- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- Vani Jairam
- Music director
- Shankar Ganesh
- Movie name
- Pakkathu Veettu Roja
- Movie release year
- 1982
- Lyrics added on
- 5 Aug 2022
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
'Osibisa Osai Idhu' is a high-energy dance number from the 1982 movie 'Pakkathu Veettu Roja', composed by Shankar-Ganesh and sung by Vani Jairam. The song captures the lively spirit of youth, celebration, and romance, combining Western cabaret/pop music elements with classical Indian poetic metaphors. Vaali incorporates trendy international pop culture references—most notably the legendary Afro-rock band Osibisa and catchy rhythmic scatting like 'Mamamiyo'. The lyricist depicts the heroine celebrating her beauty, comparing herself to an undiscovered temple sculpture, an unsung blossom in a grove, and a golden Veena waiting to be played. Through vivid romantic imagery, the song invites the listener to revel in the rhythms of love, youth, and togetherness during magical nights.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Iyaipu (End Rhyme)
“Raagamo udhadugalil thaalamo uravugalil / Undaaga ondraaga koodum iravugalil”
The matching end sounds 'udhadugalil', 'uravugalil', and 'iravugalil' create a pleasing rhythmic cadence.
Metaphor (Uruvam)
“Meettungal naanthaanae pon veenai”
The singer directly compares herself to a 'pon veenai' (golden Veena instrument) waiting to be played by love.
Personification
“Odi varum kaveri”
The dancer's graceful movement while wearing a draped dress is personified as the running river Kaveri.
Cultural Allusion
“Osibisa osai idhu”
References 'Osibisa', the famous Ghanaian-British Afro-rock band popular in India during the late 1970s and early 1980s, to denote modern, energetic beats.
Did you know?
Trivia
The band 'Osibisa' toured India in November 1981 to massive fanfare and played packed stadium shows across major Indian cities. Lyricist Vaali picked up on this cultural phenomenon and incorporated the band's name directly into this song for 'Pakkathu Veettu Roja' (1982) to make it appeal to the urban youth.
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