- Lyricist
- A. Maruthakasi
- Singers
- Jikki, S. C. Krishnan
- Music director
- T. R. Pappa
- Movie name
- Mallika (1957 film)
- Movie release year
- 1957
- Lyrics added on
- 17 Jun 2025
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This playful duet from the 1957 movie 'Mallika' explores the contemporary dialogue between traditional values and modern lifestyle changes. The male character questions modern social trends, asking whether gender equality means picking fights with men or abandoning traditional cosmetics like turmeric in favor of face powder. In response, the female character counters by asking whether traditional modesty implies becoming enslaved to men, and pokes fun at men wearing archaic or pretentious attire.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Sledai (Double Entendre / Pun)
“Maanathai kaapadhum ponnu”
The word 'ponnu' plays on both 'pon' (gold/virtue) and 'penn' (woman), referencing honor and societal value.
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Adakkaminna aan pillaiyidathil / Adimaiyaavadhu thaanaa”
Rhyming of the second letter 'da' in 'Adakkam' and 'Adimai'.
Iyaibu (End Rhyme)
“Anbaaga vaaazhndhida venum”
Repetition of the phrase 'venum' at the end of consecutive lines for musical rhythm.
Antithesis / Contrast
“Manjal poosum penn pillaiyellaam / Maavai poosudhal muraiyaa”
Contrasting traditional practice ('manjal poosum' - turmeric) with modern makeup ('maavai poosudhal' - flour/powder).
Did you know?
Trivia
'Mallika' (1957) starred Gemini Ganesan and P. Bhanumathi. Lyricist A. Maruthakasi was known for writing social commentary duets in 1950s Tamil cinema that playfully debated modern social reforms versus tradition, delivered brilliantly here through the contrasting vocals of S. C. Krishnan and Jikki.
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