- Lyricist
- Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
- Singer
- K. Jamunarani
- Music director
- S. Vedhachalam
- Movie name
- Anbu Engey
- Movie release year
- 1958
- Lyrics added on
- 3 Sept 2021
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This lively and playful track from the 1958 film Anbu Engey captures the charm, glamour, and playful confidence of a captivating woman who bewitches men with her modern style and grace. Blending modern metaphors of the era such as rockets, glittery jackets, and trendy hairstyles ('face cut'), the song describes how her mesmerizing beauty hypnotizes wealthy suitors and young dandies alike. She teasingly boasts about her irresistible allure, warning that magic spells won't work on her, while declaring that a single glance from her eyes serves as the ultimate cure for love sickness. The song emphasizes her striking presence that turns heads and inspires intense competition even among elite men.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Iyaibu (End Rhyme)
“Maelae parakkum rocket-tu”
The use of loanwords ending with the rhythmic '-tu' sound ('rocket-tu', 'jacket-tu', 'face cuttu', 'market-tu') creates a catchy monorhyme scheme at the end of consecutive lines.
Upamai (Simile/Metaphor)
“Anna nadaiyil aayiram”
'Anna nadai' compares the woman's graceful walking style to that of a majestic swan.
Upamai (Metaphor)
“Minnal idaiyai kandaalae”
'Minnal idai' compares the thinness and striking visual of her waist to a flash of lightning.
Monaai (Initial Alliteration)
“Mainar thambi manasai parikkum bulbul mainaa”
Repetition of the 'Ma' sound across words ('Mainar', 'manasai', 'mainaa') enhances the musical rhythm of the verse.
Did you know?
Trivia
Written by renowned lyricist Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass for the film Anbu Engey (1958), the song stands out for its early incorporation of Western loan words (rocket, jacket, face cut, market) mixed with colloquial Madras Tamil slang (nainaa, maja), capturing the evolving urban youth culture of Tamil cinema in the late 1950s.
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