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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kattikidalaam Kattikidalaam

From Poovarasan · 1996

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Poovarasan1996

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kattikidalaam kattikidalamWe can embrace each other, we can embrace
KattinathukappuramOnly after getting married
Vechikidalaam vechikidalaamWe can keep it, we can keep it
Muthu ithazh oththadamA warm press of pearl-like lips
Male
Podava mayakkam varuthae varuthaeIs a spell of dizziness coming over you? It is coming...
Odambu muzhukka suduthae suduthaeMy whole body is burning with heat, burning...
Kedanthu thavikkum uyirae uyiraeOh beloved soul who lies suffering with desire!
Kadanji edutha thayirae thayiraeOh sweet beloved, like churned curd!
Female
Kattikidalaam kattikidalamWe can embrace each other, we can embrace
KattinathukappuramOnly after getting married
Vechikidalaam vechikidalaamWe can keep it, we can keep it
Muthu ithazh oththadamA warm press of pearl-like lips
Male
Oodha kaathu raapodhuWhen the chilly wind blows at night
Theepola aayaachuIt feels hot like fire
Oora paarthu raa thookamLooking at the village, night's sleep
Naethodu poyaachuHas gone away since yesterday
Female
Kodu pottu vechaalumEven if you draw a line to restrict me
Un aasai nikkaadhuYour desire will not stop
Kolam podakoodathaeYou shouldn't draw floor patterns (rangoli) now
Nee konjam utkaaruPlease sit down for a moment
Male
Chinna chinna kolamCan we try drawing small rangoli patterns?
Pottu paarkalaamaShould we place the dots?
Pulli veika venumShould we stand far away?
Thalli nikkalaamaaCan a pure heart
Female
Suthamaana manasuBecome spoiled?
Kettu pogalaamaFinding fault with us
Kuthanjolli yaarumCan anyone talk gossip?
Vambu pesalaamaDoes a naughty little beetle
Male
Pollaadha sill vanduConsult the almanac calendar
Panjaangam paarthaaBefore sipping flower honey?
Poonthaena vaangumWe can embrace each other, we can embrace
Male
Kattikidalaam kattikidalamOnly after getting married
KattinathukappuramWe can keep it, we can keep it
Vechikidalaam vechikidalaamA warm press of pearl-like lips
Muthu ithazh oththadamFor you
Female
UnakkuIs a spell of dizziness coming over you? It is coming...
Podava mayakkam varuthae varuthaeMy whole body is burning with heat, burning...
Odambu muzhukka suduthae suduthaeOh beloved soul who lies suffering with desire!
Kedanthu thavikkum uyirae uyiraeOh sweet beloved, like churned curd!
Kadanji edutha thayirae thayiraeWe can embrace each other, we can embrace
Male
Kattikidalaam kattikidalamOnly after getting married
KattinathukappuramWe can keep it, we can keep it
Vechikidalaam vechikidalaamA warm press of pearl-like lips
Muthu ithazh oththadamCooking rice in the moonlight
Male
Vennilaavil soraakkiCan't we eat it together?
Naam thinna koodaathaWill not the gentle breeze come to us
Thendral vanthu nammoduAnd sing a folk melody?
Themmaangu paadaathaWhat is the moon doing?
Female
Vennilaavum ennaanuWon't it look down from above?
Keezhaala paarkaadhaThat there is a couple here
Sodi onnu angaenuWon't it tell the villagers?
Ooraarku chollaathaSeeing a hundred people like you and me
Male
Unnai ennai polaIt has gotten used to it
Nooru perai paarthuEven the milky moon yesterday
Pazhagi pona thammaWhat is the point of talking continuously
Paal nilavum naethuTo entice me, my uncle?
Female
Cholli cholli ennaFor a little more time
Sokka veikum maamaCan we wait?
Innum konja kaalamChecking auspicious days
KaathirukkalaamaChecking auspicious days
Male
Naal paarthuDays will just slip away
Naal paarthuDo not act innocent, my deer-like girl!
Naal poga koodumWe can embrace each other, we can embrace
Nadikaathae maanaeOnly after getting married
Female
Kattikidalaam kattikidalamWe can keep it, we can keep it
KattinathukappuramA warm press of pearl-like lips
Vechikidalaam vechikidalaamFor me
Muthu ithazh oththadamIs a spell of dizziness coming over you? It is coming...
Male
EnakkuMy whole body is burning with heat, burning...
Podava mayakkam varuthae varuthaeOh beloved soul who lies suffering with desire!
Odambu muzhukka suduthae suduthaeOh sweet beloved, like churned curd!
Kedanthu thavikkum uyirae uyiraeWe can embrace each other, we can embrace
Kadanji edutha thayirae thayiraeFemale: Only after getting married
Male
Kattikidalaam kattikidalamMale: We can keep it, we can keep it
Female :KattinathukappuramFemale: Hmmm hmmmm hmmmm
Male :Vechikidalaam vechikidalaam
Female :Hmmm hmmmm hmmmm

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful duet from the movie Poovarasan (1996) depicts a lighthearted romantic banter between two lovers anticipating their wedding. The male protagonist expresses intense longing, impatience, and physical attraction, eager to embrace and kiss his beloved. In response, the female protagonist teasingly sets boundaries, reminding him that intimacy must wait until after their formal marriage. She uses analogies of traditional customs like drawing rangoli patterns and waiting for auspicious dates to keep his playful advances at bay. Throughout the song, romantic metaphors involving the cool night breeze feeling like fire, cooking rice in moonlight, and beetles sipping honey enrich the emotional atmosphere. Despite her resistance, both partners share deep mutual affection and excitement for their eventual union, turning a simple debate about waiting into a lively and rhythmic musical exchange.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvomai)

Muthu ithazh oththadam

Comparing lips to pearls ('Muthu ithazh') and comparing the lover to freshly churned curd ('Kadanji edutha thayirae') to signify richness and sweetness.

Oxymoron / Paradox

Oodha kaathu raapodhu / Theepola aayaachu

Describing cool night winds as hot fire ('Oodha kaathu... Theepola aayaachu') to symbolize romantic heat and desire.

Rhyme / Monorime (Edhukai / Monai)

Kattikidalaam kattikidalam

Repetition of initial consonant sounds and rhythmic repetition ('Kattikidalaam kattikidalam' / 'Vechikidalaam vechikidalaam') creating musical momentum.

Personification

Thendral vanthu nammodu / Themmaangu paadaatha

Attributing human actions to natural elements like the gentle breeze singing a song ('Thendral vanthu nammodu / Themmaangu paadaatha').

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is composed by Ilaiyaraaja for the 1996 Tamil film 'Poovarasan' starring Vijayakanth and Radhika Chaudhari. Written by legendary lyricist Vaali, the song features humorous and rustic romantic dialogue set to a vibrant folk beat characteristic of Ilaiyaraaja's mid-90s rural soundtrack compositions.

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