- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singers
- P. Susheela, Chorus
- Music director
- Shankar Ganesh
- Movie name
- Athaivida Ragasiyam
- Movie release year
- 1978
- Lyrics added on
- 24 Dec 2021
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
The song 'Entha Kadai Selai' blends playful rhythm with strong social commentary regarding female empowerment, materialism, and dignity. Initially, the song poses a curious question about the luxurious sarees worn by young women, questioning the source of such wealth and highlighting the superficial allure of beauty and fashion. As the lyrics progress, lyricist Kannadasan infuses a moral and reformative message, cautioning against sacrificing self-respect or honor for material pleasures. He reminds women that in the modern era, opportunities abound to work, earn, and build a dignified living through intellect, talent, and honest labor. Ultimately, the song encourages women to stand on their own feet with courage and pride.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Ponnu paarvaikku poongodi polae”
Repetition of the 'P' sound at the beginning of words ('Ponnu', 'paarvaikku', 'poongodi', 'polae') creates a melodic initial rhyme.
Iyaipu (End Rhyme)
“Mangai pangajam veesidum veechchu / Maanam ponaval pesidum pechchu”
The lines end with rhyming words 'veechchu' and 'pechchu', creating a rhythmic cadence.
Simile (Uwamai Ani)
“Ponnu paarvaikku poongodi polae”
The girl's delicate appearance is compared to a flowering creeper ('poongodi') using the comparison word 'polae'.
Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)
“udal oru kannaadi”
Directly equating the girl's delicate physical form to glass/mirror ('kannaadi').
Did you know?
Trivia
Written by the legendary lyricist Kannadasan for the 1978 movie 'Athaivida Ragasiyam', this track exemplifies his characteristic style of inserting progressive social reform messages—such as women's economic independence and self-dignity—into upbeat, popular cinema song structures.
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