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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kattu Mella Kattu

From Neerum Neruppum · 1971

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
L. R. Eswari
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Neerum Neruppum1971

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kattu mella kattuTie gently, tie
Kattu mella kattuTie gently, tie
Thottu katta thaan kattazhagu chittuThis beautiful bird is here to be embraced and bound
Mottu mullai mottuA bud, a jasmine bud
Andha mottu thaan kannirendinThat bud itself is the pair of eyes'
Vettu vettu vettuSharp glance, sharp glance, sharp glance
Andha mottu thaan kannirendinThat bud itself is the pair of eyes'
Vettu vettu vettuSharp glance, sharp glance, sharp glance
Female
Kattu mella kattuTie gently, tie
Thottu katta thaan kattazhagu chittuThis beautiful bird is here to be embraced and bound
Female
Paavai maeni poovai polaThe maiden's body is soft like a flower
Thottaalum pattaalum sugamaeIt brings pleasure whether touched or brushed against
Thaenil oorum dhraatchai kaniyaiLike a grape soaked in honey
Kandaalum undaalum suvaiyaeDelicious both to behold and to taste
Female
Paavai maeni poovai polaThe maiden's body is soft like a flower
Thottaalum pattaalum sugamaeIt brings pleasure whether touched or brushed against
Thaenil oorum dhraatchai kaniyaiLike a grape soaked in honey
Kandaalum undaalum suvaiyaeDelicious both to behold and to taste
Female
Manichittu vizhippattuThe beautiful bird caught in the glance
Manadhukkul adipattuSmitten deep inside the heart
Ila nagai purindhidumWearing a gentle tender smile
Idhazh kondu eluthidaTo write sweet words using the lips
Odi vaa odi vaa odi vaaCome running, come running, come running
Female
Kattu mella kattuTie gently, tie
Thottu katta thaan kattazhagu chittuThis beautiful bird is here to be embraced and bound
Female
Lalalu lalalu lalalu lalalu laaluLalalu lalalu lalalu lalalu laalu
Lalalu lalalu lalalu lalalu laaluLalalu lalalu lalalu lalalu laalu
Aa… laallaallaa…Aa... laallaallaa...
Female
Kallil kaanum bodhai ingaeThe intoxication found in wine is right here
Kannathin kinnathil unduHeld inside the cup of these cheeks
Kaalam thorum vaadaadhindhaNever fading through the passage of time, this
Kanni pen vanna poochenduYoung maiden is a colorful bouquet of flowers
Female
Kallil kaanum bodhai ingaeThe intoxication found in wine is right here
Kannathin kinnathil unduHeld inside the cup of these cheeks
Kaalam thorum vaadaadhindhaNever fading through the passage of time, this
Kanni pen vanna poochenduYoung maiden is a colorful bouquet of flowers
Female
Ilai vittu kilai vittuPassing the leaves and passing the branches
Malar vitta kodi thottuTouching the creeper that sprouted flowers
Oru murai thazhuvidaTo embrace once
Maru murai urugidaTo melt into devotion the next moment
Odi vaa odi vaa odi vaaCome running, come running, come running
Female
Kattu mella kattuTie gently, tie
Thottu katta thaan kattazhagu chittuThis beautiful bird is here to be embraced and bound
Mottu mullai mottuA bud, a jasmine bud
Andha mottu thaan kannirendinThat bud itself is the pair of eyes'
Vettu vettu vettuSharp glance, sharp glance, sharp glance
Female
Kattu mella kattuTie gently, tie
Thottu katta thaan kattazhagu chittuThis beautiful bird is here to be embraced and bound

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Kattu Mella Kattu is a seductive and vibrant romantic track from the 1971 classic Tamil film Neerum Neruppum. The song expresses the allure of youth, charm, and intimate affection through vivid natural imagery. The heroine playfully calls upon her lover to embrace her softly, comparing her grace and body to delicate flowers, honey-drenched grapes, and intoxicating wine cups.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Paavai maeni poovai pola

Compares the maiden's body directly to a delicate flower using 'pola'.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Kannathin kinnathil undu

Metaphorically describes the curves of her cheeks as cups containing intoxication.

Rhyme / Monai & Edhugai

Thottu katta thaan kattazhagu chittu

Internal rhyming and sound matching across 'kattu', 'thottu', and 'chittu'.

Epizeuxis (Repetition)

Odi vaa odi vaa odi vaa

Urgent, rhythmic repetition of words for emphasis and tempo.

Did you know?

Trivia

Neerum Neruppum (1971) stars M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) in dual roles alongside J. Jayalalithaa. The soundtrack was composed by M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics penned by Vaali, featuring playback singing by L. R. Eswari.

Keep listening

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