- Lyricist
- T. Rajendar
- Singer
- Malaysia Vasudevan
- Music director
- T. Rajendar
- Movie name
- Oru Thalai Ragam
- Movie release year
- 1980
- Lyrics added on
- 14 Jul 2022
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This song expresses the playfully unrequited and rustic love of a young man calling out to his beloved using raw folk imagery and colloquialisms. He compares their mismatch to dry fish alongside fragrant hair flowers, capturing the comical contrast and agony of unfulfilled romance. He praises her beauty as rare as a full moon and calls himself a swooning bull of Mayiladuthurai, pleading with her not to run away like the Kaveri river and asking who occupies her heart.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uvamai)
“Koodaiyila karuvaadu koondhalilae pookkaadu”
Compares her hair adorned with abundant flowers to a dense forest of flowers ('koondhalilae pookkaadu').
Ethukai (Second letter rhyming)
“Koodaiyila karuvaadu koondhalilae pookkaadu”
The second letters of 'Koodaiyila' and 'Koondhalilae' share the 'da/dha' harmony typical of Tamil folk poetry.
Iyaibu (End Rhyme)
“Alli vattam pulli vattam naanrinja nilaa vattam”
Rhythmic repetition of '-vattam' across phrases creates a catchy internal and line-end cadence.
Cultural Imagery
“Maayooraththu kaalai onnu”
Uses rural elements like morning roosters, Mayiladuthurai bulls, and the Kaveri river to ground the romance in local Tamil heritage.
Did you know?
Trivia
Oru Thalai Ragam (1980) was a pathbreaking cult classic written, composed, and directed by T. Rajendar. This particular track stands out for its high-energy folk orchestration and raw colloquial lyrics sung brilliantly by Malaysia Vasudevan.
Keep listening
Songs with a similar feeling
From the same album
More songs from Oru Thalai Ragam
View albumSpot an issue?
Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.