- Lyricist
- Gnaaniyaar
- Singer
- Vani Jairam
- Music director
- Agasthiyar
- Movie name
- Karumaiyil Orr Azhahu
- Movie release year
- 1980
- Lyrics added on
- 17 Nov 2020
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This song is a lively and playful folk-style track sung from the perspective of a bold, self-assured woman who addresses her audience with charm and confidence. She introduces herself across international locations ('China, Japan, Rangoon, Burma') while embracing all ordinary people from different walks of life as her own. The song weaves a humorous and hyperbolic folk story about a feisty child and absurd mishaps, showcasing Tamil street-theatre humor.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Rhyme / Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“En kannilae kalai veechu / En udhattilae mukkani pechu”
Matching starting sounds in adjacent phrases or lines, such as 'En kannilae' and 'En udhattilae', or 'China japan rangoon burma'.
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“En kannilae kalai veechu / En nenjilae veera moochu”
Matching second consonants across consecutive lines, such as 'kannilae' and 'nenjilae' or 'marakka' and 'appalam'.
Hyperbole (Uruvagaimai / Adukku)
“Chettiyaara appalam aakkiduchaam”
Exaggerated folk storytelling describing a child flattening a Chettiyar like a papadum.
Metaphor (Uruvagom)
“En udhattilae mukkani pechu”
Comparing pleasant speech to 'Mukkani' (the three sacred fruits of Tamil tradition: Mango, Banana, Jackfruit).
Did you know?
Trivia
The lyrics blend traditional Tamil folk narrative structures ('Kummi' rhythms, humorous folk tales) with global city names popular in pre-independence and post-war South Indian migration culture (Rangoon, Burma, Japan).
Keep listening
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