- Lyricist
- M. K. Aathmanathan
- Singers
- Jikki, S. C. Krishnan
- Music director
- T. R. Pappa
- Movie name
- Mallika (1957 film)
- Movie release year
- 1957
- Lyrics added on
- 9 Jul 2025
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This satirical song serves as a sharp social commentary on human superficiality and societal flaws. The singers critique how society is easily swayed by pompous displays, wealth, and fake pretenses, resulting in ordinary people losing their hard-earned money to deceivers. It highlights the tragic irony of how society ignores the needy while lavishing feasts on the rich, and how people sacrifice their dignity to praise corrupt leaders and pretenders.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Iyaibu (End Rhyme)
“Pagatulae ulagam yemaarudhu / Namma panamum adhanaal kai maarudhu”
The song employs prominent end-rhymes across lines, such as 'yemaarudhu', 'maarudhu', 'thindaadudhu', and 'kondaadudhu', creating a rhythmic and memorable satirical flow.
Irony / Satire
“Illaadha manushanukku soru tharaadhu / Ellaam iruppavanai azhaichu virundhu vaikka thavaraadhu”
The lyrics use biting irony to point out societal contradictions—people praise those who exploit them and feed those who are already wealthy while ignoring the impoverished.
Monai (Initial Assonance / Alliteration)
“Pattam pdhavikku aasaipattu / Perum pagal veshakaarnai suthikittu”
Matching initial consonants/vowels occur in adjacent words or lines, such as 'Pattam' and 'Perum'.
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Trivia
Composed by T. R. Pappa for the 1957 Tamil movie 'Mallika', this song showcases the classic duet style of Jikki and S. C. Krishnan. S. C. Krishnan was famed for delivering folk-flavored, humorous, and socially sharp songs with distinct diction during the golden age of Tamil cinema.
Keep listening
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