- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- Shankar Ganesh
- Movie name
- Nallathukku Kalamillai
- Movie release year
- 1977
- Lyrics added on
- 11 May 2023
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
In this playful romantic track from the 1977 movie Nallathukku Kalamillai, the protagonist admires his beloved's grace and striking appearance. He compares her beauty to a treasure chest and a fine painting, expressing how her presence dismantles his self-control and makes his bound heart fly freely with love. Lyricist Vaali weaves classic Tamil imagery like the flowing Kaveri river and flower-braided hair alongside humorous modern touches, including an unexpected English interjection ('O I am sorry') and clever wordplay on 'Parandhaman' (a name for Lord Vishnu, also punning on a flying/roving mind).
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyming)
“Katti vecha poonguzhali / Etti etti paarthapadi”
The second letters 't' ('ட்') in 'Katti' and 'Etti' rhyme across the opening lines, establishing a pleasant Tamil rhythmic flow.
Metaphor (Uruvagham)
“Kattazhagu pettagamae / Kalaitheludha sithiramae”
The speaker directly addresses the woman as a treasure chest of beauty and a drawn painting, highlighting her flawless aesthetics.
Sledai (Wordplay / Pun)
“Adi parandha manam kondavalae / Naan parandhaman aanendi”
Vaali plays on 'parandha manam' (broad/generous heart) to lead into 'parandhaman', referencing Lord Vishnu while playfully implying his mind has taken flight.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song is notable for lyricist Vaali's signature technique of inserting contemporary colloquial English phrases ('O I am sorry') into upbeat Tamil film tunes, brilliantly rendered with energetic vocal expression by T. M. Soundararajan for Shankar-Ganesh's music.
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