- Lyricist
- Aalangudi Somu
- Singer
- P. Susheela
- Music director
- R. Sudharsanam
- Movie name
- Poompuhar
- Movie release year
- 1964
- Lyrics added on
- 11 Feb 2020
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
The song 'Thavam Purindhaen Naan Irukka' from the 1964 film Poompuhar is a deeply poignant devotional plea expressing total surrender and longing for divine grace. The protagonist describes decorating their heart with pure love and waiting expectantly with eyes wide open for the Almighty. The devotee questions why the Lord hesitates to bestow boons upon a humble seeker who has undergone sincere penance. As the song progresses, the emotional intensity rises through a series of rhetorical questions regarding whether God understands the value of a devotee's tearful prayers and devotion. It underscores themes of devotion (Bhakti), spiritual longing, and divine compassion, framing the seeker's entire existence around the yearning for God's grace.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Thavam purindhaen naan irukka / Varam tharavae nee irukka”
Rhyming of the second letter in consecutive lines: 'Thavam' and 'Varam' share the 'va' sound.
Metaphor (Uruvagaim)
“Iru vizhi vaasal thirandhu vaithae”
'Iru vizhi vaasal' compares the two eyes to open doorways welcoming the divine.
Monai (Alliteration)
“Kungumathil niram eduthu / Kodi nilaa oli eduthu / Kaathirundhaen kaathirundhaen / Kadavulai paarthirundhaen”
Repetition of the initial sound 'Ka' across lines ('Kungumathil', 'Kodi', 'Kaathirundhaen', 'Kadavulai').
Repetition / Anaphora (Anuttaip Porul)
“Theriyavillaiyaa… theriyavillaiyaa…”
Repetition of words like 'Kaathirundhaen' and 'Theriyavillaiyaa' to intensify emotional plea.
Rhetorical Questions (Vinaa Aani)
“Kanneerin perumai innum puriyavillaiyaa…”
Series of dramatic questions questioning divine silence to heighten anguish and devotion.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Poompuhar' (1964) is an iconic Tamil cinema adaptation of the ancient Tamil literary epic 'Silappatikaram' written by Ilango Adigal. The film featured a powerful screenplay written by former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M. Karunanidhi, and memorable music composed by R. Sudarsanam, with lyrics penned by Aalangudi Somu.
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