- Lyricist
- Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
- Singers
- A. L. Raghavan, Jikki
- Music director
- T. R. Pappa
- Movie name
- Kuravanji
- Movie release year
- 1960
- Lyrics added on
- 15 Sept 2025
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This song vividly depicts the harsh yet courageous life of Tamil fishermen. It emphasizes how their entire existence and daily bread depend on the treacherous sea. Leaving behind their beloved wives and children on the shore, the fishermen assemble simple wooden catamarans and venture out into unpredictable weather and dangerous waters.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Ennaalum thanniyilae / Enga pozhappae irukku”
Matching initial vowel sounds ('E' in Ennaalum and Enga) creates a smooth musical opening rhythm.
Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Anjaamale kadalu alaiyodu modhikittu / Akkaraikum ikkaraikkum aalaattam pottavanae”
Consonance of the second letter 'k/kk' sound across rhythmic phrasing.
Vivid Imagery / Hyperbole
“Vakkaramae pannikittu / Sakkaiyaaga vittuvidum”
Describes the destructive force of sea creatures thrashing catamarans into 'sakkai' (crushed sugarcane pulp/shreds).
Epizeuxis / Repetition
“Raa raa raja raja / Odi vaaraai raja raja”
Immediate repetition of 'raja' and 'raa' conveys urgency, affection, and rhythmic folk tempo.
Did you know?
Trivia
The 1960 movie 'Kuravanji', based on traditional Tamil dance drama literature (Kuravanji Natakam), featured music composed by T. R. Pappa. Lyricist Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass was renowned for his ability to translate the authentic dialect and folk culture of coastal Tamil workers into captivating cinema songs. Singers A. L. Raghavan and Jikki brought an energetic, realistic coastal folk flair to this duet.
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