- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- Chandrabose
- Music director
- Bala Bharathi
- Movie name
- Thalaivasal
- Movie release year
- 1992
- Lyrics added on
- 4 Mar 2021
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This song depicts the tragic cycle of addiction and physical strain experienced by a daily wage-earning rickshaw puller. He pushes his body to the limit through strenuous physical labor, which causes severe chronic pain in his bones and muscles. To numb this physical agony, he turns to cheap liquor, spending all his daily earnings on it. Ultimately, his body becomes dependent on alcohol—without it, he experiences withdrawal pains like a burning stomach, but with it, he gains the temporary sensation of energy to pull his vehicle again. Vairamuthu's lyrics poignantly capture the harsh reality of urban working-class struggle and dependence.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Rhyme (Emoni/Internal Rhyme)
“Aiyooo kodalum odalum serndhu ippo”
The words 'kodalum' (guts) and 'odalum' (body) rhyme internally, creating a natural acoustic rhythm that emphasizes physical suffering.
Hyperbole
“Patta pottaathaan rickshaw vandi thaana parakkudhu”
Exaggerating that the rickshaw flies on its own when drunk, conveying the psychological illusion of ease and lightness brought by intoxication.
Anaphora (Repetition)
“Naan dhinam dhorum / Patta pottaathaan”
Repeating opening phrases like 'Naan dhinam dhorum' and 'Patta pottaathaan' emphasizes the monotonous, inescapable cycle of daily labor and drinking.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song was rendered by Chandrabose, a popular composer-singer in Tamil cinema known for his distinctive rustic voice, which perfectly suited working-class folk numbers. The movie 'Thalaivasal' (1992), directed by Selva with music composed by Bala Bharathi, was a breakthrough film for several actors including Prakash Raj and Comedy actor Vadivelu.
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