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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Inthiran Ketathu Pennalae

From Therkathi Kallan · 1988

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
K. S. Chithra, Chorus
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Therkathi Kallan1988

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Indhiran kettathu pompalaiyaalaeIndra met his downfall because of a woman
Chandhiran kettaththu pompalaiyaalaeChandra met his downfall because of a woman
Indhiran kettathu pompalaiyaalaeIndra met his downfall because of a woman
Chandhiran kettaththu pompalaiyaalaeChandra met his downfall because of a woman
Female
Pombala nenachchaa mudiyaathathillaThere is nothing impossible if a woman sets her mind to it
Ava kannula pattaa padiyaathathillaThere is nothing that won't succumb if it catches her eye
Naan porappula pompala konaththula aambalaI am a female by birth, but a male in attitude
Kettukka pulla haListen here, girl, ha!
Chorus
Indhiran kettathu pompalaiyaalaeIndra met his downfall because of a woman
Female :Pompalaiyaalae pompalaiyaalaeFemale: Because of a woman, because of a woman
Chorus :Chandhiran kettaththu pompalaiyaalaeChorus: Chandra met his downfall because of a woman
Female :Pompalaiyaalae pompalaiyaalaeFemale: Because of a woman, because of a woman
Female
Valantha kudumikku vaikkanum poovuPut flowers on that grown tuft of hair
Pottu vachchu mai ezhuthuPut a bindi and apply kohl to the eyes
Edhukku meesaiyum valanthathu veenaaWhy grow a mustache in vain?
Izhuththu paaradi nejamthaaanaaPull and check, girl, to see if it is real!
Female
Pattikaattu chittukuruviThe village sparrow
Pattanam thaedi vanthaachchuHas come searching for the city
Pachchaikilithaan podum valaiyilIn the trap set by the green parrot
Chittukuruvi vizhunthaachchiThe sparrow has fallen
Chorus
………………..
Female
{Oru pakkam aanpillaiOn one side, a man
Chorus :Aamaandi aamaandiChorus: Yes indeed, yes indeed
Female :Marupakkam PompalaiFemale: On the other side, a woman
Chorus :Aamaandi aamaandi} (2)Chorus: Yes indeed, yes indeed
Chorus
Indhiran kettathu pompalaiyaalaeIndra met his downfall because of a woman
Female :Pompalaiyaalae pompalaiyaalaeFemale: Because of a woman, because of a woman
Chorus :Chandhiran kettaththu pompalaiyaalaeChorus: Chandra met his downfall because of a woman
Female :Pompalaiyaalae pompalaiyaalaeFemale: Because of a woman, because of a woman
Chorus
Indhiran kettathu pompalaiyaalaeIndra met his downfall because of a woman
Chandhiran kettaththu pompalaiyaalaeChandra met his downfall because of a woman
Female
Pombala nenachchaa mudiyaathathillaThere is nothing impossible if a woman sets her mind to it
Ava kannula pattaa padiyaathathillaThere is nothing that won't succumb if it catches her eye
Naan porappula pompala konaththula aambalaI am a female by birth, but a male in attitude
Kettukka pulla hoiListen here, girl, hoi!
Chorus
Indhiran kettathu pompalaiyaalaeIndra met his downfall because of a woman
Female :Pompalaiyaalae pompalaiyaalaeFemale: Because of a woman, because of a woman
Chorus :Chandhiran kettaththu pompalaiyaalaeChorus: Chandra met his downfall because of a woman
Female :Pompalaiyaalae pompalaiyaalaeFemale: Because of a woman, because of a woman
Chorus
………………..
Female
Kulikka irukkuthu manakkura koovamThere is the fragrant Cooum river to bathe in
Kozhuththa udambukku idhu pothumThis is enough for a well-nourished body
Virichcha valaiyil vizhunththu kaalaiHaving fallen into the spread net in the morning
Unakku thaaraen naan velaiI will give you work
Female
Allikkeththa arjunan polaLike Arjuna fitting for Queen Alli
Enni paarkkum raasaavaeOh king who considers himself so
Adangi odungi poyiSubduing and humbling yourself
Thookka poraen koojaavaeYou will end up carrying my water pot
Chorus
………………..
Female
Naanthanae mangammaI am Queen Mangamma myself
Chorus :Aamaandi aamaandiChorus: Yes indeed, yes indeed
Female :Oorkolam ingammaFemale: The procession is here, my lady
Chorus :Aamaandi aamaandiChorus: Yes indeed, yes indeed
Female
Naanthanae mangammaI am Queen Mangamma myself
Chorus :Aamaandi aamaandiChorus: Yes indeed, yes indeed
Female :En oorkolam ingammaFemale: My procession is here, my lady
Chorus :Aamaandi aamaandiChorus: Yes indeed, yes indeed
Chorus
Indhiran kettathu pompalaiyaalaeIndra met his downfall because of a woman
Female :Pompalaiyaalae pompalaiyaalaeFemale: Because of a woman, because of a woman
Chorus :Chandhiran kettaththu pompalaiyaalaeChorus: Chandra met his downfall because of a woman
Female :Pompalaiyaalae pompalaiyaalaeFemale: Because of a woman, because of a woman
Chorus
Indhiran kettathu pompalaiyaalaeIndra met his downfall because of a woman
Chandhiran kettaththu pompalaiyaalaeChandra met his downfall because of a woman
Female
Pombala nenachchaa mudiyaathathillaThere is nothing impossible if a woman sets her mind to it
Ava kannula pattaa padiyaathathillaThere is nothing that won't succumb if it catches her eye
Naan porappula pompala konaththula aambalaI am a female by birth, but a male in attitude
Kettukka pulla hoiListen here, girl, hoi!
Chorus
Indhiran kettathu pompalaiyaalaeIndra met his downfall because of a woman
Female :Pompalaiyaalae pompalaiyaalaeFemale: Because of a woman, because of a woman
Chorus :Chandhiran kettaththu pompalaiyaalaeChorus: Chandra met his downfall because of a woman
Female :Pompalaiyaalae pompalaiyaalaeFemale: Because of a woman, because of a woman

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Indhiran Kettathu is a playful, high-energy folk song from the film Therkathi Kallan where the female character boldly celebrates women's power, resilience, and sharp wit. Reminding the listener of classical lore where even mighty celestial beings like Indra and Chandra succumbed to female charm, she warns that no arrogant man can stand against a woman's resolve. The song playfully mocks male pride while establishing her own dominance and independence.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Mythological Allusion

Indhiran kettathu pompalaiyaalae / Chandhiran kettaththu pompalaiyaalae

References Indra and Chandra from Hindu mythology to illustrate how powerful figures were brought down by women.

Metaphor

Pattikaattu chittukuruvi Pattanam thaedi vanthaachchu

Compares a rural person entering urban life to a small bird falling into a parrot's trap.

Edhugai (Second-letter rhyme)

Indhiran kettathu... / Chandhiran kettaththu...

Rhyming of the second consonant sound across consecutive lines ('ndh' in Indhiran / Chandhiran).

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Indhiran kettathu pompalaiyaalae / Chandhiran kettaththu pompalaiyaalae

Repetition of ending sounds across lines ('pompalaiyaalae').

Did you know?

Trivia

Therkathi Kallan (1988) stars Vijayakanth and Radhika. Although listed with unknown details in some archives, the film's soundtrack was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics written by Gangai Amaran.

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