- Lyricist
- Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
- Singers
- A. P. Komala, K. Jamunarani, K. Rani, Sundaramma
- Music director
- G. Ramanathan
- Movie name
- Kathavarayan
- Movie release year
- 1958
- Lyrics added on
- 30 Nov 2025
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This song presents a poetic and philosophical perspective on the emptiness of material wealth without intrinsic beauty, love, or virtue. It highlights that just as a king's vast golden riches are meaningless without true worth, a blooming flower is useless if it lacks fragrance. The lyrics then shift to a tender expression of yearning, metaphorically describing a divine or precious soul—like a star descending from the clouds—crawling into a golden cradle to be lovingly cherished and adored, capturing the mind's deep affection and endless contemplation.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Rhetorical Question (Vinai / Aipayam)
“Ponnodu vaazhnthaalenna”
The phrase 'vaazhnthaalenna' (so what if lived?) and 'malarnthaalenna' (so what if bloomed?) uses rhetorical questioning to emphasize that wealth or appearance without essence is meaningless.
Metaphor (Uvamai / Uruvagaimai)
“Vilaiyaadum thaaraa ondru”
A child or precious divine presence is metaphorically envisioned as a 'playing star' (thaaraa ondru) coming down from cloud-filled skies to crawl into a cradle.
Anaaphora / Repetition (Erattai Kilavi / Anaphora)
“Enni enniyamae manam”
The repetition of 'Enni enni' emphasizes continuous, deep, and obsessive thinking or longing.
Initial Rhyme / Alliteration (Monai)
“Mannaalum rajavellaam”
Repetition of the 'M' consonant across lines ('Mannaalum', 'Manamethum', 'Malaraai') creates rhythmic flow in Tamil poetry.
Did you know?
Trivia
Kathavarayan (1958) was a Tamil folk-mythological film starring Sivaji Ganesan and Savitri. The music was composed by G. Ramanathan, a pioneer of Tamil film music. This track features a rare ensemble performance combining notable female playback singers of the golden era, including A. P. Komala, K. Jamuna Rani, K. Rani, and Sundaramma.
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