- Lyricist
- Muthulingam
- Singer
- S. P. Sailaja
- Music director
- Gangai Amaran
- Movie name
- Naam
- Movie release year
- 1985
- Lyrics added on
- 29 May 2022
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
The song 'Pogalaam Pogalaam Theerththa Yaaththirai' from the 1985 Tamil film 'Naam' is a satirical, light-hearted song sung in praise of local alcohol/liquor shops. Using religious metaphor and hyperbole, the song equates going to a liquor shop with embarking on a sacred pilgrimage ('theerththa yaaththirai') and frames drunken stupor as divine yogic meditation ('yoga niththirai'). It cheekily suggests that true enlightenment and the gates of heaven are unlocked through intoxication. Furthermore, the song humorously describes alcohol as a divine elixir ('thevaloga paanam') and an overflowing Ganges ('gongai') that never dries up, even when rivers like Kaveri run dry during droughts. It slyly praises government policy and support for cottage industries and local liquor vendors, coaxing citizens not to pass by without partaking in this 'national drink'. Through clever wordplay by lyricist Muthulingam and Gangai Amaran's energetic composition, the track delivers social commentary with folk humor.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Satirical Metaphor (Sarcastic Imagery)
“Pogalaam pogalaam theerththa yaaththirai / Antha bodhaiyil kaanalaam yoga niththirai”
Equating liquor consumption to a sacred holy pilgrimage ('theerththa yaaththirai') and drunken stupor to deep spiritual yogic sleep ('yoga niththirai').
Emonai (First-letter Alliteration in Tamil)
“Ada bodhaiyilathaan nalla nyaanam pirakkum / Antha nyaanaththilathaan sorkkavaasal thirakkum”
Matching of initial consonant-vowel sounds in words across lines or within lines, such as 'Bodhaiyilathaan' and 'Nyaanaththilathaan'.
Iyaibu (Rhyme scheme)
“Kaaveri aaththodu neer vattri ponaalum / Kanmaaigal ellaamae thannaalae kaanjaalum”
End rhyming of lines to maintain musical cadence, such as 'ponaalum' and 'kaanjaalum'.
Hyperbole (Exaggeration)
“Paavangalai theerkka vantha thevaloga paanam idhu”
Comparing country liquor to celestial nectar ('thevaloga paanam') capable of washing away sins and providing relief during famines.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song is composed by Gangai Amaran for the film 'Naam' (1985). Sung dynamically by S. P. Sailaja, the lyrics use political and religious satire to comment on state liquor policies and local cottage industries, wrapping serious social commentary in upbeat folk rhythms.
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