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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kathirunthen Mama

From Avasara Kalyanam · 1972

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
L. R. Eswari
Music director
T. R. Pappa
Movie name
Avasara Kalyanam
Movie release year
1972
Lyrics added on
2 May 2023

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kaalai kulithezhnthu karunjaanthu pottumittu
Kaarkkoondhal pnnalittu
Kaaththirunthaen un varavai
Kadai kannaal paaththirunthaen
Kaaththirunthaen mama kaividalaamaa
Kann niraintha ponnukkitta
Poi sollalaama
Kaaththirunthaen mama kai vidalaamaa
Vatta vatta kondaiyitta chittakkuruvi
Un pattanaththil kidaikkumaa intha maathiri
Vatta vatta kondaiyitta chittakkuruvi
Un pattanaththil kidaikkumaa intha maathiri
Kattazhagum pottazhagum konta kaviri nee
Kanniyamaa vaazhanumnaa ennai kadhali
Haah kaaththirunthen mama kaividalaamaa
Kann niraintha ponnukkittae
Poi sollalaama
Kaaththirunthaen mama kai vidalaama…
Chinnaalappatti thantha selaiyai katti
Dhinam sivakkira kaalkalilae thandaiyai katti
Chinnaalappatti thantha selaiyai katti
Dhinam sivakkira kaalkalilae thandaiyai katti
Ponnaana manjalukku aaduthu kutty
Ponnaana manjalukku aaduthu kutty
Idhai purinju rasikkanum nee kaikalai thatti
Vetkaththai vittu vittu sirichchu vatchaen
En vivaraththa munnaala thelichchu vatchchen
Vetkaththai vittu vittu sirichchu vatchaen
En vivaraththa munnaala thelichchu vatchchen
Ennathaan vendum endru solli vidalaam
Ennathaan vendum endru solli vidalaam
Illai ishtamilla endraalum thalli vidalaam
Kaaththirunthaen mama kaividalaamaa
Kaaththirunthaen mama kaividalaamaa
Kann niraintha ponnukkitta
Poi sollalaama
Kaaththirunthaen mama kai vidalaamaa….
Taking a morning bath and putting on a black bindi,
Braiding my thick dark hair,
I was waiting for your arrival,
Watching for you from the corner of my eye...
I was waiting for you, mama, can you abandon me?
To a girl who fills your eyes,
Can you tell a lie?
I was waiting for you, mama, can you abandon me...?
A lively little sparrow with hair in a round bun,
Can you find anyone like this in your city?
A lively little sparrow with hair in a round bun,
Can you find anyone like this in your city?
Shapely and adorned with a bindi like the river Cauvery,
If you want a good and honorable life, just love me!
Ah, I was waiting for you, mama, can you abandon me?
To a girl who fills your eyes,
Can you tell a lie?
I was waiting for you, mama, can you abandon me...?
Draping a sari woven in Chinnalapatti,
Wearing anklets on my rosy feet,
Draping a sari woven in Chinnalapatti,
Wearing anklets on my rosy feet,
This young girl dances with a golden turmeric glow,
This young girl dances with a golden turmeric glow,
You should understand and enjoy this, clapping your hands!
Letting go of my shyness, I gave you a smile,
I laid out everything about myself right before you,
Letting go of my shyness, I gave you a smile,
I laid out everything about myself right before you,
You can simply tell me what you want,
You can simply tell me what you want,
Or if you have no interest, you can cast it aside!
I was waiting for you, mama, can you abandon me?
I was waiting for you, mama, can you abandon me?
To a girl who fills your eyes,
Can you tell a lie?
I was waiting for you, mama, can you abandon me...?
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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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