Kandangi Selai
From Ketti Melam · 1985
- Lyricist
- Aalangudi Somu
- Singer
- S. P. Sailaja
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Ketti Melam1985
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Aa…aaa….aaa…aaa…aaa… | Ah… ah… ah… ah… ah… |
| Aa…aaa….aaa…aaa…aaa… | Ah… ah… ah… ah… ah… |
| Aa…aaa….aaa…aaa…aaa… | Ah… ah… ah… ah… ah… |
| Aa…aaa….aaa…aaa…aaa… | Ah… ah… ah… ah… ah… |
| Female | |
| Kandaagi saela | The Kandangi saree |
| Thangamae thangam | Precious like pure gold |
| Kaathaadum vela | As it sways in the wind |
| Sangadhi sollum | It whispers news and stories |
| Adi kathiri poovae | Hey brinjal flower |
| Kanni puraavae | Young maiden dove |
| Gavanam engaedi | Where is your attention, girl? |
| Karkandu paagae | Liquid rock candy sweetness |
| Kanni un nenjin | Young girl, in your heart |
| Kanavu ennaadi | What is your dream? |
| Female | |
| Kandaagi saela | The Kandangi saree |
| Thangamae thangam | Precious like pure gold |
| Kaathaadum vela | As it sways in the wind |
| Sangadhi sollum | It whispers news and stories |
| Female | |
| Sollaamal vandhaal enna | What if I come unannounced? |
| Sorgamae kandaal enna | What if we experience heavenly bliss? |
| Kattazhagai thottaal enna | What if I touch your well-built beauty? |
| Chella maamaa | Dear beloved uncle |
| Chorus | |
| Sollaamal vandhaal enna | What if I come unannounced? |
| Sorgamae kandaal enna | What if we experience heavenly bliss? |
| Kattazhagai thottaal enna | What if I touch your well-built beauty? |
| Chella maamaa | Dear beloved uncle |
| Female | |
| Kannaara kaanaamal | Without seeing you fully with my eyes |
| Thaangaadhu raajaa | My king cannot bear it |
| Unnodu konja vandha | Came to cuddle up with you |
| Singaara rojaa | The beautiful rose |
| Ennadiyamma sengamalam… | Hey girl, red lotus… |
| Aaaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa… | Ah… ah… ah… ah… ah… ah… ah… |
| Chorus | |
| Ennadiyamma sengamalam | Hey girl, red lotus |
| Engaediyammaa un payanam | Where is your journey to, girl? |
| Female | |
| Kondavan vandhadhum | As soon as your beloved husband arrives |
| Kanda kanavadhai | The dream you dreamt |
| Sollida thulluvadhenadiyo | Why do you leap in joy to share it? |
| Chorus | |
| Kandaagi saela | The Kandangi saree |
| Thangamae thangam | Precious like pure gold |
| Kaathaadum vela | As it sways in the wind |
| Sangadhi sollum | It whispers news and stories |
| Chorus | |
| Aalolam aalolam aalolam | Aalolam, aalolam, aalolam |
| Aaalolam aalolam aalolam | Aalolam, aalolam, aalolam |
| Aalolam aalolam aalolam aalolam | Aalolam, aalolam, aalolam, aalolam |
| Aalolam aalolam aalolam mmm | Aalolam, aalolam, aalolam mmm |
| Female | |
| Thottaal sivandhu vidum | It turns red upon a light touch |
| Chittukku pattu kannam | The silky cheek of this little bird |
| Thodaamal sivandhadhenna | Why has it turned red even without touching? |
| Katti karumbae | Oh block of sugarcane! |
| Chorus | |
| Thottaal sivandhu vidum | It turns red upon a light touch |
| Chittukku pattu kannam | The silky cheek of this little bird |
| Thodaamal sivandhadhenna | Why has it turned red even without touching? |
| Katti karumbae | Oh block of sugarcane! |
| Female | |
| Thaenodu thinai kalandhu | Mixing foxtail millet flour with honey |
| Maavilakku yeththi | Lighting the auspicious flour lamp |
| Meenodum karai oram | By the riverbank where fish swim |
