- Lyricist
- K. S. Krishnamoorthy
- Singers
- Tiruchi Loganathan, S. C. Krishnan
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Movie name
- Panchali
- Movie release year
- 1959
- Lyrics added on
- 13 May 2025
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This playful duo song from the 1959 film Panchali presents a humorous debate and praise comparing traditional Indian Sidha/Ayurvedic herbal remedies with modern Western surgical medicine. One character praises the natural healing power of native roots, spices, and herbal formulations like 'Thrikatu' (ginger, pepper, long pepper) and 'Legiyam'. The other counterbalances this by marveling at Western surgical techniques that quickly cut, repair, and stitch organs as triumphs of scientific progress. Ultimately, the song celebrates the wisdom of both medical approaches and praises their master as an avatar echoing the ancient Siddha tradition.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Monai (Initial Assonance/Alliteration)
“Namma nattu vaithiyathai lesa ennathae / Nanmai ellaam purinjikaama alatchiyam pannathae”
Matching starting letters or sounds in consecutive lines, such as 'Namma' and 'Nanmai'.
Enumeration (List Creation)
“Suku milagu thippili kaai yum seena karkkandu”
Listing traditional Siddha medicine ingredients ('Suku, milagu, thippili') to create rhythm and authentic context.
Hyperbole (Exaggeration)
“Arai nodikkulla uruppai thiruppi thaiyal pottu mooduraar”
Exaggerating the speed of surgical procedures ('within half a second') for comedic emphasis.
Simile / Metaphor
“Palaya sidhargalai pola vandha avadhaaram”
Comparing the master doctor to ancient legendary Siddhar saints.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by legendary music director K. V. Mahadevan, 'Panchali' (1959) featured lighthearted folk-style comic tracks typical of late 1950s Tamil cinema. Singers Tiruchy Loganathan and S. C. Krishnan were renowned for their distinct theatrical diction, making social commentary songs engaging and memorable.
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