- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singers
- T. M. Soundararajan, L. R. Eswari
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Movie name
- Thamarai Nenjam
- Movie release year
- 1968
- Lyrics added on
- 1 Jul 2022
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
"Muttrugai Porattum" is a playful, endearing protest song from the 1968 film 'Thamarai Nenjam'. In the story, children and family members organize a affectionate mock siege and hunger strike to prevent their beloved elder sister (Akka) from leaving the household. Through innocent demands, slogans, and fun blockades, they express how essential she is to their daily lives and emotional well-being. The song beautifully contrasts playful childhood innocence with deep emotional affection. Kannadasan's lyrics depict the sister not merely as a family member, but as a motherly guide and the auspicious presence (Lakshmi) of the home. Set to a lively rhythm by M. S. Vishwanathan, the track transforms a moment of potential sorrowful parting into a warm, united declaration of love.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Iyaibu (End Rhyme)
“Erumbukku kondaattam / Karumbukku thindattam”
Matching rhyming line endings used across consecutive lines to create a rhythmic, chant-like effect for the protest.
Contrast / Antithesis
“Erumbukku kondaattam / Karumbukku thindattam”
Contrasting the joy of ants (erumbu) with the distress of sugarcane (karumbu) to humorously reflect the situation.
Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)
“Kanneeraalae sangili pottom”
Metaphorically describing the emotional restraint placed on the sister as a 'chain formed of tears'.
Edhukai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Koottam koottungal / Veettai poottungal”
The second consonant sound 'tt' rhymes across consecutive imperative phrases.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Thamarai Nenjam' (1968) was directed by legendary filmmaker K. Balachander and featured music composed by M. S. Vishwanathan with lyrics by Kannadasan. Starring Gemini Ganesan, B. Saroja Devi, and Vanisri, the film was a major emotional drama of its era and was later remade in Telugu as 'Mooga Nomu'.
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