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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kattivellam Neeye Katterumbu Naane

From Rambaiyin Kaadhal · 1956

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singers
K. H. Reddy, A. G. Rathnamala
Music director
T. R. Pappa
Details
Rambaiyin Kaadhal1956

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Katti vellam neeyaeYou are a block of jaggery,
Katterumbu naanaeI am a biting black ant.
Thottu vilaiyaadalaam vaaraaiCome, let us touch and play!
Velli chittaga joraai neeLike a bright silver sparrow, as a handsome pair,
Achchaara muthangal thaaraaiGive me advance kiss tokens!
Female
Katti vellam naanaeI am the block of jaggery,
Katterumbu neeyaeYou are the biting black ant.
Etti ninnu pesudaa rajaaStand at a distance and speak, my king!
Thaali kattaamal joraai ooo oooWithout tying the sacred knot, as a pair... ooo ooo,
Thottu vilaiyaadumo rojaaWill a rose touch and play?
Male
Kaattaaru polavae odudhaeIt flows like a wild torrential river,
Un kaadhalaalae paavi manam vaadudhaeBecause of your love, my sinful heart wilts.
Unnai kaanumbodhu maeni ellaam aadudhaeWhen I see you, my entire body quivers.
Kaattaaru polavae odudhaeIt flows like a wild torrential river,
Un kaadhalaalae paavi manam vaadudhaeBecause of your love, my sinful heart wilts.
Unnai kaanumbodhu maeni ellaam aadudhaeWhen I see you, my entire body quivers.
Female
Oho naal odudhae naal odudheOh, the days are running by, the days are running by!
Kaathaadum velaiyilae aathoram nirkkaiyilaeWhen the wind blows gently while standing by the riverbank,
Paarthaalae podhadhaiyaaIs it enough to merely look, sir?
Thaali maattaamal aagaadhaiyaaCan anything happen without tying the mangalsutra?
Kaathaadum velaiyilae aathoram nirkkaiyilaeWhen the wind blows gently while standing by the riverbank,
Paarthaalae podhadhaiyaaIs it enough to merely look, sir?
Thaali maattaamal aagaadhaiyaaCan anything happen without tying the mangalsutra?
Male
Ennaamal pesurae pombalaeWhy speak so thoughtlessly, woman!
En yekkamellam solli kooda nambalaeEven after expressing all my yearning, you do not believe me.
Kan thookkam illae maattikkitten vambilaeI have no sleep in my eyes, I am trapped in trouble!
Ennaamal pesurae pombalaeWhy speak so thoughtlessly, woman!
En yekkamellam solli kooda nambalaeEven after expressing all my yearning, you do not believe me.
Kan thookkam illae maattikkitten vambilaeI have no sleep in my eyes, I am trapped in trouble!
Female
Oho nambaraen naan nambaraenOh, I believe you, I believe you!
Aanaalum thaali onnuEven so, if a sacred knot
Noolaalae katti vachchaaIs tied with just a single thread,
Thaenaarum paalaarum pol seralaamWe can merge together like rivers of honey and milk.
Aadaamal naam aadalaamWe can dance without moving.
Female
Aanaalum thaali onnuEven so, if a sacred knot
Noolaalae katti vachchaaIs tied with just a single thread,
Thaenaarum paalaarum pol seralaamWe can merge together like rivers of honey and milk.
Aadaamal naam aadalaamWe can dance without moving.
Male
Miga thaaraalamaai naam aadalaamWe can dance with total freedom!
Female :Dhinam thottu vilaiyaadalaam joraaiFemale: Every day we can touch and play joyfully as a pair!
Male
Miga thaaraalamaai naam aadalaamWe can dance with total freedom!
Female :Dhinam thottu vilaiyaadalaam joraaiFemale: Every day we can touch and play joyfully as a pair!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a playful, romantic duet from the 1956 Tamil mythological-comedy film 'Rambaiyin Kaadhal'. The lovers engage in a lighthearted, teasing dialogue where the male lover compares himself to a black ant drawn to the sweetness of his lady, who is like a block of jaggery. He eagerly seeks physical affection and intimacy, expressing how restless and sleepless he has become out of love for her. The female lover playfully holds her ground, insisting on social and traditional decorum. She gently turns down his advance kisses, reminding him that true romantic bliss—flowing like rivers of milk and honey—can only happen after they are officially wedded with a sacred thread ('thaali').

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Katti vellam neeyae / Katterumbu naanae

Compares the beloved woman to sweet jaggery (katti vellam) and the male lover to an ant (katterumbu) drawn irresistibly to it.

Simile (Upamai)

Kaattaaru polavae odudhae

Uses 'polavae' (like) to compare the rush of uncontrollable romantic emotion to a wild river.

Simile (Upamai)

Thaenaarum paalaarum pol seralaam

Uses 'pol' to compare the sweetness of their post-marital union to the blending of rivers of honey and milk.

Second-letter Rhyme (Edhugai)

Katti vellam neeyae / Katterumbu naanae

The second consonant 't' (ட்) repeats in 'Katti' and 'Katterumbu', creating rhythmic harmony across lines.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by T. R. Pappa with lyrics by A. Maruthakasi, 'Rambaiyin Kaadhal' (1956) was a hit fantasy-comedy remake of the 1939 original. The song showcases Maruthakasi's skill in blending playful folk metaphors with traditional marriage motifs.

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