Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Chikkendru Ottikkonda

From Naalum Therinthavan · 1968

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
Details
Naalum Therinthavan1968

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Chikkendru ottikondaTightly clinging
Aadai katti vanthathennaWhy have you come wearing such clothes,
Paavaiyae…..paavaiyae….Oh young maiden... oh young maiden...
Chikkendru ottikondaTightly clinging
Aadai katti vanthathennaWhy have you come wearing such clothes,
Paavaiyae…..paavaiyae….Oh young maiden... oh young maiden...
Male
Sattendru paakkumpothuWhen looking suddenly,
Aanai pola nindrathennaWhy do you stand like a male elephant?
Sattendru paakkumpothuWhen looking suddenly,
Aanai pola nindrathennaWhy do you stand like a male elephant?
Poovaiyae poovaiyae….Oh flower-like girl... oh flower-like girl...
Male
Chikkendru ottikondaTightly clinging
Aadai katti vanthathennaWhy have you come wearing such clothes,
Paavaiyae…..paavaiyae….Oh young maiden... oh young maiden...
Male
Kaal sattai maattikondaalJust by wearing trousers,
Maaraathu uruvamThe feminine form does not change,
Kai sattai pottu kondaalJust by wearing a shirt,
Maraiyaathu paruvamYouthfulness cannot be hidden.
Kaal sattai maattikondaalJust by wearing trousers,
Maaraathu uruvamThe feminine form does not change,
Kai sattai pottu kondaalJust by wearing a shirt,
Maraiyaathu paruvamYouthfulness cannot be hidden.
Male
Eerettu vayathukku eduppaaga theriyumAt sixteen years of age, it looks striking,
Eerettu vayathukku eduppaaga theriyumAt sixteen years of age, it looks striking,
Paarkkindra kangalukku yaarendru theriyumTo the eyes that behold, anyone can tell who it is.
Male
Chikkendru ottikondaTightly clinging
Aadai katti vanthathennaWhy have you come wearing such clothes,
Paavaiyae…..paavaiyae….Oh young maiden... oh young maiden...
Male
Nee konda koondhal ennaWhat is this hair you have,
Kudhiraiyin vaaloIs it a horse's tail?
Neelaththai paarkkumpothuWhen looking at its length,
Oru muzhamthaanoIs it just a single cubit long?
Male
Nee konda koondhal ennaWhat is this hair you have,
Kudhiraiyin vaaloIs it a horse's tail?
Neelaththai paarkkumpothuWhen looking at its length,
Oru muzhamthaanoIs it just a single cubit long?
Male
Thaenoorum udhattukkuFor lips dripping with honey,
Saayangal yaenoWhy apply artificial cosmetics?
Thaenoorum udhattukkuFor lips dripping with honey,
Saayangal yaenoWhy apply artificial cosmetics?
Kaalaththila nadakkindraHappening in these modern times,
Kodumai idhaanoIs this cruelty?
Male
Chikkendru ottikondaTightly clinging
Aadai katti vanthathennaWhy have you come wearing such clothes,
Paavaiyae…..paavaiyae….Oh young maiden... oh young maiden...
Male
Saelaikku velai tharaGiving no work to the traditional saree,
Maranththu maeniThe body has forgotten modesty,
Chittu pol kattu vitttuLike a small bird unleashed,
Parakkindra thaeniShe is a honeybee flying free.
Male
Naalum therintha penmaiWomanhood that knows all wisdom,
Nadakkattum naaniLet her walk with shy elegance,
Naalum therintha penmaiWomanhood that knows all wisdom,
Nadakkattum naaniLet her walk with shy elegance,
Naattukkum veettukkumTo the country and to the home,
Avalthaanae raaniShe alone is the queen.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from the 1968 film 'Naalum Therinthavan' offers a lighthearted and witty critique of modern Western fashion trends emerging among young women in the late 1960s. The narrator humorously remarks on tight-fitting trousers, short hairstyles resembling a ponytail, and lipstick, contrasting them with traditional Tamil attire like sarees and natural beauty. Despite the teasing tone regarding Westernized clothing and makeup, the song ends on a note of deep respect for womanhood, affirming that a cultured and wise woman who retains her grace remains the true queen of both her home and the nation.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Aanai pola nindrathenna

Compares the woman's bold stance in trousers to that of a male elephant ('Aanai pola').

Second-letter Rhyme (Etukai)

Kaal sattai maattikondaal / Kai sattai pottu kondaal

The second consonant 'l' in 'Kaal sattai' rhymes with 'Kai sattai', creating a rhythmic pattern.

Metaphor (Uruvakum)

Thaenoorum udhattukku Saayangal yaeno

Describes natural lips as dripping with honey ('Thaenoorum udhattu') to contrast natural beauty with artificial makeup.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Naalum Therinthavan' (1968) featured lyrics by Vaali, who frequently captured the societal shifts and cultural dialogues surrounding modernism versus traditional Tamil values during the 1960s Tamil cinema era.

Keep listening

More from Naalum Therinthavan