- Lyricist
- Isaignani Ilayaraja
- Singer
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Movie name
- Rajadhi Raja
- Movie release year
- 1989
- Lyrics added on
- 18 Mar 2018
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This song uses a prison setting to present a philosophical yet humorous metaphor for human life. The lyrics argue that the entire world functions like a prison, where human beings wander trapped like inmates bound by worldly duties and circumstances. The song takes a witty, satirical turn by mocking the jailer himself, questioning what crime he must have committed to be trapped inside the prison alongside the convicts, thereby erasing the distinction between the captor and the captive.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Uvamai)
“Athil kaithi pola thaan”
Compares human beings wandering in the world directly to prisoners using 'pola thaan' (like a prisoner).
Metaphor (Uruvagham)
“Ulaga vazhkaiyae Ingu jailu vaazhkai thaan”
Equates worldly life directly with life in a prison ('Ulaga vazhkaiyae Ingu jailu vaazhkai thaan').
Irony / Satire (Nagaichuvai / Marutham)
“Ada jailer aiyaa enna kuththam Senji ulla vanthaaru”
Humorously points out the irony that the jailer, who guards the criminals, spends his life locked in the same prison environment.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song is from the 1989 blockbuster Tamil film Rajadhi Raja starring Rajinikanth in a dual role. Directed by R. Sundarrajan, the film's music was composed by Isaignani Ilaiyaraaja, who also penned the lyrics for this fun, satirical track.
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