Kaattuvazhi
From Mambattiyan · 2011
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- Thiyagarajan
- Music director
- S. Thaman
- Details
- Mambattiyan2011
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Haa….aaa….aaa… | Haa....aaa....aaa... |
| Haa….aaa….aa….aaa… | Haa....aaa....aa....aaa... |
| Male | |
| Kaattu vazhipora ponnae | O girl walking along the forest path, |
| Kavalappadaadhae.. | Do not worry.. |
| Kaattupuli vazhimarikkum | Even if a wild tiger blocks your path, |
| Kalangi nirkkaadhae… | Do not stand there distressed... |
| Kaattu vazhipora ponnae | O girl walking along the forest path, |
| Kavalappadaadhae.. | Do not worry.. |
| Kaattupuli vazhimarikkum | Even if a wild tiger blocks your path, |
| Kalangi nirkkaadhae.. | Do not stand there distressed.. |
| Male | |
| Mambattiyaan pera | If you utter Mambattiyaan's name, |
| Chonnaa puli udhavum paaru | Look, even the tiger will step aside to help! |
| Enga mambattiyaan pera | If you utter our Mambattiyaan's name, |
| Chonnaa puli udhavum paaru | Look, even the tiger will step aside to help! |
| Male | |
| Kaattu vazhipora ponnae | O girl walking along the forest path, |
| Kavalappadaadhae.. | Do not worry.. |
| Kaattupuli vazhimarikkum | Even if a wild tiger blocks your path, |
| Kalangi nirkkaadhae.. | Do not stand there distressed.. |
| Male | |
| Mambattiyaan pera | If you utter Mambattiyaan's name, |
| Chonnaa puli udhavum paaru | Look, even the tiger will step aside to help! |
| Enga mambattiyaan pera | If you utter our Mambattiyaan's name, |
| Chonnaa puli udhavum paaru | Look, even the tiger will step aside to help! |
| Male | |
| Yei | Hey! |
| Ettuthalai vetti vachaan | He severed eight heads, |
| Sandhaiyila kotti vachaan | And scattered them in the market, |
| Kodumaiya kattivachaan | He bound up all cruelties, |
| Verenna micham vachaan | What else did he leave behind? |
| Male | |
| Mullumela thaam | He laid down |
| Paduthaan | On thorns himself, |
| Ezhaikkellaam poo virichaan | But spread soft flowers for the poor! |
| Aththimala paarai innum | Even today, the rock on Athimala mountain |
| Pesuvadhavan pera | Speaks his name! |
| Andha aththimala paarai innum | Even today, that rock on Athimala mountain |
| Pesuvadhavan pera | Speaks his name! |
| Male | |
| Kaattu vazhipora ponnae | O girl walking along the forest path, |
| Kavalappadaadhae.. | Do not worry.. |
| Kaattupuli vazhimarikkum | Even if a wild tiger blocks your path, |
| Kalangi nirkkaadhae.. | Do not stand there distressed.. |
| Male | |
| Mambattiyaan pera | If you utter Mambattiyaan's name, |
| Chonnaa puli udhavum paaru | Look, even the tiger will step aside to help! |
| Enga mambattiyaan pera | If you utter our Mambattiyaan's name, |
| Chonnaa puli udhavum paaru | Look, even the tiger will step aside to help! |
| Male | |
| Kannaaththaa vaazha | Kannatha came |
| Vandhaa | To live her life, |
| Mambattiyaan kooda vandhaa | She came along with Mambattiyaan, |
| Thaalikkava aasappattaa | She longed to wear the sacred thread, |
| Thunbathukku vaakkappattaa | And married herself to sorrow, |
| Sorgathukku serndhu vara | To travel together to heaven, |
| Utharavu vaangipputtaa | She took the divine order! |
| Male | |
| Enna kadhaiyaachi | What a tragic story it became, |
| Ava iduppodinja naaththu | She became like a sapling with a broken stem! |
| Emmaa enna kadhaiyaachi | Oh mother, what a tragic story it became, |
| Ava iduppodinja naaththu | She became like a sapling with a broken stem! |
| Male | |
| Kaattu vazhipora ponnae | O girl walking along the forest path, |
| Kavalappadaadhae.. | Do not worry.. |
| Kaattupuli vazhimarikkum | Even if a wild tiger blocks your path, |
| Kalangi nirkkaadhae.. | Do not stand there distressed.. |
| Male | |
| Mambattiyaan pera | If you utter Mambattiyaan's name, |
