- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Movie name
- Kumari Kottam
- Movie release year
- 1971
- Lyrics added on
- 30 Nov 2019
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This playful and satirical song from the 1971 MGR-starrer 'Kumari Kottam' pokes fun at modern, westernized fashion trends and subcultures gaining popularity in the 1970s. Kannadasan's humorous lyrics mock shorter hemlines, modern haircuts, revealing backs on dresses, heavy cosmetics, and the rise of western dance styles like the 'Shake' as well as the hippie movement. By framing the modern fashion-conscious youth as 'Raajaanga Komaali' (the royal jester), the song contrasts traditional Tamil attire and sensibilities with contemporary Western influences in a lighthearted, comedic manner.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Kaiyinilae oru dappi / Thalaiyinilae oru thoppi”
Matching second consonants across lines: 'dappi', 'thoppi', 'thuppi', and 'hippi'.
Epizeuxis (Repetition for Emphasis)
“Vandhaanaiyaa vandhaanaiyaa”
Immediate repetition of words such as 'Vandhaanaiyaa', 'Shaeik', and 'Aamaa' to heighten rhythm and comedic effect.
Satire and Imagery
“Padhinaalu muzhanthanilae / Ippa padhiya thaan kaanaliyae”
Exaggerated contrast between traditional standards (14-cubit sarees, 6-foot hair) and modern styles (half-foot hair, shortened sarees) to paint a vivid humorous picture.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Kumari Kottam' (1971), starring M. G. Ramachandran and Jayalalithaa, featured music composed by M. S. Viswanathan (MSV) with lyrics by Kannadasan. This song serves as a classic example of 1970s Tamil cinema using song-and-dance sequences to satirize westernization, particularly hippie culture and modern fashion.
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