Kaatiloru Kaadaikku
From Kathirukka Neramillai · 1993
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Kaattil oru kaadaikku | For a quail in the forest |
| Naan kanni vachen | I set a trap |
| Chorus :Aiyo aiyo | Chorus: Oh dear, oh dear |
| Male | |
| Kanniyilae vandhadhoru | But what got caught in the trap |
| Kaadai illae | Was not a quail |
| Chorus :Aiyo aiyo | Chorus: Oh dear, oh dear |
| Male | |
| Ooty mala ullaanukku | For a snipe bird on Ooty hill |
| Kanni vachen | I set a trap |
| Chorus :Aiyo aiyo | Chorus: Oh dear, oh dear |
| Male | |
| Kanniyilae vandhadhoru | But what got caught in the trap |
| Ullaan illae | Was not a snipe bird |
| Chorus :Aiyo aiyo | Chorus: Oh dear, oh dear |
| Male | |
| Ennaannu sollu | Tell us what happened |
| Naanga uttomae jollu | We drooled in amazement |
| Ennaannu sollu | Tell us what happened |
| Naanga uttomae jollu | We drooled in amazement |
| Male | |
| Kanni ponnu | A maiden girl |
| Adhu katti ponnu | She is like pure gold |
| Vanji ponnu | A graceful young woman |
| Siru manja kannu | With charming yellow-tinted eyes |
| Chorus | |
| Kanni ponnu | A maiden girl |
| Adhu katti ponnu | She is like pure gold |
| Male :Ahaan | Male: Aha |
| Chorus :Vanji ponnu | Chorus: A graceful young woman |
| Siru manja kannu | With charming yellow-tinted eyes |
| Male | |
| Ahaa kaattil oru kaadaikku | Aha, for a quail in the forest |
| Naan kanni vachen | I set a trap |
| Chorus :Aiyo aiyo | Chorus: Oh dear, oh dear |
| Male | |
| Kanniyilae vandhadhoru | But what got caught in the trap |
| Kaadai illae | Was not a quail |
| Chorus :Aiyo aiyo | Chorus: Oh dear, oh dear |
| Male | |
| Pazhuthu nikkidhu | It stands fully ripe |
| Kozhuthu nikkidhu | It stands rich and plump |
| Azhagu pappaali | A beautiful papaya |
| Ada valanju nikkidhu | Oh, it stands bending |
| Nelinju nikkidhu | It stands curving |
| Velanja thakkaali | A ripe tomato |
| Chorus | |
| Pazhuthu nikkidhu | It stands fully ripe |
| Kozhuthu nikkidhu | It stands rich and plump |
| Azhagu pappaali | A beautiful papaya |
| Ada valanju nikkidhu | Oh, it stands bending |
| Nelinju nikkidhu | It stands curving |
| Velanja thakkaali | A ripe tomato |
| Male | |
| Oviyathapaathu | Looking at the painting |
| Gazhal paadi vandhenae | I came singing ghazals |
| Ottagatthil yeri ingu | Riding on a camel |
| Odi vandhenae | I came running here |
| Male | |
| Ada kaattil oru kaadaikku | Oh, for a quail in the forest |
| Naan kanni vachen | I set a trap |
| Chorus :Aiyo aiyo | Chorus: Oh dear, oh dear |
| Male | |
| Kanniyilae vandhadhoru | But what got caught in the trap |
| Kaadai illae | Was not a quail |
| Chorus :Aiyo aiyo | Chorus: Oh dear, oh dear |
| Chorus | |
| Ennaannu sollu | Tell us what happened |
| Naanga uttomae jollu | We drooled in amazement |
| Ennaannu sollu | Tell us what happened |
| Naanga uttomae jollu | We drooled in amazement |
