Kaathadi Kaathadi Vinodhamana
From Enga Veettu Mahalaskhmi · 1957
- Lyricist
- K. S. Gopalakrishnan
- Singers
- P. Susheela, Chorus, Ghantasala
- Music director
- Master Venu
- Details
- Enga Veettu Mahalaskhmi1957
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| Kaathadi kaathadi | Kite, kite! |
| Vinodhamaana kaathadi | A strange and marvelous kite! |
| Kaathadi kaathadi vinodhamaana kaathadi | Kite, kite, a strange and marvelous kite! |
| Idhu virunu pogum kaatahdi | This kite shoots up fast like an arrow! |
| Kaathadi kaathadi | Kite, kite! |
| Female | |
| Imayamalai mudiyadhan melae | Above the peak of the Himalayan mountains, |
| Yeri pirindjhidum thannaalae | It rises up and detaches on its own. |
| Chorus :Vaan meedhu parndhidum kili polae | Chorus: Like a bird flying across the sky! |
| Female :Rekki yedhumae illaadhadhaalae | Female: Since it does not have any wings of its own, |
| Yeri irangum kai noolaalae | It rises and falls guided by the hand's thread. |
| Chorus :Kaathadi kaathadi | Chorus: Kite, kite! |
| Male | |
| Padam eduthu aasum paambhu polavae | Just like a cobra swaying with its hood raised, |
| Vaalaiottiyae poguthu paar | Look at it soaring with its tail trailing behind! |
| Pandhayam vechi parakka vittutaa | If set off in a competitive flight, |
| Sittaai pogum paarada ada | Look, it darts away like a swift bird, hey! |
| Muttaa payalae kelada | Listen here, you foolish boy! |
| Chorus :Kaathadi kaathadi | Chorus: Kite, kite! |
| Female | |
| Vaayu devanukku kobam vandhutta | If the Wind God grows angry, |
| Vaandu paiyan kai thavara vittutaa | Or if a little boy loses his grip, |
| Vaayu devanukku kobam vandhutta | If the Wind God grows angry, |
| Vaandu paiyan kai thavara vittutaa | Or if a little boy loses his grip, |
| Valung kidaiyaadhu naalung kidaiyaadhu | Neither three days nor four days, |
| Ettaamal sendru kittaamal pogum | It drifts far out of reach and disappears beyond grasp. |
| Chorus :Kaathadi kaathadi | Chorus: Kite, kite! |
| Male | |
| Pathivukkagavae katchi maaridum | Just like a fake politician who switches parties |
| Poli thalaivanai polavae | Merely to hold onto a position of power, |
| Angu paayudhu ingu ssayudhu | It leaps over there and sways over here! |
| Kaatru dhisai maari veesum bodhu | When the wind changes its direction, |
| Gappena thisai maari veesum podhu | Suddenly, when the wind changes its direction, |
| Gappena vizhundhu maaludhu | It plummets abruptly and perishes! |
| Female | |
| Parakkudhu paar en kaathadi | Look at my kite flying high! |
| Minukkudhu paar en kaathadi | Look at my kite glittering! |
| Parakkudhu paar en kaathadi | Look at my kite flying high! |
| Baltiyaladi padhil killadi | Doing somersaults, a true champion in response! |
| Minukkudhu paar en kaathadi | Look at my kite glittering! |
| Megathai ettudhu munnadi | Reaching for the clouds ahead! |
| Female | |
| Neeyo naano jeiyikira vatraiyil | Between you and me, whoever wins, |
| Nindrae potti pottidalaam | Let us stand firm and compete directly! |
| Vaayaal pesi mirattaadhae nee | Don't try to threaten me with mere talk; |
| Pinnal pottu paarthidalaam | Let us tangle strings and test our mettle! |
