Cheppu Kodam Thookki
From Othaiyadi Paathaiyile · 1980
- Lyricist
- Pulamaipithan
- Singers
- K. J. Yesudas, Vani Jairam
- Music director
- Shankar Ganesh
- Details
- Othaiyadi Paathaiyile1980
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Cheppu kodam thookki pora chellammaa | Oh dear Chellamma carrying a brass water pot, |
| Naan vikki poraen thaagaththulae nillammaa | I am choking with thirst, please stop for a moment! |
| Naan vikki poraen thaagaththulae nillammaa | I am choking with thirst, please stop for a moment! |
| Female | |
| Kakkaththula vechcha kodam chellaiyyaa | Oh dear, the pot resting at my waist, |
| Idhu kandavanga thaagaththukku illaiyyaa | Is not meant to quench the thirst of random strangers. |
| Idhu kandavanga thaagaththukku illaiyyaa | Is not meant to quench the thirst of random strangers. |
| Male | |
| Cheppu kodam thookki pora chellammaa | Oh dear Chellamma carrying a brass water pot, |
| Naan vikki poraen thaagaththulae nillammaa | I am choking with thirst, please stop for a moment! |
| Naan vikki poraen thaagaththulae nillammaa | I am choking with thirst, please stop for a moment! |
| Male | |
| Mookkuththi potta pulla | Oh girl wearing a nose ring, |
| Mukkaththuttu pottukkaari | Girl with a bindi wearing a veil, |
| Naan varuven nadu jamam | I will come around midnight, |
| Nenavaa muzhichchirudi | Stay awake thinking of me! |
| Male | |
| Mookkuththi potta pulla | Oh girl wearing a nose ring, |
| Mukkaththuttu pottukkaari | Girl with a bindi wearing a veil, |
| Naan varuven nadu jamam | I will come around midnight, |
| Nenavaa muzhichchirudi | Stay awake thinking of me! |
| Female | |
| Naanthaan muzhichchirunthaalum | Even if I stay awake, |
| Naayumilla muzhichirukkum | Won't the dog be awake as well? |
| Naanthaan muzhichchirunthaalum | Even if I stay awake, |
| Naayumilla muzhichirukkum | Won't the dog be awake as well? |
| Kashttapattu vetkkapada venaam | You don't need to struggle and feel shy, |
| Nalla meththa pattu thalaiyanaiya thedu | Look for a soft mattress and a silk pillow. |
| Nalla meththa pattu thalaiyanaiya thedu | Look for a soft mattress and a silk pillow. |
| Male | |
| Oohho ho | Oohho ho |
| Cheppu kodam thookki pora chellammaa | Oh dear Chellamma carrying a brass water pot, |
| Naan vikki poraen thaagaththulae nillammaa | I am choking with thirst, please stop for a moment! |
| Naan vikki poraen thaagaththulae nillammaa | I am choking with thirst, please stop for a moment! |
| Female | |
| Kakkaththula vechcha kodam chellaiyyaa | Oh dear, the pot resting at my waist, |
| Idhu kandavanga thaagaththukku illaiyyaa | Is not meant to quench the thirst of random strangers. |
| Idhu kandavanga thaagaththukku illaiyyaa | Is not meant to quench the thirst of random strangers. |
| Male | |
| Paduththaa orakkam valla | When I lie down, sleep doesn't come, |
| Paai virichchaa thookkam illa | Even if I spread out a mat, there is no sleep. |
| Pazhaiya uravukkaari paathaiyilae kandukittu | Meeting my old lover along the village path, |
| Ava azhuga naan azhuga annapuraa saernthazhuga | She cried, I cried, and even the birds cried along with us. |
| Ava azhuga naan azhuga annapuraa saernthazhuga | She cried, I cried, and even the birds cried along with us. |
| Female | |
| Paakku pottaa sevakkallaiyae | When I chew betel nut, it doesn't turn red, |
| Veththalaiyum sevakkallaiyae | The betel leaf doesn't turn red either. |
| Paakku pottaa sevakkallaiyae | When I chew betel nut, it doesn't turn red, |
