- Lyricist
- Gangai Amaran
- Singers
- S. P. Sailaja, Chorus
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Movie name
- Puthiya Adimaigal
- Movie release year
- 1981
- Lyrics added on
- 7 Sept 2022
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This song is a fiery working-class satire and protest directed against a corrupt local oppressor or landlord ('Saamithurai'). The narrator along with the chorus mockingly plans to erect a public statue of this villain at the village junction, sarcastically promising rituals made of drain water, broomsticks, and cactus garlands instead of sacred items. The lyrics call out the economic injustice where laborers toil in the fields while the greedy landlord pockets all the gains. The song serves as a fierce warning that the era of quiet exploitation is over and the oppressed poor are rising to claim their rightful dues.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Monai (Alliteration)
“Muttaap paya maapaavikku / Muchchanthiyil vaippom sela”
Repetition of the initial 'Mu' sound across words creates a strong rhythmic folk cadence.
Iyaibu (End Rhyme)
“Vedhappathum aruppathum enga kaiyi / Neraivathu maaththiram unga paiyi”
Use of rhyming end-words 'kaiyi', 'paiyi', 'poiyyi', and 'vaiyi' to build a sharp, colloquial spoken-word rhythm.
Irony and Satire (Nindha Stuthi)
“Sakkadai neerinil aalaaththiyum / Thudaippathinaal pudhu venjaamaram”
Traditional worship elements (aarathi, garlands, whisk) are replaced with insulting items like drain water, cactus, and brooms to mock the antagonist.
Did you know?
Trivia
Featured in the 1981 film 'Puthiya Adimaigal', this track stands out as a powerful folk-protest song composed by Ilaiyaraaja. Lyricist Gangai Amaran used raw local slang to express peasant rebellion, elevated by S.P. Sailaja's energetic lead vocal performance.
Keep listening
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