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Lyrics & meaning

Aattatthil Sirandhadhu Pitthalaattam

From Kanniyin Sabatham · 1958

Lyricist
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Singers
M. L. Vasanthakumari, Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi
Music director
T. G. Lingappa
Details
Kanniyin Sabatham1958

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Aattaththil siranthathu piththalaattamThe best dance of all is deceit and trickery.
Enatha naattilum illaiyammaa intha koottamMy dear lady, such a crowd exists nowhere in my country.
Aattaththil siranthathu piththalaattamThe best dance of all is deceit and trickery.
Enatha naattilum illaiyammaa intha koottamMy dear lady, such a crowd exists nowhere in my country.
Yaettilum illaatha….aa…aa…aa…aa…Unheard of even in written books... ah... ah...
Yaettilum illaathaUnheard of even in written books,
Yattilum illaatha thirukkoottamA sacred gathering unheard of even in written books.
Pallai kaattiyae yaemaattri uruttumThey show their teeth, deceive, roll their eyes,
Mirattum pagattum kaattumThreaten, show off, and put on grand displays.
Aattaththil siranthathu piththalaattamThe best dance of all is deceit and trickery.
Female
Nampivittaal valaiyul pottiduvaarIf you trust them, they will cast you into a net,
Kani vembivittaal kambi neettiduvaarIf the fruit spoils, they will slip away silently.
Nampivittaal valaiyul pottiduvaarIf you trust them, they will cast you into a net,
Kani vembivittaal kambi neettiduvaarIf the fruit spoils, they will slip away silently.
Ampalaththil aalai kaattiduvaarThey will humiliate a person in the public square,
Ampalaththil aalai kaattiduvaarThey will humiliate a person in the public square,
Jampamaai jaadai pesiSpeaking pompously with subtle signals,
Kai bommaiyaaga nammai vaatti thettai podumTormenting us like puppets and causing distress.
Aattaththil siranthathu piththalaattamThe best dance of all is deceit and trickery.
Female
……………..
Female
Aattaththil siranthathu piththalaattamThe best dance of all is deceit and trickery.
Female
Adakki aalai madakki pesi mayakkumSubduing people with clever words and mesmerizing them,
Aasai kaatti pagal vesham pottuLuring with desires, putting on hypocritical disguises,
Sathi nesamootti manam thuninthu thoopam podumFaking love to plot treachery, daringly burning incense of deceit.
Female
……………..
Female
Aattaththil siranthathu piththalaattamThe best dance of all is deceit and trickery.
Female
……………..
Female
Aattaththil siranthathu piththalaattamThe best dance of all is deceit and trickery.
Female
Aaai kavarnthida abhinayam pidipparThey strike expressions to captivate the mind,
Bhuvi arasan pol nadippaar nagaippaar thigaippaarActing like kings of the earth, laughing, and feigning astonishment,
Asanthaal maranthaal yaemaattrumIf you drop your guard or forget, they will cheat you.
Female
Aattaththil siranthathu piththalaattamThe best dance of all is deceit and trickery.
Female
……………..
Female
Aattaththil siranthathu piththalaattamThe best dance of all is deceit and trickery.
Aattaththil siranthathu piththalaattamThe best dance of all is deceit and trickery.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This satirical song from the 1958 movie 'Kanniyin Sabatham' humorously critiques society's hypocrites, cheats, and manipulators. Using the word play on 'aattam' (which means both 'dance' and 'game/deception'), the lyrics declare that the greatest 'dance' in the world is 'piththalaattam' (trickery and deceit). The singers mock how duplicitous people charm others, manipulate them like puppets, act as grand kings, and abandon them as soon as trouble arises or benefits wear off. Through vivid Tamil idioms and metaphors, the song warns against gullibility, highlighting how flatterers put on disguises, speak pompously in secret codes, and expose innocent people to public embarrassment once their selfish motives are served.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Pun / Wordplay (Slesai)

Aattaththil siranthathu piththalaattam

The word 'aattam' is cleverly used both in the sense of classical/folk dance performance and in the sense of deceitful games or trickery ('piththalaattam').

Iyaibu (Rhyme / Assonance)

Mirattum pagattum kaattum

Matching end-rhymes with 'uruttum', 'mirattum', and 'pagattum' creates a rhythmic, musical cadence mirroring the fast-paced nature of dance.

Simile / Metaphor (Uwamai)

Kai bommaiyaaga nammai vaatti thettai podum

The phrase 'Kai bommaiyaaga' compares human targets to puppet dolls controlled by deceitful manipulators.

Idiomatic Expression

Kani vembivittaal kambi neettiduvaar

'Kambi neettiduvaar' is a classic Tamil idiom meaning to make a quick escape or run away from responsibility.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Kanniyin Sabatham' (1958) featured music by T. G. Lingappa and lyrics by Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass. Sung as a duet by carnatic legend M. L. Vasanthakumari and Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi, this dance-song is renowned for combining classical musical structures with witty, socially relevant satirical lyrics.

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