| Idhu thaaanae en saval | This indeed is my challenge! |
| Naan kusthikkum thayaar | I am even ready for a wrestling match! |
| Male | |
| Paadal aadal thanilae mattum | Merely competing in song and dance |
| Pandhaiyamidudhal palanillai | Yields no real value or benefit. |
| Padippil endrum pin vaangaamal | Without ever backing down in education, |
| Paritchai thaniale theranum | One must pass and excel in examinations. |
| Male | |
| Paindhamil naattu maedhai endrunai | So that the whole world praises you as a scholar of sweet Tamil land, |
| Paaroor pottrida vaazhanum | You must live in a way that the world admires! |
| Ippaaroor pottrida vaazhanum | You must live in a way that this world admires! |
| Un pettrorin pugazh oonganum | And elevate the glory of your parents! |
| Chorus | |
| Kaathadi kaathadi vinodhamaana kaathadi | Kite, kite, a strange and marvelous kite! |
| Kaathadi kaathadi vinodhamaana kaathadi | Kite, kite, a strange and marvelous kite! |
| Idhu virunu pogum kaatahdi | This kite shoots up fast like an arrow! |
| Kaathadi kaathadi | Kite, kite! |
காத்தாடி காத்தாடி வினோதமான காத்தாடி
காத்தாடி காத்தாடி வினோதமான காத்தாடி
இது விர்ருன்னு போகும் காத்தாடி
காத்தாடி காத்தாடி
Kite, kite!
A strange and marvelous kite!
Kite, kite, a strange and marvelous kite!
This kite shoots up fast like an arrow!
Kite, kite!
இமயமலை முடியதன் மேலே
ஏறிப் பறந்திடும் தன்னாலே
குழு :
வான் மீது பறந்திடும் கிளி போலே
ரெக்கை ஏதுமே இல்லாததாலே
ஏறி இறங்கும் கை நூலாலே...
குழு :
காத்தாடி காத்தாடி ....
Above the peak of the Himalayan mountains,
It rises up and detaches on its own.
Chorus: Like a bird flying across the sky!
Female: Since it does not have any wings of its own,
It rises and falls guided by the hand's thread.
Chorus: Kite, kite!
படமெடுத்தாடும் பாம்பு போலவே
வாலையாட்டியே போகுது பார்
பந்தயம் வச்சி பறக்க விட்டுட்டா
சிட்டாய்ப் போகும் பாரடா அட
முட்டாப் பயலே கேளடா......
குழு :
காத்தாடி காத்தாடி ....
Just like a cobra swaying with its hood raised,
Look at it soaring with its tail trailing behind!
If set off in a competitive flight,
Look, it darts away like a swift bird, hey!
Listen here, you foolish boy!
Chorus: Kite, kite!
வாயு தேவனுக்குக் கோபம் வந்துட்டா
வாண்டுப் பையன் கை தவற விட்டுட்டா
வாயு தேவனுக்குக் கோபம் வந்துட்டா
வாண்டுப் பையன் கை தவற விட்டுட்டா
வாலுங் கிடையாது நூலுங் கிடையாது
எட்டாமல் சென்று கிட்டாமல் போகும்
குழு :
காத்தாடி காத்தாடி ....
If the Wind God grows angry,
Or if a little boy loses his grip,
If the Wind God grows angry,
Or if a little boy loses his grip,
Neither three days nor four days,
It drifts far out of reach and disappears beyond grasp.
Chorus: Kite, kite!
பதவிக்காகவே கட்சி மாறிடும்
போலித் தலைவனைப் போலவே
அங்கு பாயுது இங்கு சாயுது
காற்றுத் திசை மாறி வீசும்போது
கப்பென விழுந்து மாளுது....
Just like a fake politician who switches parties
Merely to hold onto a position of power,
It leaps over there and sways over here!
When the wind changes its direction,
Suddenly, when the wind changes its direction,
It plummets abruptly and perishes!
பறக்குது பார் என் காத்தாடி
மினுக்குது பார் என் காத்தாடி
பறக்குது பார் என் காத்தாடி
பல்டியடிப்பதில் கில்லாடி
மினுக்குது பார் என் காத்தாடி
மேகத்தை எட்டுது முன்னாடி
Look at my kite flying high!
