- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra
- Music director
- Chandrabose
- Movie name
- Paatti Sollai Thattathe
- Movie release year
- 1988
- Lyrics added on
- 5 Nov 2020
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This song is a lively and humorous marital dispute duet between a husband and wife. Both partners exchange lighthearted yet sharp accusations about suspicion, lack of trust, and the petty squabbles that erode marital happiness. The lyrics highlight how ungrounded suspicion acts like a cancer that ignites conflict, while everyday misunderstandings act as fuel added to the fire. Through folk-inspired imagery—such as drinking simple rice water mistaken for alcohol, sowing paddy only to reap thorns, or trying to smell fire instead of flowers—lyricist Vairamuthu captures the absurdities and deep-seated frustrations of marital friction with colloquial wit.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagamm)
“Santhegam enbathu puttrunoi aagumae”
Compares suspicion directly to cancer ('puttrunoi') and the escalating quarrels to an infectious disease ('thottrunoi').
Idiom / Proverbial Allusion (Uvamai)
“Oomai kanda kanavithu”
Uses the traditional idiom 'Oomai kanda kanavu' (a dream seen by a mute person) to symbolize an agonizing plight that cannot be communicated to anyone.
Initial Rhyme / Monai
“Veththala madichchu koduththa pombala”
The starting letters 'Ve' rhyme across the opening lines ('Veththala' and 'Veettukullae').
Second Letter Rhyme / Edhai
“Santhegam enbathu theeyai moottumae”
The second consonant 'th' rhymes between 'Santhegam' and 'Santharppam'.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song comes from the hit 1988 Tamil comedy film 'Paatti Sollai Thattathe', directed by Rajasekhar. The soundtrack was composed by Chandrabose, with lyrics penned by Vairamuthu. The film starred Manorama, Pandiarajan, and Urvashi in lead roles.
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