- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Movie name
- Ilaya Thalaimurai
- Movie release year
- 1977
- Lyrics added on
- 29 Aug 2023
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
Pombalaiyaa Latchanamaa from the 1977 movie Ilaya Thalaimurai is a playful yet culturally reflective song in which the singer advises young women to cherish traditional Tamil values and attire over westernized fashion trends like torn trousers. Lyricist Kannadasan contrasts modern influences with traditional aesthetic elements, such as wearing a saree, styling hair in a traditional bun (kodaali kondai), applying kohl, wearing kumkum and turmeric, and displaying gentle smiles.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor / Simile (Uvamai)
“Manjal poosu thangathattu polirukku”
Compares turmeric-covered glowing skin to a glistening gold plate ('thangathattu polirukku').
Edugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Alli sorugu adhu kodaali kondai / Maiyittu paaru chinna kangalirandai”
Rhyming of the second letter 'n' sound between 'kondai' and 'irandai'.
Monai (Initial Consonant Alliteration)
“Pombalaiyaa latchanamaa podavaiyai kattu”
Repetition of the 'P' sound at the beginning of words within the same line ('Pombalaiyaa', 'podavaiyai').
Imagery (Chittu Metaphor)
“Siru kurunagaithaan seiyya venum pombala chittu”
Refers to a young woman as a 'chittu' (sparrow), evoking innocence and agility.
Did you know?
Trivia
Written by lyricist Kannadasan and composed by M. S. Viswanathan, this song captures the late-1970s social context in Tamil Nadu when Western clothing like jeans and trousers was becoming popular among urban youth. Kannadasan used witty satire to champion traditional Tamil attire like the saree.
Keep listening
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