- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. P. Sailaja
- Music director
- Gangai Amaran
- Movie name
- Sattam
- Movie release year
- 1983
- Lyrics added on
- 16 Jun 2019
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This energetic duet from the 1983 Tamil film 'Sattam' portrays a playful, competitive dance battle between male and female leads. The male protagonist boasts about his dancing prowess, declaring himself the undisputed king of the stage and warning his partner against overconfidence. In response, the female dancer matches his swagger, asserting her mastery across a wide range of dance forms—from classical Bharatanatyam and Kathak to Western Disco, Punjabi Bhangra, Andhra folk, and Kerala Kathakali. Through rhythmic vocal bol (solkattu) and clever lyricism by Vaali, the song celebrates musical versatility, festive New Year exuberance, and flirty romantic banter between two confident performers.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uvamai / Rupaka)
“En maeni mirudhangam thaan”
Compares the body directly to a mridangam drum, highlighting grace and musical rhythm in the dancer's form.
Rhyme / Monorhyme (Edhukai)
“Dhegam pattu… / Sirukkum mottu…”
Consonantal rhyming on second syllables (ga/ri: Dhegam / Sirikkum; ya/na: Yogam / Neram) enhancing melodic flow.
Repetition & Solkattu (Sol-Aadhadhi / Rhythm Syllables)
“Thakajinu thakajinu thakajinu thakajinu”
Use of rhythmic beat mnemonics (Thakajinu, Balle Balle) to mimic dance percussion instruments across cultures.
Refrain (Mundai)
“Naan thaan raajaa yendi rojaa”
Repeated playful boast line reinforcing the core theme of competitive dance hierarchy.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Sattam' (1983) is a Tamil action drama starring Kamal Haasan, Sarath Babu, and Madhavi, directed by K. Vijayan. It was an official remake of the 1980 Hindi blockbuster 'Dostana'. The film's music was composed by Gangai Amaran, and this track stands out as a unique multi-genre dance fusion blending Indian classical, folk, and western disco styles.
Keep listening
Songs with a similar feeling
From the same album
More songs from Sattam
View albumSpot an issue?
Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.