- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- Pushpalatha
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Movie name
- School Master
- Movie release year
- 1973
- Lyrics added on
- 28 Mar 2024
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This playful and lighthearted track from the film 'School Master' (1973) humorously explains the novelty and wonder of a landline telephone to an elderly woman ('paatti'). Written by Kannadasan and composed by M. S. Viswanathan, the song paints the telephone as a magical device that bridges long distances between cities like Delhi and Madurai, instantly connecting loved ones like grandpa ('thaathaa'). Kannadasan cleverly incorporates social commentary, noting that the device treats everyone equally regardless of caste or status, maintains absolute privacy by keeping secrets, and provides a level of instant companionship that even one's children might fail to give.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Iyaibu (End Rhyme)
“Paaththaa sirusuthaan paatti / Idhu thaathaavai kondu varum kootti”
The lyrics prominently feature end rhyming with words like 'paatti', 'kootti', 'maatti', and the English loan word 'duty', creating a catchy rhythm.
Personification
“Kuraiyellaam nee sollu / Oorukku sollaathu”
The telephone is personified as a loyal messenger ('viduthoothu') and a trusted companion ('thunai') that listens to complaints without gossiping to the town.
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Keezh jaathi maeljaathi edhuvum kidaiyaathu / Kettaalum sonnaalum”
Standard Tamil poetic convention where the second consonant of consecutive lines matches (e.g., 'Keezh' / 'Kettaalum' or 'Paaththaa' / 'Kadhoram').
Did you know?
Trivia
During the 1970s in India, landline telephones were still a prized luxury and novelty in many households. Kannadasan cleverly wove the modern technology of telecommunications into traditional Tamil light music, blending English words like 'duty' and 'telephone' into folk-style rhyming lyrics.
Keep listening
Songs with a similar feeling
From the same album
More songs from School Master
View albumSpot an issue?
Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.