| Chonnaa puli udhavum paaru | Look, even the tiger will step aside to help! |
| Enga mambattiyaan pera | If you utter our Mambattiyaan's name, |
| Chonnaa puli udhavum paaru | Look, even the tiger will step aside to help! |
| Male | |
| Thangam pola varnamadi | She had a complexion bright like gold, |
| Ullikotta sornamadi | A precious gem from Ulli Kottai, |
| Pathupera paatha padi | Those who saw her counted her among ten, |
| Pathini thaan mathapadi | As a paragon of chastity otherwise! |
| Male | |
| Mambatiyaan saagayila | When Mambattiyaan was dying, |
| Thaan usura vittavadi | She surrendered her own life too! |
| Maadhaviya porantha | Born as beautiful as Madhavi, |
| Ava kannagiya iranthaa | She died as chaste and tragic as Kannagi! |
| Maadhaviya porantha | Born as beautiful as Madhavi, |
| Ava kannagiya iranthaa | She died as chaste and tragic as Kannagi! |
| Male | |
| Kaattu vazhipora ponnae | O girl walking along the forest path, |
| Kavalappadaadhae.. | Do not worry.. |
| Kaattupuli vazhimarikkum | Even if a wild tiger blocks your path, |
| Kalangi nirkkaadhae.. | Do not stand there distressed.. |
| Male | |
| Mambattiyaan pera | If you utter Mambattiyaan's name, |
| Chonnaa puli udhavum paaru | Look, even the tiger will step aside to help! |
| Enga mambattiyaan pera | If you utter our Mambattiyaan's name, |
| Chonnaa puli udhavum paaru | Look, even the tiger will step aside to help! |
| Male | |
| Mambattiyaan peru solla | To speak the name of Mambattiyaan, |
| Naavu konjam koosuthadaa | The tongue hesitates with reverence, my friend! |
| Anju mara thoppu kulla | Inside the grove of five trees, |
| Aavi vanthu pesuthadaa | His spirit comes and speaks, my friend! |
| Male | |
| Mambattiyaan veeram enga | Mambattiyaan's valor |
| Sathi sanam kaakumadaa | Will safeguard our kinfolk and community! |
| Mambattiyaan pechu | Mambattiyaan's fame and words |
| Athu seema varapochu | Have reached across all boundaries! |
| Athu seema varapochae…ae… | They have reached across all boundaries... |
| Male | |
| Kaattu vazhipora ponnae | O girl walking along the forest path, |
| Kavalappadaadhae.. | Do not worry.. |
| Kaattupuli vazhimarikkum | Even if a wild tiger blocks your path, |
| Kalangi nirkkaadhae.. | Do not stand there distressed.. |
| Male | |
| Mambattiyaan pera | If you utter Mambattiyaan's name, |
| Chonnaa puli udhavum paaru | Look, even the tiger will step aside to help! |
| Enga mambattiyaan pera | If you utter our Mambattiyaan's name, |
| Chonnaa puli udhavum paaru | Look, even the tiger will step aside to help! |
ஆஅ....ஆஅ....ஆஆ.....
ஆஅ.....ஆஅ....ஆஆஅ.....
Haa....aaa....aaa...
Haa....aaa....aa....aaa...
காட்டு வழி போற பொண்ணே
கவலைப்படாதே
காட்டுப்புலி வழி மறிக்கும்
கலங்கி நிற்காதே
O girl walking along the forest path,
Do not worry..
Even if a wild tiger blocks your path,
Do not stand there distressed...
O girl walking along the forest path,
Do not worry..
Even if a wild tiger blocks your path,
Do not stand there distressed..
காட்டு வழி போற பொண்ணே
கவலைப்படாதே
காட்டுப்புலி வழி மறிக்கும்
கலங்கி நிற்காதே
If you utter Mambattiyaan's name,
Look, even the tiger will step aside to help!
If you utter our Mambattiyaan's name,
Look, even the tiger will step aside to help!
மம்பட்டியான் பேரு
சொன்னா புலி ஒதவும் பாரு
எங்க மம்பட்டியான் பேரு
சொன்னா புலி ஒதவும் பாரு
O girl walking along the forest path,
Do not worry..
Even if a wild tiger blocks your path,
Do not stand there distressed..
காட்டு வழி போற பொண்ணே
கவலைப்படாதே
காட்டுப்புலி வழி மறிக்கும்
கலங்கி நிற்காதே
If you utter Mambattiyaan's name,
Look, even the tiger will step aside to help!
If you utter our Mambattiyaan's name,
Look, even the tiger will step aside to help!
மம்பட்டியான் பேரு
சொன்னா புலி ஒதவும் பாரு
எங்க மம்பட்டியான் பேரு
சொன்னா புலி ஒதவும் பாரு
Hey!
