Kaattiloru Singakuttiyam
From Anbukku Naan Adimai · 1980
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Chorus
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Anbukku Naan Adimai1980
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| Vevevee | (Vocalizations) |
| Veveveveveveve…. | (Vocalizations) |
| Veve veve ve veve veve ve | (Vocalizations) |
| Veveveveveveveveveve…..vevevee | (Vocalizations) |
| Male | |
| Kaatiloru singakuttiyaam | They say there was a lion cub in the forest, |
| Chorus :Vevevee vevevee veveveeveee | Chorus: (Vocalizations) |
| Male :Vilayatil athu romba suttiyaam | Male: They say it was very playful and mischievous. |
| Chorus :Vevevee vevevee veveveeveee | Chorus: (Vocalizations) |
| Male | |
| Peththa amma appava | Leaving behind its birth parents, |
| Athu vittu pirinju | Separated away from them, |
| Ada thananthaniya | Ah, completely alone, |
| Thaththi thaavi thirinju | Hopping and bounding around, |
| Athu kaadu malai medugala | Across forests, mountains, and hills, |
| Thaandi vanthudicham | It crossed over and arrived. |
| Male | |
| Kaatiloru singakuttiyaam | They say there was a lion cub in the forest, |
| Chorus :Vevevee vevevee veveveeveee | Chorus: (Vocalizations) |
| Male | |
| Kulla nari kootathilae | Into a pack of sly foxes, |
| Kutti singam sendhukichaam | The little lion cub joined in. |
| Koodatha gunatha ellaam | All the wicked traits one shouldn't pick up, |
| Thaanum kathukichaam | It learned them all for itself. |
| Male | |
| Kulla nari kootathilae | Into a pack of sly foxes, |
| Kutti singam sendhukichaam | The little lion cub joined in. |
| Koodatha gunatha ellaam | All the wicked traits one shouldn't pick up, |
| Thaanum kathukichaam | It learned them all for itself. |
| Male | |
| Kona vazhi kurukku vazhi | Crooked paths and deceptive shortcuts, |
| Poga ennikichaam | It chose to pursue. |
| Poi purattu kola thiruttu | Lies, deceit, murder, and theft, |
| Naalum pannidichaam | It committed all four daily. |
| Male | |
| Palavarusham poiyiduchaam | Many years passed by, |
| Male :Singam perisu aayiduchaam | Male: The lion grew big. |
| Male :Atha vedar ellaam thedarappo | Male: When all the hunters came searching for it, |
| Odi vanthuducham hoi | It ran away and arrived here, hoi! |
| Male | |
| Kaatiloru singakuttiyaam | They say there was a lion cub in the forest, |
| Chorus :Vevevee vevevee veveveeveee | Chorus: (Vocalizations) |
| Male | |
| Vantha idam nalla idam | The place it reached was a good place, |
| Vanna maan vaazhum idam | A place where colorful deer lived. |
| Maan thola pothikittu | Disguising itself in a deer skin, |
| Singam vandhudichaam | The lion entered. |
| Male | |
| Vantha idam nalla idam | The place it reached was a good place, |
| Vanna maan vaazhum idam | A place where colorful deer lived. |
| Maan thola pothikittu | Disguising itself in a deer skin, |
| Singam vandhudichaam | The lion entered. |
| Male | |
| Appavi maangal ellam | All the innocent deer, |
| Anbu pannidichaam | Showered it with love. |
| Atha kandu singathukku | Seeing that, for the lion, |
| Kaneer vandhudichaam | Tears welled up in its eyes. |
| Male | |
