- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Music director
- Shankar Ganesh
- Movie name
- Alli Darbar
- Movie release year
- 1978
- Lyrics added on
- 22 Oct 2021
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This song from 'Alli Darbar' (1978) serves as a rousing anthem celebrating female empowerment, courage, and autonomy. Lyricist Vaali draws inspiration from historical and epic icons such as Kannagi, Draupadi, and Rani Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi to depict women as courageous figures capable of leadership and battle, far beyond traditional societal confines.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Allusion (Ilakkiya / Sarithira Kurippu)
“Kannagi maanam draupathi veeram / Jancyin vegam”
Refers to iconic women from Tamil epics, Hindu mythology, and Indian history (Kannagi, Draupadi, Jhansi Rani) to symbolize honor, heroism, and swift action.
Alliteration (Monai)
“Singaari sirikkum azhagu padhumai”
Repetition of the initial sound 'Si' in 'Singaari' and 'sirikkum' creating a melodic rhythm.
Simile (Upamai)
“Aduppai polae aanai oodhum”
Compares the domestic act of blowing into a stove with easily issuing commands, subverting a traditional home metaphor into an expression of authority.
Oxymoron / Contrast
“Malarmaeni veera pennmani”
Juxtaposes gentle physical grace ('Malarmaeni' - flower-like body) with heroic grit ('Veera pennmani' - brave woman).
Did you know?
Trivia
The song aligns with the folklore theme of Queen Alli (Alli Arasani), a legendary ruler known in Tamil traditions for running an all-female kingdom and defying patriarchal norms.
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