| Male | |
| Kanni ponnu | A maiden girl |
| Adhu katti ponnu | She is like pure gold |
| Vanji ponnu | A graceful young woman |
| Siru manja kannu hoi | With charming yellow-tinted eyes, hey |
| Chorus | |
| Kanni ponnu | A maiden girl |
| Adhu katti ponnu | She is like pure gold |
| Male :Haan | Male: Haan |
| Chorus :Vanji ponnu | Chorus: A graceful young woman |
| Siru manja kannu | With charming yellow-tinted eyes |
| Male | |
| Ahaa kaattil oru kaadaikku | Aha, for a quail in the forest |
| Naan kanni vachen | I set a trap |
| Chorus :Aiyo aiyo | Chorus: Oh dear, oh dear |
| Male | |
| Kanniyilae vandhadhoru | But what got caught in the trap |
| Kaadai illae | Was not a quail |
| Chorus :Aiyo aiyo | Chorus: Oh dear, oh dear |
| Male | |
| Thalaikku melae | Above my head |
| Dhinamum suthudhu | Spinning every day |
| Adhishta sakkaram thaan | Is the wheel of good fortune |
| Enna orasa vandhavan | Whoever comes to pick a fight with me |
| Dhinamum paththadi | Every day ten feet away |
| Odhungi nikkanum thaan | Must stand back |
| Chorus | |
| Modha vandhavan | Those who came to clash |
| Moraikka vandhavan | Those who came to glare |
| Nooru vasthaadhu | Even a hundred strong wrestlers |
| Moodu mandhiram pottu vellura | To conquer me using secret spells |
| Aalu ingaedhu | Where is such a person here? |
| Male | |
| Velaiya thaan paaru | Just look at the work |
| Ivan kaattura podhu | When he displays it |
| Moolaiya thaan paaru | Just look at the intellect |
| Kodi naattura podhu | When he plants the flag of victory |
| Male | |
| Ada kaattil oru kaadaikku | Oh, for a quail in the forest |
| Naan kanni vachen | I set a trap |
| Chorus :Aiyo aiyo | Chorus: Oh dear, oh dear |
| Male | |
| Kanniyilae vandhadhoru | But what got caught in the trap |
| Kaadai illae | Was not a quail |
| Chorus :Aiyo aiyo | Chorus: Oh dear, oh dear |
| Male | |
| Ooty mala ullaanukku | For a snipe bird on Ooty hill |
| Kanni vachen | I set a trap |
| Chorus :Aiyo aiyo | Chorus: Oh dear, oh dear |
| Male | |
| Kanniyilae vandhadhoru | But what got caught in the trap |
| Ullaan illae | Was not a snipe bird |
| Chorus :Aiyo aiyo | Chorus: Oh dear, oh dear |
| Chorus | |
| Ennaannu sollu | Tell us what happened |
| Naanga uttomae jollu | We drooled in amazement |
| Meheheh | Laughter / Bleating sound |
| Ennaannu sollu | Tell us what happened |
| Naanga uttomae jollu | We drooled in amazement |
| Male | |
| Kanni ponnu | A maiden girl |
| Adhu katti ponnu | She is like pure gold |
| Vanji ponnu | A graceful young woman |
| Siru manja kannu | With charming yellow-tinted eyes |
| Chorus | |
| Kanni ponnu | A maiden girl |
| Adhu katti ponnu | She is like pure gold |
| Vanji ponnu | A graceful young woman |
| Siru manja kannu | With charming yellow-tinted eyes |
| Male | |
| Ahaa kaattil oru kaadaikku | Aha, for a quail in the forest |