| Athan kodumai ponathada | Its vicious cruelty vanished, |
| Anbukadimai aanathada | It became a slave to love! |
| Athu maangalukku raapagalaa | Day and night for the deer, |
| Kaaval ninndrathada hoi | It stood as a protective guard, hoi! |
| Male | |
| Kaatiloru singakuttiyaam | They say there was a lion cub in the forest, |
| Chorus :Vevevee vevevee veveveeveee | Chorus: (Vocalizations) |
| Male | |
| Kaaval nindra singathukku | For the lion standing as guard, |
| Kaalam seitha sodhanai pol | Like a trial brought by destiny, |
| Kutti maan kooda oru | Along with a little fawn, |
| Thaayum vanthiduchaam | A mother deer also arrived. |
| Male | |
| Kaaval nindra singathukku | For the lion standing as guard, |
| Kaalam seitha sodhanai pol | Like a trial brought by destiny, |
| Kutti maan kooda oru | Along with a little fawn, |
| Thaayum vanthiduchaam | A mother deer also arrived. |
| Male | |
| Kaadhal maan thannai ingae | To see its beloved deer partner here, |
| Kaana vanthudicham | It came visiting. |
| Antha maan jodiyai thaan | That very pair of deer, |
| Singam konnudichaam | The lion ended up killing! |
| Male | |
| Thappai maraikka vazhi illa | There was no way to hide the mistake, |
| Thappi nadakka mudiyala | It could not escape its guilt. |
| Mana ulaichalilae alaichalilae | In immense mental agony and distress, |
| Singam urumichaam hoi | The lion let out a roar, hoi! |
| Roarrrrrrrrrrrrrr………. | (Lion roaring noise) |
வெவேவீவீ
வெவே வெவே வே வேவேவேவேவீ
வெவே வெவே வே வெவே வெவேவீ
(Vocalizations)
(Vocalizations)
(Vocalizations)
(Vocalizations)
காட்டில் ஒரு
சிங்கக்குட்டியாம்
குழு :
வேவேவேவீ வேவேவேவீ
விளையாட்டில் அது
ரொம்ப சுட்டியாம்
குழு :
வேவேவேவீ வேவேவேவீ
They say there was a lion cub in the forest,
Chorus: (Vocalizations)
Male: They say it was very playful and mischievous.
Chorus: (Vocalizations)
பெத்த அம்மா அப்பாவை
அது விட்டுப் பிரிஞ்சு
அட தன்னந்தனியா
தத்தித் தாவித் திரிஞ்சு
அது காடு மலை மேடுகள
தாண்டி வந்திடுச்சாம்
Leaving behind its birth parents,
Separated away from them,
Ah, completely alone,
Hopping and bounding around,
Across forests, mountains, and hills,
It crossed over and arrived.
காட்டில் ஒரு
சிங்கக்குட்டியாம்
குழு :
வேவேவேவீ வேவேவேவீ
They say there was a lion cub in the forest,
Chorus: (Vocalizations)
குள்ள நரி கூட்டத்திலே
குட்டி சிங்கம் சேர்ந்துகிச்சாம்
கூடாத குணத்தை எல்லாம்
தானும் கத்துக்கிச்சாம்
Into a pack of sly foxes,
The little lion cub joined in.
All the wicked traits one shouldn't pick up,
It learned them all for itself.
குள்ள நரி கூட்டத்திலே
குட்டி சிங்கம் சேர்ந்துகிச்சாம்
கூடாத குணத்தை எல்லாம்
தானும் கத்துக்கிச்சாம்
Into a pack of sly foxes,
The little lion cub joined in.
All the wicked traits one shouldn't pick up,
It learned them all for itself.
கோண வழி குறுக்கு வழி
போக எண்ணிக்கிச்சாம்
பொய் புரட்டு கொலை திருட்டு
நாலும் பண்ணிடுச்சாம்
பல வருஷம் போயிடுச்சாம்
சிங்கம் பெரிசு ஆயிடுச்சாம்
அத வேடரெல்லாம் தேடறப்போ
ஓடி வந்துடுச்சாம் ஹோய்
Crooked paths and deceptive shortcuts,
It chose to pursue.
Lies, deceit, murder, and theft,
It committed all four daily.
காட்டில் ஒரு
சிங்கக்குட்டியாம்
குழு :
வேவேவேவீ வேவேவேவீ
Many years passed by,
Male: The lion grew big.
Male: When all the hunters came searching for it,
It ran away and arrived here, hoi!
