- Lyricist
- Udumalai Narayanakavi
- Music director
- Alandur Sivasubramaniyam
- Movie name
- Ashok Kumar
- Movie release year
- 1941
- Lyrics added on
- 6 Mar 2020
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This song captures a poignant blend of deep tragedy and soothing tender affection. The speaker laments a cruel twist of fate that resulted in the loss of sight while searching for sustenance. Despite the physical blindness and sorrow, the narrative transforms into a loving lullaby directed at a beloved child, comparing the child to heavenly nectar, sweet honey, and the very life force of a poor home.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Uruvagaimai (Metaphor)
“Vaanamudhae thaenae”
Compares the child directly to 'Vaanamudhu' (heavenly nectar) and 'Kani pizhi rasam' (squeezed fruit juice) to express intense love and sweetness.
Moonaigal (Initial Alliteration)
“Kanmani neeyae / Kannurangaayae”
Repetition of the initial 'K' sound across consecutive lines creates rhythmic musicality.
Anaphora (Repetition)
“Kannai izhandhaen / Kaanavumillaen”
Repetition of lines to emphasize emotional desperation and tender affection.
Did you know?
Trivia
Ashok Kumar (1941) was a major early Tamil cinema hit starring M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar (MKT) and Pasupuleti Kannamba. The lyrics by Udumalai Narayanakavi highlight classic Tamil literary metaphors used in traditional lullabies (Thaalaattu) mixed with tragic melodrama.
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