- Lyricist
- Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
- Singer
- P. Leela
- Music director
- G. Ramanathan
- Movie name
- Vanangamudi – 1957 Film
- Movie release year
- 1957
- Lyrics added on
- 23 Mar 2025
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This playful and satirical song from the 1957 Tamil film 'Vanangamudi' features a woman teasing and mocking a foolish, arrogant suitor who tries to flirt without any character or substance. Through sharp colloquialisms and absurd folk metaphors, she exposes his superficiality and warns him that his tricks will not succeed against her. Using humorous analogies—such as asking whether a palmyra tree feels pain when a scorpion bites a coconut tree—the lyricist lampoons illogical arguments and fake swagger. The song reinforces themes of self-dignity, moral integrity, and practical wisdom over hollow boasting.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Kattazhagu maama pottazhagu boomaa”
Matching second consonants across lyric lines to create rhythmic flow.
Simile (Upamai)
“Mathaappu polae maraiyum purinjikoo”
Comparing the fleeting nature of superficial pride to the temporary brightness of a sparkler firework.
Proverbial Nonsense / Satire (Pazhamozhi Sledai)
“Thenna marathula thelu kadichaa panai marathukku valikkuma”
Using absurd folk metaphors to illustrate illogical thinking and useless behavior.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by G. Ramanathan with lyrics by Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass, 'Kattazhagu Maama' is a classic 1950s Tamil cinema dance song rendered by P. Leela. The film 'Vanangamudi' stars Sivaji Ganesan and Savitri, and the track is memorable for its lively folk rhythm and catchy, proverbial lyricisms.
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