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Lyrics & meaning

Theera Swasame

From Chithha · 2023

Lyricist
S. U. Arunkumar
Singer
Kapil Kapilan
Music director
Dhibu Ninan Thomas
Details
Chithha2023

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Theera swasame maara vasamaeUnending breath, unchanging grace.
Theera swasame maara vasamaeUnending breath, unchanging grace.
Male
Kannimaikkul pothi veithenI tucked you safely within my eyelids,
Kanneer thuli theendumendruFearing that even a teardrop might touch you.
Kann thirandhu paartha nodiThe moment I opened my eyes and looked,
Endhan kannaiyae kaanalaiyaeI could not find my very eyes.
Male
Kannil kaanalaiyae kaanalaiyaeCould not find in my eyes, could not find.
Undhan kaalthadangal kaanalaiyaeCould not find your footprints.
Male
Innum kaanalaiyae kaanalaiyaeStill could not find, could not find.
Endhan nunuyirai kaanalaiyaeCould not find my delicate soul.
Male
Kannae maniye muthae en uyiraeOh my apple of my eye, my gem, my pearl, my life,
Un muthangal naan peruvenI shall receive your kisses.
Vidaiyae nilavae vaazhvae en thaayaeMy answer, my moon, my life, my mother,
Un madiyil naan vizhuvenI shall fall into your lap.
Male
Theera swasame maara vasamaeUnending breath, unchanging grace.
Theera swasame maara vasamaeUnending breath, unchanging grace.
Chorus
Kannimaikkul pothi veithenI tucked you safely within my eyelids,
Kanneer thuli theendumendraeFearing that a teardrop might touch you.
Kann thirandhu paartha nodiThe moment I opened my eyes and looked,
Male :Endhan kannaiyae kaanalaiyaeMale: I could not find my very eyes.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Theera Swasame from Chithha is a poignant expression of profound paternal affection, grief, and desperation. The singer conveys how cherished his loved one is, describing how he protected her so delicately inside his eyelids to shelter her from tears. Suddenly finding her missing feels like losing his own sight and soul, leaving him desperately searching for her footprints. The song captures the immense anguish of loss alongside the pure, enduring bond between a caregiver and a child, where she is revered as his breath, moon, and mother.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Rhyme / Monai

Theera swasame maara vasamae

Harmonious internal rhyming between 'Theera' and 'Maara', as well as 'swasame' and 'vasamae'.

Hyperbole & Visual Imagery

Kannimaikkul pothi veithen Kanneer thuli theendumendru

Exaggerates protective love by describing tucking someone inside one's eyelids to shelter them from tears.

Metaphor

Kannae maniye muthae en uyirae

Compares the child to essential, precious entities like eyes, gems, pearls, and life itself.

Anaphora / Repetition

Kannil kaanalaiyae kaanalaiyae

Repetition of 'kaanalaiyae' (could not find) emphasizes the deep feeling of loss, panic, and helplessness.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Dhibu Ninan Thomas and sung passionately by Kapil Kapilan, 'Theera Swasame' serves as the emotional core of the critically acclaimed 2023 film Chithha, directed by S. U. Arunkumar and starring Siddharth. The song captures the heart-wrenching theme of a protective uncle searching for his missing niece.

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