Kathirunthen Mama
From Avasara Kalyanam · 1972
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- L. R. Eswari
- Music director
- T. R. Pappa
- Details
- Avasara Kalyanam1972
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Kaalai kulithezhnthu karunjaanthu pottumittu | Waking up in the morning, bathing, and adorning a dark bindi, |
| Kaarkkoondhal pnnalittu | Braiding my dark, thick hair, |
| Kaaththirunthaen un varavai | I waited for your arrival, |
| Kadai kannaal paaththirunthaen | I kept looking for you out of the corner of my eye. |
| Female | |
| Kaaththirunthaen mama kaividalaamaa | I waited, uncle/beloved, can you abandon me? |
| Kann niraintha ponnukkitta | To a girl who fills your eyes and heart completely, |
| Poi sollalaama | Can you tell a lie? |
| Kaaththirunthaen mama kai vidalaamaa | I waited, uncle/beloved, can you abandon me? |
| Female | |
| Vatta vatta kondaiyitta chittakkuruvi | A little sparrow adorned with a round hair bun, |
| Un pattanaththil kidaikkumaa intha maathiri | Will you find someone like this in your city? |
| Vatta vatta kondaiyitta chittakkuruvi | A little sparrow adorned with a round hair bun, |
| Un pattanaththil kidaikkumaa intha maathiri | Will you find someone like this in your city? |
| Kattazhagum pottazhagum konta kaviri nee | You are like the Kaveri river possessing structural beauty and cosmetic charm; |
| Kanniyamaa vaazhanumnaa ennai kadhali | If you want to live honorably, love me. |
| Female | |
| Haah kaaththirunthen mama kaividalaamaa | Haah, I waited, uncle, can you abandon me? |
| Kann niraintha ponnukkittae | To the girl who fills your eyes, |
| Poi sollalaama | Can you tell a lie? |
| Kaaththirunthaen mama kai vidalaama… | I waited, uncle, can you abandon me... |
| Female | |
| Chinnaalappatti thantha selaiyai katti | Draped in a saree crafted in Chinnalapatti, |
| Dhinam sivakkira kaalkalilae thandaiyai katti | Wearing anklets on feet that grow red each day, |
| Chinnaalappatti thantha selaiyai katti | Draped in a saree crafted in Chinnalapatti, |
| Dhinam sivakkira kaalkalilae thandaiyai katti | Wearing anklets on feet that grow red each day, |
| Ponnaana manjalukku aaduthu kutty | The young girl sways, covered in golden turmeric, |
| Ponnaana manjalukku aaduthu kutty | The young girl sways, covered in golden turmeric, |
| Idhai purinju rasikkanum nee kaikalai thatti | You should understand and enjoy this by clapping your hands. |
| Female | |
| Vetkaththai vittu vittu sirichchu vatchaen | Casting aside my bashfulness, I smiled, |
| En vivaraththa munnaala thelichchu vatchchen | I laid out my feelings clearly before you. |
| Vetkaththai vittu vittu sirichchu vatchaen | Casting aside my bashfulness, I smiled, |
| En vivaraththa munnaala thelichchu vatchchen | I laid out my feelings clearly before you. |
| Ennathaan vendum endru solli vidalaam | You could just tell me what it is that you want, |
| Ennathaan vendum endru solli vidalaam | You could just tell me what it is that you want, |
| Illai ishtamilla endraalum thalli vidalaam | Or if you do not like me, you could just push me away. |
| Female | |
| Kaaththirunthaen mama kaividalaamaa | I waited, uncle, can you abandon me? |
| Kaaththirunthaen mama kaividalaamaa | I waited, uncle, can you abandon me? |
| Kann niraintha ponnukkitta | To a girl who fills your eyes and heart, |
| Poi sollalaama | Can you tell a lie? |
| Kaaththirunthaen mama kai vidalaamaa…. | I waited, uncle, can you abandon me... |
காலை குளித்தெழுந்து கருஞ்சாந்து பொட்டுமிட்டு
கார்க்கூந்தல் பின்னலிட்டு
காத்திருந்தேன் உன் வரவை
கடைக் கண்ணால் பாத்திருந்தேன்......
Waking up in the morning, bathing, and adorning a dark bindi,
Braiding my dark, thick hair,
I waited for your arrival,
I kept looking for you out of the corner of my eye.