வந்த இடம் நல்ல இடம்
வண்ண மான் வாழும் இடம்
மான் தோலைப் போத்திக்கிட்டு
சிங்கம் வந்திடுச்சாம்
They say there was a lion cub in the forest,
Chorus: (Vocalizations)
வந்த இடம் நல்ல இடம்
வண்ண மான் வாழும் இடம்
மான் தோலைப் போத்திக்கிட்டு
சிங்கம் வந்திடுச்சாம்
The place it reached was a good place,
A place where colorful deer lived.
Disguising itself in a deer skin,
The lion entered.
அப்பாவி மான்களெல்லாம்
அன்பு பண்ணிடுச்சாம்
அதக் கண்டு சிங்கத்துக்
கண்ணீர் வந்திடுச்சாம்
அதன் கொடுமை போனதடா
அன்புக்கு அடிமை ஆனதடா
அது மான்களுக்கு ராப்பகலா
காவல் நின்றதடா ஹோய்
The place it reached was a good place,
A place where colorful deer lived.
Disguising itself in a deer skin,
The lion entered.
காட்டில் ஒரு
சிங்கக்குட்டியாம்
குழு :
வேவேவேவீ வேவேவேவீ
All the innocent deer,
Showered it with love.
Seeing that, for the lion,
Tears welled up in its eyes.
காவல் நின்ற சிங்கத்துக்கு
காலம் செய்த சோதனைபோல்
குட்டிமான் கூட
ஒரு தாயும் வந்திடுச்சாம்
Its vicious cruelty vanished,
It became a slave to love!
Day and night for the deer,
It stood as a protective guard, hoi!
காவல் நின்ற சிங்கத்துக்கு
காலம் செய்த சோதனைபோல்
குட்டிமான் கூட
ஒரு தாயும் வந்திடுச்சாம்
They say there was a lion cub in the forest,
Chorus: (Vocalizations)
காதல் மான் தன்னை
இங்கே காண வந்திடுச்சாம்
அந்த மான் ஜோடியைத்தான்
சிங்கம் கொன்னுடிச்சாம்
தப்பை மறைக்க வழியில்லே
தப்பி நடக்க முடியல்லே
மன உளைச்சலிலே அலைச்சலிலே
சிங்கம் உறுமிச்சாம் ஹோய்
For the lion standing as guard,
Like a trial brought by destiny,
Along with a little fawn,
A mother deer also arrived.
For the lion standing as guard,
Like a trial brought by destiny,
Along with a little fawn,
A mother deer also arrived.
To see its beloved deer partner here,
It came visiting.
That very pair of deer,
The lion ended up killing!
There was no way to hide the mistake,
It could not escape its guilt.
In immense mental agony and distress,
The lion let out a roar, hoi!
(Lion roaring noise)
Vevevee
(Vocalizations)
Veveveveveveve….
(Vocalizations)
Veve veve ve veve veve ve
(Vocalizations)
Veveveveveveveveveve…..vevevee
(Vocalizations)
Kaatiloru singakuttiyaam
They say there was a lion cub in the forest,
Chorus :Vevevee vevevee veveveeveee
Chorus: (Vocalizations)
Male :Vilayatil athu romba suttiyaam
Male: They say it was very playful and mischievous.
Chorus :Vevevee vevevee veveveeveee
Chorus: (Vocalizations)
Peththa amma appava
Leaving behind its birth parents,
Athu vittu pirinju
Separated away from them,
Ada thananthaniya
Ah, completely alone,
Thaththi thaavi thirinju
Hopping and bounding around,
Athu kaadu malai medugala
Across forests, mountains, and hills,
Thaandi vanthudicham
It crossed over and arrived.
Kaatiloru singakuttiyaam
They say there was a lion cub in the forest,
Chorus :Vevevee vevevee veveveeveee
Chorus: (Vocalizations)
Kulla nari kootathilae
Into a pack of sly foxes,
Kutti singam sendhukichaam
The little lion cub joined in.
Koodatha gunatha ellaam
All the wicked traits one shouldn't pick up,
Thaanum kathukichaam
It learned them all for itself.
Kulla nari kootathilae
Into a pack of sly foxes,
Kutti singam sendhukichaam
The little lion cub joined in.
Koodatha gunatha ellaam
All the wicked traits one shouldn't pick up,
Thaanum kathukichaam
It learned them all for itself.