| Nee yeththa venum | You must light the lamp |
| Ketti mela chatham kettukkadi… | Listen to the sound of the wedding drums… |
| Dumdum dumdum dumdum dumdum | Dumdum dumdum dumdum dumdum |
| Dumdum dumdum dumdum dum | Dumdum dumdum dumdum dum |
| Chorus | |
| Ketti mela chatham kettukkadi | Listen to the sound of the wedding drums |
| Ootti kizhangae sakkaraiyae | Ooty potato, sweet sugar |
| Female | |
| Thennagulai yena | Like tender shoots of palm/coconut leaf |
| Minnum udambinai | Your shimmering body |
| Kannum karutthumaai | With utmost care and devotion |
| Paathukkadi | Protect it well, girl |
| Chorus | |
| Kandaagi saela | The Kandangi saree |
| Thangamae thangam | Precious like pure gold |
| Kaathaadum vela | As it sways in the wind |
| Sangadhi sollum | It whispers news and stories |
| Female | |
| Adi kathiri poovae | Hey brinjal flower |
| Kanni puraavae | Young maiden dove |
| Gavanam engaedi | Where is your attention, girl? |
| Karkandu paagae | Liquid rock candy sweetness |
| Kanni un nenjin | Young girl, in your heart |
| Kanavu ennaadi | What is your dream? |
| Chorus | |
| Kandaagi saela | The Kandangi saree |
| Thangamae thangam | Precious like pure gold |
| Kaathaadum vela | As it sways in the wind |
| Sangadhi sollum | It whispers news and stories |
ஆஅ ஹா ஆஅ ஆஅ......
ஆஅ ஆஅ ஆ ஹா ஆஅ.....
ஆஆ ஆஅ ஆஆஅ ஆஆ....
ஆஆ ஆஅ ஆஆஅ ஆஆ.....
Ah… ah… ah… ah… ah…
Ah… ah… ah… ah… ah…
Ah… ah… ah… ah… ah…
Ah… ah… ah… ah… ah…
கண்டாங்கி சேலை
தங்கமே தங்கம்
காத்தாடும் வேளை
சங்கதி சொல்லும்
The Kandangi saree
Precious like pure gold
As it sways in the wind
It whispers news and stories
Hey brinjal flower
Young maiden dove
Where is your attention, girl?
Liquid rock candy sweetness
Young girl, in your heart
What is your dream?
அடி கத்திரிப் பூவே
கன்னிப் புறாவே கவனம் எங்கேடி
கற்கண்டு பாகே
கன்னி உன் நெஞ்சின்
கனவு என்னாடி
The Kandangi saree
Precious like pure gold
As it sways in the wind
It whispers news and stories
கண்டாங்கி சேலை
தங்கமே தங்கம்
காத்தாடும் வேளை
சங்கதி சொல்லும்
What if I come unannounced?
What if we experience heavenly bliss?
What if I touch your well-built beauty?
Dear beloved uncle
சொல்லாமல் வந்தால் என்ன
சொர்க்கமே கண்டால் என்ன
கட்டழகை தொட்டால் என்ன
செல்ல மாமா...
What if I come unannounced?
What if we experience heavenly bliss?
What if I touch your well-built beauty?
Dear beloved uncle
சொல்லாமல் வந்தால் என்ன
சொர்க்கமே கண்டால் என்ன
கட்டழகை தொட்டால் என்ன
செல்ல மாமா
Without seeing you fully with my eyes
My king cannot bear it
Came to cuddle up with you
The beautiful rose
Hey girl, red lotus…
Ah… ah… ah… ah… ah… ah… ah…
கண்ணாரக் காணாமல்
தாங்காது ராஜா
உன்னோடு கொஞ்ச வந்த
சிங்கார ரோஜா
என்னடியம்மா செங்கமலம்...
ஆஅ.....ஆஅ.....ஆஅ.....
Hey girl, red lotus
Where is your journey to, girl?
என்னடியம்மா செங்கமலம்
எங்கேடியம்மா உன் பயணம்
As soon as your beloved husband arrives
The dream you dreamt
Why do you leap in joy to share it?
கொண்டவன் வந்ததும்
கண்ட கனவு அதை
சொல்லிடத் துள்ளுவது ஏனடியோ.....
The Kandangi saree
Precious like pure gold
As it sways in the wind
It whispers news and stories
கண்டாங்கி சேலை
தங்கமே தங்கம்
காத்தாடும் வேளை
சங்கதி சொல்லும்
Aalolam, aalolam, aalolam
Aalolam, aalolam, aalolam
Aalolam, aalolam, aalolam, aalolam
Aalolam, aalolam, aalolam mmm
ஆலோலம் ஆலோலம் ஆலோலம்
ஆலோலம் ஆலோலம் ஆலோலம்
ஆலோலம் ஆலோலம் ஆலோலம்
ஆலோலம் ஆலோலம் ஆலோலம்
It turns red upon a light touch
The silky cheek of this little bird
Why has it turned red even without touching?
