Kattazhagu Kanni
From Engal Vathiyar · 1980
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- S. Janaki
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Engal Vathiyar1980
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Aa….aa….aa….aa….a…. | Vocalizing (Aa....) |
| Female | |
| Kattazhagu kanni kaaththirukkiraenae | I, a beautifully sculpted maiden, am waiting |
| Roja pooppolae | Like a rose flower |
| Kattazhagu kanni kaaththirukkiraenae | I, a beautifully sculpted maiden, am waiting |
| Roja pooppolae | Like a rose flower |
| Aa….kattazhagu kanni kaaththirukkiraenae | Ah, I, a beautifully sculpted maiden, am waiting |
| Roja pooppolae | Like a rose flower |
| Female | |
| Petti panam kondu vanthavarkkellaam | For all those who bring a box full of money |
| Jodi aavenae | I will become a companion |
| Petti panam kondu vanthavarkalellaam | For all those who bring a box full of money |
| Jodi aavenae | I will become a companion |
| Female | |
| Kattazhagu kanni kaaththirukkiraenae | I, a beautifully sculpted maiden, am waiting |
| Roja pooppolae | Like a rose flower |
| Female | |
| Aa….aa…aa….aa…a…. | Vocalizing (Aa....) |
| Inba duraimugam naanena enni | Thinking of me as a harbor of pleasure |
| Yaengi vanthaarae | He came longing for me |
| Muththumani varamaalaigal thanthaal | If he bestows garlands of pearls and gems |
| Mogam theerppaenae | I will satisfy his desire |
| Female | |
| Thangakkudam pongum | Like an overflowing golden pot |
| Mellidai thannai thaangakkoodaatho | Can't my slender waist support itself? |
| Thangakkudam pongum | Like an overflowing golden pot |
| Mellidai thannai thaangakkoodaatho | Can't my slender waist support itself? |
| Female | |
| Ponnai vaikkum thattil | On the weighing scale where gold is placed |
| Ennaiyum vaiththu paarkkakoodaatho | Can't you place and weigh me as well? |
| Ponnai vaikkum thattil | On the weighing scale where gold is placed |
| Ennaiyum vaiththu paarkkakoodaatho | Can't you place and weigh me as well? |
| Female | |
| Mangai naan alliththandu | I, a maiden, am like a lily stem |
| Mannanukku mullai sendu | A bouquet of jasmine for the king |
| Mangai naan alliththandu | I, a maiden, am like a lily stem |
| Mannanukku mullai sendu | A bouquet of jasmine for the king |
| Aththai magan pola vanthaal | If you come like a cousin who has the right to marry me |
| Meththaiyena naanum undu | I am here available like a soft bed |
| Female | |
| Kattazhagu kanni kaaththirukkiraenae | I, a beautifully sculpted maiden, am waiting |
| Roja pooppolae | Like a rose flower |
| Female | |
| Petti panam kondu vanthavarkkellaam | For all those who bring a box full of money |
| Jodi aavenae | I will become a companion |
| Female | |
| Aa….aa…aa….aa…a…. | Vocalizing (Aa....) |
| Sengkadhirum angae saaintha pinnaalae | After the red sun sets over there |
| Engal raajaangam | Our kingdom begins |
| Sengkadhirum angae saaintha pinnaalae | After the red sun sets over there |
| Engal raajaangam | Our kingdom begins |
| Female | |
| Ungal jaathi madham thannai ketpathumillai | Without asking about your caste or religion |
| Engal arasaangam | That is how our rule works |
| Female | |
| Inba iravindru poevidum | This night of pleasure will pass away today |
| Meendum naalai vaaraathae | It won't return again tomorrow |
| Inba iravindru poevidum | This night of pleasure will pass away today |
| Meendum naalai vaaraathae | It won't return again tomorrow |
| Female | |
| Ingu vantha pinnum thevaiyai solla | Even after coming here, to express your desire |
| Naanam kollaathae | Do not feel shy |
| Ingu vantha pinnum thevaiyai solla | Even after coming here, to express your desire |
| Naanam kollaathae | Do not feel shy |
| Female | |
| Santhanam poosi kolvom | We shall apply sandalwood paste |
| Sangathigal pesi kolvom | We shall chat about sweet intimate matters |
| Santhanam poosi kolvom | We shall apply sandalwood paste |
| Sangathigal pesi kolvom | We shall chat about sweet intimate matters |
| Kaigalai pinni kolvom | We shall entwine our hands together |
| Kann sivakka kadhai padippom | We shall share stories until our eyes turn red with passion |
| Female | |
| Kattazhagu kanni kaaththirukkiraenae | I, a beautifully sculpted maiden, am waiting |
| Roja pooppolae | Like a rose flower |
ஆ....ஆ....ஆ.....ஆ......அ....
Vocalizing (Aa....)
