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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kattu Kaavalai Vittu Pogumo

From Vetrikani · 1985

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. N. Surendar, Vani Jairam
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Vetrikani1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kattuk kaavalai ittu pogumoWill strict security and restrictions stop this silky flower garland?
Pattu poomaalaiSilky garland of flowers
Vattam poduvaen mettu paaduvaenI will circle around and sing a tune
Naanthaan ivvelaiIt is me at this moment
Female
Naanthaan thaenthaan anbaeI am myself sweet like honey, my love
Unakkaena vaazhum ullamthaanThis heart lives only for you
Male :Yaenthaan yaekkam anbaeMale: Why this longing, my love?
Iruvarum koodum neramthaanIt is the time for both of us to unite
Female :Lipappaloopaa paloopaaFemale: Lipappaloopaa paloopaa
Male :Lipappaloopaa paloopaaMale: Lipappaloopaa paloopaa
Male
Kattuk kaavalai ittu pogumoWill strict security and restrictions stop this silky flower garland?
Pattu poomaalaiSilky garland of flowers
Vattam poduvaen mettu paaduvaenI will circle around and sing a tune
Naanthaan ivvelaiIt is me at this moment
Female
Naanthaan thaenthaan anbaeI am myself sweet like honey, my love
Unakkaena vaazhum ullamthaanThis heart lives only for you
Male :Yaenthaan yaekkam anbaeMale: Why this longing, my love?
Iruvarum koodum neramthaanIt is the time for both of us to unite
Female :Lipappaloopaa paloopaaFemale: Lipappaloopaa paloopaa
Male :Lipappaloopaa paloopaaMale: Lipappaloopaa paloopaa
Male
Aaththaadi un saettaigalthaanOh my, your mischievous acts
Aagaathu en kottaiyilthaanWill not work in my fort
Paaradi paingili raaththiri en vettaithaanLook green parrot, the night belongs to my hunt
Vaadaatha en poonguyilaeMy unwithering flower-cuckoo
Vanthaenae un aan kuyilaeI, your male cuckoo, have arrived
Koovalaam thaavalaam raaththiri en tholilaeWe can coo and leap on my shoulders at night
Female
Unnai vanthu ottikkollumIt will come and cling to you
Konjugindra vanjikkodiThe caressing slender vine
Male :Ennugindra ennappadi kayil varum vettrikkaniMale: Just as thought, the fruit of victory comes to hand
Ennudaiya thittam hah ennudaiya sattamIt is my plan, hah, it is my rule
Sonna vannam ingae vellugindra kattamIt is the phase where things win as dictated
Female :Hae hae hae hae hae ooh ooh oohFemale: Hae hae hae hae hae ooh ooh ooh
Male
Kattuk kaavalai ittu pogumoWill strict security and restrictions stop this silky flower garland?
Pattu poomaalaiSilky garland of flowers
Vattam poduvaen mettu paaduvaenI will circle around and sing a tune
Naanthaan ivvelaiIt is me at this moment
Female
Naanthaan thaenthaan anbaeI am myself sweet like honey, my love
Unakkaena vaazhum ullamthaanThis heart lives only for you
Male :Yaenthaan yaekkam anbaeMale: Why this longing, my love?
Iruvarum koodum neramthaanIt is the time for both of us to unite
Female :Lipappaloopaa paloopaaFemale: Lipappaloopaa paloopaa
Male :Lipappaloopaa paloopaaMale: Lipappaloopaa paloopaa
Male
Vaammaa vaa jeevithamae naan kooda yaen thaamathamaeCome my darling, my life, why delay in joining me?
Raagamum thaalamum saernthida sangeethamaeWhen melody and rhythm join, it becomes music
Female :Vaattatho un vaalipamae naalthorum un nypagaameFemale: Will your youth ever fade? Thoughts of you every day
Aadhiyum anthamum kooruthu un mogamaeYour passion speaks of beginning and end
Male
Achchadiththa chiththiramae ennidam nee paththiramaeO printed picture, you are safe with me
Muththunaga raththinamae un manasu en vasamaeO pearl-smiling gem, your heart is under my spell
Panthayaththil ingu ennudaiya panguMy share here in this contest
Sundhariyae neethaan vanthuvidu indruO beautiful lady, come today
Female :Hae hae hae hae hae ooh ooh oohFemale: Hae hae hae hae hae ooh ooh ooh
Male
Kattuk kaavalai ittu pogumoWill strict security and restrictions stop this silky flower garland?
Pattu poomaalaiSilky garland of flowers
Vattam poduvaen mettu paaduvaenI will circle around and sing a tune
Naanthaan ivvelaiIt is featured at this hour
Female
Naanthaan thaenthaan anbaeI am myself sweet like honey, my love
Unakkaena vaazhum ullamthaanThis heart lives only for you
Male :Yaenthaan yaekkam anbaeMale: Why this longing, my love?
Iruvarum koodum neramthaanIt is the time for both of us to unite
Both :Lipappaloopaa paloopaaBoth: Lipappaloopaa paloopaa
Lipappaloopaa paloopaaLipappaloopaa paloopaa

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Kattuk Kaavalai' from the 1985 movie 'Vetrikani' is a romantic duet between lovers expressing playful affection and deep longing. The female protagonist compares herself to a flower garland and sweet honey, asking if strict boundaries can stop true love. The male protagonist responds with playful bravado, calling the night his hunt and looking forward to winning her love like a fruit of victory ('Vetrikani'). They celebrate their togetherness as harmonious as melody and rhythm coming together to make music.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Alliteration)

Kattuk kaavalai ittu pogumo

Repetition of initial consonant sounds in 'Kattuk kaavalai' (K sound) and 'Vattam poduvaen mettu paaduvaen'.

Edugai (Rhyme in second letter)

Pattu poomaalai

Rhyming of second consonant 't' in 'Kattuk' and 'Pattu'.

Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)

Konjugindra vanjikkodi

Comparing the heroine to a 'pattu poomaalai' (silk flower garland) and 'vanjikkodi' (tender creeper vine).

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Ennudaiya thittam hah ennudaiya sattam

Rhyming endings in lines like 'thittam', 'sattam', and 'kattam'.

Did you know?

Trivia

The soundtrack of Vetrikani (1985) was composed by the famous duo Shankar-Ganesh, with lyrics penned by Vaali. The track features western-inspired catchy scattings like 'Lipappaloopaa paloopaa', which was a popular pop-fusion trend in mid-80s Tamil cinema.

Keep listening

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