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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Katta Pulla Kutta Pulla

From Bairavi · 1978

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
S. Janaki, T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Bairavi1978

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Katta pulla kutta pullaShort girl, tiny girl
Karughu mani potta pullaGirl wearing black beads
Kannam kuzhi vizhundha sellammaaBeloved girl with dimples on cheeks
Nalla kaariyamaa vandhirukken nillammaaI have come for a good cause, stop and listen dear
Male
Katta pulla kutta pullaShort girl, tiny girl
Karughu mani potta pullaGirl wearing black beads
Kannam kuzhi vizhundha sellammaaBeloved girl with dimples on cheeks
Nalla kaariyamaa vandhirukken nillammaaI have come for a good cause, stop and listen dear
Female
Sokkaali raasaa kannuOh handsome king, look here
Sokkudhadaa sorgam vandhuHeaven seems to descend, mesmerizing me
Mookku vaali potta machaanMy handsome man wearing a nose ring accessory
Mundhaanaiyil kaiya vachaanTouched the end of my saree pallu
Velanja kaattoram vaeli onnuThere is a fence along the fertile farm field
IrukkudhaiyaaYes, there is, sir
Athu meeri ullae vandhuCrossing that fence and coming inside
Aalavattam podaadhaiyaaDo not try to show off authority or wander around
Male
Katta pulla kutta pullaShort girl, tiny girl
Karughu mani potta pullaGirl wearing black beads
Kannam kuzhi vizhundha sellammaaBeloved girl with dimples on cheeks
Nalla kaariyamaa vandhirukken nillammaaI have come for a good cause, stop and listen dear
Male
Vaadippatti sandhaiyilaIn the market at Vadipatti
Vaangi vandha ravukkaiyadiThis is the blouse I bought for you
Thaedi naanum eduthu vandhenI searched and brought it specifically
Thaen kuyilae pottukkaadiWear it, my sweet cuckoo bird
Male
Vaadippatti sandhaiyilaIn the market at Vadipatti
Vaangi vandha ravukkaiyadiThis is the blouse I bought for you
Thaedi naanum eduthu vandhenI searched and brought it specifically
Thaen kuyilae pottukkaadiWear it, my sweet cuckoo bird
Female
Mhuhum naan maattenMm-hmm, no I will not
Yaaraachum paappaagaSomeone might see us
Thaali kattu kittae vandhaaIf you come near to tie the sacred thread of marriage
Yaaru namma keppaagaWho would question or stop us then?
Male
Katta pulla kutta pullaShort girl, tiny girl
Karughu mani potta pullaGirl wearing black beads
Kannam kuzhi vizhundha sellammaaBeloved girl with dimples on cheeks
Nalla kaariyamaa vandhirukken nillammaaI have come for a good cause, stop and listen dear
Female
Kanni ponnu vekkatthilaeThe young maiden in her shyness
Karutha machaan pakkathilaeNear her dark-complexioned beloved
Ennanamo solli puttaanHe said all sorts of romantic things
En manasa keduthu puttaanHe stole and ruined my heart's peace
Female
Kanni ponnu vekkatthilaeThe young maiden in her shyness
Karutha machaan pakkathilaeNear her dark-complexioned beloved
Ennanamo solli puttaanHe said all sorts of romantic things
En manasa keduthu puttaanHe stole and ruined my heart's peace
Male
Kaadhoram kondakkaariGirl with hair bun near her ears
Katharippoo saelakkaariGirl wearing a brinjal-flower shade saree
Kattazhagu pottukkaariHandsome girl wearing a bindi
Kai kalappil gettikkaatiShowing off her smartness in physical closeness
Female
Getti pulla chutti pullaSmart girl, playful girl
Kirukku thanam seiyum pullaGirl acting crazy and silly
Aalaana ponnu thalli nillungaA grown-up maiden, please keep your distance
Ungha aathirathaYour eager desires
Mootta katti kollungaBundle them up and put them away
Male
Sengarumbu thottathilaeIn the red sugarcane farm
Sitherumbu suthudhadiTiny ants are crawling around
Thangamae onna paathuOh precious gold, looking at you
Thavikkudhadi em manasuMy heart is yearning restless
Male
Sengarumbu thottathilaeIn the red sugarcane farm
Sitherumbu suthudhadiTiny ants are crawling around
Thangamae onna paathuOh precious gold, looking at you
Thavikkudhadi em manasuMy heart is yearning restless
Female
Maanthoppu orathilaeAt the edge of the mango grove
Mallu katta vandha machaanMy man came to grapple playfully
Getti maelam kottum varaUntil the wedding drums beat
Etti ninnu pesidungaStand at a distance and talk
Male
Katta pulla kutta pullaShort girl, tiny girl
Karughu mani potta pullaGirl wearing black beads
Kannam kuzhi vizhundha sellammaaBeloved girl with dimples on cheeks
Nalla kaariyamaa vandhirukken nillammaaI have come for a good cause, stop and listen dear
Nalla kaariyamaa vandhirukken nillammaaI have come for a good cause, stop and listen dear

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a lively folk-style romantic duet between two lovers engaging in playful banter. The male lover woos the heroine with affectionate nicknames, complimenting her appearance, and bringing her gifts like a blouse bought from Vadipatti market. He expresses his intense longing and affection, urging her to accept his romantic advances.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Alliteration)

Katta pulla kutta pulla / Karughu mani potta pulla

Repetition of the initial consonant 'K' in lines 1 and 2 creates rhythmic flow.

Edhugai (Rhyme)

Kannam kuzhi vizhundha sellammaa / Nalla kaariyamaa vandhirukken nillammaa

Rhyming of the second letter 'n' in adjacent lines.

Uvamai (Metaphor)

Thaen kuyilae pottukkaadi

Comparing the girl's voice and sweetness to a honey cuckoo bird.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Bairavi' (1978) marked Rajinikanth's debut as a solo lead hero, earns him the title 'Superstar' bestowed by distributor Kalaipuli S. Thanu. The music was composed by Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Kannadasan.

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