- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
- Movie name
- Mahadevi
- Movie release year
- 1957
- Lyrics added on
- 28 Jul 2022
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
Thaayathu Thaayathu is a satirical street-vendor song from the 1957 Tamil film Mahadevi, sung by T. M. Soundararajan with lyrics by Kannadasan. The performer poses as a seller of magic amulets ('thaayathu') in a public square. However, instead of offering superstitious charms or black magic, he uses the pretense to deliver hard-hitting social commentary and moral advice. Through lively folk rhythm and humorous dialogue, the lyricist exposes treacherous people, critiques lazy men seeking shortcuts to wealth or love, and teaches that true success comes from honest labor, care, and integrity. The song cleverly subverts the concept of an amulet into a symbol of truth and wisdom.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Ethirai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Thillilla manushan ki / Pallellam nellaarukki / Sollellaam vishamirukki kelungho”
Matching second consonants across successive lines to create rhythmic flow ('Thillilla', 'Pallellam', 'Sollellaam').
Iyaibhu (End Rhyme)
“Mandhiram vasiyamillai / Maayajaal velai illai”
Rhyming endings in the dialogue section ('vasiyamillai' and 'velai illai').
Satire and Irony
“Mandhiram vasiyamillai / Maayajaal velai illai / Vaazhkaikku rombha rombha avasiyam”
Using a street vendor selling superstitious magic items as a mouthpiece to promote hard work, reality, and sound moral judgment.
Did you know?
Trivia
This track from Mahadevi (1957) highlights Kannadasan's flair for street-lore poetry and social satire, combining Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy's folk-infused rhythm with T. M. Soundararajan's theatrical vocal delivery.
Keep listening
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