- Lyricist
- Pattukkottai Kalyanasundram
- Singer
- P. Susheela
- Music director
- Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
- Movie name
- Pathi Bakthi
- Movie release year
- 1958
- Lyrics added on
- 16 Mar 2020
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This philosophical song, written by Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram for the 1958 film Pathi Bakthi, uses the metaphor of a white goat being fed by a human only to be slaughtered later as a critique of deceitful human nature and fake sympathy. The song highlights how lazy, opportunistic individuals behave like sly foxes, exploiting innocent, silent beings for their selfish pleasures. Furthermore, the lyricist points out the irony and hypocrisy of society: despite visionary leaders like Buddha, Jesus, and Gandhi advocating compassion and non-violence toward all creatures, people merely admire these teachings rhetorically while continuing to patronize butcher shops and indulge in hypocrisy.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (உருவகம்)
“Iraipodum manitharukkae Iraiyaagum vellaadae”
The goat being fed only to be slaughtered serves as a powerful metaphor for deceptive human relationships where affection masks ulterior motives.
Simile (உவமை)
“Nari pola thirivaar puvimelaae”
Compares lazy, deceitful humans to foxes roaming the earth.
Simile (உவமை)
“Kadal pola ullangkonda”
Compares the expansive, compassionate hearts of Gandhi and Jesus to the vastness of the sea.
Monaai (Monai / Assonance)
“Kaalodindha aattukaaga / Kanneer vitta budharum”
Repetition of initial consonant sounds across adjacent lines or within lines for musical rhythm (e.g., Kaalodindha / Kanneer / Kadal).
Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyming)
“Iraipodum manitharukkae / Iraiyaagum vellaadae”
Matching of the second consonant sound across lines ('rai' in Iraipodum / Iraiyaagum).
Did you know?
Trivia
Pathi Bakthi (1958) was directed by A. Bhimsingh and featured music composed by the legendary duo Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy (V. Viswanathan and T. K. Ramamoorthy). Lyricist Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram was famous for embedding sharp socialist commentary, rationalist philosophy, and social critique into popular Tamil film songs.
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