Look at my kite glittering!
Look at my kite flying high!
Doing somersaults, a true champion in response!
Look at my kite glittering!
Reaching for the clouds ahead!
நீயோ நானோ ஜெயிக்கிற வரையில்
நின்றே போட்டி போட்டிடலாம்
வாயால் பேசி மிரட்டாதே நீ
பின்னல் போட்டுப் பார்த்திடலாம்
இதுதானே என் சவால்...நான் குஸ்திக்கும் தயார்
Between you and me, whoever wins,
Let us stand firm and compete directly!
Don't try to threaten me with mere talk;
Let us tangle strings and test our mettle!
This indeed is my challenge!
I am even ready for a wrestling match!
பாடல் ஆடல்தனிலே மட்டும்
பந்தயமிடுவதால் பலனில்லை
படிப்பிலென்றும் பின் வாங்காமல்
பரீட்சை தனிலே தேறணும்
Merely competing in song and dance
Yields no real value or benefit.
Without ever backing down in education,
One must pass and excel in examinations.
பைந்தமிழ் நாட்டு மேதை என்றுனை
பாரோர் போற்றிட வாழணும்
இப் பாரோர் போற்றிட வாழணும்
உன் பெற்றோரின் புகழ் ஓங்கணும்.....
So that the whole world praises you as a scholar of sweet Tamil land,
You must live in a way that the world admires!
You must live in a way that this world admires!
And elevate the glory of your parents!
காத்தாடி காத்தாடி
வினோதமான காத்தாடி
காத்தாடி காத்தாடி
வினோதமான காத்தாடி
இது விர்ருன்னு போகும் காத்தாடி
காத்தாடி காத்தாடி....
Kite, kite, a strange and marvelous kite!
Kite, kite, a strange and marvelous kite!
This kite shoots up fast like an arrow!
Kite, kite!
Kaathadi kaathadi
Kite, kite!
Vinodhamaana kaathadi
A strange and marvelous kite!
Kaathadi kaathadi vinodhamaana kaathadi
Kite, kite, a strange and marvelous kite!
Idhu virunu pogum kaatahdi
This kite shoots up fast like an arrow!
Kaathadi kaathadi
Kite, kite!
Imayamalai mudiyadhan melae
Above the peak of the Himalayan mountains,
Yeri pirindjhidum thannaalae
It rises up and detaches on its own.
Chorus :Vaan meedhu parndhidum kili polae
Chorus: Like a bird flying across the sky!
Female :Rekki yedhumae illaadhadhaalae
Female: Since it does not have any wings of its own,
Yeri irangum kai noolaalae
It rises and falls guided by the hand's thread.
Chorus :Kaathadi kaathadi
Chorus: Kite, kite!
Padam eduthu aasum paambhu polavae
Just like a cobra swaying with its hood raised,
Vaalaiottiyae poguthu paar
Look at it soaring with its tail trailing behind!
Pandhayam vechi parakka vittutaa
If set off in a competitive flight,
Sittaai pogum paarada ada
Look, it darts away like a swift bird, hey!
Muttaa payalae kelada
Listen here, you foolish boy!
Chorus :Kaathadi kaathadi
Chorus: Kite, kite!
Vaayu devanukku kobam vandhutta
If the Wind God grows angry,
Vaandu paiyan kai thavara vittutaa
Or if a little boy loses his grip,
Vaayu devanukku kobam vandhutta
If the Wind God grows angry,
Vaandu paiyan kai thavara vittutaa
Or if a little boy loses his grip,
Valung kidaiyaadhu naalung kidaiyaadhu
Neither three days nor four days,
Ettaamal sendru kittaamal pogum
It drifts far out of reach and disappears beyond grasp.
Chorus :Kaathadi kaathadi
Chorus: Kite, kite!
Pathivukkagavae katchi maaridum
Just like a fake politician who switches parties
Poli thalaivanai polavae
Merely to hold onto a position of power,
Angu paayudhu ingu ssayudhu
It leaps over there and sways over here!
