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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kattil Pattu Onnu

From Neram Nalla Neram · 1984

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Neram Nalla Neram1984

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Haei…..ThanthaanathaanaHey... Thanthaanathaana
Male :Aah…Male: Aah...
Female :Haei…..ThanthaanathaanaFemale: Hey... Thanthaanathaana
Male :HaeiMale: Hey
Female
Haei ThanthaanathaanaHey Thanthaanathaana
Thanthaanathaana thanthaanathaanaThanthaanathaana thanthaanathaana
Thanthaanathaana…Thanthaanathaana...
Female
Kattil paattonnu paaduSing a bed song
Retta thaappaala poduLatch with a double bolt
Kattil paattonnu paaduSing a bed song
Retta thaappaala poduLatch with a double bolt
Munnaadi poovaada poovodu kaayaadaSway like flowers in front, sway like fruit with flowers
Kaayodu neeyaada vaaCome play together with the fruit
Male: Aaha aang….Male: Aaha aang...
Female
Kattil paattonnu paaduSing a bed song
Retta thaappaala poduLatch with a double bolt
Kattil paattonnu paaduSing a bed song
Retta thaappaala poduLatch with a double bolt
Female
Yaeraatha thennamaram elaneeru ulla maramAn unclimbed coconut tree, a tree containing tender coconut water
Yaeraatha thennamaram elaneeru ulla maramAn unclimbed coconut tree, a tree containing tender coconut water
Female
Thenna maram kaai kulungaAs the coconut tree shakes its fruits
Thekkuppura kaaththadikkumThe southern breeze blows
Thenna maram kaai kulungaAs the coconut tree shakes its fruits
Thekkuppura kaaththadikkumThe southern breeze blows
Female
Kaaththaada kaaththuppattu keeththaadumAs the breeze blows, touching the palm leaves, they dance
Laalaalaa laalaa laalaalaa…..Laalaalaa laalaa laalaalaa...
Unna naan paakka enna nee paakkaAs I look at you, and you look at me
MaamaamamamamamaaUncle, my love...
Female
Kattil paattonnu paaduSing a bed song
Retta thaappaala poduLatch with a double bolt
Munnaadi poovaada poovodu kaayaadaSway like flowers in front, sway like fruit with flowers
Kaayodu neeyaada vaaCome play together with the fruit
Female
Kattil paattonnu paaduSing a bed song
Retta thaappaala poduLatch with a double bolt
Male
…………………...
Female
Yaar yaaro meesa vachchaanMany men grew moustaches
Evathaanyaa aasa vachchaanWho was the one who fell in love?
Yaar yaaro meesa vachchaanMany men grew moustaches
Evathaanyaa aasa vachchaanWho was the one who fell in love?
Female
Maalaiyitta machchaan koodaEven with the cousin who put the garland around me
Meththaiyittu paaththathilaiI have not experienced a flower bed yet
Maalaiyitta machchaan koodaEven with the cousin who put the garland around me
Meththaiyittu paaththathilaiI have not experienced a flower bed yet
Female
Neeraatta vanthaathaanae poonthottamOnly if you come to bathe, this flower garden blooms
Aahaah aahaah haa….Aahaah aahaah haa...
Neeraatta vanthaathaanae poonthottamOnly if you come to bathe, this flower garden blooms
Unna naan kooda enna nee koodaAs I join with you, and you join with me
MaamaamamamamamaaUncle, my love...
Female
Kattil paattonnu paaduSing a bed song
Male :AeiMale: Hey
Female :Retta thaappaala poduFemale: Latch with a double bolt
Male :HaeiMale: Hey
Female :Munnaadi poovaada poovodu kaayaadaFemale: Sway like flowers in front, sway like fruit with flowers
Kaayodu neeyaada vaaCome play together with the fruit
Female
Kattil paattonnu paaduSing a bed song
Retta thaappaala poduLatch with a double bolt
Laalaalaa laalaa laalaalaa…..Laalaalaa laalaa laalaalaa...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song 'Kattil Paattonnu Paadu' from the 1984 movie Neram Nalla Neram is a playful, romantic duet expressing intimacy and yearning between newlyweds. The lyrics employ rural nature metaphors—such as an untouched coconut tree laden with tender water and a blooming flower garden waiting for rain—to symbolize purity, longing, and romantic fulfillment. Through playful refrains urging to latch the door and sing a song of the bed, the couple exchanges flirty teasing and expressions of deep romantic desire, emphasizing the joyful union and shared affection in their new life together.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ezhukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Kattil paattonnu paadu / Retta thaappaala podu

Repetition of the second consonant ('tt') in 'Kattil' and 'Retta' creates a melodic cadence.

Metaphor (Uruvakam)

Yaeraatha thennamaram elaneeru ulla maram

The lyrics metaphorically use an unclimbed coconut tree containing tender coconut water to represent untouched youth and beauty.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Neram Nalla Neram' (1984) features lyrics penned by Gangai Amaran. The song incorporates traditional folk-inspired rhythms blended with playful romantic intimacy characteristic of 1980s Tamil cinema soundtracks.

Keep listening

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