- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- Arun Mozhi
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Movie name
- Manikuyil
- Movie release year
- 1993
- Lyrics added on
- 25 Mar 2020
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This classic folk-themed song draws a beautiful poetic parallel between the natural, enduring fragrance of vetiver (Khus roots) and timeless music. Lyricist Vaali conveys that just as vetiver roots naturally waft aroma without needing artificial enhancement, an authentic, soulful song stays alive across generations without fading away. The singer rejoices in the lush beauty of nature, viewing the vibrant forest as their home. Through vivid imagery of humming bees, breeze chariots, rivers of songs, and blooming trees adorned like young maidens during the monsoon, the song celebrates music as an inseparable element of the natural world that soothes human weary life.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uravagam)
“Thendral enum thaeraeri en manasu odum”
Compares the gentle breeze to a chariot ('thendral enum thaer') upon which the singer's heart travels.
Simile (Upamai)
“Kaattu vellam pola vandhu”
Uses 'pola' (like) to compare the sudden flow of music to a wild forest flood.
Personification
“Pacha maram poovaadai Katti kondu aadudhu”
Attributes human actions to a green tree, describing it as wearing a garment of flowers and dancing like a young maiden.
Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Vetti vetti vaeru adhan vaasamae / Katti vecha podhum vandhu veesumae”
Rhyming of the second consonant ('tti' in Vetti / Katti) creating rhythmic harmony.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song comes from the 1993 movie 'Manikuyil' starring Murali. Although the audio track is deeply rooted in Tamil folk traditions, it famously uses the rustic scent of 'vettiveru' as a central motif to symbolize timeless artistic creations.
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