- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- P. Susheela
- Music director
- R. Govarthanam
- Movie name
- Poovum Pottum
- Movie release year
- 1968
- Lyrics added on
- 7 Aug 2025
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
Ulagam Olimayame is a deeply philosophical Tamil song about accepting life's dualities, holding on to hope, and trusting divine destiny. Written by Kannadasan, the song opens with a stark contrast: while the external world shines with brightness, the human heart often lingers in sorrowful darkness. However, it reminds us that both joy and suffering are ordained by divine grace, encouraging us not to lose heart. The lyrics reassure that suffering is temporary. Just as a desert can spring a green oasis and spring follows summer, peace and reunion will arrive after difficult times. Kannadasan touches on the unshakeable nature of fate, asserting that God has already scripted the future, and human complaints cannot alter it. Ultimately, the song serves as a comforting hymn promising that God listens to the cries of the suffering and that light will always follow darkness.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Antithesis / Muran (முரண்)
“Oliyum irulum”
The lyrics juxtapose contrasting concepts such as light ('Oli') and darkness ('Irul'), and desert ('Paalai') and oasis ('Pasunjolai') to highlight the dual nature of life.
Monai / Initial Assonance (மோனை)
“Ulagam olimayame / Ullanthaan irul mayamae”
Matching initial vowel sounds in 'Ulagam' and 'Ullanthaan' creates a poetic flow across lines.
Metaphor (உவமை/உருவகம்)
“Paalai vanathinilum / Pasunjolai thondri vidum”
The desert represents grief and barren life, while the green oasis symbolizes sudden hope, renewal, and relief.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Poovum Pottum' (1968) was directed by Dada Mirasi. The song features music by R. Govarthanam (brother of legendary music director R. Sudarsanam) and rendered with deep emotion by P. Susheela. Kannadasan's lyricism in this track remains one of the finest examples of philosophical consolation in Tamil cinema.
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