- Lyricist
- Gangai Amaran
- Singers
- Malaysia Vasudevan, P. Susheela
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Movie name
- Karaiyellam Shenbagapoo
- Movie release year
- 1981
- Lyrics added on
- 27 Feb 2022
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This song is a lively and playful rural duet between a young woman and her agricultural suitor (her 'machan'). The female lead teasingly scolds him for being all talk and no action, accusing him of making empty promises about buying her fine things while ignoring her affection. She playfully questions whether she is not good enough for a hard-working farmer like him. The male lead responds with affectionate banter and compliments, comparing her delicate temper to a touch-me-not plant and calling her a precious pearl. He assures her that he intends to buy her silk sarees and adorn her in gold ornaments. The song brilliantly captures the witty, charming romantic exchanges typical of Tamil folk culture, set against an earthy agricultural backdrop.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor
“Thottaach churungi ava thoothukudi muththu nagai”
Compares the girl's delicate nature to a touch-me-not plant ('Thottaach churungi') and her beauty to a rare pearl ornament ('muththu nagai') from Thoothukudi.
Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Singaaram peththa mava singaththukku yaeththa maga”
Repetition of the initial 'S' sound in 'Singaaram' and 'singaththukku'.
Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Vegaatha veyilula verththu kalaichchavala / Venumunnu saerththukkura ungalukkum aasai illa”
The second letter 'g/n' (or 'e' sound in 'Ve-') aligns rhythmically across the couplet lines.
Hyperbole
“Paaradi un odambu thangaththula poottaporaen”
Exaggerated romantic promise of covering her entire body in gold ornaments.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Karaiyellam Shenbagapoo' (1981) is a rare Tamil mystery-thriller movie based on a famous novel by the renowned writer Sujatha Rangarajan, directed by G. N. Rangarajan. Composer Ilaiyaraaja delivered a memorable soundtrack that seamlessly blended traditional rural folk sensibilities with cinematic orchestration. Malaysia Vasudevan's robust voice became synonymous with rustic male leads in 1980s Tamil cinema, making this duet with P. Susheela a popular classic.
Keep listening
Songs with a similar feeling
From the same album
More songs from Karaiyellam Shenbagapoo
View albumSpot an issue?
Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.