- Lyricist
- Gangai Amaran
- Singers
- Ilayaraja, K. S. Chithra
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Movie name
- Gramatthu Minnal
- Movie release year
- 1987
- Lyrics added on
- 3 Jan 2019
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This playful and romantic rural duet from Gramatthu Minnal (1987) revolves around a humble young couple preparing a basic meal of simple drained rice soaked in water. Lacking any condiments or side dishes ('thottukkira'), they playfully flirt, suggesting that their mutual love and physical affection serve as the best accompaniment to a simple life.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Double Entendre / Pun (Sledai)
“Thottukkira onnum illiyae / Naan unna konjam thottukkiravaa”
The word 'Thottukkira' is used cleverly to mean both eating a side dish with rice and physically touching/embracing each other.
Rhyme / Iyaibu (End Rhyme)
“Vatti edutha soththa pottutaa / Thanni oothuna uppa pottutaa”
The repetition of matching end suffixes like 'pottutaa' creates a rhythmic cadence suitable for folk melodies.
Contrast / Anthesis
“Naalum aatta meikka poren / Raani pola vaazha pora”
Juxtaposing their physical poverty (herding goats, no house/lock) with royal grandeur (living like a queen with a king of kings).
Did you know?
Trivia
Gramatthu Minnal (1987) was directed by K. Rangaraj and featured music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics written by his brother Gangai Amaran. The song vividly captures the aesthetic of rural Tamil Nadu, using everyday village metaphors like 'pazhaya saadham' (soaked rice) to convey deep emotional bonding.
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