- Lyricist
- Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniam
- Singers
- P. Susheela, Chorus
- Music director
- G. Ramanathan
- Movie name
- Veerapandiya Kattabomman
- Movie release year
- 1959
- Lyrics added on
- 18 May 2024
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
'Anjatha Singam En Kaalai' is a vibrant folk song from the historical epic 'Veerapandiya Kattabomman' (1959). Sung playfully by P. Susheela along with a female chorus, the song celebrates the pride, power, and untamed nature of a village bull associated with traditional Tamil bull-taming (Jallikattu). The lyrics mock arrogant men who boast about their bravery, only to run away in fear when confronted with the bull's sharp horns and fierce temper.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Anjatha singam en kaalai”
Compares the bull directly to a fearless lion ('Anjatha singam en kaalai') to emphasize its strength and majesty.
Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navitchi)
“Idhu panja parakka vidum aalai”
Exaggerates the bull's power by describing it tossing adult men into the air so effortlessly that they scatter like cotton ('panja parakka vidum').
Edugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Kooraana kombu rendu / Seeraaga minna kandu”
The second letters 'ra' in 'Kooraana' and 'Seeraaga' rhyme, creating rhythmic harmony.
Wordplay / Pun
“Maattai pidikka vandhu / Ottam pidithathundu”
Uses 'pidikka' in two contrasting senses—coming to catch ('pidikka') the bull versus catching/taking to flight ('ottam pidithathundu').
Did you know?
Trivia
The soundtrack for 'Veerapandiya Kattabomman', composed by G. Ramanathan, received high acclaim and won awards at the Afro-Asian Film Festival in Cairo in 1960. The song showcases the traditional Tamil rural culture of Eru Thazhuvuthal (Jallikattu) integrated into historical cinema.
Keep listening
Songs with a similar feeling
From the same album
More songs from Veerapandiya Kattabomman
View albumSpot an issue?
Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.