Kona vazhi kurukku vazhi
Crooked paths and deceptive shortcuts,
Poga ennikichaam
It chose to pursue.
Poi purattu kola thiruttu
Lies, deceit, murder, and theft,
Naalum pannidichaam
It committed all four daily.
Palavarusham poiyiduchaam
Many years passed by,
Male :Singam perisu aayiduchaam
Male: The lion grew big.
Male :Atha vedar ellaam thedarappo
Male: When all the hunters came searching for it,
Odi vanthuducham hoi
It ran away and arrived here, hoi!
Kaatiloru singakuttiyaam
They say there was a lion cub in the forest,
Chorus :Vevevee vevevee veveveeveee
Chorus: (Vocalizations)
Vantha idam nalla idam
The place it reached was a good place,
Vanna maan vaazhum idam
A place where colorful deer lived.
Maan thola pothikittu
Disguising itself in a deer skin,
Singam vandhudichaam
The lion entered.
Vantha idam nalla idam
The place it reached was a good place,
Vanna maan vaazhum idam
A place where colorful deer lived.
Maan thola pothikittu
Disguising itself in a deer skin,
Singam vandhudichaam
The lion entered.
Appavi maangal ellam
All the innocent deer,
Anbu pannidichaam
Showered it with love.
Atha kandu singathukku
Seeing that, for the lion,
Kaneer vandhudichaam
Tears welled up in its eyes.
Athan kodumai ponathada
Its vicious cruelty vanished,
Anbukadimai aanathada
It became a slave to love!
Athu maangalukku raapagalaa
Day and night for the deer,
Kaaval ninndrathada hoi
It stood as a protective guard, hoi!
Kaatiloru singakuttiyaam
They say there was a lion cub in the forest,
Chorus :Vevevee vevevee veveveeveee
Chorus: (Vocalizations)
Kaaval nindra singathukku
For the lion standing as guard,
Kaalam seitha sodhanai pol
Like a trial brought by destiny,
Kutti maan kooda oru
Along with a little fawn,
Thaayum vanthiduchaam
A mother deer also arrived.
Kaaval nindra singathukku
For the lion standing as guard,
Kaalam seitha sodhanai pol
Like a trial brought by destiny,
Kutti maan kooda oru
Along with a little fawn,
Thaayum vanthiduchaam
A mother deer also arrived.
Kaadhal maan thannai ingae
To see its beloved deer partner here,
Kaana vanthudicham
It came visiting.
Antha maan jodiyai thaan
That very pair of deer,
Singam konnudichaam
The lion ended up killing!
Thappai maraikka vazhi illa
There was no way to hide the mistake,
Thappi nadakka mudiyala
It could not escape its guilt.
Mana ulaichalilae alaichalilae
In immense mental agony and distress,
Singam urumichaam hoi
The lion let out a roar, hoi!
Roarrrrrrrrrrrrrr……….
(Lion roaring noise)
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Kaatiloru Singakuttiyaam' is an allegorical story-song from the film 'Anbukku Naan Adimai' (1980), written by poet Vaali. Performed in a folk storytelling format, the song tells the metaphorical tale of a lion cub that abandons its parents, joins a pack of foxes, and learns bad habits like stealing and killing. When hunted down, it escapes disguised in deer hide into a community of peaceful deer.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Allegory / Metaphor
“Kaatiloru singakuttiyaam”
The song uses the fable of a lion cub, sly foxes, and innocent deer to mirror human moral decline, redemption through genuine love, and the tragic return of inherent flaws.
Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Kulla nari kootathilae / Koodatha gunatha ellaam”
The second consonant sound matches across adjacent lines ('lla' in Kulla / Koodatha), creating a classic Tamil rhythmic flow.
Alliterative Imagery (Monaai)
“Poi purattu kola thiruttu”
Use of matching initial consonants ('P' sound in Poi, Purattu) to accentuate evil deeds.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song uses an ancient fable structure common in Tamil folk theatre (Katha Kalakshepam or Villu Paattu style), where a lead singer narrates a moral tale while a chorus responds with rhythmic refrains.
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