கட்டழகு கன்னி காத்திருக்கேனே
ரோஜா பூப்போலே
கட்டழகு கன்னி காத்திருக்கேனே
ரோஜா பூப்போலே
ஆ......கட்டழகு கன்னி காத்திருக்கேனே
ரோஜா பூப்போலே
I, a beautifully sculpted maiden, am waiting
Like a rose flower
I, a beautifully sculpted maiden, am waiting
Like a rose flower
Ah, I, a beautifully sculpted maiden, am waiting
Like a rose flower
பெட்டி பணம் கொண்டு வந்தவர்க்கெல்லாம்
ஜோடி ஆவேனே
பெட்டி பணம் கொண்டு வந்தவர்க்கெல்லாம்
ஜோடி ஆவேனே
For all those who bring a box full of money
I will become a companion
For all those who bring a box full of money
I will become a companion
கட்டழகு கன்னி காத்திருக்கேனே
ரோஜா பூப்போலே
I, a beautifully sculpted maiden, am waiting
Like a rose flower
ஆ....ஆ....ஆ.....ஆ......அ....
இன்ப துறைமுகம் நானென எண்ணி
ஏங்கி வந்தோரே
முத்துமணி வைரமாலைகள் தந்தால்
மோகம் தீர்ப்பேனே
Vocalizing (Aa....)
Thinking of me as a harbor of pleasure
He came longing for me
If he bestows garlands of pearls and gems
I will satisfy his desire
தங்கக்குடம் பொங்கும்
மெல்லிடை தன்னை தாங்கக்கூடாதோ
தங்கக்குடம் பொங்கும்
மெல்லிடை தன்னை தாங்கக்கூடாதோ
Like an overflowing golden pot
Can't my slender waist support itself?
Like an overflowing golden pot
Can't my slender waist support itself?
பொன்னை வைக்கும் தட்டில்
என்னையும் வைத்து பார்க்ககூடாதோ
பொன்னை வைக்கும் தட்டில்
என்னையும் வைத்து பார்க்ககூடாதோ
On the weighing scale where gold is placed
Can't you place and weigh me as well?
On the weighing scale where gold is placed
Can't you place and weigh me as well?
மங்கை நான் அல்லித்தண்டு
மன்னனுக்கு முல்லை செண்டு
மங்கை நான் அல்லித்தண்டு
மன்னனுக்கு முல்லை செண்டு
அத்தை மகன் போல வந்தால்
மெத்தையென நானும் உண்டு
I, a maiden, am like a lily stem
A bouquet of jasmine for the king
I, a maiden, am like a lily stem
A bouquet of jasmine for the king
If you come like a cousin who has the right to marry me
I am here available like a soft bed
கட்டழகு கன்னி காத்திருக்கேனே
ரோஜா பூப்போலே
I, a beautifully sculpted maiden, am waiting
Like a rose flower
பெட்டி பணம் கொண்டு வந்தவர்க்கெல்லாம்
ஜோடி ஆவேனே
For all those who bring a box full of money
I will become a companion
ஆ....ஆ....ஆ.....ஆ......அ....
செங்கதிரும் அங்கே சாய்ந்த பின்னாலே
எங்கள் ராஜாங்கம்
செங்கதிரும் அங்கே சாய்ந்த பின்னாலே
எங்கள் ராஜாங்கம்
Vocalizing (Aa....)
After the red sun sets over there
Our kingdom begins
After the red sun sets over there
Our kingdom begins
உங்கள் ஜாதி மதம் தன்னை கேட்பதுமில்லை
எங்கள் அரசாங்கம்
Without asking about your caste or religion
That is how our rule works
இன்ப இரவின்று போய்விடும்
மீண்டும் நாளை வாராதே
இன்ப இரவின்று போய்விடும்
மீண்டும் நாளை வாராதே
This night of pleasure will pass away today
It won't return again tomorrow
This night of pleasure will pass away today
It won't return again tomorrow
இங்கு வந்த பின்னும் தேவையை சொல்ல
நாணம் கொள்ளாதே
இங்கு வந்த பின்னும் தேவையை சொல்ல
நாணம் கொள்ளாதே
Even after coming here, to express your desire
Do not feel shy
Even after coming here, to express your desire
Do not feel shy
சந்தனம் பூசிக் கொள்வோம்
சங்கதிகள் பேசிக் கொள்வோம்
சந்தனம் பூசிக் கொள்வோம்
சங்கதிகள் பேசிக் கொள்வோம்
கைகளை பின்னிக் கொள்வோம்
கண் சிவக்க கதை படிப்போம்
We shall apply sandalwood paste
We shall chat about sweet intimate matters
We shall apply sandalwood paste
We shall chat about sweet intimate matters
We shall entwine our hands together
We shall share stories until our eyes turn red with passion
கட்டழகு கன்னி காத்திருக்கேனே
ரோஜா பூப்போலே
I, a beautifully sculpted maiden, am waiting
Like a rose flower
Aa….aa….aa….aa….a….
Vocalizing (Aa....)