| Veththalaiyum sevakkallaiyae | The betel leaf doesn't turn red either. |
| Santhana poongaavula satham pottu ungaiyilae | In the sandalwood garden, lying making sounds in your arms, |
| Ungala nenaikkaiyilae unnurathu saathamillae | When thinking of you, even the food I eat doesn't nourish me. |
| Ungala nenaikkaiyilae unnurathu saathamillae | When thinking of you, even the food I eat doesn't nourish me. |
| Male | |
| Cheppu kodam thookki pora chellammaa | Oh dear Chellamma carrying a brass water pot, |
| Naan vikki poraen thaagaththulae nillammaa | I am choking with thirst, please stop for a moment! |
| Naan vikki poraen thaagaththulae nillammaa | I am choking with thirst, please stop for a moment! |
| Female | |
| Kakkaththula vechcha kodam chellaiyyaa | Oh dear, the pot resting at my waist, |
| Idhu kandavanga thaagaththukku illaiyyaa | Is not meant to quench the thirst of random strangers. |
| Idhu kandavanga thaagaththukku illaiyyaa | Is not meant to quench the thirst of random strangers. |
| Male | |
| Oohho ho | Oohho ho |
| Cheppu kodam thookki pora chellammaa | Oh dear Chellamma carrying a brass water pot, |
| Naan vikki poraen thaagaththulae nillammaa | I am choking with thirst, please stop for a moment! |
| Naan vikki poraen thaagaththulae nillammaa | I am choking with thirst, please stop for a moment! |
செப்புக் கொடம் தூக்கிப் போற செல்லம்மா
நான் விக்கிப் போறேன் தாகத்துலே நில்லம்மா
நான் விக்கிப் போறேன் தாகத்துலே நில்லம்மா
Oh dear Chellamma carrying a brass water pot,
I am choking with thirst, please stop for a moment!
I am choking with thirst, please stop for a moment!
கக்கத்துல வெச்சக் கொடம் செல்லய்யா
இது கண்டவங்க தாகத்துக்கு இல்லைய்யா.....
இது கண்டவங்க தாகத்துக்கு இல்லைய்யா.....
Oh dear, the pot resting at my waist,
Is not meant to quench the thirst of random strangers.
Is not meant to quench the thirst of random strangers.
ஹேய் செப்புக் கொடம் தூக்கிப் போற செல்லம்மா
நான் விக்கிப் போறேன் தாகத்துலே நில்லம்மா
நான் விக்கிப் போறேன் தாகத்துலே நில்லம்மா
Oh dear Chellamma carrying a brass water pot,
I am choking with thirst, please stop for a moment!
I am choking with thirst, please stop for a moment!
மூக்குத்தி போட்ட புள்ள
முக்காத்துட்டு பொட்டுக்காரி
நான் வருவேன் நடு ஜாமம்
நெனவா முழிச்சிருடி
Oh girl wearing a nose ring,
Girl with a bindi wearing a veil,
I will come around midnight,
Stay awake thinking of me!
மூக்குத்தி போட்ட புள்ள
முக்காத்துட்டு பொட்டுக்காரி
நான் வருவேன் நடு ஜாமம்
நெனவா முழிச்சிருடி
Oh girl wearing a nose ring,
Girl with a bindi wearing a veil,
I will come around midnight,
Stay awake thinking of me!
நாந்தான் முழிச்சிருந்தாலும்
நாயுமில்ல முழிச்சிருக்கும்
நாந்தான் முழிச்சிருந்தாலும்
நாயுமில்ல முழிச்சிருக்கும்
கஷ்டப்பட்டு வெட்கப்பட வேணாம்
நல்ல மெத்தப் பட்டு தலையணைய தேடு
நல்ல மெத்தப் பட்டு தலையணைய தேடு
Even if I stay awake,
Won't the dog be awake as well?
Even if I stay awake,
Won't the dog be awake as well?
You don't need to struggle and feel shy,
Look for a soft mattress and a silk pillow.
Look for a soft mattress and a silk pillow.
ஓஹ்ஹோ ஹோ
செப்புக் கொடம் தூக்கிப் போற செல்லம்மா
விக்கிப் போறேன் தாகத்துலே நில்லம்மா
நான் விக்கிப் போறேன் தாகத்துலே நில்லம்மா
Oohho ho
Oh dear Chellamma carrying a brass water pot,
I am choking with thirst, please stop for a moment!
I am choking with thirst, please stop for a moment!
கக்கத்துல வெச்சக் கொடம் செல்லய்யா
இது கண்டவங்க தாகத்துக்கு இல்லைய்யா.....
இது கண்டவங்க தாகத்துக்கு இல்லைய்யா.....
Oh dear, the pot resting at my waist,
Is not meant to quench the thirst of random strangers.
Is not meant to quench the thirst of random strangers.
