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Lyrics & meaning

Kattu Kuyilu

From Thalapathi · 1991

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. J. Yesudas
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Thalapathi
Movie release year
1991
Lyrics added on
22 Jan 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
{ Kattu kuyilu manasukulla
Paatukendrum panjamilla paada thaan
Thavilai thattu thulli kitu
Kavalai vitu katchai kattu aada thaan } (2)
Kattu kuyilu manasukulla
Paatukendrum panjamilla paada thaan
Thavilai thattu thulli kitu
Kavalai vitu katchai kattu aada thaan
Poda ellam vitu thallu
Pazhasai ellam suttu thallu
Puthusa ippa porandhomunu
Ennikollada doi
Payanam engae ponaal enna
Paathai nooru aanalenna
Thottam vechavan thanneer viduvan
Summa nillada doi
Oodha kaathu veesa
Odambukulla koosa
Kuppa koolam patha vachu kaayalam
Thai porakum naalai
Vidiyum nalla velai
Ponga paalu vellam polae paayalam
Achu vellam pacharisi
Vetti vecha sengarumbu
Athanaiyum thithikira
Naal thaan hoi
Kattu kuyilu manasukulla
Paatukendrum panjamilla paada thaan
Thavilai thattu thulli kitu
Kavalai vitu katchai kattu aada thaan
Ellorum mothathilae
Sandhosa theppathilae haha
Bantham enna sontham enna
Pona enna vandha enna
Uravukellam kavala patta
Jenmam naan illa haha
Pasam veika nesam veika
Thozhan undu vaazha veika
Avanai thavira uravukaaran
Yaarum ingillae
Ullam matum nanae
Usira kooda thaanae
En nanban ketta vaangikanu solluven
En nanban potta soru
Nidhamum thinnen paru
Natpai kooda karpai polae ennuven
Kattu kuyilu manasukulla
Paatukendrum panjamilla paada thaan
Thavilai thattu thulli kitu
Kavalai vitu katchai kattu aada thaan
Ellorum mothathilae
Sandhosa theppathilae
Thalladum nerathilae
Ullasa nenjathilae hey
Inside the heart of this wild cuckoo,
there is never a shortage of songs to sing!
Beat the drums and leap with joy,
leave your worries, tie up your waistcloth, and dance!
Inside the heart of this wild cuckoo,
there is never a shortage of songs to sing!
Beat the drums and leap with joy,
leave your worries, tie up your waistcloth, and dance!
Come on, let it go and brush it all aside!
Burn away everything from the past!
Just believe that we are born anew
right this moment, my friend!
What does it matter where the journey goes?
What does it matter if there are a hundred paths?
The one who planted the garden will provide the water,
so relax and stop worrying, my friend!
When the biting cold wind blows
and sends a shiver through our bodies,
we can light a bonfire of dry twigs and warm ourselves.
Tomorrow, the month of Thai (harvest month) will be born,
dawning with good times;
we can overflow like sweet milk and jaggery!
Block jaggery, fresh raw rice,
and freshly cut sweet red sugarcane—
this is a day that is sweeter
than all of them, hey!
Inside the heart of this wild cuckoo,
there is never a shortage of songs to sing!
Beat the drums and leap with joy,
leave your worries, tie up your waistcloth, and dance!
All of us together,
riding a raft of joy, haha!
What are bonds and what are relatives?
What does it matter who leaves or who arrives?
I am not the kind of person
who frets over family ties, haha!
To shower love and affection,
I have a friend who gives my life purpose;
other than him,
I have no family here.
Is it only my heart?
Even my very life—
if my friend asks, I will tell him, "Take it!"
The food my friend gave me,
look, I have eaten it every single day;
I hold our friendship as sacred as honour itself.
Inside the heart of this wild cuckoo,
there is never a shortage of songs to sing!
Beat the drums and leap with joy,
leave your worries, tie up your waistcloth, and dance!
All of us together,
riding a raft of joy,
swaying in celebration,
with cheerful hearts, hey!
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
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Male
Chorus
Male
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Male
Male
Male
Chorus

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Kattu Kuyilu is a high-energy celebratory song from the 1991 Tamil classic Thalapathi, directed by Mani Ratnam, with music composed by Ilaiyaraaja and lyrics written by Vaali. The song captures the spirit of carefree living, resilience, and deep brotherhood between the lead characters portrayed by Rajinikanth and Mammootty, set against the backdrop of the Pongal festival celebrations. The lyrics encourage letting go of past regrets, living in the present moment, and trusting that life will take care of itself. Vaali poetically weaves theme of unconditional friendship, describing it as supreme above all blood relations and sacred enough to be revered like virtue itself.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

“Poda ellam vitu thallu / Pazhasai ellam suttu thallu”

The lines end with identical rhyming structures 'vitu thallu' and 'suttu thallu' to maintain rhythmic flow and energy.

Simile (Upamai)

“Ponga paalu vellam polae paayalam”

Compares the joy and warmth of the festival to the overflowing of milk during Pongal celebrations.

Hyperbole / Cultural Metaphor

“Natpai kooda karpai polae ennuven”

Compares the purity and devotion of friendship to 'karpu' (chastity/purity), elevating loyalty to a sacred status.

Monai (Alliteration)

“Paatukendrum panjamilla paada thaan”

Repetition of initial consonant sound 'Pa' creates musicality across the line.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja and written by Vaali, 'Kattu Kuyilu' features a legendary vocal duet between legendary playback singers S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and K. J. Yesudas, representing Rajinikanth and Mammootty respectively on screen. The song remains one of the most famous male duets in South Indian cinema history.

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