Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Clutchai Mithichi

From Sabash Thambi · 1967

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
Movie name
Sabash Thambi
Movie release year
1967
Lyrics added on
4 Jan 2025

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Clutchai midhichi gearai maathi
Accelatorai kodukkanum
Stearingai pidichi hornai amukki
Paadhaiyai paathu poganum
Samayathil breakaiyum podanum
Hahaan appadiya
Pudhusu idhu pudhusu
Pudhusu idhu pudhusu azhagenum parisu
Kidaithathu pudhusu
Adikkadi manasu thudikkira vayasu
Pudhusu idhu pudhusu
Ilasu idhu ilasu
Ilasu idhu ilasu paruvathil ilasu
Pathinettu vayasu
Idhayangal sirusu ennangal perisu
Ilasu idhu ilasu
Sathamittu sathamittu
Vandu vandhu parakkum
Muthamittu muthamittu
Vanna malar mayangum
Humming ……
Sathamittu sathamittu
Vandu vandhu parakkum
Muthamittu muthamittu
Vanna malar mayangum
Kovvai nira sevvidhazhai
Konjugira podhu
Male :Humming ……
Female :Kovvai nira sevvidhazhai
Konjugira podhu
Mukkaniyum sakkaraiyum
Thithippadhu yedhu
Ilasu idhu ilasu
Male :Illa pudhusu idhu pudhusu
Nenjamoru panjumethai
Kannirandum vilakku
Pinju nadai anji varum
Vanji magal enakku
Humming ……
Nenjamoru panjumethai
Kannirandum vilakku
Pinju nadai anji varum
Vanji magal enakku
Indru muthal anbu mayil
Unnarugil iruppaal
Male :Humming ……
Female :Indru muthal anbu mayil
Unnarugil iruppaal
Andhi pagal eppodhum
Kaiyanaithu nadappaal
Clutchai midhichi gearai maathi
Accelatorai kodukkanum
Stearingai pidichi hornai amukki
Paadhaiyai paathu poganum
Press the clutch, shift the gear,
step on the accelerator,
hold the steering wheel, honk the horn,
watch the road as you drive,
and hit the brakes when needed!
Haha, is that so?
This is new, so brand new!
This is new, so brand new, a gift of beauty,
what I received is completely new!
An age when the heart beats fast so often,
this is new, so brand new!
This is tender, so tender and young!
This is tender, so young, in the prime of youth,
eighteen years of age!
The hearts are small, but the dreams are big,
this is tender, so tender and young!
Buzzing and making gentle sounds,
the honeybee flutters around!
Kissing it again and again,
the colorful flower is enchanted!
(Humming...)
Buzzing and making gentle sounds,
the honeybee flutters around!
Kissing it again and again,
the colorful flower is enchanted!
When caressing those red lips,
bright like the kovvai (scarlet gourd) fruit,
Male: (Humming...)
Female: When caressing those red lips,
bright like the kovvai (scarlet gourd) fruit,
between mukkani (the three traditional fruits) and sugar,
what could be sweeter?
This is tender, so tender and young!
Male: No, this is new, so brand new!
The chest is a soft cotton mattress,
the two eyes are glowing lamps!
Taking shy, gentle steps,
this slender girl is mine!
(Humming...)
The chest is a soft cotton mattress,
the two eyes are glowing lamps!
Taking shy, gentle steps,
this slender girl is mine!
From today, this loving peacock of a girl
will stay right by your side!
Male: (Humming...)
Female: From today, this loving peacock of a girl
will stay right by your side!
Day and night, at all times,
she will walk holding your hand!
Press the clutch, shift the gear,
step on the accelerator,
hold the steering wheel, honk the horn,
and watch the road as you drive!
Female
Male
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male
Female
Female
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This playful duet from Sabash Thambi (1967) playfully uses car driving mechanics—clutch, gears, steering, and brakes—as an extended metaphor for navigating romance and youthful passion. The lovers sing to each other, celebrating the arrival of youth ('ilasu') and novel romantic sensations ('pudhusu'). The song balances whimsical contemporary references with classic Tamil poetic tropes such as comparing lips to Kovvai fruit and tender hearts to cotton mattresses.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Extended Metaphor

“Clutchai midhichi gearai maathi...”

The act of driving a car (clutch, gears, steering, brakes) is used as a metaphor for carefully steering a nascent romantic relationship.

Adukkuthodar (Repetition)

“Sathamittu sathamittu / Muthamittu muthamittu”

Words like 'sathamittu sathamittu' and 'muthamittu muthamittu' are repeated for rhythmic effect and poetic intensity.

Uvamai (Simile / Metaphor)

“Kovvai nira sevvidhazhai / Nenjamoru panjumethai”

Comparing red lips to the bright red Kovvai fruit and the soft heart to a cotton mattress.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song features a rare fusion of modern mechanical driving terminology with classic Vaali-style romantic Tamil lyrics, set to an upbeat score by S. M. Subbaiah Naidu.

Keep listening

Songs with a similar feeling

Kaadhal Ponnedu1974
Kaliyuga KannanAttractionRomantic
Netraiya Varaiyil Pathinaru1985
AnthasthuCourtshipPlayful Romance
Maina Oru Maina1986
MarumagalPlayful RomancePlayful
Paatukulle Pattu1992
Thanga ManasukkaranCourtshipPlayful Romance
Kanavilum Unnai1950
Macha RekaiAttractionRomantic
Adhu Adhu Adhu1973
Valli DeivanaiCourtshipPlayful

From the same album

More songs from Sabash Thambi

View album
Oh Mama Unga Madimel Saayalaama1967
Sabash ThambiPlayful
Polish Boot Polish1967
Sabash ThambiPlayful
Aambala Singame1967
Sabash ThambiPlayful
Sabash Thambi1967
Sabash ThambiCelebratory

Spot an issue?

Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.