- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- Malaysia Vasudevan, K. S. Chithra
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Movie name
- En Uyir Kannamma
- Movie release year
- 1988
- Lyrics added on
- 25 May 2019
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This folk song features a spirited dialogue and rhythmic work song (Vallai Pattu) set around the traditional activity of pounding rice and grain using a mortar and pestle. The male protagonist boasts of his strength from Madurai, claiming his tradition of singing while working turns even tough red rice into fine powder. The female response playfully challenges his claim, emphasizing the endurance, calloused hands, and physical vigor required for farm labor, as well as the spirit of healthy competition between workers.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)
“Ada kuninju nimindhu kuthadi kuthadi / Ennadi onakku sonakkam”
The second letter 'n' (ன) rhymes in 'kuninju' and 'sonakkam'.
Monaikkal (Alliteration)
“Salanga satham kelu”
Repetition of the 'S' sound in 'Salanga satham'.
Onomatopoeia (Erettai Kilavi)
“Kai valaiyosai kalakalannu”
'Kalakalannu' mimics the cheerful tinkling sound of bangles.
Folk Refrain (Aasiriya Asai)
“Aa so aa so”
'Aa so' acts as a rhythmic folk chant (thematic vocal rhythm used during manual labor).
Did you know?
Trivia
This track draws from traditional Tamil folk musical forms like 'Vallai Pattu' (grain-pounding songs), which feature rhythmic chanting ('Aa so') to maintain momentum and reduce fatigue during heavy manual field labor.
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