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Lyrics & meaning

Kanniyargal Koottam

From Pasamum Nesamum · 1964

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
S. Vedhachalam
Details
Pasamum Nesamum1964

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kanniyargal koottam kattazhagu thottamA gathering of young maidens is like a garden of exquisite beauty
Kanniyargal koottam kattazhagu thottamA gathering of young maidens is like a garden of exquisite beauty
Sittu vizhi muthu nagai sadhurattamWith sparrow-like eyes, pearl-like smiles, and rhythmic dance movements
Sittu vizhi muthu nagai sadhurattamWith sparrow-like eyes, pearl-like smiles, and rhythmic dance movements
Siru pottu vaithu poo mudikkum silaiyattamLike living statues adorned with a small bindi and flowers in their hair
Female Chorus :Kanniyargal koottam kattazhagu thottamFemale Chorus: A gathering of young maidens is like a garden of exquisite beauty
Kanniyargal koottam kattazhagu thottamA gathering of young maidens is like a garden of exquisite beauty
Sittu vizhi muthu nagai sadhurattamWith sparrow-like eyes, pearl-like smiles, and rhythmic dance movements
Sittu vizhi muthu nagai sadhurattamWith sparrow-like eyes, pearl-like smiles, and rhythmic dance movements
Siru pottu vaithu poo mudikkum silaiyattamLike living statues adorned with a small bindi and flowers in their hair
Female
Akka endare azhaikkum pachaikkiliThe green parrot affectionately calling out 'Akka' (sister)
Chorus :Ahaa haa pachaikkiliChorus: Aha ha, green parrot
Female :Akka endare azhaikkum pachaikkiliFemale: The green parrot affectionately calling out 'Akka' (sister)
Chorus :Ahaa haa pachaikkiliChorus: Aha ha, green parrot
Female :Athaan endrae azhaikkum ichaikkiliFemale: The bird of longing calling out 'Athaan' (beloved cousin)
Anna nadai paatilae minnalidai nattiyathaiIn the melody of a swan-like stride and the dance of a lightning-slender waist
Adhisayamaai kattuvadhum yaaradiWho is the one revealing such wonders, my dear friend?
Female Chorus :Anna nadai paatilae minnalidai nattiyathaiFemale Chorus: In the melody of a swan-like stride and the dance of a lightning-slender waist
Adhisayamaai kattuvadhum yaaradiWho is the one revealing such wonders, my dear friend?
Female
Kanniyargal koottam kattazhagu thottamA gathering of young maidens is like a garden of exquisite beauty
Female Chorus :Kanniyargal koottam kattazhagu thottamFemale Chorus: A gathering of young maidens is like a garden of exquisite beauty
Sittu vizhi muthu nagai sadhurattamWith sparrow-like eyes, pearl-like smiles, and rhythmic dance movements
Sittu vizhi muthu nagai sadhurattamWith sparrow-like eyes, pearl-like smiles, and rhythmic dance movements
Siru pottu vaithu poo mudikkum silaiyattamLike living statues adorned with a small bindi and flowers in their hair
Female
Paatezhudhum paavalarai kettuppaarGo ask the poets who compose poetry
Chorus :Ahaa haa neeyae kettuppaarChorus: Aha ha, ask them yourself
Female :Paatezhudhum paavalarai kettuppaarFemale: Go ask the poets who compose poetry
Chorus :Ahaa haa neeyae kettuppaarChorus: Aha ha, ask them yourself
Female :Adhai paadi kattum padagarai paarthukaelFemale: Look and ask the singers who bring those verses to life
Kanniyarai ennaamal kadhalaiyum sollaamalWithout thinking of women and without expressing love
Karpanaiyil arputhangal thondrumaCould wonders ever blossom in imagination?
Female Chorus :Kanniyarai ennaamal kadhalaiyum sollaamalFemale Chorus: Without thinking of women and without expressing love
Karpanaiyil arputhangal thondrumaCould wonders ever blossom in imagination?
Female
Kanniyargal koottam kattazhagu thottamA gathering of young maidens is like a garden of exquisite beauty
Female Chorus :Kanniyargal koottam kattazhagu thottamFemale Chorus: A gathering of young maidens is like a garden of exquisite beauty
Sittu vizhi muthu nagai sadhurattamWith sparrow-like eyes, pearl-like smiles, and rhythmic dance movements
Sittu vizhi muthu nagai sadhurattamWith sparrow-like eyes, pearl-like smiles, and rhythmic dance movements
Siru pottu vaithu poo mudikkum silaiyattamLike living statues adorned with a small bindi and flowers in their hair

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Pasamum Nesamum' is a joyful and lyrical song celebrating feminine charm, grace, and the inspirational power of beauty and love. The lyrics compare a group of young women to a vibrant garden filled with life, describing their lively eyes, pearl-like smiles, graceful gait, and statue-like beauty. The song emphasizes that womanhood and love are the fundamental muses behind all art, poetry, and musical creation. Through playful call-and-response lines with the chorus, the singer underscores how poets and musicians draw their grandest artistic inspiration directly from the enchantment of love and women.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai (Simile / Metaphor)

Sittu vizhi muthu nagai sadhurattam

Compares eyes to sparrows ('Sittu vizhi'), smiles to pearls ('muthu nagai'), waist to lightning ('minnalidai'), and women to statues ('silaiyattam').

Moonaai (Initial Alliteration)

Kanniyargal koottam kattazhagu thottam

Repetition of the initial consonant 'k' across the line ('Kanniyargal', 'koottam', 'kattazhagu').

Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Akka endare azhaikkum pachaikkili / Athaan endrae azhaikkum ichaikkili

Rhyming of the second letter 'kka' in 'Akka' and 'Ichaikkili'.

Rhetorical Question

Karpanaiyil arputhangal thondruma

Asking whether artistic imagination could ever produce wonders without the inspiration of love and women.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Pasamum Nesamum' (1964) features music composed by S. Vedhachalam with lyrics by Kannadasan. The track relies on playful female chorus call-and-response dynamics popularized by P. Susheela during the 1960s Tamil cinema era.

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