காத்திருந்தேன் மாமா கைவிடலாமா
கண் நிறைந்த பொண்ணுக் கிட்டே
பொய் சொல்லலாமா
காத்திருந்தேன் மாமா கை விடலாமா.....
I waited, uncle/beloved, can you abandon me?
To a girl who fills your eyes and heart completely,
Can you tell a lie?
I waited, uncle/beloved, can you abandon me?
வட்ட வட்ட கொண்டையிட்ட சிட்டுக்குருவி
உன் பட்டணத்தில் கிடைக்குமா இந்த மாதிரி
வட்ட வட்ட கொண்டையிட்ட சிட்டுக்குருவி உன்
பட்டணத்தில் கிடைக்குமா இந்த மாதிரி
கட்டழகும் பொட்டழகும் கொண்ட காவிரி நீ
கண்ணியமா வாழணும்னா என்னைக் காதலி
A little sparrow adorned with a round hair bun,
Will you find someone like this in your city?
A little sparrow adorned with a round hair bun,
Will you find someone like this in your city?
You are like the Kaveri river possessing structural beauty and cosmetic charm;
If you want to live honorably, love me.
ஹாஹ் காத்திருந்தேன் மாமா கைவிடலாமா
கண் நிறைந்த பொண்ணுக் கிட்டே
பொய் சொல்லலாமா
காத்திருந்தேன் மாமா கை விடலாமா.....
Haah, I waited, uncle, can you abandon me?
To the girl who fills your eyes,
Can you tell a lie?
I waited, uncle, can you abandon me...
சின்னாளப்பட்டி தந்த சேலையைக் கட்டி
தினம் சிவக்கிற கால்களிலே தண்டையைக் கட்டி
சின்னாளப்பட்டி தந்த சேலையைக் கட்டி
தினம் சிவக்கிற கால்களிலே தண்டையைக் கட்டி
பொன்னான மஞ்சளுக்கு ஆடுது குட்டி
பொன்னான மஞ்சளுக்கு ஆடுது குட்டி
இதை புரிஞ்சு ரசிக்கணும் நீ கைகளைத் தட்டி
Draped in a saree crafted in Chinnalapatti,
Wearing anklets on feet that grow red each day,
Draped in a saree crafted in Chinnalapatti,
Wearing anklets on feet that grow red each day,
The young girl sways, covered in golden turmeric,
The young girl sways, covered in golden turmeric,
You should understand and enjoy this by clapping your hands.
வெட்கத்தை விட்டு விட்டு சிரிச்சு வச்சேன்
என் விவரத்த முன்னால தெளிச்சு வச்சேன்
வெட்கத்தை விட்டு விட்டு சிரிச்சு வச்சேன்
என் விவரத்த முன்னால தெளிச்சு வச்சேன்
என்னதான் வேண்டும் என்று சொல்லி விடலாம்
என்னதான் வேண்டும் என்று சொல்லி விடலாம்
இல்லை இஷ்டமில்ல என்றாலும் தள்ளி விடலாம்
Casting aside my bashfulness, I smiled,
I laid out my feelings clearly before you.
Casting aside my bashfulness, I smiled,
I laid out my feelings clearly before you.
You could just tell me what it is that you want,
You could just tell me what it is that you want,
Or if you do not like me, you could just push me away.
காத்திருந்தேன் மாமா கைவிடலாமா
காத்திருந்தேன் மாமா கைவிடலாமா
கண் நிறைந்த பொண்ணுக் கிட்டே
பொய் சொல்லலாமா
காத்திருந்தேன் மாமா கை விடலாமா.....
I waited, uncle, can you abandon me?
I waited, uncle, can you abandon me?
To a girl who fills your eyes and heart,
Can you tell a lie?
I waited, uncle, can you abandon me...
Kaalai kulithezhnthu karunjaanthu pottumittu
Waking up in the morning, bathing, and adorning a dark bindi,
Kaarkkoondhal pnnalittu
Braiding my dark, thick hair,
Kaaththirunthaen un varavai
I waited for your arrival,
Kadai kannaal paaththirunthaen
I kept looking for you out of the corner of my eye.
Kaaththirunthaen mama kaividalaamaa
I waited, uncle/beloved, can you abandon me?
Kann niraintha ponnukkitta
To a girl who fills your eyes and heart completely,
Poi sollalaama
Can you tell a lie?