Oh block of sugarcane!
தொட்டால் சிவந்து விடும்
சிட்டுக்கு பட்டுக்கன்னம்
தொடாமல் சிவந்ததென்ன
கட்டிக்கரும்பே....
It turns red upon a light touch
The silky cheek of this little bird
Why has it turned red even without touching?
Oh block of sugarcane!
தொட்டால் சிவந்து விடும்
சிட்டுக்கு பட்டுக்கன்னம்
தொடாமல் சிவந்ததென்ன
கட்டிக்கரும்பே....
Mixing foxtail millet flour with honey
Lighting the auspicious flour lamp
By the riverbank where fish swim
You must light the lamp
Listen to the sound of the wedding drums…
Dumdum dumdum dumdum dumdum
Dumdum dumdum dumdum dum
தேனோடு தினை கலந்து
மாவிளக்கு ஏத்தி
மீனோடும் கரை ஓரம்
நீ ஏத்த வேணும்
கெட்டி மேளச்சத்தம்
கேட்டுக்கடி..........டும்டும்டும்
டும்டும்டும் டும்டும்டும்
Listen to the sound of the wedding drums
Ooty potato, sweet sugar
கெட்டி மேளச்சத்தம் கேட்டுக்கடி
ஊட்டிக் கிழங்கே சக்கரையே
Like tender shoots of palm/coconut leaf
Your shimmering body
With utmost care and devotion
Protect it well, girl
தென்னங்குலை
என மின்னும் உடம்பினை
கண்ணும் கருத்துமாய் பாத்துக்கடி...
The Kandangi saree
Precious like pure gold
As it sways in the wind
It whispers news and stories
கண்டாங்கி சேலை
தங்கமே தங்கம்
காத்தாடும் வேளை
சங்கதி சொல்லும்
Hey brinjal flower
Young maiden dove
Where is your attention, girl?
Liquid rock candy sweetness
Young girl, in your heart
What is your dream?
அடி கத்திரிப் பூவே
கன்னிப் புறாவே கவனம் எங்கேடி
கற்கண்டு பாகே
கன்னி உன் நெஞ்சின்
கனவு என்னாடி
The Kandangi saree
Precious like pure gold
As it sways in the wind
It whispers news and stories
கண்டாங்கி சேலை
தங்கமே தங்கம்
காத்தாடும் வேளை
சங்கதி சொல்லும்
Aa…aaa….aaa…aaa…aaa…
Ah… ah… ah… ah… ah…
Aa…aaa….aaa…aaa…aaa…
Ah… ah… ah… ah… ah…
Aa…aaa….aaa…aaa…aaa…
Ah… ah… ah… ah… ah…
Aa…aaa….aaa…aaa…aaa…
Ah… ah… ah… ah… ah…
Kandaagi saela
The Kandangi saree
Thangamae thangam
Precious like pure gold
Kaathaadum vela
As it sways in the wind
Sangadhi sollum
It whispers news and stories
Adi kathiri poovae
Hey brinjal flower
Kanni puraavae
Young maiden dove
Gavanam engaedi
Where is your attention, girl?
Karkandu paagae
Liquid rock candy sweetness
Kanni un nenjin
Young girl, in your heart
Kanavu ennaadi
What is your dream?
Kandaagi saela
The Kandangi saree
Thangamae thangam
Precious like pure gold
Kaathaadum vela
As it sways in the wind
Sangadhi sollum
It whispers news and stories
Sollaamal vandhaal enna
What if I come unannounced?
Sorgamae kandaal enna
What if we experience heavenly bliss?
Kattazhagai thottaal enna
What if I touch your well-built beauty?
Chella maamaa
Dear beloved uncle
Sollaamal vandhaal enna
What if I come unannounced?
Sorgamae kandaal enna
What if we experience heavenly bliss?
Kattazhagai thottaal enna
What if I touch your well-built beauty?