Kattazhagu kanni kaaththirukkiraenae
I, a beautifully sculpted maiden, am waiting
Roja pooppolae
Like a rose flower
Kattazhagu kanni kaaththirukkiraenae
I, a beautifully sculpted maiden, am waiting
Roja pooppolae
Like a rose flower
Aa….kattazhagu kanni kaaththirukkiraenae
Ah, I, a beautifully sculpted maiden, am waiting
Roja pooppolae
Like a rose flower
Petti panam kondu vanthavarkkellaam
For all those who bring a box full of money
Jodi aavenae
I will become a companion
Petti panam kondu vanthavarkalellaam
For all those who bring a box full of money
Jodi aavenae
I will become a companion
Kattazhagu kanni kaaththirukkiraenae
I, a beautifully sculpted maiden, am waiting
Roja pooppolae
Like a rose flower
Aa….aa…aa….aa…a….
Vocalizing (Aa....)
Inba duraimugam naanena enni
Thinking of me as a harbor of pleasure
Yaengi vanthaarae
He came longing for me
Muththumani varamaalaigal thanthaal
If he bestows garlands of pearls and gems
Mogam theerppaenae
I will satisfy his desire
Thangakkudam pongum
Like an overflowing golden pot
Mellidai thannai thaangakkoodaatho
Can't my slender waist support itself?
Thangakkudam pongum
Like an overflowing golden pot
Mellidai thannai thaangakkoodaatho
Can't my slender waist support itself?
Ponnai vaikkum thattil
On the weighing scale where gold is placed
Ennaiyum vaiththu paarkkakoodaatho
Can't you place and weigh me as well?
Ponnai vaikkum thattil
On the weighing scale where gold is placed
Ennaiyum vaiththu paarkkakoodaatho
Can't you place and weigh me as well?
Mangai naan alliththandu
I, a maiden, am like a lily stem
Mannanukku mullai sendu
A bouquet of jasmine for the king
Mangai naan alliththandu
I, a maiden, am like a lily stem
Mannanukku mullai sendu
A bouquet of jasmine for the king
Aththai magan pola vanthaal
If you come like a cousin who has the right to marry me
Meththaiyena naanum undu
I am here available like a soft bed
Kattazhagu kanni kaaththirukkiraenae
I, a beautifully sculpted maiden, am waiting
Roja pooppolae
Like a rose flower
Petti panam kondu vanthavarkkellaam
For all those who bring a box full of money
Jodi aavenae
I will become a companion
Aa….aa…aa….aa…a….
Vocalizing (Aa....)
Sengkadhirum angae saaintha pinnaalae
After the red sun sets over there
Engal raajaangam
Our kingdom begins
Sengkadhirum angae saaintha pinnaalae
After the red sun sets over there
Engal raajaangam
Our kingdom begins
Ungal jaathi madham thannai ketpathumillai
Without asking about your caste or religion
Engal arasaangam
That is how our rule works
Inba iravindru poevidum
This night of pleasure will pass away today
Meendum naalai vaaraathae
It won't return again tomorrow
Inba iravindru poevidum
This night of pleasure will pass away today
Meendum naalai vaaraathae
It won't return again tomorrow
Ingu vantha pinnum thevaiyai solla
Even after coming here, to express your desire
Naanam kollaathae
Do not feel shy
Ingu vantha pinnum thevaiyai solla
Even after coming here, to express your desire
Naanam kollaathae
Do not feel shy
Santhanam poosi kolvom
We shall apply sandalwood paste
Sangathigal pesi kolvom
We shall chat about sweet intimate matters
Santhanam poosi kolvom
We shall apply sandalwood paste
Sangathigal pesi kolvom
We shall chat about sweet intimate matters
Kaigalai pinni kolvom
We shall entwine our hands together
Kann sivakka kadhai padippom
We shall share stories until our eyes turn red with passion
Kattazhagu kanni kaaththirukkiraenae
I, a beautifully sculpted maiden, am waiting
Roja pooppolae
Like a rose flower
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This classic track sung by S. Janaki is a seductive cabaret dance song performed in a night establishment context. The protagonist describes herself as a beautiful maiden blooming like a rose, welcoming wealthy patrons who can afford her companionship. She compares her kingdom to the night world where social distinctions like caste and religion cease to matter, emphasizing the fleeting nature of pleasure and encouraging her partner to shed inhibition.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Upamai (Simile)
“Roja pooppolae”
Comparing the beauty and delicate nature of the maiden directly to a rose flower using 'pooppolae'.
Metaphor
“Inba duraimugam naanena enni”
Describing herself as 'Inba duraimugam' (a harbor/port of pleasure) that attracts travelers.
Emoni / Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Mangai naan alliththandu / Mannanukku mullai sendu”
Repetition of initial consonant sounds in consecutive words ('Mangai' and 'Mannanukku').
Iyaibu (Rhyme Scheme)
“Santhanam poosi kolvom / Sangathigal pesi kolvom”
Matching end sounds across lines ('poosi kolvom', 'pesi kolvom', 'pinni kolvom').
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics by Kannadasan, this song showcases S. Janaki's famous versatility in rendering glamour cabaret tracks with expressive vocal modulations during the late 1970s and early 1980s Tamil cinema era.
Keep listening
More from Engal Vathiyar
Engal Vathiyar
Engal Vathiyar