- Lyricist
- Kuruvikkarambai Shanmugam
- Singer
- P. Susheelaa
- Music director
- Sivaji Raja
- Movie name
- Chithirame Chithirame
- Movie release year
- 1985
- Lyrics added on
- 17 Dec 2020
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
The song portrays the deep emotional anguish and existential questioning of a dancer reflecting on her tragic life. She contrasts the outward vibrancy of her youth and dance with her internal sorrow, symbolized by an unending river of tears. Through rich metaphors, she describes her fragile existence as a dewdrop on a leaf and an unwritten song line, questioning whether her choices have led her to self-destruction like a moth drawn to a flame. Despite the dark realities of her life, there is an underlying desire for liberation and redemption—hoping that a wave of joy will someday leap within her heart and bring an end to her suffering. She ultimately wonders if she is merely a passive instrument, a veena being played by the relentless hands of fate.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Uvamaani)
“Ilai maelae paniyin thuli pol”
Compares her fragile, ephemeral life to a delicate drop of dew resting on a leaf.
Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)
“Ooyaatha vizhi gangaiyae”
Compares the endless stream of tears flowing from her eyes to the mighty River Ganges.
Metaphor / Rhetorical Question
“Veenai naan meettuvathu vithiyo”
Compares herself to a veena musical instrument played by fate, questioning her agency in life.
Rhetorical Question / Metaphor
“Vittil naan vizhunguvathu sudaro”
Metaphorically compares herself to a moth drawn self-destructively into a flame.
Did you know?
Trivia
Written by acclaimed Tamil lyricist and poet Kuruvikkarambai Shanmugam, the song relies heavily on classical Tamil poetic motifs such as comparing sorrowful eyes to the Ganges and fate to a musician playing a instrument.
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