- Lyricist
- Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
- Singer
- Jikki
- Music director
- G. Ramanathan
- Movie name
- Kathavarayan
- Movie release year
- 1958
- Lyrics added on
- 1 Dec 2025
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This song is a playful and rhythmic folk track where the singer teasingly warns her suitor not to waste his efforts pursuing someone out of his reach. Using the metaphor of an 'unreachable fruit' ('Ettaak kani'), she cautions him that no amount of grandstanding, musical serenades, or clever tricks will win her over. Through colloquial phrasing and lively folk refrains, the lyrics deliver a firm yet humorous rejection.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uvamai)
“Ettaak kani melae paayaatheenga”
Compares the desired person or goal to an unreachable fruit ('Ettaak kani') that cannot be plucked.
Echo Words / Alliteration (Edhugai and Sound Play)
“Themmaangu kimmaangu paadaatheenga”
Uses rhyming colloquial doublets ('Themmaangu kimmaangu', 'Thillaanaa killaanaa', 'Kummaalam kimmaalam') typical of Tamil folk songs to create cadence and rhythm.
Refrain (Madakku / Repetition)
“Thaanae thanthaanaanae”
Repeats the folk choral chant 'Thaanae thanthaanaanae' to establish the traditional storytelling beat.
Did you know?
Trivia
Kathavarayan (1958) starred Sivaji Ganesan and Savitri in the lead roles. Lyricist Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass was legendary for incorporating rustic Tamil dialects and traditional folk meter into film compositions, while maestro G. Ramanathan deftly infused theatrical folk energy into the soundtrack.
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