| Naan kanni vachen | I set a trap |
| Chorus :Aiyo aiyo | Chorus: Oh dear, oh dear |
| Male | |
| Kanniyilae vandhadhoru | But what got caught in the trap |
| Kaadai illae | Was not a quail |
| Chorus :Aiyo aiyo | Chorus: Oh dear, oh dear |
காட்டில் ஒரு காடைக்கு
நான் கண்ணி வச்சேன்
குழு :
ஹய்யா ஹய்யா
கண்ணியிலே வந்ததொரு
காடை இல்லே
குழு :
ஹய்யா ஹய்யா
For a quail in the forest
I set a trap
Chorus: Oh dear, oh dear
ஊட்டி மலை உல்லானுக்கு
கண்ணி வச்சேன்
குழு :
ஹய்யா ஹய்யா
கண்ணியிலே வந்ததொரு
உல்லான் இல்லே
குழு :
ஹய்யா ஹய்யா
But what got caught in the trap
Was not a quail
Chorus: Oh dear, oh dear
என்னான்னு சொல்லு
நாங்க உட்டோமே ஜொள்ளு
என்னான்னு சொல்லு
நாங்க உட்டோமே ஜொள்ளு
For a snipe bird on Ooty hill
I set a trap
Chorus: Oh dear, oh dear
கன்னிப் பொண்ணு
அது கட்டிப் பொன்னு
வஞ்சி பொண்ணு
சிறு மஞ்சக்கண்ணு
But what got caught in the trap
Was not a snipe bird
Chorus: Oh dear, oh dear
கன்னிப் பொண்ணு
அது கட்டிப் பொன்னு
ஆஹா
வஞ்சி பொண்ணு
சிறு மஞ்சக்கண்ணு
Tell us what happened
We drooled in amazement
Tell us what happened
We drooled in amazement
ஹா காட்டில் ஒரு காடைக்கு
நான் கண்ணி வச்சேன்
குழு :
ஹய்யா ஹய்யா
கண்ணியிலே வந்ததொரு
காடை இல்லே
குழு :
ஹய்யா ஹய்யா
A maiden girl
She is like pure gold
A graceful young woman
With charming yellow-tinted eyes
பழுத்து நிக்கிது
கொழுத்து நிக்கிது அழகு பப்பாளி
அட வளஞ்சு நிக்கிது
நெளிஞ்சு நிக்கிது வெளஞ்ச தக்காளி
A maiden girl
She is like pure gold
Male: Aha
Chorus: A graceful young woman
With charming yellow-tinted eyes
பழுத்து நிக்கிது
கொழுத்து நிக்கிது அழகு பப்பாளி
அட வளஞ்சு நிக்கிது
நெளிஞ்சு நிக்கிது வெளஞ்ச தக்காளி
Aha, for a quail in the forest
I set a trap
Chorus: Oh dear, oh dear
கேக்கு வெட்டுற பர்த் டேக்கு
ஷேக்கு வந்தாரு
ஷோக்கு சுந்தரி மூக்கு முழியும்
பார்க்க வந்தாரு
But what got caught in the trap
Was not a quail
Chorus: Oh dear, oh dear
ஓவியத்த பார்த்து
கஸல் பாடி வந்தேனே
ஒட்டகத்தில் ஏறி இங்கு
ஓடி வந்தேனே
It stands fully ripe
It stands rich and plump
A beautiful papaya
Oh, it stands bending
It stands curving
A ripe tomato
அட காட்டில் ஒரு காடைக்கு
நான் கண்ணி வச்சேன்
குழு :
ஹய்யா ஹய்யா
கண்ணியிலே வந்ததொரு
காடை இல்லே
குழு :
ஹய்யா ஹய்யா
It stands fully ripe
It stands rich and plump
A beautiful papaya
Oh, it stands bending
It stands curving
A ripe tomato
என்னான்னு சொல்லு
நாங்க உட்டோமே ஜொள்ளு
என்னான்னு சொல்லு
நாங்க உட்டோமே ஜொள்ளு
Looking at the painting
I came singing ghazals
Riding on a camel
I came running here
அட கன்னிப் பொண்ணு
அது கட்டிப் பொன்னு
வஞ்சி பொண்ணு
சிறு மஞ்சக்கண்ணு ஹோய்
Oh, for a quail in the forest
I set a trap
Chorus: Oh dear, oh dear
கன்னிப் பொண்ணு
அது கட்டிப் பொன்னு
ஹான்
வஞ்சி பொண்ணு
சிறு மஞ்சக்கண்ணு
But what got caught in the trap
Was not a quail
Chorus: Oh dear, oh dear
அட காட்டில் ஒரு காடைக்கு
நான் கண்ணி வச்சேன்
குழு :
ஹய்யா ஹய்யா
கண்ணியிலே வந்ததொரு
காடை இல்லே
குழு :
ஹய்யா ஹய்யா
Tell us what happened
We drooled in amazement
Tell us what happened
We drooled in amazement
தலைக்கு மேலே
