.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Upamai)
“Sarugu polavae puyalil aadiyae”
Compares the displaced, helpless person to a dry leaf ('sarugu') tossed helplessly in a storm ('puyalil aadiyae').
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Siragu odinthathoo / Kalugu vendratho”
The 'eagle' ('kalugu') metaphorically represents predatory enemy forces, while the 'broken wings' represent vanquished resistance.
End Rhyme (Iyaibu)
“Amaidhi naadi vanthaaiyoo”
Repeated long vowel endings in rhetorical questions ('nernthatho', 'vendhathatho', 'vanthaaiyoo') create a melancholic lamentation structure.
Edhugai (Second-letter Assonance)
“Annaiyin naadum / Mannavar veedum”
The second consonant sound 'nn' matches across consecutive lines ('Annaiyin' and 'Mannavar').
Did you know?
Trivia
Sivagangai Seemai (1959) was written and produced by poet Kannadasan himself to portray the historical resistance of the Maruthu Pandiyar brothers against British rule. The film's music was composed by Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy, and this emotional song was sung by S. Varalakshmi.
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