- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- P. Susheela
- Music director
- Chandrabose
- Movie name
- Mamiyargal Jakkiradhai
- Movie release year
- 1986
- Lyrics added on
- 28 May 2022
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This song uses the fundamental Tamil vowels (Uyir Ezhuthukkal) as a metaphor for awakening self-respect and basic life lessons. It addresses women suffering under tyrannical mothers-in-law or societal oppression, urging them not to remain passive or silent like stones or mute statues. By drawing parallels to laundry getting clean only when beaten hard and flowers turning to thorns when pinched, the lyricist encourages oppressed women to stand up, voice their concerns, and fight for their rights when pushed beyond boundaries.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uvamaani / Urvagathal)
“Poove unnai killumpothu mullaai maaradi”
Comparing a passive woman to a stone temple deity ('Kallaa vizhunthu kidakka neeyum koyil saamiyaa') and urging a soft woman ('poove') to act like a sharp thorn ('mullaai') when attacked.
Monai (Alliteration)
“Thuvaichchaa oongi adichchaa entha thuniyum velukkuthu”
Repetition of initial consonant sounds across lines like 'Kallaa' / 'Karadi' and 'Thuvaichchaa' / 'Thuninthu'.
Edugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Panirendu thaanae uyirezhuththu”
Rhyming of the second letter across lines such as 'Panirendu', 'Adhil', and 'Tamilukku'.
Wordplay / Metaphor
“Panirendu thaanae uyirezhuththu”
Using the dual meaning of 'Uyirezhuthu' (vowel letters / letters of life) to symbolize beginning the fundamentals of life and self-defense.
Did you know?
Trivia
Lyricist Vaali cleverly weaves the basic Tamil alphabet teaching (Uyir Ezhuthukkal) into a social empowerment theme in this movie focused on family conflicts and mother-in-law dominance, which was a very popular sub-genre in Tamil cinema during the 1980s.
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