- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- K. J. Yesudas
- Music director
- G. K. Venkatesh
- Movie name
- Yaarukkum Vetkamillai
- Movie release year
- 1975
- Lyrics added on
- 21 Feb 2020
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
The song 'Oorukkum Vetkamillai' is a hard-hitting, satirical commentary on societal hypocrisy, moral posturing, and judgment written by Kannadasan. The narrator points out that society readily judges and condemns individuals (specifically targeting a woman who is shamed) while ignoring its own collective corruption and flaws. Through sharp, cynical observations, the song exposes how people define rules and morality arbitrarily—much like drawing random lines and calling it grand art.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Iyaipu (End Rhyme / Epiphora)
“Oorukkum vetkamillai / Indha ulakukkum vetkamillai / Yaarukkum vetkamillai”
The phrase 'vetkamillai' (has no shame) is repeated at the end of consecutive lines, emphasizing the pervasive lack of shame across society.
Visual Imagery & Metaphor
“Suttum viralaal ethiriyai kaatti... Matrum moondru viralgal ungal maarpinai kaattuthadaa”
A powerful physical metaphor illustrating hypocrisy: when you point one finger at an enemy, three fingers are pointing back at your own chest.
Metaphor
“Aththippazhaththai kutram koora”
Refers to the popular Tamil idiom of 'Aththippazham' (fig fruit), which looks appealing on the outside but is filled with insects inside, symbolizing hypocritical human nature.
Sarcasm / Hyperbole
“Melum keezhum kodugal podu / Adhudhaan oviyam / Nee sonnaal kaaviyam”
Sarcastic reductionism where drawing random vertical lines is declared as art or literature, mocking how society defines morality and beauty based on whim rather than truth.
Did you know?
Trivia
The film 'Yaarukkum Vetkamillai' (1975) was directed by and starred the famous political commentator Cho Ramaswamy, based on his hit stage play of the same title. The movie heavily critiques social conventions and political hypocrisy. Kannadasan wrote the lyrics to match Cho's trademark sharp political satire, with music composed by G. K. Venkatesh and vocals rendered by K. J. Yesudas.
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