Kathum Kadal
From Kattumarakaran · 1995
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Kathum kadal ullae | Inside the roaring sea, |
| Oru mutheduthu vandhen | I came bringing a pearl. |
| Muthum oru sithiramaai | And I saw that pearl standing before me, |
| Mun irukka kanden | As a beautiful portrait. |
| Male | |
| Achacho athi poo pennaanadho | Oh my, did the rare fig flower turn into a woman? |
| Ammammoi alli poo kannaanadho | Oh dear, did the lily flower turn into her eyes? |
| Micha poo ovvondrum ennaanadho | What has happened to each of the remaining flowers? |
| Mothathil kanni poo endraanadho | In total, did she become a maiden flower? |
| Male | |
| Kathum kadal ullae | Inside the roaring sea, |
| Oru mutheduthu vandhen | I came bringing a pearl. |
| Muthum oru sithiramaai | And I saw that pearl standing before me, |
| Mun irukka kanden | As a beautiful portrait. |
| Female | |
| Aan magan yaaro | Who is this young man? |
| Andhi ilam maalai | In the early dusk of evening, |
| Aal kadal neer mel | Over the deep sea waters, |
| Aadi varum vaelai | At the time he comes sailing, |
| Meen valai veesa | As he casts his fishing net, |
| Mella adhan meedhu | Gently upon it, |
| Naan vizhundheno ennai ariyaadhu | Did I fall without my own knowledge? |
| Female | |
| Engaeyo paadhai maari | Losing my way somewhere, |
| Ingae un vaasal thaedi | Searching for your doorstep here, |
| Vandhenae vaadum kodhai naan | I came, a wilting maiden that I am. |
| Ennendru naanum solla | How can I even express, |
| En ullam thullum mella | My heart leaps gently, |
| Ingae naan vaazhum naatkalil thaan | Only during the days I live here. |
| Nenjellaam yedho alai paayum naalo | Is this a day when waves surge in my heart? |
| Ammaadi inbam enna kanden ingae naan | Oh my, what joy I have witnessed here! |
| Male | |
| Kathum kadal ullae | Inside the roaring sea, |
| Oru mutheduthu vandhen | I came bringing a pearl. |
| Muthum oru sithiramaai | And I saw that pearl standing before me, |
| Mun irukka kanden | As a beautiful portrait. |
| Male | |
| Achacho athi poo pennaanadho | Oh my, did the rare fig flower turn into a woman? |
| Ammammoi alli poo kannaanadho | Oh dear, did the lily flower turn into her eyes? |
| Male | |
| Kathum kadal ullae | Inside the roaring sea, |
| Oru mutheduthu vandhen | I came bringing a pearl. |
| Muthum oru sithiramaai | And I saw that pearl standing before me, |
| Mun irukka kanden | As a beautiful portrait. |
| Male | |
| Ahahaaha ahahaaha | Ahahaaha ahahaaha |
| Female :Ahahaaha ahahaaha | Female: Ahahaaha ahahaaha |
| Male | |
| Meen vizha naanum | As I set out to catch fish, |
| Kanni valai veesa | Casting a net as a young man, |
| Maan vizha paarthen | I saw eyes like a deer, |
| Kan irandum koosa | Making both my eyes dazzle. |
| Poo nagai maadhu | A lady with a flower-like smile, |
| Pongum kadal melae | Upon the surging sea, |
| Maenagai polae mella ezhundhaalae | Rose up gently like the celestial nymph Menaka. |
| Male | |
| Ellaam en yogam enbaen | I would say it is all my good fortune, |
| Ponnaana neram enbaen | I would call it a golden time, |
| Sirppathai veettil serthaen naan | I brought this sculpted beauty into my house. |
| Yaarukku sondham endru | To whom she belongs, |
| Yaar solla koodum indru | Who can say today? |
| Endraalum kaaval kaappavan naan | Even so, I am the one who will guard her. |
| Kanneer illaamal karai serppen naanum | I will bring her safely to shore without tears, |
| Ennodu thangum podhu thunbam yedhammaa | When she stays with me, where is the room for sorrow? |
| Male | |
| Kathum kadal ullae | Inside the roaring sea, |
| Oru mutheduthu vandhen | I came bringing a pearl. |
| Muthum oru sithiramaai | And I saw that pearl standing before me, |
| Mun irukka kanden | As a beautiful portrait. |
| Male | |
| Achacho athi poo pennaanadho | Oh my, did the rare fig flower turn into a woman? |
| Ammammoi alli poo kannaanadho | Oh dear, did the lily flower turn into her eyes? |
| Micha poo ovvondrum ennaanadho | What has happened to each of the remaining flowers? |
| Mothathil kanni poo endraanadho | In total, did she become a maiden flower? |
கத்தும் கடல் உள்ளே
ஒரு முத்தெடுத்து வந்தேன்
முத்தும் ஒரு சித்திரமாய்
முன்னிருக்க கண்டேன்
Inside the roaring sea,
I came bringing a pearl.
