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Lyrics & meaning

Gowthaari Kunjugalaa

From Pattikattan · 1990

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
Malaysia Vasudevan
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Pattikattan1990

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Paaththukkadi paaththukkadi pattikkaattaanWatch out, watch out, here comes the village man!
Pala ponnugala paarvaiyilae kattipottaanHe has captivated many girls just with his glance!
Panaaras pattu ava pudichchi vachcha ladduDraped in Benaras silk, she is like a sweet laddu made by hand!
Thenavattu yaendi en thaamarai poo mottuWhy this arrogance, my lotus flower bud?
Male
Gowthaari kunjugalaa chinna kaththirikkaa pinjukalaaOh little quail chicks! Oh tiny tender eggplant buds!
Gowthaari kunjugalaa chinna kaththirikkaa pinjukalaaOh little quail chicks! Oh tiny tender eggplant buds!
Oora suththum kaalai idhu oorangattum velaiyithuThis is a bull roaming the village, and it's time for the town to sleep!
Naiyaandi melangalaa inikkum naadodi mettukalaaOh satirical folk drums! Oh sweet folk tunes!
Naiyaandi melangalaa inikkum naadodi mettukalaa…yahaeOh satirical folk drums! Oh sweet folk tunes... yeah!
Male
Gowthaari kunjugalaa chinna kaththirikkaa pinjukalaaOh little quail chicks! Oh tiny tender eggplant buds!
Ennadaa….What is it, man...
Male
Padikka pogum paamaa parisham podalaamaaOh Bhama going to study, shall I offer the wedding bride-price?
Periya manushi aagi varusham aachchu aamaaYes, it has been a year since she came of age!
Padikka pogum paamaa parisham podalaamaaOh Bhama going to study, shall I offer the wedding bride-price?
Periya manushi aagi varusham aachchu aamaaYes, it has been a year since she came of age!
Male
Palli edhukku antha paadam padikkaWhy go to school to learn those lessons?
Solli mudikka inga naanum irukkaWhen I am right here to teach you everything?
Alukki kuzhukki yaendi innum aalaakkuraeWhy do you entice me by swaying and shaking your hips?
Male
Thodappam eduththu tharaiyaTaking the broom to sweep the floor,
Koottum ivala paaru elasuLook at this young girl sweeping!
Kuninju nimirnthu koottumpothuWhen she bends down and rises while sweeping...
Male
Gowthaari kunjugalaa chinna kaththirikkaa pinjukalaaOh little quail chicks! Oh tiny tender eggplant buds!
Oora suththum kaalai idhu oorangattum velaiyithuThis is a bull roaming the village, and it's time for the town to sleep!
Naiyaandi melangalaa inikkum naadodi mettukalaaOh satirical folk drums! Oh sweet folk tunes!
Male
Adi maniyakkaaran magalae mana kulikkum mayilaeHey daughter of the village chief, oh peacock bathing her mind!
Maaman naanum varavaa mudhugu thaeichchu vidavaaShall I, your cousin/maternal uncle, come scrub your back?
Maniyakkaaran magalae mana kulikkum mayilaeHey daughter of the village chief, oh peacock bathing her mind!
Maaman naanum varavaa mudhugu thaeichchu vidavaaShall I, your cousin/maternal uncle, come scrub your back?
Male
Mungi moozhgi onnaa naamum kulippomWe shall submerge and take a bath together!
Otti orasi onnaa neechchal adippomWe shall swim together, brushing closely against each other!
Idhukkuththaanae karaiyil naanum yaengi kidakkiraenIsn't this why I have been longing on the shore?
Kadaiya virichchu edaiya valachchu vaadaiya sudura paappaaSetting up shop, bending her waist, the girl frying vadais!
Male
Gowthaari kunjugalaa chinna kaththirikkaa pinjukalaaOh little quail chicks! Oh tiny tender eggplant buds!
Oora suththum kaalai idhu oorangattum velaiyithuThis is a bull roaming the village, and it's time for the town to sleep!
Naiyaandi melangalaa inikkum naadodi mettukalaaOh satirical folk drums! Oh sweet folk tunes!
Male
………………..

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This track is an energetic, rhythm-driven folk song filled with playful rustic flirtation and cheeky village humor. Sung from the perspective of a carefree, confident village man (pattikkaattaan), the lyrics playfully tease young women in the village using rich rural metaphors—comparing girls to sweet laddus, quail chicks, tender eggplants, and peacocks.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaipu (Rhyming end syllables)

Gowthaari kunjugalaa chinna kaththirikkaa pinjukalaa

The words 'kunjugalaa' and 'pinjukalaa' end with matching syllables, creating a rhythmic folk rhyme structure.

Ethugai (Second letter agreement)

Palli edhukku antha paadam padikka / Solli mudikka inga naanum irukka

'Palli' and 'Solli' share the second consonant letter 'l' (ல்), creating a pleasing Tamil acoustic harmony across lines.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Thenavattu yaendi en thaamarai poo mottu

The woman is directly addressed as a 'lotus flower bud' (thaamarai poo mottu) to depict her youth and delicacy.

Alliteration (Monai)

Mungi moozhgi onnaa naamum kulippom

The initial 'M' sound is repeated in 'Mungi' and 'moozhgi', enhancing the phonetic flow.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by legendary lyricist Vaali, the song celebrates rural Tamil culture by referencing traditional folk musical styles like 'Naiyaandi Melam' (a high-tempo percussion performance played during village festivals) and everyday rural imagery.

Keep listening

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