Chella maamaa
Dear beloved uncle
Kannaara kaanaamal
Without seeing you fully with my eyes
Thaangaadhu raajaa
My king cannot bear it
Unnodu konja vandha
Came to cuddle up with you
Singaara rojaa
The beautiful rose
Ennadiyamma sengamalam…
Hey girl, red lotus…
Aaaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…
Ah… ah… ah… ah… ah… ah… ah…
Ennadiyamma sengamalam
Hey girl, red lotus
Engaediyammaa un payanam
Where is your journey to, girl?
Kondavan vandhadhum
As soon as your beloved husband arrives
Kanda kanavadhai
The dream you dreamt
Sollida thulluvadhenadiyo
Why do you leap in joy to share it?
Kandaagi saela
The Kandangi saree
Thangamae thangam
Precious like pure gold
Kaathaadum vela
As it sways in the wind
Sangadhi sollum
It whispers news and stories
Aalolam aalolam aalolam
Aalolam, aalolam, aalolam
Aaalolam aalolam aalolam
Aalolam, aalolam, aalolam
Aalolam aalolam aalolam aalolam
Aalolam, aalolam, aalolam, aalolam
Aalolam aalolam aalolam mmm
Aalolam, aalolam, aalolam mmm
Thottaal sivandhu vidum
It turns red upon a light touch
Chittukku pattu kannam
The silky cheek of this little bird
Thodaamal sivandhadhenna
Why has it turned red even without touching?
Katti karumbae
Oh block of sugarcane!
Thottaal sivandhu vidum
It turns red upon a light touch
Chittukku pattu kannam
The silky cheek of this little bird
Thodaamal sivandhadhenna
Why has it turned red even without touching?
Katti karumbae
Oh block of sugarcane!
Thaenodu thinai kalandhu
Mixing foxtail millet flour with honey
Maavilakku yeththi
Lighting the auspicious flour lamp
Meenodum karai oram
By the riverbank where fish swim
Nee yeththa venum
You must light the lamp
Ketti mela chatham kettukkadi…
Listen to the sound of the wedding drums…
Dumdum dumdum dumdum dumdum
Dumdum dumdum dumdum dumdum
Dumdum dumdum dumdum dum
Dumdum dumdum dumdum dum
Ketti mela chatham kettukkadi
Listen to the sound of the wedding drums
Ootti kizhangae sakkaraiyae
Ooty potato, sweet sugar
Thennagulai yena
Like tender shoots of palm/coconut leaf
Minnum udambinai
Your shimmering body
Kannum karutthumaai
With utmost care and devotion
Paathukkadi
Protect it well, girl
Kandaagi saela
The Kandangi saree
Thangamae thangam
Precious like pure gold
Kaathaadum vela
As it sways in the wind
Sangadhi sollum
It whispers news and stories
Adi kathiri poovae
Hey brinjal flower
Kanni puraavae
Young maiden dove
Gavanam engaedi
Where is your attention, girl?
Karkandu paagae
Liquid rock candy sweetness
Kanni un nenjin
Young girl, in your heart
Kanavu ennaadi
What is your dream?
Kandaagi saela
The Kandangi saree
Thangamae thangam
Precious like pure gold
Kaathaadum vela
As it sways in the wind
Sangadhi sollum
It whispers news and stories
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Kandaagi Saela is a vibrant Tamil folk duet from the film Ketti Melam (1985), featuring lyrics written by Aalangudi Somu. The track portrays playful courtship and romantic teasing between lovers set against a rural backdrop. The male protagonist admires the heroine's traditional Kandangi saree, comparing her charm to natural beauty like brinjal blossoms, doves, sugarcane, and sweet treats. In turn, the female lead playfully expresses her longing and anticipation of their union.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (உருவகம்)
“Adi kathiri poovae / Kanni puraavae”
Compares the maiden to soft, sweet rural elements such as brinjal flowers, doves, and rock candy syrup.
Monai / Initial Alliteration (மோனை)
“Kanni un nenjin / Kanavu ennaadi”
Repetition of the initial consonant sound 'K' across words in the line ('Kanni', 'Kanavu').
Hyperbole (உயர்நவிற்சி அணி)
“Thodaamal sivandhadhenna / Katti karumbae”
Exaggerates the delicacy of the heroine's soft skin, stating that her cheeks blush red even without being touched.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song prominently references the traditional Chettinad 'Kandangi' saree, a famous handloom cotton craft of Tamil Nadu recognized for its vivid borders, cultural heritage, and durability.
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