படுத்தா ஒறக்கம் வல்ல
பாய் விரிச்சா தூக்கம் இல்ல
பழைய உறவுக்காரி பாதையிலே கண்டுகிட்டு
அவ அழுக நான் அழுக அன்னப்புறா சேர்ந்தழுக
அவ அழுக நான் அழுக அன்னப்புறா சேர்ந்தழுக
When I lie down, sleep doesn't come,
Even if I spread out a mat, there is no sleep.
Meeting my old lover along the village path,
She cried, I cried, and even the birds cried along with us.
She cried, I cried, and even the birds cried along with us.
பாக்கு போட்டா செவக்கல்லையே
வெத்தலையும் செவக்கல்லையே
பாக்கு போட்டா செவக்கல்லையே
வெத்தலையும் செவக்கல்லையே
சந்தன பூங்காவுல சாதம் போட்டு உங்கையிலே
உங்கள நெனைக்கையிலே உண்ணுறது சாதமில்லே
உங்கள நெனைக்கையிலே உண்ணுறது சாதமில்லே
When I chew betel nut, it doesn't turn red,
The betel leaf doesn't turn red either.
When I chew betel nut, it doesn't turn red,
The betel leaf doesn't turn red either.
In the sandalwood garden, lying making sounds in your arms,
When thinking of you, even the food I eat doesn't nourish me.
When thinking of you, even the food I eat doesn't nourish me.
செப்புக் கொடம் தூக்கிப் போற செல்லம்மா..ஆஅ....
நான் விக்கிப் போறேன் தாகத்துலே நில்லம்மா
நான் விக்கிப் போறேன் தாகத்துலே நில்லம்மா
Oh dear Chellamma carrying a brass water pot,
I am choking with thirst, please stop for a moment!
I am choking with thirst, please stop for a moment!
கக்கத்துல வெச்சக் கொடம் செல்லய்யா
இது கண்டவங்க தாகத்துக்கு இல்லைய்யா.....
இது கண்டவங்க தாகத்துக்கு இல்லைய்யா.....
Oh dear, the pot resting at my waist,
Is not meant to quench the thirst of random strangers.
Is not meant to quench the thirst of random strangers.
ஓஹ்ஹோ ஹோ
செப்புக் கொடம் தூக்கிப் போற செல்லம்மா
நான் விக்கிப் போறேன் தாகத்துலே நில்லம்மா
நான் விக்கிப் போறேன் தாகத்துலே நில்லம்மா
Oohho ho
Oh dear Chellamma carrying a brass water pot,
I am choking with thirst, please stop for a moment!
I am choking with thirst, please stop for a moment!
Cheppu kodam thookki pora chellammaa
Oh dear Chellamma carrying a brass water pot,
Naan vikki poraen thaagaththulae nillammaa
I am choking with thirst, please stop for a moment!
Naan vikki poraen thaagaththulae nillammaa
I am choking with thirst, please stop for a moment!
Kakkaththula vechcha kodam chellaiyyaa
Oh dear, the pot resting at my waist,
Idhu kandavanga thaagaththukku illaiyyaa
Is not meant to quench the thirst of random strangers.
Idhu kandavanga thaagaththukku illaiyyaa
Is not meant to quench the thirst of random strangers.
Cheppu kodam thookki pora chellammaa
Oh dear Chellamma carrying a brass water pot,
Naan vikki poraen thaagaththulae nillammaa
I am choking with thirst, please stop for a moment!
Naan vikki poraen thaagaththulae nillammaa
I am choking with thirst, please stop for a moment!
Mookkuththi potta pulla
Oh girl wearing a nose ring,
Mukkaththuttu pottukkaari
Girl with a bindi wearing a veil,
Naan varuven nadu jamam
I will come around midnight,
Nenavaa muzhichchirudi
Stay awake thinking of me!
Mookkuththi potta pulla
Oh girl wearing a nose ring,
Mukkaththuttu pottukkaari
Girl with a bindi wearing a veil,
Naan varuven nadu jamam
I will come around midnight,
Nenavaa muzhichchirudi
Stay awake thinking of me!
Naanthaan muzhichchirunthaalum
Even if I stay awake,
Naayumilla muzhichirukkum
Won't the dog be awake as well?
Naanthaan muzhichchirunthaalum
Even if I stay awake,
Naayumilla muzhichirukkum
Won't the dog be awake as well?
Kashttapattu vetkkapada venaam
You don't need to struggle and feel shy,
Nalla meththa pattu thalaiyanaiya thedu
Look for a soft mattress and a silk pillow.
