Kaattu Vazhi Pogum
From Malaiyoor Mambattiyan · 1983
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- Ilayaraja
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Malaiyoor Mambattiyan1983
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Aaa…..aaa….aah…..aah….. | Aaa...aaa...aah...aah... |
| Aa…..aaa…..aa…..aaa…..aah….aah…. | Aa...aaa...aa...aaa...aah...aah... |
| Male | |
| Kaattu vazhi pora | To the girl walking along the forest path, |
| Ponnae kavala padaathae | Girl, do not worry. |
| Kaattu puli vazhi marikkum | A wild tiger might block your path, |
| Kalangi nikkaathae | Do not stand there distressed. |
| Male | |
| Kaattu vazhi pora | To the girl walking along the forest path, |
| Ponnae kavala padaathae | Girl, do not worry. |
| Kaattu puli vazhi marikkum | A wild tiger might block your path, |
| Kalangi nikkaathae | Do not stand there distressed. |
| Mambattiyaan peru | If you say the name Mambattiyaan, |
| Sonnaa puli odhungum paaru | Look, even the tiger will step aside. |
| Mambattiyaan peru | If you say the name Mambattiyaan, |
| Sonnaa puli odhungum paaru | Look, even the tiger will step aside. |
| Male | |
| Kaattu vazhi pora | To the girl walking along the forest path, |
| Ponnae kavala padaathae…..ae… | Girl, do not worry... |
| Kaattu puli vazhi marikkum | A wild tiger might block your path, |
| Kalangi nikkaathae….ae…. | Do not stand there distressed... |
| Mambattiyaan peru | If you say the name Mambattiyaan, |
| Sonnaa puli odhungum paaru | Look, even the tiger will step aside. |
| Mambattiyaan peru | If you say the name Mambattiyaan, |
| Sonnaa puli odhungum paaru | Look, even the tiger will step aside. |
| Male | |
| Aahaa….ae…. | Aahaa...ae... |
| Ettu thala vetti vachchaan | He severed eight heads, |
| Santhaiyila kotti vachchaan | And displayed them at the village market. |
| Kodumaiya thatti vachchaan | He struck down injustice and cruelty, |
| Verenna michcham vachchaan | What else did he leave behind? |
| Male | |
| Mullu maelathaan paduththaan | He slept on a bed of thorns for himself, |
| Yaelaikellam poo virichchaan | Yet laid out a bed of flowers for the poor. |
| Aththi mala paarai | The rock of Athi Mountain, |
| Innum pesuthavan perai | Still speaks his name today. |
| Antha aththi mala paarai | That rock of Athi Mountain, |
| Innum pesuthavan perai | Still speaks his name today. |
| Male | |
| Hae kaattu vazhi pora | Hey, to the girl walking along the forest path, |
| Ponnae kavala padaathae…..ae… | Girl, do not worry... |
| Kaattu puli vazhi marikkum | A wild tiger might block your path, |
| Kalangi nikkaathae….ae…. | Do not stand there distressed... |
| Mambattiyaan peru | If you say the name Mambattiyaan, |
| Sonnaa puli odhungum paaru | Look, even the tiger will step aside. |
| Mambattiyaan peru | If you say the name Mambattiyaan, |
| Sonnaa puli odhungum paaru | Look, even the tiger will step aside. |
| Male | |
| Ae….Kannaaththaa vaazh vanthaa | Ae... Kannatha came to live her life, |
| Mamnattiyaan kooda vanthaa | She accompanied Mambattiyaan. |
| Thaalikava aasaipattaa | She longed to wear the sacred wedding thread, |
| Thunbaththukku vaakkappattaa | She ended up married to sorrow. |
| Sorkaththukku saenthu vara | To travel to heaven together with him, |
| Uththaravu vaangiputtaa | She received permission and departed. |
| Enna kadhaiyaachchu | What became of her story? |
| Ava idipodinja naaththu | She became like a sapling broken by a lightning strike. |
| Aamaa enna kadhaiyaachchu | Yes, what became of her story? |
| Ava Iduppodinja naaththu | She became like a sapling broken at its stem. |
| Male | |
| Kaattu vazhi pora | To the girl walking along the forest path, |
| Ponnae kavala padaathae…..ae… | Girl, do not worry... |
| Kaattu puli vazhi marikkum | A wild tiger might block your path, |
| Kalangi nikkaathae….ae…. | Do not stand there distressed... |
| Mambattiyaan peru | If you say the name Mambattiyaan, |
| Sonnaa puli odhungum paaru | Look, even the tiger will step aside. |
| Mambattiyaan peru | If you say the name Mambattiyaan, |
| Sonnaa puli odhungum paaru | Look, even the tiger will step aside. |
| Male | |
| Thangam pola varnamadi | She possessed a golden complexioned glow, |
| Pulli kotta soranamadi | Self-respect as radiant as bright spots, |
| Paththu pera paaththavadi | She looked ten people in the eye with courage, |
| Paththinithaan maththapadi | Yet she remained a virtuous woman in every way. |
| Mambattiyaan saagaiyilae | When Mambattiyaan passed away, |
| Than usura vittavadi | She surrendered her own life. |
| Maadhaviyaa poranthaa | She was born like Madhavi, |
| Ava kannagiyaa eranthaa | Yet she died like Kannagi. |
| Aamaa Maadhaviyaa poranthaa | Yes, she was born like Madhavi, |
| Ava kannagiyaa eranthaa….aa….aa…. | Yet she died like Kannagi...aa...aa... |
| Male | |
| Kaattu vazhi pora | To the girl walking along the forest path, |
| Ponnae kavala padaathae…..ae… | Girl, do not worry... |
| Kaattu puli vazhi marikkum | A wild tiger might block your path, |
| Kalangi nikkaathae….ae…. | Do not stand there distressed... |
| Mambattiyaan peru | If you say the name Mambattiyaan, |
| Sonnaa puli odhungum paaru | Look, even the tiger will step aside. |
| Mambattiyaan peru | If you say the name Mambattiyaan, |
| Sonnaa puli odhungum paaru | Look, even the tiger will step aside. |
ஆஅ......ஆஅ......ஆஹ்.....ஆஹ்....
