- Lyricist
- Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyaar
- Singer
- Mano
- Music director
- Gangai Amaran
- Movie name
- Samsarame Saranam
- Movie release year
- 1989
- Lyrics added on
- 19 May 2021
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This classic song, composed by the visionary poet Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyaar, expresses the intense affliction and yearning of a young woman experiencing deep love (nayaki bhava). She confides in her friend ('sagi') that she has lost her appetite, sleep, and interest in pleasant things like flowers. Everyday comforts such as warm milk and a soft bed feel unbearable, and even sweet bird calls sound agonizing. Doctors find no cure and astrologers blame planetary alignments, unaware of her true state.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Emonai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Unavu sellavillai sagiyae / Urakkam kollavillai”
Matching second consonant 'na'/'ra' sounds across lines like 'Unavu' / 'Urakkam' establishing standard Tamil poetic rhythm.
Anaphora (Repetition for Emphasis)
“Unavu sellavillai sagiyae”
Repetition of the phrase 'Unavu sellavillai sagiyae' emphasizes the heroine's persistent state of anguish.
Hyperbole & Imagery
“Paalum kasanthathadi sagiyae / Padukkai nonthathadi”
Describing sweet milk as bitter and sweet parrot chatter as piercing ear pain vividly highlights the sensory distortion caused by deep emotional yearning.
Did you know?
Trivia
This poem is part of Subramanya Bharathiyaar's famous 'Kannamma' songs where he explores Nayaka-Nayaki Bhava (the soul yearning for the Divine Krishna/Kannamma as a lover). Although adapted into various Tamil film soundtracks, including Samsarame Saranam (1989), the verse remains one of Bharathiyar's most celebrated romantic compositions.
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