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Sonthakkaran album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Katti Thangame (Pathos)

From Sonthakkaran · 1989

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Music director
Chandrabose
Movie name
Sonthakkaran
Movie release year
1989
Lyrics added on
20 Apr 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Katti thangamae unnai kattiyanaippaen
Sottum kanneerai kaiyil thottu thudaipaen
Chinna raajangam ondru katti koduppaen
Enthan ranikku vairam kotti koduppaen
Ennai nambungal punnagai sinthungal
Katti thangamae unnai kattiyanaippaen
Sottum kanneerai kaiyil thottu thudaipaen
Enna kuraiyo ennidaththil sollu kannae
Vennilaavai naan bommai seiven
Kannil vazhiyum kaneer thuli kaayum munnae
Kanneer thulikku niyaayam seiven
Ssedhai andru sidhai ponaal erinthathu neruppum
Raman indru sirai ponaan idhuvoru thiruppam
Raman andru seedhaiyai meettu nadanthaan
Indru ilakkuvanthaan ramanai meettu koduppaan
Katti thangamae unnai kattiyanaippaen
Sottum kanneerai kaiyil thottu thudaipaen
Enthan kannukkul vaiththu kaaval irupena
Unthan annaikkum enthan aavi koduppaen
Ennai nambungal punagai sinthungal
Katti thangamae unnai kattiyanaippaen
Sottum kanneerai kaiyil thottu thudaipaen
Kannai thudaiththu mella nada mella nada
Kaval iruppaen pinnae pinnae
Gangai nadhikkum rendu pakkam karai nindru
Kaval irukkum kannae kannae
Vantha uravendruthaanae
Unnai andru ninaiththaen
Sontha uravendru indru iru vizhi nanaiththaen
Suttri varum bhoomithaan ullavaraikkum
En sokka thanga kattiyae sonthamirukkum
Katti thangamae unnai kattiyanaippaen
Sottum kanneerai kaiyil thottu thudaipaen….
My precious gold, I will hold you close in my arms.
I will gently wipe away your dripping tears with my hands.
I will build a little kingdom for you.
I will shower diamonds upon my queen.
Trust in me and let a smile blossom.
My precious gold, I will hold you close in my arms.
I will gently wipe away your dripping tears with my hands.
Tell me what is troubling you, my darling.
I will fashion a doll for you from the bright moon.
Before the tears streaming down your eyes dry up,
I will bring justice for every tear you shed.
Back then, Sita entered the fire, and even the flames burned.
Today, Rama has gone to prison—what a twist of fate!
Back then, Rama rescued Sita and walked ahead.
Today, Lakshmana will rescue Rama and bring him back.
My precious gold, I will hold you close in my arms.
I will gently wipe away your dripping tears with my hands.
I will keep you safe within my eyes and protect you.
I would even give my life for your mother.
Trust in me and let a smile blossom.
My precious gold, I will hold you close in my arms.
I will gently wipe away your dripping tears with my hands.
Wipe your tears and walk gently, take each step softly.
I will stand guard right behind you.
Just like the banks standing on both sides of the Ganges,
Watching over the river, my dear.
Thinking you were merely a stranger who came into our lives,
That was how I thought of you back then.
Realizing today you are my own family, my eyes welled with tears.
For as long as this spinning earth exists,
You will always be my own, my pure bar of gold.
My precious gold, I will hold you close in my arms.
I will gently wipe away your dripping tears with my hands.
Female
Female
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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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