- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- P. Susheela
- Music director
- Shankar Ganesh
- Movie name
- Rowdy Rakkamma
- Movie release year
- 1977
- Lyrics added on
- 30 Mar 2024
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
The song is a spirited, defiant folk-pop track where the protagonist asserts her unyielding resilience and sharp wit. By comparing herself to a Thanjavur roly-poly doll ('Thanjavooru bommai') that always bounces back up no matter how hard it is pushed, she warns her rivals that their intimidation tactics and empty threats will never work on her. Throughout the lyrics, she mockingly dismantles the opposition's false ego, calling out their fake pretenses, weak standing, and lost authority with playful street-smart banter.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uvamai)
“Thanjavooru bommai naan thanjavooru bommai”
Comparing her resilient self to a Thanjavur doll ('Thanjavooru bommai'), which always rights itself up when knocked over.
Simile (Uvamai)
“Adi varandu pona kenaththu pola”
Comparing a depleted opponent to a toothless comb ('pallu pona seeppu') and a dried-up well ('varandu pona kenaththu pola').
Rhyme / Assonance (Edhukai & Iyaibu)
“Unga arattalumthaan merattalumthaan”
Use of internal rhyming words like 'arattalumthaan' and 'merattalumthaan', as well as rhyming loanwords ('dooppu', 'keppu', 'weak-u', 'shock-u').
Did you know?
Trivia
Written by lyricist Vaali, the song features iconic Madras street slang (Madras Baashai) mixed with English loanwords, tailored for P. Susheela's lively vocal delivery in late 1970s Tamil commercial cinema.
Keep listening
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