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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kai Valikkuthu Kai Valikkuthu Mama

From Kunguma Chimil · 1985

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Kunguma Chimil1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
{Kai valikuthuMy hand hurts
Kai valikuthu mamaMy hand hurts, uncle
Oru kai pudikanumYou need to hold my hand
Ammi araikanum mama} (2)And help grind on the stone, uncle
Female
Naan izhutharaikira pothuMy hand hurts
Kai pazhuthirukuthu paaruMy hand hurts, uncle
Nee azhuthamaana aaluYou need to hold my hand
En kazhutharupathu yen yaa…And help grind on the stone, uncle
Male
Ammi araipadhu pombalaWhen I drag and grind
Velai thaandii…Look, my hand has turned red
Female :HaanYou are a firm person
Male :Adi adhukku poiWhy are you slitting my throat like this...
Ennai azhaipathu yen di…Grinding on stone is a woman's
Female :HmmkmmmWork after all...
Male
Ammi izhutharaikira podhuFemale: Yeah
Nenjai izhutharaikira maanaeMale: Hey, for that
Nee azhuthamaana aaluWhy are you calling me, woman...
En kazhutharupathu yen di….Female: Hmmkmmm
Female
Kai valikuthuWhen dragging and grinding on stone
Kai valikuthu mama…hahaMy dear, you drag my heart along
Oru kai pudikanumYou are a firm person
Ammi araikanum mama…ahanWhy are you slitting my throat, girl...
Female
Naan thaan thaniyaaMy hand hurts
Ennathaan pannurathuMy hand hurts, uncle... haha
Soru kozhambuYou need to hold my hand
Eppo thaan pongurathuAnd help grind on the stone, uncle... ahan
Female
Maadaatam velai seiyaBeing all alone
Ennaala aavaadhuWhat am I supposed to do
Maama nee othuzhaichaRice and curry
En meni nogaathu..When will they get cooked
Female
Aaalaagi naan samainja pullaTo work like a bull
Aaanaalum naan samaichathillaIs something I cannot do
Kannalaam kattamalaeUncle, if you cooperate
Kudithanama aayachuMy body won't ache..
Male
Ammi araipathu hei..I am a grown girl who came of age
Ammi araipathuEven so, I have never cooked
Pombala velai thaandiWithout even getting married properly
Female :HmmWe started living together
Male :Adi athukku poiGrinding on stone, hey..
Ennai azhaipathu yen diGrinding on stone
Female :Maamaa….Is a woman's work after all
Male
Ammi izhutharaikira podhuFemale: Hmm
Nenjai izhutharaikira maanaeMale: Hey, for that
Nee azhuthamaana aaluWhy are you calling me, woman
En kazhutharupathu yen diFemale: Uncle....
Female
Kai valikuthuWhen dragging and grinding on stone
Kai valikuthu mamaMy dear, you drag my heart along
Oru kai pudikanumYou are a firm person
Ammi araikanum mamaWhy are you slitting my throat, girl
Male
Amma thaayaeMy hand hurts
Mudinja paadu paduMy hand hurts, uncle
Aluppum salippumYou need to hold my hand
Iruntha aalai viduAnd help grind on the stone, uncle
Female
Pollatha kobam ennaOh lady
Kannaana raasavaeTry as much as you can
Venaanu thalli vachaaIf you are tired or exhausted
Vaadatha rosaavaeLeave me alone
Male
Maanae vaa poi kovam thaandiWhy this terrible anger
Thaenae vaa oru thaabam thaandiMy dear king
Kannae nee kastapattaIf you push me away as unwanted
En manasu thaangadhuUnfading rose
Female
Kai valikuthu …haahaahaanCome my love, beyond this false anger
Kai valikuthuCome sweet one, beyond this longing
Kai valikuthu mamaMy love, if you suffer
Male :Ada ammi araichidaMy heart cannot bear it
Naan irukiren vaammaMy hand hurts... haahaahaan
Female
: Kai valikilaMy hand hurts
Kai valikila maamaMy hand hurts, uncle
Ippo kai valikila kai valikila…Male: Ah, to grind on the stone
Hahahahahah…..I am here, come girl

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a playful, romantic duet between a young woman and her partner (referred to affectionately as 'mama'). The heroine complains that her hands hurt from grinding spices on a traditional stone (ammi) and coquettishly demands that her partner hold her hand and assist her in kitchen chores. The hero teasingly responds that cooking and stone-grinding are traditional female chores, but the heroine playfully guilt-trips him, expressing how overwhelmed she is running the household alone. Seeing her frustration and hearing her affectionate teasing, the hero softens up, reassuring her that he cannot stand to see her in pain or distress. He offers to step in and help her grind the stone himself. Delighted by his loving gesture and affection, the heroine playfully forgets her pain, happily declaring that her hands no longer hurt after all. The song humorously captures domestic warmth, affection, and mutual care between newlyweds.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monorepression / Rhyme Scheme (Edhukai)

Aaalaagi naan samainja pulla / Aaanaalum naan samaichathilla

Repetition of second consonant sounds across consecutive lines such as 'Ammi' and 'Nenjai' or 'Aalaagi' and 'Aanaalum'.

Metaphor (Uvamaai / Uruvakam)

Maadaatam velai seiya

Comparing working endlessly in domestic life to a bull ('Maadaatam velai seiya').

Alliteration (Monaai)

Aluppum salippum / Iruntha aalai vidu

Matching initial sounds in words within lines such as 'Aluppum salippum' and 'Kai valikuthu'.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Kunguma Chimil' (1985) features music composed by Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics penned by the veteran lyricist Vaali. The track 'Kai Valikuthu Mama' is a famous folk-inspired romantic track known for its playful banter depicting traditional South Indian rural kitchen dynamics.

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