- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singers
- A. L. Ragavan, S. C. Krishnan
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Movie name
- Uzhavukkum Thozhilukkum Vandhanai Seivom
- Movie release year
- 1959
- Lyrics added on
- 9 May 2025
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This lighthearted yet deeply satirical song by lyricist Kannadasan addresses economic inequality, labor exploitation, and socialist principles. Through playful wordplay on vegetable names ending in '-kaai', the lyricist criticizes wealthy hoarders who exploit workers and hoard resources, while encouraging the working class to stand up for their rights and share wealth for the upliftment of the poor.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Siledai / Pun (Iratura Mozhidhal)
“Athikaai... Kathirukkaai... Avaraikaai... Sundakkaai... Vendakkaai”
Every couplet seamlessly integrates a vegetable name ending in '-kaai' (e.g., Kathirukkaai/Brinjal, Avaraikaai/Broad Beans, Sundakkaai/Turkey Berry, Vendakkaai/Okra, Paavaikaai/Bitter Gourd) into contextual wordplay carrying socio-political messages.
Uvamai (Simile / Metaphor)
“Pagaivar namakkoru sundakkaai / Avar pagattum paechum vendakkaai”
Comparing trivial enemies to 'sundakkaai' (a tiny berry) and worthless, boastful talk to slippery 'vendakkaai' (okra).
Iyaibu (End Rhyme)
“Athikaai / Kathirukkaai / Avaraikaai / Sundakkaai / Vendakkaai”
Consistent end rhyming using the suffix '-kaai' across almost all musical phrases, creating a catchy rhythmic cadence.
Did you know?
Trivia
Lyricist Kannadasan wrote this famous 'kaai' (vegetable) song to showcase his linguistic dexterity by embedding vegetable names into meaningful social commentary on labor rights, turning complex political messaging into an accessible folk musical dialogue.
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