- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- Malaysia Vasudevan
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Movie name
- Maharasan
- Movie release year
- 1993
- Lyrics added on
- 6 Apr 2020
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
'Avanaa Ivanaa' from the movie Maharasan (1993) is a satirical, lighthearted song pondering identity confusion, illegitimate lineage, and moral dilemmas. The track humorously questions paternity and identity between two individuals, calling out a past deceptive scheme while addressing the protagonist with playful mockery. In the verses, the lyrics sarcastically propose comedic methods of suicide—hanging, railway tracks, cyanide, and riding broken-down public buses—only to dismantle each idea with ridiculous practical flaws. Penned by Vaali, the song features rich local Chennai slangs, cultural commentary, and a direct nod to Sivaji Ganesan's classic movie Pilot Premnath.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Satire (Angadam)
“Illaatti pallavanil poiyaa / Eppodhum break down thaan enna seiva govindhaa”
The lyrics use humorous exaggeration to mock suicide options, such as mentioning that local buses are always broken down so even attempting suicide by bus would fail.
Metaphor (Uruvagaim)
“Chedi rendil ondru yaaro andru / Thittam pottu nattadhae”
Comparing people or offspring to plants that were planted as part of a calculated plot or deception.
Alliteration / Second-letter Rhyme (Edhukai)
“Avanaa ivanaa theriyaadhu / Adhuvo idhuvo puriyaadhu”
Use of matching second consonant sound ('dhu') in consecutive lines ('Theriyaadhu' / 'puriyaadhu').
Did you know?
Trivia
The song incorporates a popular pop-culture reference to the 1978 film 'Pilot Premnath' starring Sivaji Ganesan, specifically referencing its famous English-Tamil crossover song 'Who is the Black Sheep?'. Maharasan (1993), starring Kamal Haasan and Bhanupriya, featured music composed by Ilaiyaraaja and lyrics by Vaali.
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