- Lyricist
- Kabilan Vairamuthu
- Singers
- Sathya Narayanan, Ajay Krishna
- Music director
- Hiphop Tamizha
- Movie name
- Comali
- Movie release year
- 2019
- Lyrics added on
- 8 Jun 2019
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
The song 'Oliyum Oliyum' from the movie Comali (2019) is a witty, nostalgic, and socio-cultural commentary on how life in Tamil Nadu changed dramatically over two decades (1999 to 2019). It directly reflects the premise of the film, in which the protagonist wakes up after a 20-year coma. Lyricist Kabilan Vairamuthu and composer Hiphop Tamizha contrast the simple, communal warmth of the 1990s—where entire villages gathered around Doordarshan's 'Oliyum Oliyum' and kids enjoyed edible candy watches—with the modern 2K era dominated by smartwatches, hyper-connectivity, social media addiction, and fragmented personal relationships. Beyond simple nostalgia, the song touches upon political shifts, religious tolerance, modern work culture, labor migration, and modern media consumption. Through playful street games, nursery rhymes, and sharp satire, it celebrates childhood memories while expressing a heartfelt wish for a peaceful world, agricultural prosperity, and genuine human connection.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Antithesis (Juxtaposition)
“Javvu mittaai watchu katti / BP sugar-a watchil paathu”
Contrasts the innocent childhood memory of wearing a candy watch ('Javvu mittaai watchu') with the stressful adult reality of checking health stats on a smartwatch ('BP sugar-a watchil paathu').
Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Mottaiyum mottaiyum sendhuchaam / Murunga marathula erichaam”
Repetition of the initial letter 'Mo' in 'Mottaiyum' and 'Murunga' across the lines.
Folk Rhyme / Call-and-Response
“Dang dang yaaradhu… / Peyadhu..”
Incorporation of classic 90s Tamil street game rhymes ('Dang dang yaaradhu...') to evoke nostalgia and rhythm.
Metaphor
“Theeyaama vegura / Aayavin dosaiyaa / Bhoomiyae aagattum”
Comparing a well-nurtured, peaceful earth to a grandmother's perfectly cooked dosa that isn't burnt.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song title 'Oliyum Oliyum' directly references the iconic weekly Tamil television program broadcast on Doordarshan (DD Podhigai) during the 1980s and 1990s, which was the primary source of film song video compilations before satellite TV exploded in Tamil Nadu. The movie 'Comali' revolves around a protagonist played by Jayam Ravi who wakes up in 2019 after being in a coma since 1999, making this track the central thematic anthem of the film.
Keep listening
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