Katti Vacha Poonguzhali
From Nallathukku Kalamillai · 1977
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- Shankar Ganesh
- Details
- Nallathukku Kalamillai1977
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Katti vecha poonguzhali | O maiden with flower-adorned braided hair, |
| Kaaveriyil neeroda | As the waters flow in the Kaveri river, |
| Etti etti paarthapadi | Peering and looking from afar repeatedly, |
| Ingu naan poraada | While I struggle here in longing, |
| Kattazhagu pettagamae | O treasure chest of exquisite beauty, |
| Kalaitheludha sithiramae | O artistic portrait crafted with fine skills, |
| Male | |
| Katti vecha en manasu | My heart that was once bound tightly, |
| Kattavizhndhu parakkudhamma | Has untied itself and is flying away, my dear! |
| Adi parandha manam kondavalae | O woman possessing a generous, expansive heart, |
| Naan parandhaman aanendi | I have become Parandhaman (completely spellbound), |
| O i am sorry | Oh, I am sorry, |
| Naan parandhaman aanendi | I have become Parandhaman! |
கட்டி வச்ச பூங்குழலி
காவேரியில் நீராட
எட்டி எட்டி பார்த்தபடி
இங்கு நான் போராட
கட்டழகு பெட்டகமே
கலைத்தெழுதா சித்திரமே
O maiden with flower-adorned braided hair,
As the waters flow in the Kaveri river,
Peering and looking from afar repeatedly,
While I struggle here in longing,
O treasure chest of exquisite beauty,
O artistic portrait crafted with fine skills,
கட்டி வச்ச என் மனசு
கட்டவிழ்ந்து பறக்குதம்மா
அடி பரந்த மனம் கொண்டவளே
நான் பரந்தாமன் ஆனேன்டி
ஓ..ஐ ஆம் சாரி....
நான் பரந்தாமன் ஆனேன்டி.....
My heart that was once bound tightly,
Has untied itself and is flying away, my dear!
O woman possessing a generous, expansive heart,
I have become Parandhaman (completely spellbound),
Oh, I am sorry,
I have become Parandhaman!
Katti vecha poonguzhali
O maiden with flower-adorned braided hair,
Kaaveriyil neeroda
As the waters flow in the Kaveri river,
Etti etti paarthapadi
Peering and looking from afar repeatedly,
Ingu naan poraada
While I struggle here in longing,
Kattazhagu pettagamae
O treasure chest of exquisite beauty,
Kalaitheludha sithiramae
O artistic portrait crafted with fine skills,
Katti vecha en manasu
My heart that was once bound tightly,
Kattavizhndhu parakkudhamma
Has untied itself and is flying away, my dear!
Adi parandha manam kondavalae
O woman possessing a generous, expansive heart,
Naan parandhaman aanendi
I have become Parandhaman (completely spellbound),
O i am sorry
Oh, I am sorry,
Naan parandhaman aanendi
I have become Parandhaman!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
In this playful romantic track from the 1977 movie Nallathukku Kalamillai, the protagonist admires his beloved's grace and striking appearance. He compares her beauty to a treasure chest and a fine painting, expressing how her presence dismantles his self-control and makes his bound heart fly freely with love. Lyricist Vaali weaves classic Tamil imagery like the flowing Kaveri river and flower-braided hair alongside humorous modern touches, including an unexpected English interjection ('O I am sorry') and clever wordplay on 'Parandhaman' (a name for Lord Vishnu, also punning on a flying/roving mind).
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyming)
“Katti vecha poonguzhali / Etti etti paarthapadi”
The second letters 't' ('ட்') in 'Katti' and 'Etti' rhyme across the opening lines, establishing a pleasant Tamil rhythmic flow.
Metaphor (Uruvagham)
“Kattazhagu pettagamae / Kalaitheludha sithiramae”
The speaker directly addresses the woman as a treasure chest of beauty and a drawn painting, highlighting her flawless aesthetics.
Sledai (Wordplay / Pun)
“Adi parandha manam kondavalae / Naan parandhaman aanendi”
Vaali plays on 'parandha manam' (broad/generous heart) to lead into 'parandhaman', referencing Lord Vishnu while playfully implying his mind has taken flight.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song is notable for lyricist Vaali's signature technique of inserting contemporary colloquial English phrases ('O I am sorry') into upbeat Tamil film tunes, brilliantly rendered with energetic vocal expression by T. M. Soundararajan for Shankar-Ganesh's music.
Keep listening
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