தினமும் சுத்துது
அதிர்ஷ்ட சக்கரம்தான்
என்ன ஒரச வந்தவன்
தினமும் பத்தடி
ஒதுங்கி நிக்கணும்தான்
A maiden girl
She is like pure gold
A graceful young woman
With charming yellow-tinted eyes, hey
தலைக்கு மேலே
தினமும் சுத்துது
அதிர்ஷ்ட சக்கரம்தான்
என்ன ஒரச வந்தவன்
தினமும் பத்தடி
ஒதுங்கி நிக்கணும்தான்
A maiden girl
She is like pure gold
Male: Haan
Chorus: A graceful young woman
With charming yellow-tinted eyes
மோத வந்தவன் மொறைக்க
வந்தவன் நூறு வஸ்தாது
மூடு மந்திரம் போட்டு
வெல்லுற ஆளு இங்கேது
Aha, for a quail in the forest
I set a trap
Chorus: Oh dear, oh dear
வேலையத்தான் பாரு
இவன் காட்டுற போது
மூளையத்தான் பாரு
கொடி நாட்டுற போது
But what got caught in the trap
Was not a quail
Chorus: Oh dear, oh dear
அட காட்டில் ஒரு காடைக்கு
நான் கண்ணி வச்சேன்
குழு :
ஹய்யா ஹய்யா
கண்ணியிலே வந்ததொரு
காடை இல்லே
குழு :
ஹய்யா ஹய்யா
Above my head
Spinning every day
Is the wheel of good fortune
Whoever comes to pick a fight with me
Every day ten feet away
Must stand back
ஊட்டி மலை உல்லானுக்கு
கண்ணி வச்சேன்
குழு :
ஹய்யா ஹய்யா
கண்ணியிலே வந்ததொரு
உல்லான் இல்லே
குழு :
ஹய்யா ஹய்யா
Those who came to clash
Those who came to glare
Even a hundred strong wrestlers
To conquer me using secret spells
Where is such a person here?
என்னான்னு சொல்லு
நாங்க உட்டோமே ஜொள்ளு
என்னான்னு சொல்லு
நாங்க உட்டோமே ஜொள்ளு
Just look at the work
When he displays it
Just look at the intellect
When he plants the flag of victory
கன்னிப் பொண்ணு
அது கட்டிப் பொன்னு
வஞ்சி பொண்ணு
சிறு மஞ்சக்கண்ணு ஹ
Oh, for a quail in the forest
I set a trap
Chorus: Oh dear, oh dear
கன்னிப் பொண்ணு
அது கட்டிப் பொன்னு
வஞ்சி பொண்ணு
சிறு மஞ்சக்கண்ணு
But what got caught in the trap
Was not a quail
Chorus: Oh dear, oh dear
ஹா காட்டில் ஒரு காடைக்கு
நான் கண்ணி வச்சேன்
குழு :
ஹய்யா ஹய்யா
கண்ணியிலே வந்ததொரு
காடை இல்லே
குழு :
ஹய்யா ஹய்யா
For a snipe bird on Ooty hill
I set a trap
Chorus: Oh dear, oh dear
But what got caught in the trap
Was not a snipe bird
Chorus: Oh dear, oh dear
Tell us what happened
We drooled in amazement
Laughter / Bleating sound
Tell us what happened
We drooled in amazement
A maiden girl
She is like pure gold
A graceful young woman
With charming yellow-tinted eyes
A maiden girl
She is like pure gold
A graceful young woman
With charming yellow-tinted eyes
Aha, for a quail in the forest
I set a trap
Chorus: Oh dear, oh dear
But what got caught in the trap
Was not a quail
Chorus: Oh dear, oh dear
Kaattil oru kaadaikku
For a quail in the forest
Naan kanni vachen
I set a trap
Chorus :Aiyo aiyo
Chorus: Oh dear, oh dear
Kanniyilae vandhadhoru
But what got caught in the trap
Kaadai illae
Was not a quail
Chorus :Aiyo aiyo
Chorus: Oh dear, oh dear
Ooty mala ullaanukku
For a snipe bird on Ooty hill
Kanni vachen
I set a trap
Chorus :Aiyo aiyo
Chorus: Oh dear, oh dear
Kanniyilae vandhadhoru
But what got caught in the trap
Ullaan illae
Was not a snipe bird
Chorus :Aiyo aiyo
Chorus: Oh dear, oh dear
Ennaannu sollu
