- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Movie name
- Kasethan Kadavulada
- Movie release year
- 1972
- Lyrics added on
- 1 Mar 2019
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This classic track from Kasethan Kadavulada (1972) uses a traditional Tamil poetic style called Nindha Stuthi, where praise for Lord Shiva is expressed through apparent sarcasm and highlighting paradoxical events from his mythology. Lyricist Vaali weaves famous legends of Shiva—kicking Yama to save Markandeya, receiving Kannappa Nayanar's affectionate foot-touch, taking cane blows from the Pandya king, demanding Siruthondar's sacrifice, learning the Om mantra from his son Murugan, and drinking the cosmic poison—into a lighthearted and catchy rhythm. The speaker concludes by placing himself alongside Lord Shiva's divine children, Ganesha and Murugan, asking for grace as an ignorant child lacking wisdom.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Nindha Stuthi (Irony/Paradoxical Praise)
“Unnai kaalaal udhaithaan kannappanae”
A traditional Tamil literary tradition of praising a deity by playfully recounting instances where they were struck, scolded, or humbler than their devotees.
Emonai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Kaalanai udhaitha enappanae / Unnai kaalaal udhaithaan kannappanae”
Matching of initial consonant sounds across adjacent lines or words.
Refrain
“Athae athae sabapathae”
Repeated rhythmic chorus line adding comedic and devotional cadence.
Did you know?
Trivia
In the film 'Kasethan Kadavulada' (1972), this song plays during a hilarious sequence where characters pose as fake ascetics in a bogus ashram setup to trick a greedy matriarch into giving up hidden wealth. Vaali cleverly juxtaposed sacred myth with modern comedic references like 'hotel kari'.
Keep listening
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