- Lyricist
- A. Maruthakasi
- Singer
- P. Susheela
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Movie name
- Kadhal Vaaganam
- Movie release year
- 1968
- Lyrics added on
- 3 Sept 2019
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This song is a playful banter and musical duel centered around a comparison between a sleek, modern 1968 car ('Arubaththettu') and an ancient 1928 vintage car ('Irubhaththettu'). The male singers boast about their stylish 1968 model, highlighting its smooth design, elegance, and modern appeal while teasing the female lead about her old, unreliable vehicle that constantly breaks down and rattles on bumpy roads. The female singer humorously retorts by poking fun at the modern car's pretentiousness and defending the vintage vehicle as a symbol of nostalgic charm, while playfully pointing out that her car jumps like a frog and belongs in a scrap metal shop despite its stylish driver. The song serves as a lighthearted comedic exchange representing the clash between modern youthfulness and antique charm.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Onomatopoeia (Irattai Kilavi)
“Pada padakkum thadathadakkum Kadakadakkum idhu edharkku…”
The lyricist uses rhythmic, sound-imitative words 'Pada padakkum', 'thadathadakkum', and 'kadakadakkum' to mimic the rattling and clattering noises made by the old vehicle.
Simile (Uvamai Ani)
“Chinna thavalai pola idhu paayum”
The bouncing movement of the old vintage car is explicitly compared to the jumping motion of a small frog using the comparative word 'pola'.
Rhyme and Assonance (Ethirai / Monai)
“Ilamaiyin ezhuchi Pudhumaiyin puratchi”
The lines employ matching initial consonant sounds and internal rhyme ('ezhuchi' and 'puratchi') to create a rhythmic, catchy musical cadence.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Kadhal Vaaganam' (1968) stars M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) and Jayalalithaa. The song cleverly integrates the actual year of the film's release (1968 / 'Arubaththettu') into the lyrics to contrast modern 1968 automotive technology with a 1928 ('Irubhaththettu') vintage automobile.
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