ஆஅ.....ஆ.....ஆ.......ஆஅ......ஆஹ்.....ஆஹ்....
Aaa...aaa...aah...aah...
Aa...aaa...aa...aaa...aah...aah...
காட்டு வழி போற
பொண்ணே கவலப்படாதே
காட்டுப் புலி வழி மறிக்கும்
கலங்கி நிக்காதே
To the girl walking along the forest path,
Girl, do not worry.
A wild tiger might block your path,
Do not stand there distressed.
காட்டு வழி போற
பொண்ணே கவலப்படாதே
காட்டுப் புலி வழி மறிக்கும்
கலங்கி நிக்காதே
மம்பட்டியான் பேரு
சொன்னா புலி ஒதுங்கும் பாரு
மம்பட்டியான் பேரு
சொன்னா புலி ஒதுங்கும் பாரு
To the girl walking along the forest path,
Girl, do not worry.
A wild tiger might block your path,
Do not stand there distressed.
If you say the name Mambattiyaan,
Look, even the tiger will step aside.
If you say the name Mambattiyaan,
Look, even the tiger will step aside.
காட்டு வழி போற
பொண்ணே கவலப்படாதே....ஏ....
காட்டுப் புலி வழி மறிக்கும்
கலங்கி நிக்காதே....ஏ....
மம்பட்டியான் பேரு
சொன்னா புலி ஒதுங்கும் பாரு
அந்த மம்பட்டியான் பேரு
சொன்னா புலி ஒதுங்கும் பாரு
To the girl walking along the forest path,
Girl, do not worry...
A wild tiger might block your path,
Do not stand there distressed...
If you say the name Mambattiyaan,
Look, even the tiger will step aside.
If you say the name Mambattiyaan,
Look, even the tiger will step aside.
ஆஹா... ஏ.......
எட்டுத் தல வெட்டி வச்சான்
சந்தையில கொட்டி வச்சான்
கொடுமைய தட்டி வச்சான்
வேறென்ன மிச்சம் வச்சான்
Aahaa...ae...
He severed eight heads,
And displayed them at the village market.
He struck down injustice and cruelty,
What else did he leave behind?
முள்ளு மேலதான் படுத்தான்
ஏழைக்கெல்லாம் பூ விரிச்சான்
அத்திமலப் பாறை
இன்னும் பேசுதவன் பேரை
அந்த அத்திமலப் பாறை
இன்னும் பேசுதவன் பேரை
He slept on a bed of thorns for himself,
Yet laid out a bed of flowers for the poor.
The rock of Athi Mountain,
Still speaks his name today.
That rock of Athi Mountain,
Still speaks his name today.
ஹே காட்டு வழி போற
பொண்ணே கவலப்படாதே....ஏ....
காட்டுப் புலி வழி மறிக்கும்
கலங்கி நிக்காதே....ஏ....
மம்பட்டியான் பேரு
சொன்னா புலி ஒதுங்கும் பாரு
அந்த மம்பட்டியான் பேரு
சொன்னா புலி ஒதுங்கும் பாரு
Hey, to the girl walking along the forest path,
Girl, do not worry...
A wild tiger might block your path,
Do not stand there distressed...
If you say the name Mambattiyaan,
Look, even the tiger will step aside.
If you say the name Mambattiyaan,
Look, even the tiger will step aside.
