- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- S. Janaki
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Movie name
- Azhaithal Varuven
- Movie release year
- 1980
- Lyrics added on
- 16 Jan 2022
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
The song is a satirical commentary on the pervasive commercialization in modern society where everything comes at a price. Sung from the perspective of a performer or courtesan addressing a customer, it lists various services from personal intimacy and entertainment to religious rituals, personal grooming, healthcare, and political corruption, highlighting how every single action or indulgence requires a fixed 'rate'. Through rhythmic repetition, lyricist Kannadasan cleverly critiques human transactional behavior in daily life.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Anaphora / Repetition (Emoni)
“Aadai katti kolvatharkkum oru rate / Ingu aalai katti anaippatharkkum oru rate”
The repetitive use of 'oru rate' at the end of almost every line creates an empathetic and rhythmic focus on commercial pricing.
Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)
“Aadai katti kolvatharkkum oru rate / Ingu aalai katti anaippatharkkum oru rate”
The second letter harmony 'da' in 'Aadai' and 'aa' sound in 'aalai' creates traditional Tamil poetic meter harmony across lines.
Satire and Irony
“Kovilukkul selvatharkkum oru rate ... Kalla vote-tu podavum oru rate”
The juxtaposition of sacred acts like temple visits and political activities like casting fake votes with transactional pricing highlights societal cynicism.
Did you know?
Trivia
Written by the legendary poet Kannadasan, this song uses playful rhyming structures featuring English loanwords like 'date' and 'rate' to deliver a sharp social critique on commercialization in 1980s Tamil cinema.
Keep listening
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