- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Music director
- Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
- Movie name
- Sivagangai Seemai
- Movie release year
- 1959
- Lyrics added on
- 7 Apr 2019
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This playful and witty folk song from Sivagangai Seemai (1959) features village women mocking a man ('machaan') who previously created trouble and left arrogant footprints. He has now returned humbled, seeking his remaining pay from the very women he looked down upon. The women tease him, singing that while trying to trap others like wild birds or deer, he ended up getting caught in his own trap.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)
“Pona thadavai / Pottuttu ponaaru”
Rhyming of the second consonant sound across lines to create a rhythmic, conversational folk structure.
Metaphor & Irony
“Maanukkaaga viricha valaiyil Maattikkitaaru”
Comparing the man to an overconfident hunter caught in his own trap ('Maanukkaaga viricha valaiyil Maattikkitaaru') and sarcastically offering him cattle food (cottonseed, oilcake, rice-wash water) as hospitality.
Moonaiai (Initial Alliteration)
“Karachi vecha kalani thanniya”
Repetition of initial consonant sounds enhancing the song's upbeat folk rhythm.
Did you know?
Trivia
Sivagangai Seemai (1959) is a historical Tamil period film produced and written by poet Kannadasan, depicting the freedom struggle of the Maruthu Pandiyar brothers against British colonial rule. The film's soundtrack was composed by the iconic duo Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy.
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