- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Movie name
- Anbalippu
- Movie release year
- 1969
- Lyrics added on
- 11 Dec 2023
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This lighthearted duet from the 1969 film 'Anbalippu' captures a playful banter between two close companions (framed like brothers). One brother dresses up in Western suit attire trying to appear modern, while the other teasingly compares his funny appearance to a scarecrow in a cornfield or a mythological hunter wandering the streets of London. Despite the comical contrast between Western clothing and traditional South Indian roots, the song transitions into a heartwarming ode to true brotherhood and friendship. In the concluding verses, Kannadasan draws upon epic archetypes—Rama and Lakshmana, Arjuna and Yudhishthira—to emphasize that deep bonds transcend biological ties. The song highlights that true friendship creates a shared mindset between two individuals, turning their hearts into a residence for the divine, where no lack or fear can ever enter.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Second-letter rhyme)
“Aadai maariyadhu bashai maariyadhu / Paavam maaravillai annae”
Matching second consonants across lines such as 'Malaikottai' / 'Vamsathilae' or 'Aadai' / 'Paavam' in adjacent line structures.
Simile / Metaphor (Uwamai)
“Sola kaatiloru bommai”
Comparing the protagonist's awkwardly fitted Western suit to a scarecrow ('sola kaatiloru bommai') in a field.
Allusion (Purana Kurippeedhu)
“Sreeramachandranukku latchumanan thambhiyalloo”
Referencing epic brotherhood from Hindu mythology (Rama-Lakshmana and Arjuna-Dharmaraja) to reinforce loyalty.
Proverbial Allusion (Pazhamozhi)
“Thambhiyudaiyaan padaikanjaan enbathallaoo”
Incorporating the famous Tamil proverb 'Thambhiyudaiyaan padaikanjaan' (One who has a brother fears no army).
Did you know?
Trivia
The film 'Anbalippu' (1969), starring Sivaji Ganesan, Jaishankar, and B. Saroja Devi, features music by M. S. Vishwanathan. This song showcases MSV's signature style of mixing comical Western rhythm patterns with traditional Carnatic folk phrasings, paired with Kannadasan's effortless transition from comedic wordplay to philosophical observations about friendship.
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