- Lyricist
- Lyricist Not Known
- Singers
- Malaysia Vasudevan, S. P. Sailaja
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Movie name
- Ilaiyarajavin Rasigai
- Movie release year
- 1979
- Lyrics added on
- 23 Mar 2020
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This social commentary song expresses the pain, frustration, and rising awareness of the underprivileged working class. The speaker addresses wealthy, corrupt hoarders who exploit the poor while giving lip service to social welfare. Pointing out the irony of poetic ideals versus harsh reality—referencing Mahakavi Bharathiyar's line about India being the greatest nation—the song calls out societal corruption, inequality, and the neglect of starving children, promising to expose the true face of exploiters.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Rhyme / Edhugai
“Oozhalukku panjam illae / Ooril nalla nenjam illae”
Matching rhythmic cadence and end-rhyme with 'illae' creates a sharp rhythm emphasizing social critique.
Alliteration / Monai
“Saethu vecha saami sillaraiya kaami”
Repetition of the 'S' sound ('Saethu', 'saami', 'sillaraiya') gives the line a catchy street-song musicality.
Allusion
“Paarukkullae nalla naadu... Baaradhiya poi kelu”
Directly references Mahakavi Subramania Bharathi's patriotic poem 'Parukkulle Nalla Nadu', subverting it ironically to contrast poetic ideals with socio-economic realities.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song satirically references Mahakavi Subramania Bharathi's iconic poem 'Paarukkullae Nalla Naadu' (The Greatest Nation in the World) to highlight systemic corruption and poverty.
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