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Neram Nalla Neram album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Kattil Pattu Onnu

From Neram Nalla Neram · 1984

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Neram Nalla Neram
Movie release year
1984
Lyrics added on
15 Jan 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Haei…..Thanthaanathaana
Male :Aah…
Female :Haei…..Thanthaanathaana
Male :Haei
Haei Thanthaanathaana
Thanthaanathaana thanthaanathaana
Thanthaanathaana…
Kattil paattonnu paadu
Retta thaappaala podu
Kattil paattonnu paadu
Retta thaappaala podu
Munnaadi poovaada poovodu kaayaada
Kaayodu neeyaada vaa
Male: Aaha aang….
Kattil paattonnu paadu
Retta thaappaala podu
Kattil paattonnu paadu
Retta thaappaala podu
Yaeraatha thennamaram elaneeru ulla maram
Yaeraatha thennamaram elaneeru ulla maram
Thenna maram kaai kulunga
Thekkuppura kaaththadikkum
Thenna maram kaai kulunga
Thekkuppura kaaththadikkum
Kaaththaada kaaththuppattu keeththaadum
Laalaalaa laalaa laalaalaa…..
Unna naan paakka enna nee paakka
Maamaamamamamamaa
Kattil paattonnu paadu
Retta thaappaala podu
Munnaadi poovaada poovodu kaayaada
Kaayodu neeyaada vaa
Kattil paattonnu paadu
Retta thaappaala podu
…………………
Yaar yaaro meesa vachchaan
Evathaanyaa aasa vachchaan
Yaar yaaro meesa vachchaan
Evathaanyaa aasa vachchaan
Maalaiyitta machchaan kooda
Meththaiyittu paaththathilai
Maalaiyitta machchaan kooda
Meththaiyittu paaththathilai
Neeraatta vanthaathaanae poonthottam
Aahaah aahaah haa….
Neeraatta vanthaathaanae poonthottam
Unna naan kooda enna nee kooda
Maamaamamamamamaa
Kattil paattonnu paadu
Male :Aei
Female :Retta thaappaala podu
Male :Haei
Female :Munnaadi poovaada poovodu kaayaada
Kaayodu neeyaada vaa
Kattil paattonnu paadu
Retta thaappaala podu
Laalaalaa laalaa laalaalaa…..
Hey... thanthana thaana
Male: Ah...
Female: Hey... thanthana thaana
Male: Hey
Hey thanthana thaana
Thanthana thaana thanthana thaana
Thanthana thaana...
Sing a song for our bed
Bolt the double latch
Sing a song for our bed
Bolt the double latch
Let the flower sway up front, let the fruit sway with the flower
Come play along with the fruit!
Male: Aaha aang...
Sing a song for our bed
Bolt the double latch
Sing a song for our bed
Bolt the double latch
An unclimbed coconut tree, holding sweet water inside
An unclimbed coconut tree, holding sweet water inside
Making the coconuts shake on the tree
The southern breeze blows
Making the coconuts shake on the tree
The southern breeze blows
Swaying in the breeze, touched by the wind, the palm leaves dance
La la la la la la la la...
As I look at you and you look at me
Mama mamamama
Sing a song for our bed
Bolt the double latch
Let the flower sway up front, let the fruit sway with the flower
Come play along with the fruit!
Sing a song for our bed
Bolt the double latch
...
So many men grew moustaches
But who ever desired them?
So many men grew moustaches
But who ever desired them?
Even with the sweetheart who garlanded me
I haven't yet shared a bed
Even with the sweetheart who garlanded me
I haven't yet shared a bed
Only when you come to shower it, will it bloom like a garden
Aaha ah aaha ah ha...
Only when you come to shower it, will it bloom like a garden
As I unite with you and you unite with me
Mama mamamama
Sing a song for our bed
Male: Hey
Female: Bolt the double latch
Male: Hey
Female: Let the flower sway up front, let the fruit sway with the flower
Come play along with the fruit!
Sing a song for our bed
Bolt the double latch
La la la la la la la la...
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Male
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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.

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