- Lyricist
- K. P. Kamatchisundaram
- Singer
- T. K. Shanmugam
- Music director
- R. Sudharsanam
- Movie name
- Vaazhkkai
- Movie release year
- 1949
- Lyrics added on
- 14 Dec 2025
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This song from the 1949 film 'Vaazhkkai' is a sharp sociological satire commenting on the double standards, class prejudice, and moral hypocrisy of society toward the poor. It highlights how social worth and respect are measured entirely by money rather than character or intellect.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Muran (Antithesis)
“Mandha buthikkaaranaiyum ... Sondha buthikkaranaiyum”
Contrasts a wealthy fool (mandha buthikkaaran) who gets glorified with a wise poor person (sondha buthikkaran) who gets dismissed as lazy.
Irony / Satire
“Perung kollaiyadichu panathai kuvikkiravanai paarthu vallalinnu solluvanga”
Highlights the societal irony where a small thief feeding his starving family is called a rogue, while a massive swindler who hoards wealth is honored as a philanthropist.
Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Pullai kuttikaaga / Kallathanam panninaalum”
The second consonant 'll' (ள்/ல்) rhymes between 'Pullai' and 'Kallathanam'.
Iyaipu (End Rhyme)
“Varnanaigal pannuvaanga / Sombaeriyinnu vaanga / Mollamaariyinnuvaangha”
Repetition of similar verbal suffixes ('-vaanga') at the end of lines creates a rhythmic cadence.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Vaazhkkai' (1949), produced by AVM Productions and directed by A. V. Meiyappan, marked the landmark silver screen debut of legendary actress Vyjayanthimala. The soundtrack composed by R. Sudharsanam was hugely popular, leading to the film being remade in Hindi as 'Bahar' (1951), which launched Vyjayanthimala's career in Bollywood.
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