- Lyricist
- Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
- Singers
- S. C. Krishnan, A. G. Rathnamala
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Movie name
- Thaaikkuppin Thaaram
- Movie release year
- 1956
- Lyrics added on
- 11 Oct 2019
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This playful duet features a lighthearted verbal duel and romantic banter between the hero and heroine. They tease each other using local proverbs and metaphors, accusing each gender of being untrustworthy—specifically using the idiom of 'helping someone up the ladder and then pulling the ladder away.' The female lead compares the male hero to a restless Jallikattu bull showing off, while the male lead calls her a gold nugget and insists he is different from other men. As the song progresses, the tone shifts from mock accusations to deep affection. The hero explains that just as a tree depends on the soil for nourishment, his existence depends entirely on her. They acknowledge that their hearts have joined, hit by Cupid's arrow, and express a wish for their two lives to merge seamlessly like a field and its water channel, hoping their ideal marriage serves as an inspiration to the entire village.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Uvamaani)
“Vilaam pazhathu ottodae”
Compares detachment/desire to the space between a ripe wood-apple fruit and its outer hard shell.
Simile (Uvamaani)
“Jalli kattu kaalai polae”
Compares the hyperactive, jumping behavior of the protagonist to a raging Jallikattu bull.
Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyming)
“Mannai nambi maramirukkudhu / Adi unnai nambi naanirukken”
The second letter 'nna' (ன்) rhymes across both opening lines ('Mannai' and 'Unnai').
Idiom / Cultural Metaphor
“Yaeravuttu yaeni edukkum”
A popular Tamil idiom referring to betrayal—letting someone climb up a ladder and then pulling it away.
Metaphor (Uvagam)
“Indha vayalum vaaikkaal polae”
Compares the unity of two hearts to a field and a water canal, which must coexist side-by-side to nourish life.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Thaaikkuppin Thaaram' (1956) was a landmark film in Tamil cinema as it marked the debut production of Devar Films, founded by Sandow M.M.A. Chinnappa Thevar, and starred M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) alongside P. Bhanumathi. The music for the film was composed by K. V. Mahadevan, with lyrics crafted by Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass. This iconic song is a classic example of folk-infused romantic banter duet that became immensely popular across Tamil Nadu.
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