And I saw that pearl standing before me,
As a beautiful portrait.
நீலே நீலே சாகரிஸிநி லாஹே
ஹீத்து மோத்தி
ஜாம்மனு ஜாகே தேக தோகோ
கீ பரி பஹ்ல்லி காத்தி
Oh my, did the rare fig flower turn into a woman?
Oh dear, did the lily flower turn into her eyes?
What has happened to each of the remaining flowers?
In total, did she become a maiden flower?
நீலே நீலே சந்திரலோவோ
சுவாதி நுட்சம் கண்ணா
நுத்தியம் சாஸ்தா மதுவை போத்தே
சித்திரம் காஸ்து துன்னா
Inside the roaring sea,
I came bringing a pearl.
And I saw that pearl standing before me,
As a beautiful portrait.
ஆழ ஆழ ஆழி எனிகொரு
முத்து தன்னோ
முத்து மணி சித்திர வர்ண
பெண் மணி ஆகி நின்னோ
Who is this young man?
In the early dusk of evening,
Over the deep sea waters,
At the time he comes sailing,
As he casts his fishing net,
Gently upon it,
Did I fall without my own knowledge?
கத்தும் கடல் உள்ளே
ஒரு முத்தெடுத்து வந்தேன்
முத்தும் ஒரு சித்திரமாய்
முன்னிருக்க கண்டேன்
Losing my way somewhere,
Searching for your doorstep here,
I came, a wilting maiden that I am.
How can I even express,
My heart leaps gently,
Only during the days I live here.
Is this a day when waves surge in my heart?
Oh my, what joy I have witnessed here!
அச்சச்சோ அத்திப்பூ
பெண்ணானதோ
அம்மமோய் அல்லிப்பூ
கண்ணானதோ
Inside the roaring sea,
I came bringing a pearl.
And I saw that pearl standing before me,
As a beautiful portrait.
மிச்சப்பூ ஒவ்வொன்றும்
என்னானதோ
மொத்தத்தில் கன்னிப்பூ
என்றானதோ
Oh my, did the rare fig flower turn into a woman?
Oh dear, did the lily flower turn into her eyes?
கத்தும் கடல் உள்ளே
ஒரு முத்தெடுத்து வந்தேன்
முத்தும் ஒரு சித்திரமாய்
முன்னிருக்க கண்டேன்
Inside the roaring sea,
I came bringing a pearl.
And I saw that pearl standing before me,
As a beautiful portrait.
ஆண்மகன் யாரோ
அந்தி இளமாலை
ஆழ்க்கடல் நீர் மேல்
ஆடி வரும் வேளை
Ahahaaha ahahaaha
Female: Ahahaaha ahahaaha
மீன் வலை வீச
மெல்ல அதன் மீது
நான் விழுந்தேனோ
என்னை அறியாது
As I set out to catch fish,
Casting a net as a young man,
I saw eyes like a deer,
Making both my eyes dazzle.
A lady with a flower-like smile,
Upon the surging sea,
Rose up gently like the celestial nymph Menaka.
எங்கேயோ பாதை மாறி
இங்கே உன் வாசல் தேடி
வந்தேனே வாடும் தோகை நான்
I would say it is all my good fortune,
I would call it a golden time,
I brought this sculpted beauty into my house.
To whom she belongs,
Who can say today?
Even so, I am the one who will guard her.
I will bring her safely to shore without tears,
When she stays with me, where is the room for sorrow?
என்னென்று நானும் சொல்ல
என் உள்ளம் துள்ளும் மெல்ல
இங்கே நான் வாழும் நாட்களில்தான்
Inside the roaring sea,
I came bringing a pearl.
And I saw that pearl standing before me,
As a beautiful portrait.
