What is "thadayam"

Thadayam is a 1997 Tamil action film directed by Ramesh Balakrishnan. The film features Ramki, Vijayashanti and Indraja in lead roles. The film, produced by Jothi Prasad Srinivasan and Kanchana Sivaraman, had musical score by Deva and was released on 28 November 1997. The film is partly inspired by the Telugu film Gang Leader.