He severed eight heads,
And scattered them in the market,
He bound up all cruelties,
What else did he leave behind?
ஹே எட்டு தலை வெட்டி வெச்சான்
சந்தையில கொட்டி வெச்சான்
கொடுமைய கட்டி வெச்சான்
வேறென்ன மிச்சம் வெச்சான்
He laid down
On thorns himself,
But spread soft flowers for the poor!
Even today, the rock on Athimala mountain
Speaks his name!
Even today, that rock on Athimala mountain
Speaks his name!
முள்ளு மேலதான் படுத்தான்
ஏழைக்கெல்லாம் பூ விரிச்சான்
அத்திமலை பாறை
இன்னும் பேசுது அவன் பேர
அந்த அத்திமலை பாறை
இன்னும் பேசுது அவன் பேர
O girl walking along the forest path,
Do not worry..
Even if a wild tiger blocks your path,
Do not stand there distressed..
காட்டு வழி போற பொண்ணே
கவலைப்படாதே
காட்டுப்புலி வழி மறிக்கும்
கலங்கி நிற்காதே
If you utter Mambattiyaan's name,
Look, even the tiger will step aside to help!
If you utter our Mambattiyaan's name,
Look, even the tiger will step aside to help!
மம்பட்டியான் பேரு
சொன்னா புலி ஒதவும் பாரு
எங்க மம்பட்டியான் பேரு
சொன்னா புலி ஒதவும் பாரு
Kannatha came
To live her life,
She came along with Mambattiyaan,
She longed to wear the sacred thread,
And married herself to sorrow,
To travel together to heaven,
She took the divine order!
கண்ணாத்தா வாழவந்தா
மம்பட்டியான் கூட வந்தான்
தாலிக்கு அவ ஆசைப்பட்ட
துன்பத்துக்கு வாக்குப்பட்டா
சொர்க்கத்துக்கு சேர்ந்துவர
உத்தரவு வாங்கிப்புட்டா
What a tragic story it became,
She became like a sapling with a broken stem!
Oh mother, what a tragic story it became,
She became like a sapling with a broken stem!
என்ன கதையாச்சி
அவ இடுப்பொடிஞ்ச நாத்து
எம்மா என்ன கதையாச்சி
அவ இடுப்பொடிஞ்ச நாத்து
O girl walking along the forest path,
Do not worry..
Even if a wild tiger blocks your path,
Do not stand there distressed..
காட்டு வழி போற பொண்ணே
கவலைப்படாதே
காட்டுப்புலி வழி மறிக்கும்
கலங்கி நிற்காதே
If you utter Mambattiyaan's name,
Look, even the tiger will step aside to help!
If you utter our Mambattiyaan's name,
Look, even the tiger will step aside to help!
மம்பட்டியான் பேரு
சொன்னா புலி ஒதவும் பாரு
எங்க மம்பட்டியான் பேரு
சொன்னா புலி ஒதவும் பாரு
She had a complexion bright like gold,
A precious gem from Ulli Kottai,
Those who saw her counted her among ten,
As a paragon of chastity otherwise!
தங்கம் போல வர்ணம்மடி
உள்ளிகோட்டை சொர்ணமடி
பத்து பேர பார்த்தவடி
பத்தினிதான் மத்தப்படி
When Mambattiyaan was dying,
She surrendered her own life too!
Born as beautiful as Madhavi,
She died as chaste and tragic as Kannagi!
Born as beautiful as Madhavi,
She died as chaste and tragic as Kannagi!
மம்பட்டியான் சாகயில
தான் உசுர விடவடி
மாதவிய பிறந்த
அவ கண்ணகியா இறந்தா
மாதவிய பிறந்த
அவ கண்ணகியா இறந்தா
O girl walking along the forest path,
Do not worry..
Even if a wild tiger blocks your path,
Do not stand there distressed..
காட்டு வழி போற பொண்ணே
கவலைப்படாதே
காட்டுப்புலி வழி மறிக்கும்
கலங்கி நிற்காதே
If you utter Mambattiyaan's name,
Look, even the tiger will step aside to help!
If you utter our Mambattiyaan's name,
Look, even the tiger will step aside to help!
மம்பட்டியான் பேரு
சொன்னா புலி ஒதவும் பாரு
எங்க மம்பட்டியான் பேரு
சொன்னா புலி ஒதவும் பாரு
To speak the name of Mambattiyaan,
The tongue hesitates with reverence, my friend!
Inside the grove of five trees,
His spirit comes and speaks, my friend!
