- Lyricist
- V. A. Gopalakrishnan
- Singer
- P. A. Periyanayaki
- Music director
- S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
- Movie name
- Ezhai Padum Padu
- Movie release year
- 1950
- Lyrics added on
- 9 Aug 2020
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This street song from 'Ezhai Padum Padu' (1950) depicts a poor young woman appealing to wealthy passersby for charity. Using playful flattery, satire, and social commentary, she notices various rich characters walking by—admiring their twirled mustaches, pot bellies, western boots, hats, pipes, and fine suits—and urges them to share a small portion of their wealth to relieve her suffering.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Onomatopoeia (Oliyakkuipul)
“Ooi….tak tak poottu”
The phrase 'tak tak poottu' mimics the sharp clicking sound made by formal western boots walking on pavement.
Satire / Irony (Nakaiyaadal)
“Paanai vayirea pesuthe thaaralamethaane”
The singer sarcastically equates a wealthy man's prosperous pot belly ('paanai vayiru') to a symbol of natural generosity, humorously coaxing money out of him.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“En kaamavalli…..”
Addressing the potential donor as 'Kaamavalli' (wish-fulfilling vine) and 'Dharmarasaa' (king of charity) elevates the act of giving to a divine quality.
Rhyme / Assonance (Mona / Ethirai)
“Murukkiya meesa paakkavae ponguthae aasa”
Internal rhyming words like 'meesa' and 'aasa' create a catchy rhythm suited for a street performance song.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Ezhai Padum Padu' (1950) was a landmark Tamil film adaptation of Victor Hugo's legendary novel 'Les Misérables'. Directed by K. Ramnoth and produced by his partner A. K. Sekhar, the soundtrack was largely composed by S. M. Subbaiah Naidu, bringing realistic social issues to the forefront of early Tamil cinema.
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