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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kattana Kattalagazhu

From Kudumba Thalaivan · 1962

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
P. Susheela, T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Kudumba Thalaivan1962

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kattaana kattazhagu kannaaOh handsome, well-built beloved Krishna!
Unnai kaanaadha pennum oru pennaa…Is a woman who hasn't seen you even a real woman?
Kattaana kattazhagu kannaaOh handsome, well-built beloved Krishna!
Unnai kaanaadha pennum oru pennaa…Is a woman who hasn't seen you even a real woman?
Male
Pattaadai katti vandha mainaaOh Myna bird who came draped in silk attire!
Unnai paarkkaadha kannum oru kannaa…Is an eye that hasn't seen you even a real eye?
Pattaadai katti vandha mainaaOh Myna bird who came draped in silk attire!
Unnai paarkkaadha kannum oru kannaa…Is an eye that hasn't seen you even a real eye?
Pattaadai katti vandha mainaaOh Myna bird who came draped in silk attire!
Male
Nadai podu… nadai poduWalk along... walk along
Nadai podu… nadai poduWalk along... walk along
Nadai podu nadai podu manamendra thaerilWalk along, walk along upon the chariot of the mind
Nadamaadum mayil polavaeLike a dancing peacock
Nadai podu nadai podu manamendra thaerilWalk along, walk along upon the chariot of the mind
Nadamaadum mayil polavaeLike a dancing peacock
Un idaiyodu idaiyodu kodi pola ullamAround your waist, the heart entwines like a creeper vine
Vialaiyaada vandha nilavae…Oh moon that came to play...
Female
Kattaana kattazhagu kannaaOh handsome, well-built beloved Krishna!
Vilaiyaadu nee vilaiyaadu…Play, you play on...
Vilaiyaadu vilaiyaadu vidikkindra varaiyilPlay, play until dawn breaks
Azhagodu vandha thunaiyaeOh companion who came with beauty
Vilaiyaadu vilaiyaadu vidikkindra varaiyilPlay, play until dawn breaks
Azhagodu vandha thunaiyaeOh companion who came with beauty
Pon valaiyodu valaiyodu isai paadum kaiyilIn the hand musical with golden bangles
Valaindhaada vandha kaliyaeOh tender bud who came to bend and dance
Male
Pattaadai katti vandha mainaaOh Myna bird who came draped in silk attire!
Male
Paalendra paruvamaeOh youthfulness pure as milk!
Pazhamendra uruvamaeOh sweet form like a fruit!
Saelendra kangalae vaa nee vaa…aa…Oh eyes bright as carp fish, come, oh come!
Paalendra paruvamaeOh youthfulness pure as milk!
Pazhamendra uruvamaeOh sweet form like a fruit!
Saelendra kangalae vaaOh eyes bright as carp fish, come!
Siru noolendra idaiyilaeUpon a waist slender as a thin thread
Kaal pinnum nadaiyilaeIn a graceful gait where feet entwine
Noi thandha penmaiyae vaaOh womanhood that gave me love's ailment, come
Kaadhal noi thandha penmaiyae vaaOh womanhood that gave me love's ailment, come
Female
Madhayaanai vadivamaeOh form majestic like a wild elephant in rut!
Nadamaadum veeramaeOh walking embodiment of valor!
Malar pondra ullamae vaa…vaa…vaa…aaaOh heart soft like a flower, come... come... come...
Madhayaanai vadivamaeOh form majestic like a wild elephant in rut!
Nadamaadum veeramaeOh walking embodiment of valor!
Malar pondra ullamae vaaOh heart soft like a flower, come
Naam ariyaadha boomiyilIn an unknown world
Theriyaadha paadhaiyilOn an unfamiliar path
Iru perum pogalaam vaaLet us both travel together, come
Naam iru perum pogalaam vaaLet us both travel together, come
Male
Pattaadai katti vandha mainaaOh Myna bird who came draped in silk attire!
Unnai paarkkaadha kannum oru kannaaIs an eye that hasn't seen you even a real eye?
Female
Kattaana kattazhagu kannaaOh handsome, well-built beloved Krishna!
Unnai kaanaadha pennum oru pennaaIs a woman who hasn't seen you even a real woman?
Kattaana kattazhagu kannaaOh handsome, well-built beloved Krishna!
Male
Aa…haa.haa…Ah... ha... ha...
Female
O…ho…ho…Oh... ho... ho...
Female
Aa…haa.haa…Ah... ha... ha...
Male
O…ho…ho…Oh... ho... ho...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This delightful duet from the film 'Kudumba Thalaivan' is a joyful interchange of romantic admiration between two lovers. The female protagonist praises her beloved's masculine posture, strength, and noble heart, comparing his stature to a majestic elephant and his tender soul to a blossom. In turn, the male protagonist marvels at her elegance, comparing her movements to a dancing peacock, her eyes to glistening carp fish, and her presence to a silk-draped myna bird.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Upamai (Simile)

Nadamaadum mayil polavae

Compares the movement of the lover on the mind's chariot to a dancing peacock using 'polavae'.

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Nadai podu nadai podu manamendra thaeril

Metaphorically describes the mind as a chariot ('manamendra thaer').

Edhukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Paalendra paruvamae / Pazhamendra uruvamae

The second letter 'la' rhymes across successive lines ('Paalendra' and 'Pazhamendra').

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Saelendra kangalae vaa

Compares the eyes directly to 'Sael' (a species of carp fish) denoting grace and quickness.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song from 'Kudumba Thalaivan' (1962) features M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) and B. Saroja Devi. The soundtrack was composed by K. V. Mahadevan, with lyrics crafted by Kannadasan and vocals rendered by T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela.

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