- Lyricist
- Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
- Singers
- P. Susheela, Chorus
- Music director
- G. Ramanathan
- Movie name
- Srivalli
- Movie release year
- 1961
- Lyrics added on
- 17 Jan 2025
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This playful folk-style song from the movie Srivalli satirizes foolish, arrogant suitors who try to win the affection of a maiden (Valli) beyond their reach. Using vivid proverbs and humorous analogies—such as a lame person trying to reach honey or a blind person looking at a view—the lead female singer and chorus mock the men's absurd desires and lack of self-awareness. The song highlights female agency and dignity, pointing out that in a land where women embody strength and valor, these unsuitable men only humiliate themselves by casting useless nets of attraction out of unguided greed.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Upamai)
“Vandhaanga maappillainga vaanaram pola”
Comparing the arriving suitors directly to monkeys ('vaanaram pola').
Proverbial Metaphor (Pazhamozhi)
“Mudavan kittadha thaen melae Vattaram pottaanaam”
Using classic Tamil idioms about a lame person circling unreachable honey or someone yawning at unreachable fruit to symbolize foolish ambition.
Paradox / Irony (Muran)
“Kannae illadhavan kaatchiyai paakkuraan”
Juxtaposing impossible actions like a blind person attempting to view a spectacle or a deaf person listening to sound to mock the suitors' inadequacy.
Alliteration (Moonaai)
“Vaayadi veeran valainji odavae”
Repetition of the 'v' sound across words ('Vaayadi', 'veeran', 'valainji') creating a rhythmic flow.
Did you know?
Trivia
Srivalli (1961) stars Sivaji Ganesan as Lord Murugan and Padmini as Valli. The song incorporates traditional Tamil folk 'Kuravan-Kurathi' performance elements composed by legend G. Ramanathan, with lyrics penned by Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass.
Keep listening
Songs with a similar feeling
From the same album
More songs from Srivalli
View albumSpot an issue?
Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.