- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- S. Janaki
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Movie name
- Sontham (1973)
- Movie release year
- 1973
- Lyrics added on
- 26 Apr 2024
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This beautiful composition celebrates the lifelong love, harmony, and enduring affection between an ideal married couple. The speaker admires her parents' bond, noting that even in their old age, their eyes radiate deep love and their hearts echo with the excitement of their wedding day. She prays to lead a similar virtuous family life ('illaram') in the future with a partner who possesses the loving qualities of her father, referencing Thiruvalluvar's traditional ideals of domestic virtue.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Anaphora / Adukkuthodar (Repetition for Emphasis)
“Konjuthu konjuthu kadhalum kangalilae”
Words like 'Konjuthu konjuthu' (fondling/caressing) and 'kottuthu kottuthu' (beating drums) are repeated to heighten rhythmic effect and express intense emotion.
Simile (Uvamai)
“Kamalam pol katchiyalikkuthae”
The mother's gentle emotional gaze is compared to a blossoming lotus flower ('Kamalam pol').
Edugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Nallaram enbathu valluvan sonnathuthaan / Illaram enbathu ippadi ullathuthaan”
The second letters 'l' in 'Nallaram' and 'Illaram' rhyme, creating a harmonious sound while connecting the ideas of righteousness and family life.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Anbu malaril vaasam ponguthae”
'Anbu malar' metaphorically equates love to a sweet, fragrance-overflowing flower.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics by Kannadasan, this classic track rendered by S. Janaki highlights traditional Tamil family values and directly references Saint Thiruvalluvar's 'Thirukkural' chapter on 'Illaram' (Virtuous Household Life).
Keep listening
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