நெஞ்செல்லாம் ஏதோ
அலைபாயும் நாளோ
அம்மாடி இன்பம் என்ன கண்டேன்
இங்கே நான்
Oh my, did the rare fig flower turn into a woman?
Oh dear, did the lily flower turn into her eyes?
What has happened to each of the remaining flowers?
In total, did she become a maiden flower?
கத்தும் கடல் உள்ளே
ஒரு முத்தெடுத்து வந்தேன்
முத்தும் ஒரு சித்திரமாய்
முன்னிருக்க கண்டேன்
அச்சச்சோ அத்திப்பூ
பெண்ணானதோ
அம்மமோய் அல்லிப்பூ
கண்ணானதோ
கத்தும் கடல் உள்ளே
ஒரு முத்தெடுத்து வந்தேன்
முத்தும் ஒரு சித்திரமாய்
முன்னிருக்க கண்டேன்
அஹ ஹ ஹா அஹ ஹ ஹா
அஹ ஹ ஹா அஹ ஹ ஹா
குழு :
அஹ ஹ ஹா அஹ ஹஹா
ஆஹா ஹா
ஆஹா ஹா
குழு :
ஆஹா ஹா ஆஹா ஹா
ஆஹா ஹா
ஆஹா ஹா
குழு :
ஆஹா ஹா ஆஹா ஹா
மீன் விழ நானும்
கன்னி வலை வீச
மான் விழப் பார்த்தேன்
கண்ணிரெண்டும் கூச
பூ நகை மாது
பொங்கும் கடல் மேலே
மேனகை போலே
மெல்ல எழுந்தாளே
எல்லாம் என் யோகம் என்பேன்
பொன்னான நேரம் என்பேன்
சிற்பத்தை வீட்டில் சேர்ப்பேன் நான்
யாருக்கு சொந்தம் என்று
யார் சொல்லக் கூடும் இன்று
என்றாலும் காவல் காப்பவன் நான்
கண்ணீரில்லாமல்
கரை சேர்ப்பேன் நானும்
என்னோடு தங்கும்போது
துன்பம் ஏதம்மா
கத்தும் கடல் உள்ளே
ஒரு முத்தெடுத்து வந்தேன்
முத்தும் ஒரு சித்திரமாய்
முன்னிருக்க கண்டேன்
அச்சச்சோ அத்திப்பூ
பெண்ணானதோ
அம்மமோய் அல்லிப்பூ
கண்ணானதோ
மிச்சப்பூ ஒவ்வொன்றும்
என்னானதோ
மொத்தத்தில் கன்னிப்பூ
என்றானதோ
{ஆஅ....ஆஆ......ஆஆ.....ஆஅ....
ஆஅ....ஆஆ......ஆஆ.....ஆஅ....
ஆஅ....ஆஆ......ஆஆ.....ஆஅ....
ஆஅ....ஆஆ......ஆஆ.....ஆஅ...} (2)
Kathum kadal ullae
Inside the roaring sea,
Oru mutheduthu vandhen
I came bringing a pearl.
Muthum oru sithiramaai
And I saw that pearl standing before me,
Mun irukka kanden
As a beautiful portrait.
Achacho athi poo pennaanadho
Oh my, did the rare fig flower turn into a woman?
Ammammoi alli poo kannaanadho
Oh dear, did the lily flower turn into her eyes?
Micha poo ovvondrum ennaanadho
What has happened to each of the remaining flowers?
Mothathil kanni poo endraanadho
In total, did she become a maiden flower?
Kathum kadal ullae
Inside the roaring sea,
Oru mutheduthu vandhen
I came bringing a pearl.
Muthum oru sithiramaai
And I saw that pearl standing before me,
Mun irukka kanden
As a beautiful portrait.
Aan magan yaaro
Who is this young man?
Andhi ilam maalai
In the early dusk of evening,
Aal kadal neer mel
Over the deep sea waters,
Aadi varum vaelai
At the time he comes sailing,
Meen valai veesa
As he casts his fishing net,
Mella adhan meedhu
Gently upon it,
Naan vizhundheno ennai ariyaadhu
Did I fall without my own knowledge?
Engaeyo paadhai maari
Losing my way somewhere,
Ingae un vaasal thaedi
Searching for your doorstep here,
Vandhenae vaadum kodhai naan
I came, a wilting maiden that I am.
