- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- P. Susheela
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Movie name
- Kattu Roja
- Movie release year
- 1963
- Lyrics added on
- 1 Sept 2019
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
The song 'Yenadi Rojaa' from Kattu Roja (1963) features a poignant poetic conversation between a protagonist and a rose flower, serving as a metaphor for womanhood, beauty, and the passage of time. The lyrics address a rose that seems to mock or smile at the return of a woman who had left long ago. Through vivid imagery, Kannadasan contrasts physical impermanence—represented by the rose that blooms with thorns and withers away tomorrow—with the enduring spirit and divine grace of womanhood. The second stanza asserts a philosophical defiance against decay and transience. While nature and outer forms inevitably wither and change, true inner grace and womanhood ('sithira penmai') retain an eternal youthfulness ('endrum ilamaiyadi'). It is a reflective composition blending melancholy, pride, and deep Tamil poetic traditions.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Personification (Urubagam / Thani-Thanmai)
“Yenadi rojaa ennadi sirippu”
Addressing the rose directly as 'rojaa' and asking why it is laughing ('ennadi sirippu') personifies nature with human emotion.
Alliteration (Moonaai / Adhi-Monai)
“Mottaaga nindravalae / Mullodu vandhavalae”
Repetition of initial consonant 'M' sound in 'Mottaaga' and 'Mullodu' creates a lyrical and rhythmic flow.
Metaphor (Uvamai)
“Muthu nagaigalai kotti alandhidum”
Comparing a radiant smile to scattering and measuring precious pearls ('muthu nagaigalai kotti alandhidum').
Antithesis / Contrast (Edhirnillai)
“Andru ponaval indru / Vandhu vittaal endru”
Contrasting 'Andru' (that past day) with 'Indru' (present day) highlights time passage and change in situation.
Did you know?
Trivia
Kattu Roja (1963) was directed by A. Subbarao and featured S. S. Rajendran and Devika in lead roles. The film's music was composed by K. V. Mahadevan, and the immortal lyrics were penned by Kannadasan, who often used floral allegories to represent human life and transience.
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