- Lyricist
- M. S. Balasubramaniyam
- Singers
- D. Srinivas, P. Susheela
- Music director
- Pendyala Nageswara Rao
- Movie name
- Kudumbam
- Movie release year
- 1954
- Lyrics added on
- 11 Mar 2022
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This playful duet from the 1954 film Kudumbam is a humorous banter between a man trying to woo a woman with grand, exaggerated promises and a smart, skeptical woman who sees right through his bluff. The male protagonist promises cash, gold sovereigns, silk sarees, diamond jewelry, car rides, and daily airplane trips if she agrees to marry him.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyming)
“Nottu pavunu tharen / Pattu pudavai thaaren”
The second consonant 'tt' in 'Nottu' and 'Pattu' rhymes across the consecutive lines.
Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Adi ponnae poovae poovin manamae”
Repetition of the initial 'p' sound in 'ponnae', 'poovae', and 'poovin'.
Idioms / Colloquial Metaphor
“Vaai pandhal pottu summaa”
'Vaai pandhal' (mouth canopy) is a Tamil idiom referring to making empty verbal promises without any intention or ability to fulfill them.
Code-mixing / Tanglish Rhyme
“Ennai yemaathathae idhellam actu / Unnai enakku theriyum nee eempty pocketu”
Blends Tamil with English words like 'act' and 'empty pocket' adapted with Tamil phonetics ('actu', 'pocketu') for comic effect.
Did you know?
Trivia
Released in 1954, 'Kudumbam' was scored by Pendyala Nageswara Rao. The song stands out as an early example of playful, colloquial Tanglish comedy duets in Tamil cinema, highlighting everyday slang and social humor popular during the 1950s.
Keep listening
Songs with a similar feeling
From the same album
More songs from Kudumbam
View albumSpot an issue?
Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.