Kaaththirunthaen mama kai vidalaamaa
I waited, uncle/beloved, can you abandon me?
Vatta vatta kondaiyitta chittakkuruvi
A little sparrow adorned with a round hair bun,
Un pattanaththil kidaikkumaa intha maathiri
Will you find someone like this in your city?
Vatta vatta kondaiyitta chittakkuruvi
A little sparrow adorned with a round hair bun,
Un pattanaththil kidaikkumaa intha maathiri
Will you find someone like this in your city?
Kattazhagum pottazhagum konta kaviri nee
You are like the Kaveri river possessing structural beauty and cosmetic charm;
Kanniyamaa vaazhanumnaa ennai kadhali
If you want to live honorably, love me.
Haah kaaththirunthen mama kaividalaamaa
Haah, I waited, uncle, can you abandon me?
Kann niraintha ponnukkittae
To the girl who fills your eyes,
Poi sollalaama
Can you tell a lie?
Kaaththirunthaen mama kai vidalaama…
I waited, uncle, can you abandon me...
Chinnaalappatti thantha selaiyai katti
Draped in a saree crafted in Chinnalapatti,
Dhinam sivakkira kaalkalilae thandaiyai katti
Wearing anklets on feet that grow red each day,
Chinnaalappatti thantha selaiyai katti
Draped in a saree crafted in Chinnalapatti,
Dhinam sivakkira kaalkalilae thandaiyai katti
Wearing anklets on feet that grow red each day,
Ponnaana manjalukku aaduthu kutty
The young girl sways, covered in golden turmeric,
Ponnaana manjalukku aaduthu kutty
The young girl sways, covered in golden turmeric,
Idhai purinju rasikkanum nee kaikalai thatti
You should understand and enjoy this by clapping your hands.
Vetkaththai vittu vittu sirichchu vatchaen
Casting aside my bashfulness, I smiled,
En vivaraththa munnaala thelichchu vatchchen
I laid out my feelings clearly before you.
Vetkaththai vittu vittu sirichchu vatchaen
Casting aside my bashfulness, I smiled,
En vivaraththa munnaala thelichchu vatchchen
I laid out my feelings clearly before you.
Ennathaan vendum endru solli vidalaam
You could just tell me what it is that you want,
Ennathaan vendum endru solli vidalaam
You could just tell me what it is that you want,
Illai ishtamilla endraalum thalli vidalaam
Or if you do not like me, you could just push me away.
Kaaththirunthaen mama kaividalaamaa
I waited, uncle, can you abandon me?
Kaaththirunthaen mama kaividalaamaa
I waited, uncle, can you abandon me?
Kann niraintha ponnukkitta
To a girl who fills your eyes and heart,
Poi sollalaama
Can you tell a lie?
Kaaththirunthaen mama kai vidalaamaa….
I waited, uncle, can you abandon me...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This romantic Tamil folk song from 'Avasara Kalyanam' (1972) captures the playfully affectionate longing of a young rural woman for her suitor (addressed as 'mama'). She describes her meticulous morning routine—decorating her hair, applying turmeric, and wearing a traditional Chinnalapatti saree—while eagerly waiting for his arrival. With charm and wit, she asks whether a city girl could ever match her beauty, playfully demanding that he speak his heart clearly rather than leaving her waiting.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Kaalai kulithezhnthu karunjaanthu pottumittu”
Repetition of the 'Ka' sound at the beginning of words ('Kaalai', 'karunjaanthu').
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Vatta vatta kondaiyitta chittakkuruvi”
The lyricist compares the heroine to a lively little sparrow ('chittakkuruvi') wearing a round bun.
Iyaibu (End Rhyme)
“Chinnaalappatti thantha selaiyai katti / Dhinam sivakkira kaalkalilae thandaiyai katti”
Rhyming ending words ('katti') used across consecutive lines to create a rhythmic folk cadence.
Anaphora (Repetition)
“Kaaththirunthaen mama kaividalaamaa”
The repetition of the core refrain 'Kaaththirunthaen mama' emphasizes her persistent wait and romantic plea.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Avasara Kalyanam' (1972) features music composed by T. R. Pappa with lyrics by legendary poet Kannadasan. Singer L. R. Eswari's high-energy vocal style gives the track its distinctive folk appeal, highlighting traditional Tamil cultural references like Chinnalapatti sarees, thandai (anklets), and turmeric.
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