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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kattikollava

From Vaazhkai · 1984

Lyricist
Muthulingam
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, S. P. Sailaja
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Vaazhkai1984

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Katti kollavaaShall I embrace you?
Chorus :Katti kollavaaChorus: Shall I embrace you?
Male :Kannam killavaaMale: Shall I pinch your cheek?
Chorus :Kannam killavaaChorus: Shall I pinch your cheek?
Female
Selvam vandhu serndhadhuWealth has arrived and joined us
Thaen nadhi paaindhadhuA river of honey flowed
Male :Velli kaasu paadhaalam paayalaamMale: A silver coin can leap even into the underworld
Chorus :Paadhaalam paayalaamChorus: Can leap into the underworld
Male :Vilaiyai kelu sorghathai vaangalaamMale: Ask the price, we can buy heaven itself
Chorus :Sorghathai vaangalaamChorus: We can buy heaven
Female :Katti kollavaaFemale: Shall I embrace you?
Chorus :Katti kollavaaChorus: Shall I embrace you?
Chorus
………………………………...
Male
Aa… aa… aa…Aa… aa… aa…
Angae paarthaal arangerum poigalLooking over there, lies are being staged
Ingae paarthaal kaai kaaitha kaigalLooking over here, hands are calloused with toil
Uravum kaanal neeraanadhaeRelationships have become a mirage
Udambil vervai aaraanadhaeThe sweat on the body has cooled down
Kaalgal madhuvodu thadumaarum angaeOver there, feet stumble with alcohol
Dhegam kalaippodu thadumaarum ingaeOver here, the body stumbles with fatigue
Sondham bandham vaazhvil engaeWhere are true relatives and bonds in life?
Chorus :Hae…Chorus: Hey…
Female
Neram vandhadhuThe time has come
Chorus :Neram vandhadhuChorus: The time has come
Female :Vaazhvu vandhadhuFemale: Prosperity has arrived
Chorus :Vaazhvu vandhadhuChorus: Prosperity has arrived
Male
Natchathira hotelilIn a star-rated hotel
Naattiya naadagamA dance drama is unfolding
Female :Kaanum idhu ondrae meiyadaaFemale: What you see right here is the only truth, my friend
Chorus :Idhu ondrae meiyadaaChorus: This alone is the truth, my friend
Female :Appan pillai ellaamae poiyadaaFemale: Father and son bonds are all a lie, my friend
Chorus :Ellaamae poiyadaaChorus: Everything is a lie, my friend
Male
Neram vandhadhuThe time has come
Chorus :Neram vandhadhuChorus: The time has come
Female
Ha aa…Ha aa…
Male :Hae…Male: Hey…
Female :Ha aa…Female: Ha aa…
Male :Hae…Male: Hey…
Both :Hae hae hae haeBoth: Hey hey hey hey
Male
Aa.. aa…aa…Aa.. aa…aa…
Urugum thangam tharam povadhillaiMelting gold never loses its quality
Neruppil veezhndhumEven if it falls into fire
Niram povadhillaiIt never loses its luster
Thiramai ondrae nee kandadhuTalent is the only thing you have truly acquired
Ini mel unnai yaar velvadhuWho can defeat you from now on?
Unmai sila kaalam alai modhum indruTruth may be tossed around by stormy waves today
Kaalam adhu maarum mudi soodum andruTime will change, and truth will be crowned tomorrow
Inbam thunbam yaavum ondruJoy and sorrow are both the same
Chorus
Hae…Hey…
Male :Medai yerungalMale: Step onto the stage
Chorus :Medai yerungalChorus: Step onto the stage
Male :Jodi saerungalMale: Form pairs together
Chorus :Jodi saerungalChorus: Form pairs together
Female
Aanum pennumMan and woman
Vaazhkkaiyil naanathai paarungalLook at shyness in life
Male :Sondham bandhamMale: Relatives and relationships
Ellaamae veliyaeAre all left outside
Chorus :Ellaamae veliyaeChorus: Are all left outside
Male :Veli thaandi vandhaalae jolliyaeMale: Once you cross the boundary, it is pure fun!
Chorus :Vandhaalae jolliyaeChorus: Once you come, it is pure fun!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song presents a sharp philosophical and societal contrast between upper-class excess and working-class struggle. It highlights how money can purchase superficial pleasures and luxury ('buying heaven'), whereas emotional bonds and relationships often dissolve like a mirage. Through expressive lyrics, the narrative questions the authenticity of social ties in a world driven by material greed. Simultaneously, the song offers an uplifting message of resilience and self-worth. By metaphorically comparing human talent and integrity to gold that retains its luster even when tested in fire, the lyricist emphasizes that true merit and honesty will eventually triumph over temporary hardship, crowning the individual with success in due time.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethiraimai (Antithasis / Contrast)

Angae paarthaal arangerum poigal / Ingae paarthaal kaai kaaitha kaigal

Contrasts the deceptive luxury of the wealthy ('angae arangerum poigal') with the honest calloused hands of working people ('ingae kaai kaaitha kaigal').

Uvamaani (Metaphor)

Uravum kaanal neeraanadhae

Compares human relationships to a mirage ('kaanal neer'), signifying their temporary and deceitful nature in a materialistic world.

Uvamaani (Analogy / Metaphor)

Urugum thangam tharam povadhillai / Neruppil veezhndhum niram povadhillai

Compares inherent talent and truth to pure gold tested in fire, which never loses its intrinsic quality or color despite suffering.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Medai yerungal / Jodi saerungal

Repetition of the initial letter 'M' across adjacent structural words.

Did you know?

Trivia

The movie 'Vaazhkai' (1984), directed by C. V. Rajendran, starred legendary actor Sivaji Ganesan alongside Ambika, Jaishankar, and Silk Smitha. The soundtrack was composed by Ilaiyaraaja, featuring prominent lyrics written by poet Muthulingam.

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