- Lyricist
- Sankaradas Swamigal
- Singer
- A. L. Raghavan
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Movie name
- Kandhan Karunai
- Movie release year
- 1967
- Lyrics added on
- 21 Aug 2019
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This song is a classic representation of 'Tinai Punam Kaaval' (guarding millet fields), a theme deeply rooted in ancient Tamil Sangam literature. Sung by Goddess Valli in the film Kandhan Karunai, she warns various birds—parrots, sparrows, mynahs, swans, partridges, and cuckoos—not to destroy or eat the ripe millet crops in her field. She playfully yet firmly threatens to sling stones at them if they do not fly away swiftly.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Monaai (Initial Alliteration)
“Konjum kili kuruvi mainaavae / Koottamaai ingae varaadheer”
Repetition of the initial 'K' sound across consecutive lines ('Konjum', 'Koottamaai', 'Kavan', 'Kaavalil').
Adukku Thodar (Repetition for Emphasis)
“Kothi kothi thinaiyarundhum”
The duplicated words 'Kothi kothi' (pecking repeatedly) and 'Suthi suthi' (whirling continuously) enhance the rhythm and vividly describe the actions.
Traditional Refrain (Onomatopoeia / Cultural Chant)
“Aalolam aalolam aalolamae”
'Aalolam' and 'Cho' are traditional vocalizations specifically used by ancient Tamil women to shoo away birds from crops.
Did you know?
Trivia
The term 'Aalolam' is an ancient Tamil word dating back to Sangam poetry, specifically referring to the melodious sound made by young women guarding field crops ('Tinai Punam') to scare away birds without harming them. The lyrics used in the film were originally written by Swami Sankaradas, the pioneer of modern Tamil theatre.
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