- Lyricist
- Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyaar
- Singers
- T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
- Music director
- Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
- Movie name
- Pudhaiyal
- Movie release year
- 1957
- Lyrics added on
- 7 Mar 2020
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This song is adapted from Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyar's famous fortune-teller ('Kudukuduppaiyar' / 'Kuri Sollupavar') poem 'Vedapurathaarukku Nalla Kuri Sollu'. Using the persona of a street fortune teller chanting blessings and predictions, Bharathiyar delivers a sharp social critique and a vision of progressive renaissance. The song foretells the end of caste discrimination, eradication of poverty, expansion of education, and the triumph of justice over age-old superstitions.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Emonai / Monai (Alliteration)
“Dharithiram pogudhu”
Matching initial sounds across lines, such as 'Dharithiram pogudhu' and 'Padippum valarudhu', creating a rhythmic chant.
Edhukai (Second letter rhyming)
“Jaadhigal serudhu / Sandaigal tholaiyudhu”
The second consonant sound matches across consecutive lines, as in 'Jaadhigal' and 'Sandaigal'.
Anaphora / Repetition
“Kuri solludhu kuri solludhu”
Rhythmic repetition of fortune-telling refrains like 'Kuri solludhu' and 'Panatthondi' to mimic folk performance rhythm.
Didactic Satire
“Padichavan koorum paavamum panninaal / Povaan povaan aiyyoo vendhupovaan”
Bharathiyar warns that educated people who commit sins face far harsher moral retribution than the uneducated.
Did you know?
Trivia
Although the original verses were penned by Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyar as part of his visionary poems early in the 20th century, the song was adapted into the 1957 film Pudhaiyal starring Sivaji Ganesan and Padmini. The soundtrack was composed by the legendary duo Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy, and sung by T. M. Soundararajan and P. Leela.
Keep listening
Songs with a similar feeling
From the same album
More songs from Pudhaiyal
View albumSpot an issue?
Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.