- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Music director
- Chandrabose
- Movie name
- Thaai Paasam
- Movie release year
- 1988
- Lyrics added on
- 16 Feb 2021
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This energetic and satirical song addresses two corrupt and wealthy antagonists, Vishwanathan and Mallinathan. Using street-smart tone and playful provocation, the protagonist mocks their decadent lifestyle while highlighting the stark economic inequality present in society. He contrasts the lavish excesses of the rich—like decorative window drapes and TVs—with the dire struggles of the poor who lack basic food, shelter, and proper clothing. In the second half, the tone turns sharper as the speaker condemns corrupt accumulation of wealth and pledges to bring down the oppressive elite. By invoking the mythological image of Arjuna taking up his bow against the Kauravas, the protagonist positions himself as a defender of the downtrodden fighting against corrupt oppressors.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Anaphora / End Rhyme (Iyaibu)
“Vishwanatha whisky irukka / Malli naadha milli irukka”
The deliberate repeating structure and end rhyme using 'irukka' across lines creates a catchy rhythm.
Mythological Allusion (Uruthagam / Metaphor)
“Arjunan nanae….ambeduthaenae / Gauravar kootathaiyae veezhthidathaan villaal adippen”
The protagonist compares himself to Arjuna from the Mahabharata and the corrupt rich to the evil Kauravas, signifying a moral battle.
Contrast / Antithesis
“Maanam kakka ezhaikkedhu oru mozha saela / Maadi veetu jannalukku yenindha aada”
Contrasting the poor woman's struggle for a basic saree with the opulent curtains on a rich man's window to highlight economic disparity.
Edhukai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Velicham illa kathumilla kudisaiyai paaru / Vaaduthappa kodi sanam ketpadhu yaaru”
The second consonant 'l' matches across adjacent words 'Velicham' and 'Vaaduthappa' (or line-to-line second-letter patterns typical in Tamil poetry).
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by Chandrabose with lyrics by Vaali, this track showcases S. P. Balasubrahmanyam's dynamic vocal range in rendering street-style folk-pop tracks during the late 1980s Tamil cinema era. Vaali was renowned for blending casual colloquialisms like 'whisky' and 'milli' with deep socio-political commentary.
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