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Lyrics & meaning

Katti Thangame (Pathos)

From Sonthakkaran · 1989

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Music director
Chandrabose
Details
Sonthakkaran1989

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Katti thangamae unnai kattiyanaippaenOh solid gold, I will embrace you tightly
Sottum kanneerai kaiyil thottu thudaipaenI will wipe away your dripping tears with my hand
Chinna raajangam ondru katti koduppaenI will build a little kingdom for you
Enthan ranikku vairam kotti koduppaenI will shower diamonds upon my queen
Ennai nambungal punnagai sinthungalTrust me, and let your smile blossom
Female
Katti thangamae unnai kattiyanaippaenOh solid gold, I will embrace you tightly
Sottum kanneerai kaiyil thottu thudaipaenI will wipe away your dripping tears with my hand
Male
Enna kuraiyo ennidaththil sollu kannaeTell me my dear, what is your grievance?
Vennilaavai naan bommai seivenI will make a toy out of the bright white moon for you
Kannil vazhiyum kaneer thuli kaayum munnaeBefore the tear falling from your eyes dries up
Kanneer thulikku niyaayam seivenI will bring justice to your tears
Male
Ssedhai andru sidhai ponaal erinthathu neruppumWhen Sita stepped into the pyre back then, even the fire burned in pain
Raman indru sirai ponaan idhuvoru thiruppamToday Rama has gone to prison; this is a dramatic twist of fate
Raman andru seedhaiyai meettu nadanthaanBack then, Rama rescued Sita and walked tall
Indru ilakkuvanthaan ramanai meettu koduppaanToday, Lakshmana will rescue Rama and restore him to you
Male
Katti thangamae unnai kattiyanaippaenOh solid gold, I will embrace you tightly
Sottum kanneerai kaiyil thottu thudaipaenI will wipe away your dripping tears with my hand
Enthan kannukkul vaiththu kaaval irupenaI will guard you by keeping you safely inside my eyes
Unthan annaikkum enthan aavi koduppaenI will sacrifice my life even for your mother
Ennai nambungal punagai sinthungalTrust me, and let your smile blossom
Male
Katti thangamae unnai kattiyanaippaenOh solid gold, I will embrace you tightly
Sottum kanneerai kaiyil thottu thudaipaenI will wipe away your dripping tears with my hand
Male
Kannai thudaiththu mella nada mella nadaWipe your tears and walk slowly, walk gently
Kaval iruppaen pinnae pinnaeI will stand as a guard right behind you
Gangai nadhikkum rendu pakkam karai nindruJust as two banks stand on either side of the Ganges river
Kaval irukkum kannae kannaeThere will be protection for you, my dear
Male
Vantha uravendruthaanaeWas it merely a passing relationship?
Unnai andru ninaiththaenIs that how I thought of you back then?
Sontha uravendru indru iru vizhi nanaiththaenRealizing you are my own blood kin today, both my eyes wept
Suttri varum bhoomithaan ullavaraikkumAs long as this spinning Earth endures
En sokka thanga kattiyae sonthamirukkumMy pure golden treasure, our bond will remain forever
Male
Katti thangamae unnai kattiyanaippaenOh solid gold, I will embrace you tightly
Sottum kanneerai kaiyil thottu thudaipaen….I will wipe away your dripping tears with my hand...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This heartfelt song portrays a protective and comforting brotherly figure reassuring his distressed loved one. He promises to wipe away her tears, build her a metaphorical kingdom, and stand by her through adversity. Drawing rich references from the Ramayana, he compares current hardships to ancient epics, promising that just as Lakshmana stood by Rama, he will fight to restore honor, safety, and justice to her family.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Mythological Allusion

Raman andru seedhaiyai meettu nadanthaan / Indru ilakkuvanthaan ramanai meettu koduppaan

Refers to Ramayana characters Sita, Rama, and Lakshmana to symbolize loyalty, sacrifice, and dramatic twists of destiny.

Metaphor

Katti thangamae unnai kattiyanaippaen

Compares the beloved woman to pure solid gold ('Katti thangamae') and a queen ('Ranikku').

Analogy

Gangai nadhikkum rendu pakkam karai nindru Kaval irukkum kannae kannae

Compares his lifelong protection to the two banks that continuously guard and guide the river Ganges.

Hyperbole

Vennilaavai naan bommai seiven

Exaggerates devotion by offering to craft a toy out of the moon to console her.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song features in the 1989 Tamil film 'Sonthakkaran', directed by P. Vasu and starring Prabhu and Nirosha. The musical score was composed by Chandrabose with lyricist Vairamuthu penning the evocative verses emphasizing family devotion and protection.

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