- Lyricist
- Aalangudi Somu
- Singer
- P. Susheela
- Music director
- V. Kumar
- Movie name
- Sankari
- Movie release year
- 1984
- Lyrics added on
- 23 Dec 2022
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This song is a deeply melancholic and poignant lullaby sung by a mother to her speech-impaired or helpless child. Expressing her agony and helplessness regarding her own situation, the mother laments that she feels unworthy of her maternal status and grieves over the suffering her child must endure in a cruel world. Despite her grief, she bathes her child in her tears and sings a soothing song without peace in her own heart. In the latter half, her maternal affection shines through her anguish as she wishes for a bright, honorable, and auspicious future for her child. She hopes that her child's innocent smile will bring solace to her grieving heart and promises that seeing her child prosper will be her ultimate happiness.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Naan vadikkindra kanneril unnai / Neeraatti naan paadum paattu”
Matching second consonants in adjacent lines creating a rhythmic harmony (e.g., 'vadikkindra' and 'neeraatti' / 'thaayendru' and 'unnai' / 'poovodum' and 'un').
Metaphor / Oxymoron
“Oru nimmathiye illaatha thaalaattu”
Describing a soothing lullaby (thaalaattu) as lacking peace ('nimmathiye illaatha thaalaattu'), highlighting the deep contrast between the mother's soothing duty and her internal anguish.
Anaphora / Repetition
“Aaraaro aariro aaraaro”
Repetition of traditional lullaby vocables ('Aaraaro aariro') to establish the rhythmic structure of a classical Tamil lullaby.
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Trivia
Composed by veteran music director V. Kumar with lyrics by Aalangudi Somu, this song relies on P. Susheela's legendary emotive voice to capture grief and maternal tenderness. It remains a notable example of emotional lullaby compositions in 1980s Tamil cinema.
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