- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Movie name
- Simma Soppanam
- Movie release year
- 1984
- Lyrics added on
- 14 Jan 2023
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
'Onnaa Irunthathu Onbathaa Theriyuthu' is a lively, humorous song sung from the perspective of an intoxicated protagonist who lightheartedly blames alcohol for his blurred vision and giddy romantic mood. He boasts about his roots in Thanjavur—a land famous for its rich classical music heritage—joking that even when completely drunk ('thannilae'), a native of Thanjavur never forgets how to sing or woo his beloved. Throughout the track, the song blends folk rhythm and classical solfege (swaras) as the protagonist playfully praises his lover's traditional beauty, anklets, and charm. Sung with energetic theatricality by T. M. Soundararajan and composed by K. V. Mahadevan, the song captures a joyful, lighthearted interaction filled with clever puns and folk expressions.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Muran (Antithesis)
“Melae irupathu melae theriyuthu / Keezhae iruppathu melae theriyuthu”
Contrasts 'Melae' (above) and 'Keezhae' (below) to vividly convey the disorienting, dizzy effect of intoxication.
Metaphor (Uvamai / Uruvagamm)
“Ponjaathi mugaththa poovaaga nenachchu / Vandaaga aaduvaandi”
Metaphorically compares the wife's face to a blooming flower ('poovaaga') and the husband to a bee ('vandaaga') hovering around it.
Iyaipu (Rhyming Endings)
“Kasthuri maane kaaveri meenae”
End-rhyming words 'maane' (deer) and 'meenae' (fish) create a rhythmic, musical cadence in poetic address.
Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Alli mudikkira kondai irukkuthu / Aadi kulungira thandai irukuthu”
Matching initial vowel sounds 'A' ('Alli' and 'Aadi') at the start of consecutive lines.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song playfully uses the wordplay 'thannilae' (which literally means 'in water', but colloquially refers to being under the influence of liquor) to connect Thanjavur's legendary music tradition with the singer's drunken state. Simma Soppanam (1984) starred Sivaji Ganesan, Prabhu, Radha, and Saritha, with music composed by the veteran 'Thirai Isai Thilagam' K. V. Mahadevan.
Keep listening
Songs with a similar feeling
From the same album
More songs from Simma Soppanam
View albumSpot an issue?
Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.