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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kaattukkullae Raak Kaattukkullae

From The Lion King · 2019

Lyricist
Madhan Karky
Singers
Mukesh, Seth Rogen
Music director
Hans Zimmer
Details
The Lion King2019

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
………………………………..
Male
Hmm mm mm hmm mmHmm mm mm hmm mm
BombombuvaeBombombuvae (Wimoweh)
Hmm mm mm hmm mmHmm mm mm hmm mm
BombombuvaeBombombuvae (Wimoweh)
Male
………………………………….
Male
Kaattukkullae raak kaattukkullaeIn the jungle, in the night jungle
Or singam thoongudhooA lion is sleeping
Kaattukkullae kummiruttukkullaeIn the jungle, in the pitch darkness
Or singam thoongudhooA lion is sleeping
Male
Hmm mm mm hmm mmHmm mm mm hmm mm
BombombuvaeBombombuvae (Wimoweh)
Hmm mm mm hmm mmHmm mm mm hmm mm
BombombuvaeBombombuvae (Wimoweh)
Male
………………………………….
Male
Malaikku melae vennilava polaAbove the mountain, like the bright white moon
Or singam thoongudhooA lion is sleeping
Malaikku melae vennilava polaAbove the mountain, like the bright white moon
Or singam thoongudhooA lion is sleeping
Male
Hmm mm mm hmm mmHmm mm mm hmm mm
BombombuvaeBombombuvae (Wimoweh)
Hmm mm mm hmm mmHmm mm mm hmm mm
BombombuvaeBombombuvae (Wimoweh)

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is the Tamil dub adaptation of the legendary Disney track 'The Lion Sleeps Tonight' from the 2019 photorealistic film 'The Lion King', with Tamil lyrics penned by Madhan Karky. The lyrics evoke a serene and peaceful night in the deep jungle where the majestic lion sleeps under the glowing moon, surrounded by soothing chants.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai Ani (Simile)

Malaikku melae vennilava pola

Comparing the peaceful presence or majestic sight above the mountain to the serene white moon using the word 'pola' (like).

Anaphora / Refrain

Or singam thoongudhoo

The repetitive phrase 'Or singam thoongudhoo' reinforces the core theme of the quiet night where the lion slumbers peacefully.

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)

Kaattukkullae raak kaattukkullae / Kaattukkullae kummiruttukkullae

Internal rhyming and repetition of sounds in 'Kaattukkullae' across consecutive lines to build musicality.

Did you know?

Trivia

This track is the Tamil rendition of Solomon Linda's 1939 Zulu song 'Mbube', which became globally famous as 'The Lion Sleeps Tonight'. Lyricist Madhan Karky adapted the iconic vocal chant 'Wimoweh' phonetically into Tamil as 'Bombombuvae' to preserve the original song's rhythmic groove.

Keep listening

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