- Lyricist
- Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
- Singers
- Sirkazhi Govindarajan, Rathnamala
- Music directors
- S. M. Subbaiah Naidu, T. G. Lingappa
- Movie name
- Thirumanam
- Movie release year
- 1958
- Lyrics added on
- 5 Sept 2020
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This lively street-style carnival song uses street gambling ('Vai Raja Vai') and bird fortune-telling ('Kuruvi Josiyam') as metaphors for life's unpredictable nature and streetwise philosophy. The singers entice passersby to try their luck, promising that even a pauper like Kuchela can become as rich as Lord Kubera overnight if luck strikes. At the same time, the lyrics deliver pragmatic, earthy advice on vigilance and taking control of one's destiny: focus on your work, defend what is yours, and act boldly when challenged.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Contrast / Anthesis (எதிரிணை)
“Kushelanum kuberenaa aagalaam”
Contrasts the extreme poverty of Kuchela with the immense wealth of Kubera to highlight the dramatic swing of fortune.
Rhyme / Ethukai (எதுகை)
“Adichcha adichchathu / Pudichchaa pudichchathu”
Matching second letters in consecutive lines ('Adichcha' and 'Pudichchaa').
Repetition / Anaphora (அடுக்குத்தொடர்)
“Naeththu vanthavan naeththu vanthavan”
Repetition of words for dramatic emphasis and rhythmic street-vendor style chanting.
Alliteration / Monai (மோனை)
“Kaaththirunthavan pensathiyai... / Kaariyaththilae kannu vai”
Repetition of initial consonant sounds ('K' sound in Kaaththirunthavan and Kaariyaththilae).
Did you know?
Trivia
'Vai Raja Vai' is an iconic Tamil street-gambling phrase traditionally used by carnival game hosts to invite people to place bets on colored cards or spinning wheels. The lyricist Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass was renowned for incorporating authentic Tamil folk idiom, street street-slang, and proverbs into cinematic songs during the 1950s.
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