- Lyricist
- Panchu Arunachalam
- Singer
- K. J. Yesudas
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Movie name
- Priya
- Movie release year
- 1978
- Lyrics added on
- 30 May 2017
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
Akkarai Cheemai Azhaginilae is a vibrant, celebratory travel song from the 1978 film Priya, expressing deep admiration for the modern, picturesque city-state of Singapore. The song captures the protagonist's sense of wonder as he witnesses the city's cleanliness, high work ethic, and complete absence of idleness or deceit. It celebrates Singapore's multicultural harmony where Chinese, Tamil, and Malay communities live peacefully together like family. Through poetic imagery, the lyricist Panchu Arunachalam compares the cheerful atmosphere of Singapore to an eternal festival. Children, women, and landscapes are painted with metaphors comparing them to sparrows, gold, and paradise. The track serves as both a musical tribute to Singapore's post-independence modern development and a joyful expression of discovering a new world.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Upamai)
“Paravai pola ullaasam”
Compares joy to the freedom of a bird ('Paravai pola ullaasam') and unity among different ethnic groups to relatives ('Uravinar pola').
Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navortchi Aani)
“Nadai paarthu mayil aadum / Mozhi kettu kili pesum”
Exaggerates beauty by claiming epic poetry lacks words to describe it, and that peacocks copy her walk while parrots copy her speech.
Alliteration (Moonaai)
“Kallam kabadam vanjagam indri”
Repetition of initial consonants like 'K' in 'Kallam kabadam' to create a rhythmic, melodic flow.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Chittu pola pillaigal”
Describing children as active sparrows ('Chittu pola pillaigal') and women's complexions as shimmering gold ('Thangam minnum angangal').
Did you know?
Trivia
Priya (1978), starring Rajinikanth and Sridevi, was one of the earliest Indian films shot extensively in foreign locations such as Singapore and Malaysia. The music was composed by Ilaiyaraaja and sung by K. J. Yesudas. The song specifically mentions Singapore's ethnic demographic—Chinese, Tamils, and Malays—praising the country's multi-racial harmony.
Keep listening
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