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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kathirunthen Kattiyanaikka

From Pen Ondru Kanden · 1974

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Pen Ondru Kanden1974

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kaaththirunthaen kattiyanaikkaI was waiting to embrace you closely
Kanni idhazhil muthu pathikkaTo imprint a kiss on your maiden lips
Kaaththirunthaen kattiyanaikkaI was waiting to embrace you closely
Kanni idhazhil muthu pathikkaTo imprint a kiss on your maiden lips
Innum enna thatti kazhikkaWhy evade or brush it off any longer?
Idhayam undu kottiyalakkaThere is a heart ready to pour out its wealth
Female
Vaari kodukkum vanji manathuThe young woman's heart gives abundantly
Vaanga thudikkum nenjam unathuYour heart yearns eagerly to receive it
Vaari kodukkum vanji manathuThe young woman's heart gives abundantly
Vaanga thudikkum nenjam unathuYour heart yearns eagerly to receive it
Ondrai ondru pinni kondathuEntwined deeply with one another
Uravil inbam alli thanthathuBestowing boundless joy upon this bond
Female
Kaaththirunthaen kattiyanaikkaI was waiting to embrace you closely
Male :Kanni idhazhil muthu pathikkaMale: To imprint a kiss on your maiden lips
Male
Poonthugil moodiyaCovered in fine silken attire
Paingkili maeniyaiOn the body soft like a young parrot
Naan thodum velaiyilAt the moment I touched you
Naanam piranthathu yaen yaen yaen….Why did shyness arise? Tell me why, why, why...
Female
Maadhulam enbathuLike a ripe pomegranate fruit
Maangani pondrathuResembling a sweet mango fruit
Kadhalan kai pada pongiOverflowing when touched by the lover's hand
Vazhinthathu thaen thaen thaen….Honey overflowed, sweet honey, honey, honey...
Male
Thaen suvaiyoIs it the taste of honey?
Illai maan suvaiyoOr the sweetness of a maiden like a deer?
Endru naan thudithaenThus I yearned with excitement
Intha velaiyilaeAt this very moment
Female
Naan tharavoShould I give it to you?
Illai nee tharavoOr will you give it to me?
Ena yaengi nindrean anthi maalaiyilaeSo I stood longing in the twilight evening
Male
Kaaththirunthaen kattiyanaikkaI was waiting to embrace you closely
Female :Kanni idhazhil muthu pathikkaFemale: To imprint a kiss on your maiden lips
Female
Maanidai ooridumLike juicy grapes hanging
Thiraatchaiyai polBetween the green foliage
Iru sael idai paarththathumThe moment our fish-like eyes met
Kadhal piranthatho sol sol solDid love blossom? Tell me, tell me, tell me
Male
Paatharasam enaLike liquid mercury
Odidum parvaiyilIn the swift glance that runs
Kadhal rasam tharum kanniOh maiden who offers the essence of love
En arugae nil nil nilStand close to me, stay, stay, stay
Female
Aaththiramo illaiIs it urgency or
Avasaramo enaiIs it haste, to embrace me
Anaiththidavae intha naadagamo…Is this drama meant to hold me?
Male
Nee arivaaiYou know it well
Adhai naan arivaenAnd I know it too
Idhil kelvigal nooru ketkanumoMust a hundred questions be asked about this?
Female
Kaaththirunthaen kattiyanaikkaI was waiting to embrace you closely
Male :Kanni idhazhil muthu pathikkaMale: To imprint a kiss on your maiden lips
Female :Innum enna thatti kazhikkaFemale: Why evade or brush it off any longer?
Male :Idhayam undu kottiyalakkaMale: There is a heart ready to pour out its wealth
Both :Kaaththirunthaen kattiyanaikkaBoth: I was waiting to embrace you closely

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Kaaththirunthaen Kattiyanaikka is a soulful romantic duet from the 1974 Tamil movie Pen Ondru Kanden, composed by M. S. Viswanathan and penned by lyricist Vaali. Sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and P. Susheela, the song captures a romantic banter between two lovers eagerly anticipating intimacy and complete devotion. The lyrics highlight mutual affection, playful hesitation, and the joy of sharing love without reservations. Set against the backdrop of a peaceful evening, the song uses vivid imagery of nature, fruits, and wine to convey passion and beauty. The lovers acknowledge that their emotions are completely synchronized, concluding that no elaborate questions are needed when two hearts understand each other so deeply.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Maadhulam enbathu Maangani pondrathu

Compares the beloved's lush features to pomegranate and mango, highlighting extreme sweetness and beauty.

Simile (Upamai)

Paatharasam ena Odidum parvaiyil

Compares a quick, darting glance to fluid mercury (quicksilver).

Repetition (Adukku Thodar)

Naanam piranthathu yaen yaen yaen….

Repetition of words like 'yaen', 'thaen', 'sol', and 'nil' creates a rhythmic cadence and emphasizes passion.

Second-letter Rhyme (Edhugai)

Vaari kodukkum vanji manathu / Vaanga thudikkum nenjam unathu

The second consonant 'ri' rhymes across adjacent lines ('Vaari' and 'Vaanga').

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Mellisai Mannar M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics by Vaali, this track showcases the classic mid-1970s vocal dynamic between S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and P. Susheela, renowned for their expressive duets during this golden era of Tamil cinema music.

Keep listening

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