மம்பட்டியான் பேரு சொல்ல
நாவு கொஞ்சம் கூசுதடா
அஞ்சு மலை தோப்புக்குள்ள
ஆவி வந்து பேசுதடா
மம்பட்டியான் வீரம் எங்க
சாதி சனம் காக்குமடா
Mambattiyaan's valor
Will safeguard our kinfolk and community!
Mambattiyaan's fame and words
Have reached across all boundaries!
They have reached across all boundaries...
மம்பட்டியான் பேச்சு
அது சீமை வரைபோச்சு
எங்க மம்பட்டியான் பேச்சு
அது சீமை வரைபோச்சு
O girl walking along the forest path,
Do not worry..
Even if a wild tiger blocks your path,
Do not stand there distressed..
காட்டு வழி போற பொண்ணே
கவலைப்படாதே
காட்டுப்புலி வழி மறிக்கும்
கலங்கி நிற்காதே
If you utter Mambattiyaan's name,
Look, even the tiger will step aside to help!
If you utter our Mambattiyaan's name,
Look, even the tiger will step aside to help!
மம்பட்டியான் பேரு
சொன்னா புலி ஒதவும் பாரு
எங்க மம்பட்டியான் பேரு
சொன்னா புலி ஒதவும் பாரு
Haa….aaa….aaa…
Haa....aaa....aaa...
Haa….aaa….aa….aaa…
Haa....aaa....aa....aaa...
Kaattu vazhipora ponnae
O girl walking along the forest path,
Kavalappadaadhae..
Do not worry..
Kaattupuli vazhimarikkum
Even if a wild tiger blocks your path,
Kalangi nirkkaadhae…
Do not stand there distressed...
Kaattu vazhipora ponnae
O girl walking along the forest path,
Kavalappadaadhae..
Do not worry..
Kaattupuli vazhimarikkum
Even if a wild tiger blocks your path,
Kalangi nirkkaadhae..
Do not stand there distressed..
Mambattiyaan pera
If you utter Mambattiyaan's name,
Chonnaa puli udhavum paaru
Look, even the tiger will step aside to help!
Enga mambattiyaan pera
If you utter our Mambattiyaan's name,
Chonnaa puli udhavum paaru
Look, even the tiger will step aside to help!
Kaattu vazhipora ponnae
O girl walking along the forest path,
Kavalappadaadhae..
Do not worry..
Kaattupuli vazhimarikkum
Even if a wild tiger blocks your path,
Kalangi nirkkaadhae..
Do not stand there distressed..
Mambattiyaan pera
If you utter Mambattiyaan's name,
Chonnaa puli udhavum paaru
Look, even the tiger will step aside to help!
Enga mambattiyaan pera
If you utter our Mambattiyaan's name,
Chonnaa puli udhavum paaru
Look, even the tiger will step aside to help!
Yei
Hey!
Ettuthalai vetti vachaan
He severed eight heads,
Sandhaiyila kotti vachaan
And scattered them in the market,
Kodumaiya kattivachaan
He bound up all cruelties,
Verenna micham vachaan
What else did he leave behind?
Mullumela thaam
He laid down
Paduthaan
On thorns himself,
Ezhaikkellaam poo virichaan
But spread soft flowers for the poor!
Aththimala paarai innum
Even today, the rock on Athimala mountain
Pesuvadhavan pera
Speaks his name!
Andha aththimala paarai innum
Even today, that rock on Athimala mountain
Pesuvadhavan pera
Speaks his name!
Kaattu vazhipora ponnae
O girl walking along the forest path,
Kavalappadaadhae..
Do not worry..
Kaattupuli vazhimarikkum
Even if a wild tiger blocks your path,
Kalangi nirkkaadhae..
Do not stand there distressed..
Mambattiyaan pera
If you utter Mambattiyaan's name,
Chonnaa puli udhavum paaru
Look, even the tiger will step aside to help!
Enga mambattiyaan pera
If you utter our Mambattiyaan's name,
Chonnaa puli udhavum paaru
Look, even the tiger will step aside to help!
Kannaaththaa vaazha
Kannatha came
Vandhaa
To live her life,
Mambattiyaan kooda vandhaa
She came along with Mambattiyaan,
Thaalikkava aasappattaa
She longed to wear the sacred thread,
Thunbathukku vaakkappattaa
And married herself to sorrow,
Sorgathukku serndhu vara
To travel together to heaven,
Utharavu vaangipputtaa
She took the divine order!
Enna kadhaiyaachi
What a tragic story it became,
Ava iduppodinja naaththu
She became like a sapling with a broken stem!
