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IsaimozhiLyrics · Translation · Meaning

Lyrics & meaning

Kattil Illai Meththai Illai

From Pongi Varum Kaveri · 1989

Lyricist: Gangai Amaran
Singer: S. P. Sailaja
Music director: Ilayaraja
Movie name: Pongi Varum Kaveri
Movie release year: 1989
Lyrics added on: 2 Mar 2018

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics

↻ English translation

Kattil illa methai illa

Kaavalukku yaarumilla

Pottu vecha chinna pulla

Kaathirukku veetu kulla

Raagam pottu paada venum

Thaalam pottu kooda venum

Mappilla malligapoo manakkala

Unnai vida yaarumae

Enakkippo pudikala

Ippo neenga thalai asaichaa

Thappaama naan virunthu vaippen

Enna venum ponnu kitta kelunga

Machaan mela aasai pattu

Vachen naanum pulli onnu

Acharam thaan seekirama podunga

Nenachatha pola

Nerunganum neenga

Adikadi paarka avasiyam vaanga

Ada enna neenga muzhikireenga

Chinna maappilla

Kattil illa methai illa

Kaavalukku yaarumilla

Pottu vecha chinna pulla

Kaathirukku veetu kulla

Raagam pottu paada venum

Thaalam pottu kooda venum

Mappilla malligapoo manakkala

Unnai vida yaarumae

Enakkippo pudikala..aa..

Pathamadai paai virichu

Pavala malli poovirichu

Athaanodu sernthirukka aasai thaan

Sothaaga thaan enna nenachu

Kothaaga thaan dhinam anaichu

Mothamaaga vaikka venum paasam thaan

Mungi mungi neenga

Muthedukka venum

Mutheduthu maalai

Katti thara venum

Summa neenga irupathu thaan

Enna maappilla

Kattil illa methai illa

Kaavalukku yaarumilla

Pottu vecha chinna pulla

Kaathirukku veetu kulla

Raagam pottu paada venum

Thaalam pottu kooda venum

Mappilla malligapoo manakkala

Unnai vida yaarumae

Enakkippo pudikala

There is no cot, there is no mattress,

There is no one watching over us,

The young girl wearing a bindi

Is waiting inside the house.

We must sing to a melody,

We must come together to the rhythm.

Groom, doesn't the jasmine smell sweet?

More than you,

There is no one I like right now.

If you just nod your head now,

I will surely treat you to a feast!

Just ask this girl what you want!

Longing for my sweetheart,

I made the first mark,

So seal the promise quickly!

Just as I dreamed,

You should come close to me.

You must come often to see me!

Hey, why are you staring blankly,

My young groom?

There is no cot, there is no mattress,

There is no one watching over us,

The young girl wearing a bindi

Is waiting inside the house.

We must sing to a melody,

We must come together to the rhythm.

Groom, doesn't the jasmine smell sweet?

More than you,

There is no one I like right now... ah...

Spreading a Pattamadai mat,

And scattering coral jasmine flowers,

I truly long to be with my beloved!

Looking at me as your own treasure,

Holding me close every day,

You must shower all your love on me!

Diving deep again and again,

You must gather pearls,

And with those pearls,

You must string a garland for me!

Why are you just standing still,

What is this, my groom?

There is no cot, there is no mattress,

There is no one watching over us,

The young girl wearing a bindi

Is waiting inside the house.

We must sing to a melody,

We must come together to the rhythm.

Groom, doesn't the jasmine smell sweet?

More than you,

There is no one I like right now.

Female

Female

Female

Female

Female

Female

Female

Female

Female

Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Kattil illa methai illa is a playful and romantic folk-style song from the movie Pongi Varum Kaveri (1989), penned by Gangai Amaran. The song captures the lighthearted teasing of a young woman expressing her deep affection for her lover. Waiting for him inside a quiet house, she coaxingly invites him to sing, dance, and step closer to seal their bond of love with a formal commitment.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

“Pathamadai paai virichu / Pavala malli poovirichu”

Repetition of the initial 'Pa' sound in 'Pathamadai' and 'Pavala' creates a rhythmic folk cadence.

Metaphor (Uruvakam)

“Mungi mungi neenga / Muthedukka venum”

Diving deep to retrieve pearls is used as a metaphor for discovering the depths of love and intimacy.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

“Kattil illa methai illa / Kaavalukku yaarumilla”

Rhyming of line endings 'methai illa' and 'yaarumilla' enhances the musicality of the opening refrain.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song incorporates cultural imagery typical of rural Tamil Nadu, such as the famous 'Pathamadai paai' (fine woven reed mats from Pathamadai) and 'Pavala malli' (coral jasmine), which are traditionally associated with marriage, romance, and auspicious beginnings.

Keep listening

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From the same album

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