- Lyricist
- A. Maruthakasi
- Singers
- Jikki, Jamuna Rani
- Music director
- Susarla Dakshinamurthi
- Movie name
- Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum
- Movie release year
- 1956
- Lyrics added on
- 7 Feb 2020
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This satirical track highlights the material motivations governing human society and relationships. The lyricist observes how every action—from performance arts and social gatherings to deceit and sycophancy—is fundamentally driven by monetary gain. The song critique extends to social practices like marrying off young daughters to toothless old men simply because of the wealth stored in their treasure boxes.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Epistrophe / Repetition
“Kaasukku kaasukku”
The phrase 'kaasukku' (for money) is repeated at the end of multiple lines to emphasize the central theme of greed and financial motive.
Tamil Idiom (Kullaa Poduvadhum)
“Palar aalai kullaa poduvadhum kaasukku”
'Kullaa poduvadhu' literally means putting a cap on someone, which is a Tamil colloquial idiom meaning to fool or trick someone.
Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyming)
“Pallu illaadha vellai thaadi”
The second consonant 'llu' is matched in 'Pallu' and 'Sollu' across stanzas, adhering to traditional Tamil prosody.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum' (1956), starring M.G. Ramachandran and Bhanumathi, was the first full-length Gevacolor film in Tamil cinema history. The soundtrack was composed by Susarla Dakshinamurthi.
Keep listening
Songs with a similar feeling
From the same album
More songs from Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum
View albumSpot an issue?
Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.