- Lyricist
- Papanasam Sivan
- Singer
- P. Bhanumathi
- Music directors
- G. Ramanathan, C. R. Subbaraman
- Movie name
- Rathna Kumar
- Movie release year
- 1949
- Lyrics added on
- 20 May 2020
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This poignant song depicts a woman's heartbreaking lament after being abandoned by her lover. She addresses nature—the towering banyan tree and the sacred neem tree tied to the peepal tree—which stood as silent witnesses when her lover vowed eternal commitment. Devastated by his betrayal, she cries until her eyes are swollen, questioning how a love that seemed so genuine could turn out to be a deceptive facade. Despite her immense sorrow and despair over her shattered life and mock marriage pendant, her nobility shines through. She selflessly prays for her unfaithful lover's well-being, hoping he lives a flawless life even as her own infatuation is extinguished. The song culminates in a existential interrogation of men's love and a painful plea to the Divine Mother, reflecting theme of feminine grief, dignity, and disillusionment.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Apostrophe (Addressing inanimate nature)
“Vinnuyara valar aalae veenae”
The protagonist directly addresses the majestic banyan tree, treating nature as a sentient witness to her lover's broken vows.
Anaphora / Repetition (Adukkuthodar)
“Vimmi vimmi azhudhazhudhu”
The repetition of 'Vimmi' (sobbing) and 'azhudhu' (weeping) intensifies the emotional expression of inconsolable grief.
Rhetorical Question
“Aadavar kaadhal idhuthaano”
The repeated existential question ('Is this what men's love really is?') highlights her betrayal and loss of faith in romantic devotion.
Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Anbenum poi vaesham idhuthaano / Annaiyae unn arul parisidhuthaano”
The repetition of the initial 'A' sound across lines creates melodic harmony typical of classical Tamil lyrical structure.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song is from the 1949 Tamil historical drama 'Rathna Kumar', starring P. U. Chinnappa and P. Bhanumathi. The lyrics were composed by the legendary Carnatic composer and lyricist Papanasam Sivan, renowned for his devotional depth and emotive classical compositions in early Tamil cinema.
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