ஏ.......கண்ணாத்தா வாழ வந்தா
மம்பட்டியான் கூட வந்தா
தாலிக்கவ ஆசப்பட்டா
துன்பத்துக்கு வாக்கப்பட்டா
சொர்க்கத்துக்கு சேந்து வர
உத்தரவு வாங்கிபுட்டா
என்ன கதையாச்சு
அவ இடுப்பொடிஞ்ச நாத்து
ஆமா என்ன கதையாச்சு
அவ இடுப்பொடிஞ்ச நாத்து
Ae... Kannatha came to live her life,
She accompanied Mambattiyaan.
She longed to wear the sacred wedding thread,
She ended up married to sorrow.
To travel to heaven together with him,
She received permission and departed.
What became of her story?
She became like a sapling broken by a lightning strike.
Yes, what became of her story?
She became like a sapling broken at its stem.
காட்டு வழி போற
காட்டு வழி போற
பொண்ணே கவலப்படாதே....ஏ....
காட்டுப் புலி வழி மறிக்கும்
கலங்கி நிக்காதே....ஏ....
மம்பட்டியான் பேரு
சொன்னா புலி ஒதுங்கும் பாரு
இந்த மம்பட்டியான் பேரு
சொன்னா புலி ஒதுங்கும் பாரு
To the girl walking along the forest path,
Girl, do not worry...
A wild tiger might block your path,
Do not stand there distressed...
If you say the name Mambattiyaan,
Look, even the tiger will step aside.
If you say the name Mambattiyaan,
Look, even the tiger will step aside.
தங்கம் போல வர்ணமடி
புள்ளிக் கோட்ட சொர்ணமடி
பத்து பேர பாத்தவடி
பத்தினி தான் மத்தபடி
மம்பட்டியான் சாகையிலே
தன் உசர விட்டவடி
மாதவியா பொறந்தா
அவ கண்ணகியா எறந்தா
ஆமா மாதவியா பொறந்தா
அவ கண்ணகியா எறந்தா....ஆ.....ஆ....
She possessed a golden complexioned glow,
Self-respect as radiant as bright spots,
She looked ten people in the eye with courage,
Yet she remained a virtuous woman in every way.
When Mambattiyaan passed away,
She surrendered her own life.
She was born like Madhavi,
Yet she died like Kannagi.
Yes, she was born like Madhavi,
Yet she died like Kannagi...aa...aa...
காட்டு வழி போற
காட்டு வழி போற
பொண்ணே கவலப்படாதே....ஏ....
காட்டுப் புலி வழி மறிக்கும்
கலங்கி நிக்காதே....ஏ....
மம்பட்டியான் பேரு
சொன்னா புலி ஒதுங்கும் பாரு
இந்த மம்பட்டியான் பேரு
சொன்னா புலி ஒதுங்கும் பாரு.....
To the girl walking along the forest path,
Girl, do not worry...
A wild tiger might block your path,
Do not stand there distressed...
If you say the name Mambattiyaan,
Look, even the tiger will step aside.
If you say the name Mambattiyaan,
Look, even the tiger will step aside.
Aaa…..aaa….aah…..aah…..
Aaa...aaa...aah...aah...
Aa…..aaa…..aa…..aaa…..aah….aah….
Aa...aaa...aa...aaa...aah...aah...
Kaattu vazhi pora
To the girl walking along the forest path,
Ponnae kavala padaathae
Girl, do not worry.
Kaattu puli vazhi marikkum
A wild tiger might block your path,
Kalangi nikkaathae
Do not stand there distressed.
Kaattu vazhi pora
To the girl walking along the forest path,
Ponnae kavala padaathae
Girl, do not worry.
Kaattu puli vazhi marikkum
A wild tiger might block your path,
Kalangi nikkaathae
Do not stand there distressed.
Mambattiyaan peru
If you say the name Mambattiyaan,
Sonnaa puli odhungum paaru
Look, even the tiger will step aside.
Mambattiyaan peru
If you say the name Mambattiyaan,
Sonnaa puli odhungum paaru
Look, even the tiger will step aside.
Kaattu vazhi pora
To the girl walking along the forest path,
Ponnae kavala padaathae…..ae…
Girl, do not worry...
Kaattu puli vazhi marikkum
A wild tiger might block your path,
Kalangi nikkaathae….ae….
Do not stand there distressed...
Mambattiyaan peru
If you say the name Mambattiyaan,
Sonnaa puli odhungum paaru
Look, even the tiger will step aside.
Mambattiyaan peru
If you say the name Mambattiyaan,
Sonnaa puli odhungum paaru
Look, even the tiger will step aside.
Aahaa….ae….
Aahaa...ae...
Ettu thala vetti vachchaan
He severed eight heads,
Santhaiyila kotti vachchaan
And displayed them at the village market.
Kodumaiya thatti vachchaan
He struck down injustice and cruelty,
Verenna michcham vachchaan
What else did he leave behind?
