- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Movie name
- Savaal
- Movie release year
- 1981
- Lyrics added on
- 11 Oct 2020
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This song from the 1981 film 'Savaal' is a street-smart, humorous, and satirical folk track penned by Kannadasan. Set in the vibrant locale of Chennai, it portrays a colorful group of local tricksters, pickpockets, and neighborhood shopkeepers sharing their daily earnings and celebrating their camaraderie. The lyrics playfully romanticize life on the streets, depicting pickpocketing with humorous flair and celebrating the tight-knit solidarity among marginalized city dwellers. Through lively Chennai street slang (Madras Bhashai), the song brings out a sense of joy and brotherhood amidst economic hardship. Characters like 'Saidapet Sambangi Raja' and 'Pattaakkaththi Bairavan' contribute their earnings to a common pool, demonstrating that unity and laughter transform their modest daily lives into a joyful royal reign.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Iyaibu (End Rhyme)
“Kaiyum nalla kaiyappaa / Kaasu varum kaiyappaa”
The repetitive line ending 'kaiyappaa' creates a catchy, rhythmic folk cadence throughout the refrain.
Moonaai (Alliteration)
“Pocket-la ullae vittaa / Panam izhukkum kaiyappaa”
Repetition of the 'P' consonant sound in 'Pocket' and 'Panam' establishes a bouncy rhythm.
Madras Bhashai / Local Dialect
“Pocket adichchathu irupaththonnu / Kalthaa thanthaa pattammaa”
Use of authentic Chennai slang like 'Pocket adichchathu' (pickpocketed) and 'Kalthaa' (booted/kicked out) to ground the song in street realism.
Did you know?
Trivia
The 1981 film 'Savaal' starred Kamal Haasan, Jaishankar, Sripriya, and Lakshmi in lead roles. The music for the film was composed by M. S. Viswanathan, and the film was an action drama directed by R. Krishnamoorthy.
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