- Lyricist
- A. Maruthakasi
- Singer
- K. R. Ramasamy
- Music director
- G. Ramanathan
- Movie name
- Satharam
- Movie release year
- 1956
- Lyrics added on
- 15 Jan 2026
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
In this song from the 1956 movie Satharam, a Robin Hood-like hero addresses his lover before departing on a daring venture. He playfully contrasts himself, the king of the forest, with the actual rulers of the land. His target is the wealthy corrupt who exploit the poor through exorbitant interest rates and bribes.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Contrast / Antithesis (Naadudhal vs Kaadudhal)
“Naadalum raajakalai kaanave / Indha kaadaalaum raaja naan pogiren”
Contrasts 'Naadalum raaja' (king ruling the country) with 'Kaadaalum raaja' (king ruling the forest) to establish the protagonist's rebellious outlaw identity.
Refrain / Epiphora (Iyaibu)
“Nall vaakku nee kodadi”
The repeating refrain 'Nall vaakku nee kodadi / En thangame nal vaakku kodadi' creates rhythmic emphasis and emotional grounding throughout the track.
Metaphor (Uvamaani)
“Koththodu muthaaram kodiye”
Compares the beloved lady to a delicate cluster of pearls on a vine ('Koththodu muthaaram kodiye').
Alliteration (Moonaai)
“Vatti mele vatti pottu naatile”
Rhythmic repetition of 'vatti' in 'Vatti mele vatti pottu' emphasizes the excessive burden of compound interest imposed by greedy lenders.
Did you know?
Trivia
Satharam (1956) featured music composed by G. Ramanathan with lyrics penned by A. Maruthakasi. Maruthakasi was renowned for embedding sharp anti-corruption, socialist commentary within folk and film songs during the 1950s.
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