Tell us what happened
Naanga uttomae jollu
We drooled in amazement
Ennaannu sollu
Tell us what happened
Naanga uttomae jollu
We drooled in amazement
Kanni ponnu
A maiden girl
Adhu katti ponnu
She is like pure gold
Vanji ponnu
A graceful young woman
Siru manja kannu
With charming yellow-tinted eyes
Kanni ponnu
A maiden girl
Adhu katti ponnu
She is like pure gold
Male :Ahaan
Male: Aha
Chorus :Vanji ponnu
Chorus: A graceful young woman
Siru manja kannu
With charming yellow-tinted eyes
Ahaa kaattil oru kaadaikku
Aha, for a quail in the forest
Naan kanni vachen
I set a trap
Chorus :Aiyo aiyo
Chorus: Oh dear, oh dear
Kanniyilae vandhadhoru
But what got caught in the trap
Kaadai illae
Was not a quail
Chorus :Aiyo aiyo
Chorus: Oh dear, oh dear
Pazhuthu nikkidhu
It stands fully ripe
Kozhuthu nikkidhu
It stands rich and plump
Azhagu pappaali
A beautiful papaya
Ada valanju nikkidhu
Oh, it stands bending
Nelinju nikkidhu
It stands curving
Velanja thakkaali
A ripe tomato
Pazhuthu nikkidhu
It stands fully ripe
Kozhuthu nikkidhu
It stands rich and plump
Azhagu pappaali
A beautiful papaya
Ada valanju nikkidhu
Oh, it stands bending
Nelinju nikkidhu
It stands curving
Velanja thakkaali
A ripe tomato
Oviyathapaathu
Looking at the painting
Gazhal paadi vandhenae
I came singing ghazals
Ottagatthil yeri ingu
Riding on a camel
Odi vandhenae
I came running here
Ada kaattil oru kaadaikku
Oh, for a quail in the forest
Naan kanni vachen
I set a trap
Chorus :Aiyo aiyo
Chorus: Oh dear, oh dear
Kanniyilae vandhadhoru
But what got caught in the trap
Kaadai illae
Was not a quail
Chorus :Aiyo aiyo
Chorus: Oh dear, oh dear
Ennaannu sollu
Tell us what happened
Naanga uttomae jollu
We drooled in amazement
Ennaannu sollu
Tell us what happened
Naanga uttomae jollu
We drooled in amazement
Kanni ponnu
A maiden girl
Adhu katti ponnu
She is like pure gold
Vanji ponnu
A graceful young woman
Siru manja kannu hoi
With charming yellow-tinted eyes, hey
Kanni ponnu
A maiden girl
Adhu katti ponnu
She is like pure gold
Male :Haan
Male: Haan
Chorus :Vanji ponnu
Chorus: A graceful young woman
Siru manja kannu
With charming yellow-tinted eyes
Ahaa kaattil oru kaadaikku
Aha, for a quail in the forest
Naan kanni vachen
I set a trap
Chorus :Aiyo aiyo
Chorus: Oh dear, oh dear
Kanniyilae vandhadhoru
But what got caught in the trap
Kaadai illae
Was not a quail
Chorus :Aiyo aiyo
Chorus: Oh dear, oh dear
Thalaikku melae
Above my head
Dhinamum suthudhu
Spinning every day
Adhishta sakkaram thaan
Is the wheel of good fortune
Enna orasa vandhavan
Whoever comes to pick a fight with me
Dhinamum paththadi
Every day ten feet away
Odhungi nikkanum thaan
Must stand back
Modha vandhavan
Those who came to clash
Moraikka vandhavan
Those who came to glare
Nooru vasthaadhu
Even a hundred strong wrestlers
Moodu mandhiram pottu vellura
To conquer me using secret spells
Aalu ingaedhu
Where is such a person here?
