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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Chithadai Kattikittu

From Vannakili · 1959

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singers
P. Susheela, S. C. Krishnan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Vannakili1959

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Chithaada kattikitu singaram pannikituDressed in a silk saree and all dolled up,
Mathaapu sundhari oruthiA sparkling beauty like a firework,
Mayilaaga vandhaalaamShe came prancing like a peacock.
Chorus :Chithaada kattikitu singaram pannikituChorus: Dressed in a silk saree and all dolled up,
Mathaapu sundhari oruthiA sparkling beauty like a firework,
Mayilaaga vandhaalaamShe came prancing like a peacock.
Female
Aththaana paathu asandhu poiye ninaalaamSeeing her beloved, she stood mesmerized in awe.
Chorus :Aththaana paathu asandhu poiye ninaalaamChorus: Seeing her beloved, she stood mesmerized in awe.
Female and Chorus :Chithaada kattikitu singaram pannikituFemale and Chorus: Dressed in a silk saree and all dolled up,
Mathaapu sundhari oruthiA sparkling beauty like a firework,
Mayilaaga vandhaalaamShe came prancing like a peacock.
Male
Muthaaga arumbeduthuPicking jasmine buds like pearls,
Muzhaneela saran thoduthuStringing a long full garland,
Sithaara kalligalukku muthaaram potaanaanHe adorned her with a pearl necklace made for clever maidens.
Chorus :Muthaaga arumbeduthuChorus: Picking jasmine buds like pearls,
Muzhaneela saran thoduthuStringing a long full garland,
Sithaara kalligalukku muthaaram potaanaanHe adorned her with a pearl necklace made for clever maidens.
Male
Gethaaga pesi ilamanasa thottaanaamSpeaking with pride, he touched her young heart.
Chorus :Gethaaga pesi ilamanasa thottaanaamChorus: Speaking with pride, he touched her young heart.
Male and Chorus :Haan muthaaga arumbeduthuMale and Chorus: Haan, picking jasmine buds like pearls,
Muzhaneela saran thoduthuStringing a long full garland,
Sithaara kalligalukku muthaaram potaanaanHe adorned her with a pearl necklace made for clever maidens.
Female
Kundoosi pole rendu kannum ullavalaamShe is a woman with eyes sharp as safety pins,
Mugam konaamal aasai anbaa pesum nallavalaamA good woman who speaks with love and desire without frowning.
Male :Aahaa..Male: Aahaa..
Female :Oho..Female: Oho..
Chorus :Kundoosi pole rendu kannum ullavalaamChorus: She is a woman with eyes sharp as safety pins,
Mugam konaamal aasai anbaa pesum nallavalaamA good woman who speaks with love and desire without frowning.
Female
Andha kandaangi selaikaari kaikaariyaamThat woman in the Kandangi saree is a capable worker.
Chorus :Andha kandaangi selaikaari kaikaariyaamChorus: That woman in the Kandangi saree is a capable worker.
Female and Chorus :Andha kalli aththanai kalyanam pannikondaalaamFemale and Chorus: That playful woman ended up marrying her cousin!
Male
Anjaadha singam pole veeram ullavanaamHe is a brave man, fearless like a lion,
Yaanai vandhaalum pandhaadi jeyika vallavanaamCapable of conquering and juggling even an elephant if it comes.
Female :Ahaa..Female: Ahaa..
Male :Aahaa..Male: Aahaa..
Chorus :Anjaadha singam pole veeram ullavanaamChorus: He is a brave man, fearless like a lion,
Yaanai vandhaalum pandhaadi jeyika vallavanaamCapable of conquering and juggling even an elephant if it comes.
Male
Andha mundaasukaaran konjam munkobiyaamThat man with a turban is known to be a bit short-tempered.
Chorus :Andha mundaasukaaran konjam munkobiyaamChorus: That man with a turban is known to be a bit short-tempered.
Male and Chorus :Aanaalum pen endraal avan anji kenji nirpaanaamMale and Chorus: Yet in front of his woman, he stands trembling and pleading!
Female
Munooru naalai mattum ennikollungaJust count three hundred days from now,
Male :Adhan pinnaale enna aagum neenga sollungaMale: You tell us what will happen after that!
Female Chorus :Ahaa..Female Chorus: Ahaa..
Male Chorus :Ahaa..Male Chorus: Ahaa..
Female Chorus :Munooru naalai mattum ennikollungaFemale Chorus: Just count three hundred days from now,
Male Chorus :Adhan pinnaale enna aagum neenga sollungaMale Chorus: You tell us what will happen after that!
Female
Andha rendodu onnum serndhu moonaagungaThat two plus one will join and become three,
Male :Indha rendodu onnum serndhu moonaagungaMale: This two plus one will join and become three,
Female Chorus :Adhai kandu sandhosham kondaadi paada poraangaFemale Chorus: Seeing that, they will celebrate with joy and sing!
Male Chorus :Kandu sandhosham kondaadi paada poraangaMale Chorus: Seeing that, they will celebrate with joy and sing!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful folk duet from 'Vannakili' (1959) celebrates the courtship, marriage, and family life of a young couple in rural Tamil Nadu. The female singer describes her grace and charm, wearing traditional Kandangi sarees and adorning herself with flowers, while the male singer boasts about his bravery, strength, and affection. Together, they banter teasingly about their wedding and the playful dynamics of their relationship. As the song progresses, the tone turns joyous and prospective as they look forward to marital bliss and starting a family. They humorously count down the days until two become three, anticipating the arrival of a child. Set to K. V. Mahadevan's rhythmic folk composition, the song highlights traditional Tamil rural courtship customs with warmth and humor.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Mayilaaga vandhaalaam

Compares the woman's graceful arrival to the walking of a peacock.

Metaphor (Rupaka)

Mathaapu sundhari oruthi

Refers to the maiden as a 'Mathaapu' (sparkler firework) to emphasize her striking beauty.

Initial Rhyme (Monai)

Muthaaga arumbeduthu / Muzhaneela saran thoduthu

Repetition of the initial sound 'Mu' across successive lines creating rhythmic symmetry.

Simile (Upamai)

Anjaadha singam pole veeram ullavanaam

Compares the man's bravery directly to that of a lion.

Did you know?

Trivia

Vannakili (1959) featured memorable folk-based compositions by K. V. Mahadevan, which played a pivotal role in establishing popular rural rhythm templates in Tamil cinema during the late 1950s.

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