- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- Kovai Kamala
- Music director
- Sampath Selvam
- Movie name
- Odangal
- Movie release year
- 1986
- Lyrics added on
- 22 Dec 2020
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
Kizhavikku Mudhaliravu is a humorous and nostalgic Tamil folk song from the movie Odangal (1986), penned by lyricist Vairamuthu. The song captures an elderly woman fondly looking back at her first wedding night with playful embarrassment and joy. She describes how, even in her old age, the vivid memories of her youth bring back butterfly-like sensations and sweet nostalgia. Through lively folk metaphors, she describes her husband's gentle, stealthy steps like a cat drinking milk, the intimacy they shared, and the hilarious confusion the next morning when they accidentally swapped clothes—him wearing her saree and her in his dhoti—amusing the entire village street.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edugai and Iyaibu (Rhyme Scheme)
“Paayaellaam poovu padukkaiyellaam panneeru / Malligaippoo kaiyil suththi vanthaaru mannaaru”
The lyrics use second-consonant agreement (Edugai) and end-rhyming words (Iyaibu) such as panneeru and mannaaru to create an infectious folk cadence.
Simile (Upamai)
“Paal kudikkum poonaiyai pol / Padharaama ettu vachchaan”
The husband's soft, careful, and quiet approach into the room is compared to a stealthy milk-drinking cat walking without making a sound.
Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navitchi)
“Ettu naal kazhichchuthan / Iruvarukkum vidinjuthadi”
The lyricist exaggerates that eight whole days passed before they realized morning had come, emphasizing how completely absorbed they were in their romantic bliss.
Onomatopoeia (Anukaranai)
“Kettaalae kirukirukkum / Engengo kurukurukkum”
Words like kirukirukkum (dizziness) and kurukurukkum (tingling/butterflies) vividly mimic physical sensation through rhythmic sound effect.
Did you know?
Trivia
Odangal (1986) was directed by Ameerjan with music composed by K. V. Mahadevan. This song stands out in Tamil film music as a rare, highly comedic folk track depicting an elderly woman humorously recounting her youthful wedding night romance, crafted with trademark folk wit by Vairamuthu.
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