Velaiya thaan paaru
Just look at the work
Ivan kaattura podhu
When he displays it
Moolaiya thaan paaru
Just look at the intellect
Kodi naattura podhu
When he plants the flag of victory
Ada kaattil oru kaadaikku
Oh, for a quail in the forest
Naan kanni vachen
I set a trap
Chorus :Aiyo aiyo
Chorus: Oh dear, oh dear
Kanniyilae vandhadhoru
But what got caught in the trap
Kaadai illae
Was not a quail
Chorus :Aiyo aiyo
Chorus: Oh dear, oh dear
Ooty mala ullaanukku
For a snipe bird on Ooty hill
Kanni vachen
I set a trap
Chorus :Aiyo aiyo
Chorus: Oh dear, oh dear
Kanniyilae vandhadhoru
But what got caught in the trap
Ullaan illae
Was not a snipe bird
Chorus :Aiyo aiyo
Chorus: Oh dear, oh dear
Ennaannu sollu
Tell us what happened
Naanga uttomae jollu
We drooled in amazement
Meheheh
Laughter / Bleating sound
Ennaannu sollu
Tell us what happened
Naanga uttomae jollu
We drooled in amazement
Kanni ponnu
A maiden girl
Adhu katti ponnu
She is like pure gold
Vanji ponnu
A graceful young woman
Siru manja kannu
With charming yellow-tinted eyes
Kanni ponnu
A maiden girl
Adhu katti ponnu
She is like pure gold
Vanji ponnu
A graceful young woman
Siru manja kannu
With charming yellow-tinted eyes
Ahaa kaattil oru kaadaikku
Aha, for a quail in the forest
Naan kanni vachen
I set a trap
Chorus :Aiyo aiyo
Chorus: Oh dear, oh dear
Kanniyilae vandhadhoru
But what got caught in the trap
Kaadai illae
Was not a quail
Chorus :Aiyo aiyo
Chorus: Oh dear, oh dear
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This playful and folk-infused track 'Kaattil Oru Kaadaikku' uses extended metaphors of hunting birds (quails and hill snipes) and traps to depict the unexpected nature of love and attraction. The protagonist sets traps expecting simple game, only to capture the heart of a precious maiden compared metaphorically to ripe fruits like papaya and tomato. Interspersed with energetic chorus responses, the song celebrates romantic pursuit, beauty, and confidence.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Monothongal Second-Letter Rhyme)
“Adhu katti ponnu”
Matching second consonant 'tta' across words like 'katti' and 'vetti/jaat' created rhythmical consistency in folk verse.
Metaphor (Uvamai / Uruvagarm)
“Azhagu pappaali / Velanja thakkaali”
Comparing the heroine's allure to ripe papaya and lush tomato ('pappaali', 'thakkaali') to emphasize youth, beauty, and vitality.
Iyaibu (End Rhyme)
“Pazhuthu nikkidhu / Kozhuthu nikkidhu”
Rhyming stanza endings using similar sound suffixes like 'nikkidhu' and 'nikkidhu'.
Did you know?
Trivia
Written by Legendary lyricist Vaali, 'Kathirukka Neramillai' (1993) featured engaging local folk rhythms designed to blend humor with fast-paced storytelling using rural metaphors of bird snaring.
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