Mullu maelathaan paduththaan
He slept on a bed of thorns for himself,
Yaelaikellam poo virichchaan
Yet laid out a bed of flowers for the poor.
Aththi mala paarai
The rock of Athi Mountain,
Innum pesuthavan perai
Still speaks his name today.
Antha aththi mala paarai
That rock of Athi Mountain,
Innum pesuthavan perai
Still speaks his name today.
Hae kaattu vazhi pora
Hey, to the girl walking along the forest path,
Ponnae kavala padaathae…..ae…
Girl, do not worry...
Kaattu puli vazhi marikkum
A wild tiger might block your path,
Kalangi nikkaathae….ae….
Do not stand there distressed...
Mambattiyaan peru
If you say the name Mambattiyaan,
Sonnaa puli odhungum paaru
Look, even the tiger will step aside.
Mambattiyaan peru
If you say the name Mambattiyaan,
Sonnaa puli odhungum paaru
Look, even the tiger will step aside.
Ae….Kannaaththaa vaazh vanthaa
Ae... Kannatha came to live her life,
Mamnattiyaan kooda vanthaa
She accompanied Mambattiyaan.
Thaalikava aasaipattaa
She longed to wear the sacred wedding thread,
Thunbaththukku vaakkappattaa
She ended up married to sorrow.
Sorkaththukku saenthu vara
To travel to heaven together with him,
Uththaravu vaangiputtaa
She received permission and departed.
Enna kadhaiyaachchu
What became of her story?
Ava idipodinja naaththu
She became like a sapling broken by a lightning strike.
Aamaa enna kadhaiyaachchu
Yes, what became of her story?
Ava Iduppodinja naaththu
She became like a sapling broken at its stem.
Kaattu vazhi pora
To the girl walking along the forest path,
Ponnae kavala padaathae…..ae…
Girl, do not worry...
Kaattu puli vazhi marikkum
A wild tiger might block your path,
Kalangi nikkaathae….ae….
Do not stand there distressed...
Mambattiyaan peru
If you say the name Mambattiyaan,
Sonnaa puli odhungum paaru
Look, even the tiger will step aside.
Mambattiyaan peru
If you say the name Mambattiyaan,
Sonnaa puli odhungum paaru
Look, even the tiger will step aside.
Thangam pola varnamadi
She possessed a golden complexioned glow,
Pulli kotta soranamadi
Self-respect as radiant as bright spots,
Paththu pera paaththavadi
She looked ten people in the eye with courage,
Paththinithaan maththapadi
Yet she remained a virtuous woman in every way.
Mambattiyaan saagaiyilae
When Mambattiyaan passed away,
Than usura vittavadi
She surrendered her own life.
Maadhaviyaa poranthaa
She was born like Madhavi,
Ava kannagiyaa eranthaa
Yet she died like Kannagi.
Aamaa Maadhaviyaa poranthaa
Yes, she was born like Madhavi,
Ava kannagiyaa eranthaa….aa….aa….
Yet she died like Kannagi...aa...aa...
Kaattu vazhi pora
To the girl walking along the forest path,
Ponnae kavala padaathae…..ae…
Girl, do not worry...
Kaattu puli vazhi marikkum
A wild tiger might block your path,
Kalangi nikkaathae….ae….
Do not stand there distressed...
Mambattiyaan peru
If you say the name Mambattiyaan,
Sonnaa puli odhungum paaru
Look, even the tiger will step aside.
Mambattiyaan peru
If you say the name Mambattiyaan,
Sonnaa puli odhungum paaru
Look, even the tiger will step aside.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This folk ballad style song from 'Malaiyoor Mambattiyan' celebrates the legendary Robin Hood-like bandit Mambattiyaan and his devoted partner Kannatha. The chorus assures a lone female traveller in the forest that mentioning Mambattiyaan's name is enough to scare away even wild beasts like tigers, emphasizing his immense aura, fearlessness, and moral authority in the wilderness.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Ettu thala vetti vachchaan / Santhaiyila kotti vachchaan”
Matching second consonants in adjacent lines such as 'Kaattu' and 'Ponnae' or 'Ettu' and 'Santhaiyila'.
Metaphor / Classical Allusion
“Maadhaviyaa poranthaa / Ava kannagiyaa eranthaa”
Comparing Kannatha to Madhavi (a dancer/courtesan from Silappatikaram) by birth and Kannagi (the epitome of chastity and devotion) in her death.
Hyperbole / Heroic Folk Tropes
“Mambattiyaan peru / Sonnaa puli odhungum paaru”
Exaggerating Mambattiyaan's influence to claim that wild tigers in the jungle defer to his name.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Malaiyoor Mambattiyan' (1983) is based on the real-life story of a famous outlaw from Tamil Nadu. The music for the film was composed by Ilaiyaraaja, and this track became an iconic folk anthem in Tamil cinema history.
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