- Lyricist
- Piraisoodan
- Singers
- Mano, K. S. Chithra
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Movie name
- Ilaya Raagam
- Movie release year
- 1995
- Lyrics added on
- 26 Mar 2020
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
Pattikkaattu Baabaa Vandhaaraa from the film Ilaya Raagam (1995) is a lively musical debate song (Paattu Potti) between two opposing perspectives—a rustic man representing grounded, natural music and an accomplished, proud woman showcasing her artistic talent. The lyricist Piraisoodan crafts a playful banter where the female singer compares her singing to a singing cuckoo and her dance to a gentle creeper, challenging her opponent.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Moonaal / Alliteration (Moonaal)
“Pattikkaattu baabaa vandhaaraa / Paappaavukku paattu thandhaaraa”
Repetition of initial consonants or sound patterns across adjacent words, such as 'Pattikkaattu' and 'Paappaavukku'.
Edhukai / Second-letter Rhyming
“Paadinaal naan oru poonguyil / Aadinaal naan oru poongodi”
Rhyming of the second letter across lines ('Paadinaal' and 'Aadinaal').
Uruvagaim / Metaphor
“Paadinaal naan oru poonguyil / Aadinaal naan oru poongodi”
Direct comparison of oneself to a cuckoo bird (poonguyil) and a flowering creeper (poongodi) without using comparative words.
Rhetorical Question
“Engum paattu un appan paattaa”
Sarcastic questioning challenging the notion that music belongs to any single person's lineage.
Did you know?
Trivia
This track belongs to the 1995 film Ilaya Raagam, featuring lyricist Piraisoodan's characteristic blend of colloquial folk refrains (like 'Ammachi ammaa') with poetic Tamil metaphors commonly used in competitive duet songs in Tamil cinema.
Keep listening
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