- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- Vani Jairam
- Music director
- V. Kumar
- Movie name
- Makkal Kural
- Movie release year
- 1976
- Lyrics added on
- 2 Nov 2023
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This song is a biting satirical commentary penned by Kannadasan for the film Makkal Kural (1976). Through sarcastic praise addressed to wealthy elites ('Rajathi rajakkal'), the singer exposes corrupt practices such as tax evasion, bribing officials, ruthless elimination of threats, and hoarding immense wealth. The irony peaks with the statement that when one hoards enough crores, even God in the temple becomes a compliant companion. However, the song subtly delivers a moral turn toward the end, reminding the audience that true happiness and peace of mind ('nimmathi') cannot be bought with dishonest riches; rather, it comes only from living an honest life.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Irony / Sarcasm (Vanchi Pukazhchi Ani)
“Rajathi rajakkal vaanga / Intha naattilae nallavanga neega”
Praising corrupt individuals as 'Rajathi rajakkal' (kings of kings) and 'nallavanga' (good people) while describing their misdeeds like tax evasion and murder.
Rhyme (Ethukai)
“Vari katta venuminnu varugindra aalugalai / Sari katti vittavanga undu”
Matching second consonant sound across consecutive lines ('Kalvargalae' / 'Intha', 'Vari' / 'Sari').
Monorhyme / Internal Rhyme (Iyaibu)
“Kaasu athu pesum silar kaigalil adhu oru thoosu / Veesu alli veesu adhil veeraathi veeraargalum lesu”
Rhyming line endings across verses ('kaasu' / 'thoosu' / 'lesu').
Did you know?
Trivia
Makkal Kural (1976) was directed by C. V. Sridhar and featured music composed by V. Kumar. Lyricist Kannadasan was well known for employing 'Vanchi Pukazhchi Ani' (praising through apparent blame, or blaming through apparent praise) in social-themed songs to deliver sharp political and moral critiques.
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