Nalla meththa pattu thalaiyanaiya thedu
Look for a soft mattress and a silk pillow.
Oohho ho
Oohho ho
Cheppu kodam thookki pora chellammaa
Oh dear Chellamma carrying a brass water pot,
Naan vikki poraen thaagaththulae nillammaa
I am choking with thirst, please stop for a moment!
Naan vikki poraen thaagaththulae nillammaa
I am choking with thirst, please stop for a moment!
Kakkaththula vechcha kodam chellaiyyaa
Oh dear, the pot resting at my waist,
Idhu kandavanga thaagaththukku illaiyyaa
Is not meant to quench the thirst of random strangers.
Idhu kandavanga thaagaththukku illaiyyaa
Is not meant to quench the thirst of random strangers.
Paduththaa orakkam valla
When I lie down, sleep doesn't come,
Paai virichchaa thookkam illa
Even if I spread out a mat, there is no sleep.
Pazhaiya uravukkaari paathaiyilae kandukittu
Meeting my old lover along the village path,
Ava azhuga naan azhuga annapuraa saernthazhuga
She cried, I cried, and even the birds cried along with us.
Ava azhuga naan azhuga annapuraa saernthazhuga
She cried, I cried, and even the birds cried along with us.
Paakku pottaa sevakkallaiyae
When I chew betel nut, it doesn't turn red,
Veththalaiyum sevakkallaiyae
The betel leaf doesn't turn red either.
Paakku pottaa sevakkallaiyae
When I chew betel nut, it doesn't turn red,
Veththalaiyum sevakkallaiyae
The betel leaf doesn't turn red either.
Santhana poongaavula satham pottu ungaiyilae
In the sandalwood garden, lying making sounds in your arms,
Ungala nenaikkaiyilae unnurathu saathamillae
When thinking of you, even the food I eat doesn't nourish me.
Ungala nenaikkaiyilae unnurathu saathamillae
When thinking of you, even the food I eat doesn't nourish me.
Cheppu kodam thookki pora chellammaa
Oh dear Chellamma carrying a brass water pot,
Naan vikki poraen thaagaththulae nillammaa
I am choking with thirst, please stop for a moment!
Naan vikki poraen thaagaththulae nillammaa
I am choking with thirst, please stop for a moment!
Kakkaththula vechcha kodam chellaiyyaa
Oh dear, the pot resting at my waist,
Idhu kandavanga thaagaththukku illaiyyaa
Is not meant to quench the thirst of random strangers.
Idhu kandavanga thaagaththukku illaiyyaa
Is not meant to quench the thirst of random strangers.
Oohho ho
Oohho ho
Cheppu kodam thookki pora chellammaa
Oh dear Chellamma carrying a brass water pot,
Naan vikki poraen thaagaththulae nillammaa
I am choking with thirst, please stop for a moment!
Naan vikki poraen thaagaththulae nillammaa
I am choking with thirst, please stop for a moment!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This classic rural Tamil duet features a playful and romantic dialogue between two lovers in a village setting. The song opens with the hero teasingly asking a girl carrying a brass water pot for a drink, using physical thirst as a clever metaphor for his romantic desire. She playfully rejects his advances, guarding her modesty while continuing the lighthearted banter about secret midnight rendezvous, village gossip, and family watchdogs.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uvamaani / Urvagamm)
“Naan vikki poraen thaagaththulae nillammaa”
The water pot ('Cheppu kodam') and physical thirst ('thaagam') are used as extended metaphors for romantic longing and emotional yearning.
Alliteration (Monai)
“Mookkuththi potta pulla / Mukkaththuttu pottukkaari”
The repetition of initial consonant sounds ('M') creates a rhythmic, melodic cadence typical of Tamil folk poetry.
Emotional Repetition (Anaphora)
“Ava azhuga naan azhuga annapuraa saernthazhuga”
Repetition of the verb 'azhuga' (crying) emphasizes shared sorrow and empathy extending even to nature ('annapuraa' / birds).
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by the legendary duo Shankar-Ganesh and penned by veteran lyricist Pulamaipithan, this song highlights the duo's signature blend of authentic Tamil folk rhythms with popular playback music, brought to life by K. J. Yesudas and Vani Jairam.
Keep listening
More from Othaiyadi Paathaiyile
Othaiyadi Paathaiyile
Othaiyadi Paathaiyile
Othaiyadi Paathaiyile
Othaiyadi Paathaiyile
Othaiyadi Paathaiyile