- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Music director
- Sankar Ganesh
- Movie name
- Palaivana Solai
- Movie release year
- 1981
- Lyrics added on
- 29 Mar 2020
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
Engal Kadhai Idhu Ungalin Kadhai from Palaivana Solai (1981) serves as an energetic anthem for unemployed youth during the 1980s. Written by Vairamuthu, the song vividly describes the everyday reality of educated young men who hang around tea stalls and street corners searching for employment. Rather than giving in to despair, they treat their struggles with humor and camaraderie, turning their unused university degrees into metaphorical kites and establishing new social values centered on sharing, laughter, and solidarity. The track captures a spirit of resilience, calling upon youth to unite like lions, let go of passive daydreams, and take dynamic action to shape a prosperous future for themselves and the country.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor
“Tea kadaiyae aalaiyamae”
The tea stall is metaphorically equated to a temple, portraying it as a sacred sanctuary of friendship for unemployed youth.
Pun / Wordplay
“Oru pattam vaanginom adhil pattam vidugirom”
Plays on the dual meaning of 'pattam', referring both to an academic degree earned and a paper kite flown to pass time.
Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyming)
“Azhuvadhum vizhuvadhum / Ezhuvadhum thozhuvadhum”
The second consonant 'zha' rhymes across successive lines, creating a rhythmic cadence.
Metaphor
“Singangalae serungalaen”
Refers to the young men as 'lions', evoking strength and collective courage.
Did you know?
Trivia
Palaivana Solai (1981) was a acclaimed film directed by the duo Robert-Rajasekar, featuring music composed by Shankar-Ganesh. The song famously highlights the 1980s social theme of educated youth unemployment in Tamil Nadu through satirical lyricism.
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