- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- P. Susheela
- Music director
- Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
- Movie name
- Panakkara Kudumbam
- Movie release year
- 1964
- Lyrics added on
- 25 Feb 2020
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
The song 'Unnai Nambinaar Keduvadhillai' contrasts divine faith with romantic heartbreak. The female protagonist addresses God, affirming the traditional belief that trusting the Almighty never leads to ruin. In stark contrast, she laments that putting faith in a romantic partner leads to misery and destroys one's peace of mind. She describes how a woman pours her devotion into a relationship like lighting a sacred lamp, only to face fickleness and betrayal. She further critiques male hypocrisy, contrasting God's singular, steadfast mind with the dual nature of men. Men may extend a hand only to abandon someone halfway and break their wings. Pleading through her tears, she prays that no other woman has to suffer such painful deception in love.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Antithesis / Edhirinai
“Unnai nambinaar keduvadhillai Aandavanae / Unnai nambinaar vaazhvadhillai Kaadhalanae”
Striking structural contrast comparing faith in God ('Nambinaar keduvadhillai') vs faith in a lover ('Unnai nambinaar vaazhvadhillai').
Extended Metaphor / Uruvagamm
“Ullatthil vilakkeduthu Uravenum neiyeduthu Anbennum kovililae azhagaai yaettri vaithu”
Compares the heart to a lamp ('vilakku'), relationship to ghee ('nei'), and devotion to a temple ('kovil').
Contrast / Antithesis
“Aandavanukkoru manadhu Aangalukku iru manadhu”
Contrasts God's unwavering nature ('Aandavanukkoru manadhu') with male fickleness ('Aangalukku iru manadhu').
Metaphor & Imagery
“Thaenaaga inippavanae Theeyaaga uruveduppaan”
Juxtaposes sweet imagery ('Thaenaaga inippavanae') with destructive fire imagery ('Theeyaaga uruveduppaan').
Did you know?
Trivia
This song from 'Panakkara Kudumbam' (1964) features music composed by Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy and lyrics written by Kannadasan. The track is sung by P. Susheela and picturized on B. Saroja Devi alongside M. G. Ramachandran (MGR).
Keep listening
Songs with a similar feeling
From the same album
More songs from Panakkara Kudumbam
View albumSpot an issue?
Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.