Ennendru naanum solla
How can I even express,
En ullam thullum mella
My heart leaps gently,
Ingae naan vaazhum naatkalil thaan
Only during the days I live here.
Nenjellaam yedho alai paayum naalo
Is this a day when waves surge in my heart?
Ammaadi inbam enna kanden ingae naan
Oh my, what joy I have witnessed here!
Kathum kadal ullae
Inside the roaring sea,
Oru mutheduthu vandhen
I came bringing a pearl.
Muthum oru sithiramaai
And I saw that pearl standing before me,
Mun irukka kanden
As a beautiful portrait.
Achacho athi poo pennaanadho
Oh my, did the rare fig flower turn into a woman?
Ammammoi alli poo kannaanadho
Oh dear, did the lily flower turn into her eyes?
Kathum kadal ullae
Inside the roaring sea,
Oru mutheduthu vandhen
I came bringing a pearl.
Muthum oru sithiramaai
And I saw that pearl standing before me,
Mun irukka kanden
As a beautiful portrait.
Ahahaaha ahahaaha
Ahahaaha ahahaaha
Female :Ahahaaha ahahaaha
Female: Ahahaaha ahahaaha
Meen vizha naanum
As I set out to catch fish,
Kanni valai veesa
Casting a net as a young man,
Maan vizha paarthen
I saw eyes like a deer,
Kan irandum koosa
Making both my eyes dazzle.
Poo nagai maadhu
A lady with a flower-like smile,
Pongum kadal melae
Upon the surging sea,
Maenagai polae mella ezhundhaalae
Rose up gently like the celestial nymph Menaka.
Ellaam en yogam enbaen
I would say it is all my good fortune,
Ponnaana neram enbaen
I would call it a golden time,
Sirppathai veettil serthaen naan
I brought this sculpted beauty into my house.
Yaarukku sondham endru
To whom she belongs,
Yaar solla koodum indru
Who can say today?
Endraalum kaaval kaappavan naan
Even so, I am the one who will guard her.
Kanneer illaamal karai serppen naanum
I will bring her safely to shore without tears,
Ennodu thangum podhu thunbam yedhammaa
When she stays with me, where is the room for sorrow?
Kathum kadal ullae
Inside the roaring sea,
Oru mutheduthu vandhen
I came bringing a pearl.
Muthum oru sithiramaai
And I saw that pearl standing before me,
Mun irukka kanden
As a beautiful portrait.
Achacho athi poo pennaanadho
Oh my, did the rare fig flower turn into a woman?
Ammammoi alli poo kannaanadho
Oh dear, did the lily flower turn into her eyes?
Micha poo ovvondrum ennaanadho
What has happened to each of the remaining flowers?
Mothathil kanni poo endraanadho
In total, did she become a maiden flower?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song from 'Kattumarakaran' captures a romantic duet set against the backdrop of the sea. The male protagonist, a fisherman, poetically describes discovering a woman as if diving into the deep ocean and retrieving a precious pearl that came to life. He expresses his awe at her divine beauty, comparing her to mythical apsaras like Menaka and comparing her eyes and form to exquisite flowers. The female protagonist responds by sharing how she accidentally strayed onto his path during a quiet evening at sea, falling into his life like a fish caught in a net, and feeling immense relief and joy in his presence. Together, they celebrate this unexpected encounter, with the fisherman vowing to protect her and bring her to safety without tears.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Uvamaani / Metaphor & Simile
“Muthum oru sithiramaai”
The lyrics metaphorically compare the heroine to a pearl retrieved from the sea ('mutheduthu vandhen') and an exquisite portrait ('sithiramaai'), as well as comparing her arrival to Menaka rising from the ocean ('Maenagai polae mella ezhundhaalae').
Monaai (Alliteration)
“Meen vizha naanum / Maan vizha paarthen”
Initial consonant matching in Tamil poetry, seen in 'Meen vizha' and 'Maan vizha'.
Edhukai (Rhyme)
“Kathum kadal ullae / Muthum oru sithiramaai”
Second letter matching across lines, such as 'Kathum' and 'Muthum', or 'Aan' and 'Aal'.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Kattumarakaran' (1995) is a Tamil action drama film starring Prabhu and Gautami. The music was composed by Deva, and the song features lyricist Vaali's classic sea-based romantic metaphors blending coastal life with classical Tamil poetic imagery.
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