- Lyricist
- A. Maruthakasi
- Singer
- Sirkazhi Govindarajan
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Movie name
- Kaithi Kannayiram
- Movie release year
- 1960
- Lyrics added on
- 2 Oct 2025
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This humorous street-vendor song features a salesman enthusiastically pitching his traditional health tonic, 'Salamisthri Pista Paruppu Halwa'. He advertises its extraordinary restorative qualities, claiming that a tiny daily dose will eliminate all physical exhaustion and grant a radiant glow without requiring massages. To build credibility, he humorously cites testimonials from well-known local eccentric characters like Kuppanna, Suppanna, and Jakkanna. As the song progresses, the vendor interacts with prospective customers, trying to bargain with the household owners while nervously dodging unwanted advances or interference. Ultimately, he threatens to pack up his wares and move along if they do not purchase, framing his product with irresistible charm and comedic flair.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Rhyme / Monorhyme (Emoni / Iyaibu)
“Koleduththu mundaa thattum kuppannaa / Tholirukka sulai muzhungum suppannaa”
End-rhyme pairing Kuppanna, Suppanna, and Jakkanna to create a rhythmic, catchy cadence suitable for street selling.
Alliteration (Monaai)
“Naalaikku moonu tholaa thinnaa pothunga / Naadi narampilulla thalarchchikalellaam pogunga”
Repetition of the 'Na' sound across consecutive words ('Naalaikku', 'Naadi', 'Narampilulla') enhancing vocal rhythm.
Echoism / Colloquial Echo Words (Adukku Thodar & Echo Constructs)
“Maaleesh keeleesh poda thevai illeenga”
Use of 'Maaleesh keeleesh' where 'keeleesh' acts as a humorous rhyming echo word emphasizing various physical treatments.
Did you know?
Trivia
Singing a street vendor comedy song was a departure from Sirkazhi Govindarajan's usual classical and devotional repertoire, demonstrating his versatility. The track showcases lyricist A. Maruthakasi's skill in infusing local Madras colloquialisms and rhythm into popular cinema songs.
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