- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singers
- P. Susheela, L. R. Eswari
- Music director
- Shankar Ganesh
- Movie name
- Kai Niraiya Kasu
- Movie release year
- 1974
- Lyrics added on
- 4 Oct 2023
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
The song 'Kai Niraiya Kasu' is a sharp, philosophical commentary on the power of money and human nature in society. Penned by Kannadasan, it highlights how society respects money far more than character, virtue, or spoken honesty. Using playful references to Thiruvalluvar and the two sides of a coin, the lyrics explain that money is transient—it moves from hand to hand and person to person, revealing the shallow nature of material wealth.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Pun / Double Entendre (Sleshhai)
“Un sollil ulla naanayaththai”
The word 'Naanayam' in 'Un sollil ulla naanayaththai' is a clever pun meaning both 'currency coin' and 'honesty/integrity'.
Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Kai niraiya kasu”
Repetition of initial consonants creating a rhythmic beat: 'Kai niraiya kasu / Pai niraiya kasu'.
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Panam anthapakkam netrirukkum / Inthapakkam indrirukkum”
The second letter harmony seen in 'anthapakkam' and 'Inthapakkam'.
Metaphor
“Oru pakkam poo endru / Marupakkam thalai endrum”
Comparing the two sides of a coin (poo and thalai) to the impermanence and shifting nature of wealth across time.
Did you know?
Trivia
Kannadasan frequently embedded deep philosophical observations on wealth into upbeat, catchy Tamil film tracks. His clever play on the word 'naanayam' (coin/honesty) remains one of his iconic linguistic devices to criticize societal materialism.
Keep listening
Songs with a similar feeling
From the same album
More songs from Kai Niraiya Kasu
View albumSpot an issue?
Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.