- Lyricist
- Puratchi Dasan
- Singer
- P. Leela
- Music director
- Rajan Nagendra
- Movie name
- Rathna Manjari
- Movie release year
- 1961
- Lyrics added on
- 26 May 2024
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This poignant devotional song expresses the deep distress and heart-wrenching plea of a helpless woman towards a divine mother figure. She nostalgically recalls how the mother figure previously saved her husband from the clutches of Death (Yama), thereby protecting her sacred marital bond (represented by the 'manjal kayir').\n\nIn her current state of misery, she questions where that former compassion has vanished. Despite her continuous, pure devotion and daily prayers, she feels her plight is turning to ashes. Ultimately, she surrenders entirely, begging the merciful mother to hear her humble cries and grant her protection once more.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Thunba nedungadal adiyil”
Sorrow is vividly metaphorized as a vast, deep ocean ('Thunba nedungadal') in which the speaker is drowning.
Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyming)
“Andru thondriya karunai / Indru engu ponadhamma”
The second letter 'n' matches in 'Andru' and 'Indru', creating a rhythmic lyrical contrast between past grace and present misery.
Anaphora / Refrain
“Kaatharul amma / Kaappaatru amma / Paartharul amma…..”
Repetition of 'amma' at the end of consecutive lines creates a rhythmic, musical plea that amplifies emotional urgency.
Did you know?
Trivia
The film 'Rathna Manjari' (1961) was a notable multilingual release with music composed by the iconic duo Rajan-Nagendra. Singer P. Leela's emotive voice brought out the sorrowful and prayerful tone of Puratchi Dasan's lyrics exceptionally well.
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