- Lyricist
- Vasan
- Singers
- Swarnalatha, Unnikrishnan
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Movie name
- Kumbakonam Gopalu
- Movie release year
- 1998
- Lyrics added on
- 3 Feb 2019
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
Butterfly Pattu Poo is a playful, upbeat duet from the 1998 Tamil film Kumbakonam Gopalu. The song portrays a playful romantic banter between a woman eager for intimacy and a hesitant bachelor trying to maintain self-control. The female protagonist uses fun political and modern metaphors—such as forming a political coalition (koottani) and hoisting a flag of love—to invite him into a romance, expressing how the cold Margazhi season makes her yearn for warmth.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Onomatopoeia
“Nenjukkul ..labdabbu”
The term 'labdabbu' phonetically imitates the biological sound of a beating heart.
Extended Metaphor
“Kaadhal kodi yetri Pudhu arasu amaikka vaa”
Love and romance are compared to political processes like forming a coalition government ('koottani') and hoisting a flag ('kodi').
Hyperbole / Modern Imagery
“Voltage four forty On odambil yerudhu”
Romantic excitement and body heat are exaggeratedly compared to 440 volts of electricity blowing a circuit fuse.
Emonai (Second-letter Rhyming)
“Iravukku uravu thevai / Uravaada varuviyaa”
In Tamil poetry, matching second consonants in consecutive lines creates rhythm, seen here with 'ram' sound patterns in 'Iravukku' and 'Uravaada'.
Did you know?
Trivia
The film 'Kumbakonam Gopalu' stars Pandiarajan, who is well known in Tamil cinema for his lighthearted comedy roles and humorous, rhythmic romantic duets that blend everyday spoken Tamil with modern slang.
Keep listening
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