- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- K. J. Yesudass
- Music director
- Sampath Selvam
- Movie name
- Thulasi (1987 Film)
- Movie release year
- 1987
- Lyrics added on
- 28 Dec 2020
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This folk-style socio-philosophical song addresses 'Thaandavakkona', a guardian deity or village protector figure, using sharp satire and irony. The lyrics highlight the hypocrisy and corruption prevalent in society, noting how deity idols and donation boxes themselves require protection from thieves rather than divine power protecting the people. Lyricist Vairamuthu uses vivid metaphors contrasting animals with humans, explaining that while a snake's poison is confined to its fang and a scorpion's to its sting, humans are completely saturated with moral poison throughout their body. The song delivers a bold existential critique, questioning the presence of divine intervention in the face of human greed and corruption.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Irony / Satire (நகைச்சுவை இகழ்ச்சி)
“Mudhalil undiyalai kaappaththu thaandavakkonae”
Addressing the village guardian deity to protect his own donation box and idol first before protecting the village serves as sharp societal irony.
Metaphor & Contrast (உவமை முரண்)
“Manushanukku odambellaam vishamirukku thaandavakkonae”
Contrasts localized physical poison in animals (snake's tooth, scorpion's sting, Shiva's throat) with total moral corruption spread across the human body.
Refrain / Anaphora (மடக்கு / சொல் திரும்பவரல்)
“Oorai ellaam kaappaaththum thaandavakkonae”
Repeatedly ending lines with 'thaandavakkonae' creates rhythmic emphasis typical of street plays and Tamil folk songs (Therukoothu style).
Did you know?
Trivia
This track from the 1987 movie Thulasi utilizes traditional rural folk meter (Therukoothu / Kummi cadence) structured around direct social questioning. Lyricist Vairamuthu adapted traditional folk refrains ('Thagida thillaalangadi') to weave philosophical commentary on human deceit.
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