Kaatru dhisai maari veesum bodhu
When the wind changes its direction,
Gappena thisai maari veesum podhu
Suddenly, when the wind changes its direction,
Gappena vizhundhu maaludhu
It plummets abruptly and perishes!
Parakkudhu paar en kaathadi
Look at my kite flying high!
Minukkudhu paar en kaathadi
Look at my kite glittering!
Parakkudhu paar en kaathadi
Look at my kite flying high!
Baltiyaladi padhil killadi
Doing somersaults, a true champion in response!
Minukkudhu paar en kaathadi
Look at my kite glittering!
Megathai ettudhu munnadi
Reaching for the clouds ahead!
Neeyo naano jeiyikira vatraiyil
Between you and me, whoever wins,
Nindrae potti pottidalaam
Let us stand firm and compete directly!
Vaayaal pesi mirattaadhae nee
Don't try to threaten me with mere talk;
Pinnal pottu paarthidalaam
Let us tangle strings and test our mettle!
Idhu thaaanae en saval
This indeed is my challenge!
Naan kusthikkum thayaar
I am even ready for a wrestling match!
Paadal aadal thanilae mattum
Merely competing in song and dance
Pandhaiyamidudhal palanillai
Yields no real value or benefit.
Padippil endrum pin vaangaamal
Without ever backing down in education,
Paritchai thaniale theranum
One must pass and excel in examinations.
Paindhamil naattu maedhai endrunai
So that the whole world praises you as a scholar of sweet Tamil land,
Paaroor pottrida vaazhanum
You must live in a way that the world admires!
Ippaaroor pottrida vaazhanum
You must live in a way that this world admires!
Un pettrorin pugazh oonganum
And elevate the glory of your parents!
Kaathadi kaathadi vinodhamaana kaathadi
Kite, kite, a strange and marvelous kite!
Kaathadi kaathadi vinodhamaana kaathadi
Kite, kite, a strange and marvelous kite!
Idhu virunu pogum kaatahdi
This kite shoots up fast like an arrow!
Kaathadi kaathadi
Kite, kite!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Kaathadi Kaathadi' from the 1957 movie Enga Veettu Mahalaskhmi is a lively allegorical song composed by Master Venu with lyrics by K. S. Gopalakrishnan. Ostensibly about children flying kites and competing in the open skies, the song uses vivid descriptions of a kite's acrobatics, lightness, and dependence on wind and string control. Beneath its playful surface, the song delivers witty political satire and a strong moral message. It compares a kite swaying erratically in the wind to opportunistic politicians changing allegiances for position, warning of their sudden fall when circumstances shift. It concludes by reminding young minds that true achievement lies not merely in playful games or arts, but in dedication to education, moral character, and bringing honor to one's parents and land.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Upamai (Simile)
“Padam eduthu aasum paambhu polavae”
Compares the kite's soaring movement to a bird ('Vaan meedhu parndhidum kili polae') and a cobra raising its hood ('Padam eduthu aasum paambhu polavae').
Political Allegory / Satire
“Pathivukkagavae katchi maaridum / Poli thalaivanai polavae”
Compares the erratic, wind-dependent movement of a kite to corrupt politicians changing parties solely for power ('Poli thalaivanai polavae').
Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Paadal aadal thanilae mattum / Pandhaiyamidudhal palanillai / Padippil endrum...”
Repetition of the 'P' sound at the start of consecutive lines creates rhythmic musicality.
Edhukai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Parakkudhu paar en kaathadi / Minukkudhu paar en kaathadi”
Matching second consonants across lines ('ra' in Parakkudhu / Minukkudhu).
Did you know?
Trivia
Written by noted filmmaker and lyricist K. S. Gopalakrishnan, 'Kaathadi Kaathadi' stands out for sneaking sharp socio-political commentary about party-hopping politicians ('poli thalaivan') into a children's kite-flying duet. Sung delightfully by P. Susheela and Ghantasala, it remains one of the earliest examples of subtle political satire integrated into early Tamil cinema music.
Keep listening
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