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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Katta Nalla Nattu Katta

From Puthir · 1986

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singer
Malaysia Vasudevan
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Puthir1986

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Katta nalla naattu katta en kitta nee maattikittaYou robust country-bred girl, you got trapped with me!
Panthayaththa pottu vanthu venthu vendaathatha vaangikittaYou came to place a bet and ended up getting burnt with unwanted trouble!
Panaththula paapparadi naan panthaiyaththil superadiI am a king in wealth and superior in wagers!
Gunaththula ramanadi unna kondu pogum mamanadiIn character I am like Rama, the uncle who will carry you away!
Sellaathu jambam en kitta aaththaaYour arrogance will not work with me, woman!
Male
Katta nalla naattu katta en kitta nee maattikittaYou robust country-bred girl, you got trapped with me!
Panthayaththa pottu vanthu venthu vendaathatha vaangikittaYou came to place a bet and ended up getting burnt with unwanted trouble!
Male
Rosham thvesham edhukkadi ponnukkuWhy such rage and hatred for a woman?
Paasam nesam therinjukkanumYou must learn love and affection!
Rosham thvesham edhukkadi ponnukkuWhy such rage and hatred for a woman?
Paasam nesam therinjukkanumYou must learn love and affection!
Male
Inbathkku aasaipatu maththavarkku thunbam thanthaaIf you desire joy by inflicting misery on others,
Kashtappatta yaezhai vidum saabam palikkumThe curse uttered by suffering poor folk will come true!
Inbathkku aasaipatu maththavarkku thunbam thanthaaIf you desire joy by inflicting misery on others,
Kashtappatta yaezhai vidum saabam palikkumThe curse uttered by suffering poor folk will come true!
Nalla puththi kaththukkadi aaththaaLearn good sense and wisdom, woman!
Male
Katta nalla naattu katta en kitta nee maattikittaYou robust country-bred girl, you got trapped with me!
Panthayaththa pottu vanthu venthu vendaathatha vaangikittaYou came to place a bet and ended up getting burnt with unwanted trouble!
Panaththula paapparadi naan panthaiyaththil superadiI am a king in wealth and superior in wagers!
Gunaththula ramanadi unna kondu pogum mamanadiIn character I am like Rama, the uncle who will carry you away!
Sellaathu jambam en kitta aaththaaYour arrogance will not work with me, woman!
Male
Ponnaa porranthaa adhu mattum podhumaaIs it enough to just be born a woman?
Poruma peruma marakkanumaaShould you forget patience and dignity?
Adi ponnaa poranthaa adhu mattum podhumaaHey, is it enough to just be born a woman?
Poruma peruma marakkanumaaShould you forget patience and dignity?
Male
Ponnaana maeni vechchaanGod gave you a golden body,
Mandaikkulla saani vachchaanBut filled your head with cow dung!
Peyaattam aadugira pachchai kiliyaeOh green parrot dancing like a possessed spirit!
Ponnaana maeni vechchaanGod gave you a golden body,
Mandaikkulla saani vachchaanBut filled your head with cow dung!
Peyaattam aadugira pachchai kiliyaeOh green parrot dancing like a possessed spirit!
Ponna pola vaazha venum aaththaaYou ought to live like pure gold, woman!
Male
Katta nalla naattu katta en kitta nee maattikittaYou robust country-bred girl, you got trapped with me!
Panthayaththa pottu vanthu venthu vendaathatha vaangikittaYou came to place a bet and ended up getting burnt with unwanted trouble!
Panaththula paapparadi naan panthaiyaththil superadiI am a king in wealth and superior in wagers!
Gunaththula ramanadi unna kondu pogum mamanadiIn character I am like Rama, the uncle who will carry you away!
Sellaathu jambam en kitta aaththaa…..Your arrogance will not work with me, woman!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Katta Nalla Naattu Katta' from the 1986 Tamil film 'Puthir' is a playful yet moralizing duet/teasing track. The male protagonist mockingly reprimands an arrogant woman who challenged him to a wager and lost. He lectures her on humility, moral conduct, and respect for others, warning her that causing grief to others brings curses upon oneself.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Emonai (Second-letter Rhyming)

Katta nalla naattu katta / Panthayaththa pottu vanthu

Matching second consonants across consecutive lines, such as 'Katta' and 'Panthayaththa', or 'Panaththula' and 'Gunaththula'.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Panaththula paapparadi naan panthaiyaththil superadi / Gunaththula ramanadi unna kondu pogum mamanadi

Rhyming ends of phrases like 'maattikitta' and 'vaangikitta', as well as 'superadi' and 'mamanadi'.

Metaphor (Uvamai / Uruvagambar)

Ponnaana maeni vechchaan / Mandaikkulla saani vachchaan

Comparing the female lead's beauty to a golden body ('Ponnaana maeni') and a green parrot ('pachchai kiliyae'), contrasted sharply with hyperbole ('mandaikkulla saani').

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is composed by maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Gangai Amaran, sung in the energetic, colloquial folk style characteristic of singer Malaysia Vasudevan.

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