- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Music director
- V. Kumar
- Movie name
- Malligai Poo
- Movie release year
- 1973
- Lyrics added on
- 24 Oct 2023
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This song presents a traditional Tamil street play (Therukoothu) depiction telling the heroic tragic tale of Vellaiyathevan and Vellaiyamma from the historical saga of Veerapandiya Kattabomman. It begins with a ritualistic invocation to Lord Ganesha to bless the play, followed by romantic exchanges between the hero and his beloved. As the narrative progresses to conflict, the hero passionately rallies against the invading British forces ('Parangiyar'), despite his wife's bad omens.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Anaphora / Repetition
“Pillaiyaar appanae varuga / Aiyya varuga appa varuga”
Repeated invocation at the beginning to set the traditional Therukoothu dramatic rhythm.
Simile (Uvamai)
“Velanaiya vizhiyaalae veleduththu vaadi / Porkalaththil vezhamena puguvaen”
Comparing the heroine's eyes to weapons (spear and sword) and the hero entering the battlefield to an elephant.
Onomatopoeia (Erattai Kilavi)
“Kidukiduvena padai nadunga / Vedavedavena thodai nadunga / Kubukubuvena kuruthi vellam paayum”
Use of rhythmic sensory sound words like 'Kidukiduvena', 'Vedavedavena', and 'Kubukubuvena' to depict terror and flowing blood.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Kaalai namathu vellaiyath devanai / Oolai narigal vaalai paaichchinar”
Comparing the enemy forces to 'Oolai narigal' (howling jackals) and the hero to 'Kaalai' (a strong bull).
Did you know?
Trivia
This track is a dramatic musical depiction of 'Kattabomman Koothu' within the film Malligai Poo (1973). It uses traditional folk theatrical singing styles to re-enact the tragic martyrdom of warrior Vellaiyathevan against the British East India Company forces.
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