- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- Ilayaraja
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Movie name
- Avatharam
- Movie release year
- 1995
- Lyrics added on
- 26 Aug 2018
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
The song 'Oru Gundumani Kulungudhadi' from the 1995 film *Avatharam* is a lively, rhythmic composition modeled after traditional Tamil folk performance and street theatre (Therukoothu). Built around playfulness, romantic teasing, and sharp social commentary, the song begins with performers tuning up in front of an audience before diving into vivid folk imagery. It weaves stories of divine romance, referencing Lord Murugan pursuing the hill maiden Valli in disguise and Arjuna's legendary romantic encounters. Beyond mythological storytelling, the song serves as a witty critique of human hypocrisy and moral pretense. Vaali's lyrics draw humor from contrast, describing people who act like righteous Lord Rama by day but indulge in nocturnal trickery like Ravana. Through folk idioms and chorus refrains, the narrator Kuppan delivers timeless folk wisdom: superficial disguises and double standards eventually decay like foul neem oil, and only good conduct earns genuine respect.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Antithesis / Muran (Contrast)
“Pagaluladhaan sri raamaru / Raathiriyil raavanaru”
Contrasts Lord Rama (virtue and righteousness by day) with Ravana (deceit and wickedness by night) to mock hypocritical behavior.
Iyaipu (End Rhyme)
“Pagaluladhaan sri raamaru / Raathiriyil raavanaru”
The matching ending syllables ('raamaru' and 'raavanaru') create a rhythmic, memorable cadence typical of Therukoothu songs.
Ethugai (Second Letter Assonance)
“Paraloagam vittu vandha / Paramasivam petha pulla”
The second consonant 'ra' matches across adjacent lines, maintaining standard Tamil poetic structure.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Baanangalai thoduthuvuttaan”
Metaphorically compares persuasive romantic songs and flirtatious gazes to launching arrows.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Avatharam' (1995) was actor Nassar's directorial debut, focusing on the lives, struggles, and artistic heritage of traditional street theatre (Therukoothu) performers in Tamil Nadu. The soundtrack was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, who masterfully blended authentic Tamil folk instrumentation and theatrical song formats to capture the authentic spirit of village performances.
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