- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Movie name
- Netrikkan
- Movie release year
- 1981
- Lyrics added on
- 11 Sept 2020
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This song from Netrikkan (1981) paints a vivid portrait of a compulsive playboy whose life revolves around hedonism and romantic pursuits. Written by Kannadasan, the lyric highlights the protagonist's unrestrained desire and lack of moral boundaries, framing him as an incorrigible charm-seeker who pursues women without regard for age, decorum, or social norms.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Cultural Allusion
“Theeraadha vilaiyaattu pillai”
Refers directly to Mahakavi Bharathiyar's celebrated song 'Theeraadha Vilaiyaattu Pillai' about young Lord Krishna, repurposing Krishna's divine mischief as modern romantic hedonism.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Ivan singaara manmadhan thaan”
Compares the protagonist to 'Manmadhan' (the Hindu deity of love and desire) and a 'vandu' (honeybee hovering over flowers).
Rhyme / Alliteration (Iyaibu & Ethukai)
“Oru kaalam varaiyil balamaagum / Maru kaalam sabalam palavaagum”
Uses structural repetition and end-rhyme rhythm (balamaagum / palavaagum; padhinaaril / arubadhai) to create a playful musical cadence.
Did you know?
Trivia
Although the song title borrows from Bharathiyar's devotional poem on Krishna, Kannadasan subverts the original meaning to portray Chakravarthy (played by Rajinikanth), an elder playboy who refuses to let age slow down his relentless flirtations.
Keep listening
Songs with a similar feeling
From the same album
More songs from Netrikkan
View albumSpot an issue?
Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.