Emmaa enna kadhaiyaachi
Oh mother, what a tragic story it became,
Ava iduppodinja naaththu
She became like a sapling with a broken stem!
Kaattu vazhipora ponnae
O girl walking along the forest path,
Kavalappadaadhae..
Do not worry..
Kaattupuli vazhimarikkum
Even if a wild tiger blocks your path,
Kalangi nirkkaadhae..
Do not stand there distressed..
Mambattiyaan pera
If you utter Mambattiyaan's name,
Chonnaa puli udhavum paaru
Look, even the tiger will step aside to help!
Enga mambattiyaan pera
If you utter our Mambattiyaan's name,
Chonnaa puli udhavum paaru
Look, even the tiger will step aside to help!
Thangam pola varnamadi
She had a complexion bright like gold,
Ullikotta sornamadi
A precious gem from Ulli Kottai,
Pathupera paatha padi
Those who saw her counted her among ten,
Pathini thaan mathapadi
As a paragon of chastity otherwise!
Mambatiyaan saagayila
When Mambattiyaan was dying,
Thaan usura vittavadi
She surrendered her own life too!
Maadhaviya porantha
Born as beautiful as Madhavi,
Ava kannagiya iranthaa
She died as chaste and tragic as Kannagi!
Maadhaviya porantha
Born as beautiful as Madhavi,
Ava kannagiya iranthaa
She died as chaste and tragic as Kannagi!
Kaattu vazhipora ponnae
O girl walking along the forest path,
Kavalappadaadhae..
Do not worry..
Kaattupuli vazhimarikkum
Even if a wild tiger blocks your path,
Kalangi nirkkaadhae..
Do not stand there distressed..
Mambattiyaan pera
If you utter Mambattiyaan's name,
Chonnaa puli udhavum paaru
Look, even the tiger will step aside to help!
Enga mambattiyaan pera
If you utter our Mambattiyaan's name,
Chonnaa puli udhavum paaru
Look, even the tiger will step aside to help!
Mambattiyaan peru solla
To speak the name of Mambattiyaan,
Naavu konjam koosuthadaa
The tongue hesitates with reverence, my friend!
Anju mara thoppu kulla
Inside the grove of five trees,
Aavi vanthu pesuthadaa
His spirit comes and speaks, my friend!
Mambattiyaan veeram enga
Mambattiyaan's valor
Sathi sanam kaakumadaa
Will safeguard our kinfolk and community!
Mambattiyaan pechu
Mambattiyaan's fame and words
Athu seema varapochu
Have reached across all boundaries!
Athu seema varapochae…ae…
They have reached across all boundaries...
Kaattu vazhipora ponnae
O girl walking along the forest path,
Kavalappadaadhae..
Do not worry..
Kaattupuli vazhimarikkum
Even if a wild tiger blocks your path,
Kalangi nirkkaadhae..
Do not stand there distressed..
Mambattiyaan pera
If you utter Mambattiyaan's name,
Chonnaa puli udhavum paaru
Look, even the tiger will step aside to help!
Enga mambattiyaan pera
If you utter our Mambattiyaan's name,
Chonnaa puli udhavum paaru
Look, even the tiger will step aside to help!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Kaattu Vazhipora Ponnae' is a traditional folk-infused narrative song celebrating the legendary Robin Hood-like bandit figure, Mambattiyaan. The song reassures a young woman traveling through dense, dangerous forests that invoked in Mambattiyaan's name, even fierce wild beasts like tigers will step aside and respect her. The lyrics detail Mambattiyaan's fearless bravery against oppressors, his selfless generosity toward the poor, and the tragic loyalty of his beloved Kannatha, who stood by him until death.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Kaattu vazhipora ponnae / Kavalappadaadhae..”
Repetition of the initial 'Ka' sound across consecutive lines ('Kaattu', 'Kavalappadaadhae', 'Kaattupuli', 'Kalangi').
Simile (Upamai)
“Thangam pola varnamadi”
Comparing the maiden's radiant complexion directly to gold using the comparative word 'pola'.
Allusion / Contrast
“Maadhaviya porantha / Ava kannagiya iranthaa”
Evoking classical Tamil epics (Silappatikaram) by contrasting Madhavi (beauty/arts) with Kannagi (fidelity and tragic sacrifice).
Did you know?
Trivia
This song is a iconic folk track originally composed by Ilaiyaraaja for the 1980 classic film 'Malayoor Mambattiyaan' starring Thiagarajan. It was later re-imagined and re-recorded for the 2011 remake 'Mambattiyaan' starring Thiagarajan's son Prashanth, featuring lyrics written by Vairamuthu.
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