- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Music director
- Chandrabose
- Movie name
- Sugamana Sumaigal
- Movie release year
- 1992
- Lyrics added on
- 28 Mar 2021
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This lighthearted, comedic track features a character pleading playfully with his elder brother ('chinnannae') not to force him to sing. He warns everyone about his notoriously terrible singing voice, humorously claiming that his singing is so awful that street dogs run away and even mournful dirges weep. Self-deprecating throughout, he admits to lacking knowledge of scales, ragas, or rhythm, apologizing in advance to classical Carnatic music legends like Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer and Kunnakkudi Vaidyanathan. The song relies heavily on wordplay, witty puns (such as twisting 'Tholaikkaatchi' / television), and pop culture references to legendary playback singers Yesudas and S. P. Balasubrahmanyam. It portrays a non-singer being dragged into performance, turning utter incompetence into a hilarious celebration of musical self-awareness.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor / Proverbial Idiom
“Naan yaaru kazhuvura meenla nazhuvura meenaachae”
Compares his slippery nature or evasiveness to a slippery fish escaping while being washed ('kazhuvura meenla nazhuvura meen').
Irony & Hyperbole
“Thiruvaayai naan thoranthaa theru naayum odum…”
Uses 'Thiru vaayai' (revered/holy mouth) sarcastically before stating that even street dogs flee upon hearing him sing.
Wordplay / Pun
“Adhuthaan tholaikkaatchi”
Puns on 'tholaikkanum' (get lost/be ruined) and 'Tholaikkaatchi' (television).
Monorhyme / Emonai (Initial Rhyme)
“Mettu pottu paada sonnaa dullaa paaduvaen / Thuttu pottu paada sonnaa nallaa paaduvaen”
Rhyming structure and cadence between 'Mettu' (tune) and 'Thuttu' (money).
Did you know?
Trivia
The track from 'Sugamana Sumaigal' (1992) showcases Vairamuthu's ability to craft playful, slang-filled comedic lyrics distinct from his usual poetic and romantic verses. It explicitly name-checks legendary Carnatic maestros Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer and Kunnakkudi Vaidyanathan, alongside playback legends K. J. Yesudas and S. P. Balasubrahmanyam.
Keep listening
Songs with a similar feeling
From the same album
More songs from Sugamana Sumaigal
View albumSpot an issue?
Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.