- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- A. R. Rahman, Dharshana
- Music director
- A. R. Rahman
- Movie name
- O Kadhal Kanmani
- Movie release year
- 2015
- Lyrics added on
- 27 Mar 2017
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
'Theeraa Ulaa' is a soulful and contemporary exploration of love, impermanence, and living in the present. The protagonist acknowledges the inevitability of eventual separation or decay, yet consciously chooses not to withhold affection or curtail happiness. Love is celebrated as an eternal journey, an endless dream, and a fleeting yet golden moment suspended in the vast expanse of time and space. The song beautifully balances philosophical acceptance of reality with an unwavering commitment to experiencing joy without fear.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Anaphora / Monai (Initial Rhyme)
“Theeraa ulaa / Theeraa kanaa / Theeraa vizhaa”
Repetition of 'Theeraa' at the beginning of consecutive lines to emphasize the unending, eternal nature of love.
Literary Allusion
“Kaattru veliyidai”
The phrase 'Kaattru veliyidai' directly references the iconic line from Mahakavi Subramania Bharati's classical romantic poem 'Kaattru Veliyidai Kannamma'.
Metaphor
“Mel isaiyaai / Men siragaai / Porkkanamaai”
Comparing the feeling of love and time to gentle music ('Mel isaiyaai'), soft wings ('Men siragaai'), and golden moments ('Porkkanamaai').
Parallelism / Antitheton
“Kaattru veliyidai / Kaala veliyidai”
Juxtaposing 'Kaattru veliyidai' (expanse of wind/space) and 'Kaala veliyidai' (expanse of time) to frame romance across both spatial and temporal dimensions.
Did you know?
Trivia
The phrase 'Kaattru Veliyidai' used in this song is a tribute to Mahakavi Bharathiyar's poetry, which director Mani Ratnam later used as the title for his 2017 romantic drama film.
Keep listening
Songs with a similar feeling
From the same album
More songs from O Kadhal Kanmani
View albumSpot an issue?
Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.