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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kattu Sotha Somandhu

From Thanga Kalasam · 1988

Lyricist
London Gopal
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Thanga Kalasam1988

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kattu choththa somanthukittuCarrying a bundle of packed rice,
Kattazhagi kannaaththaaOh gorgeous Kannatha,
Pattanamae suththuthu unthan pinnaadiThe entire city revolves around you,
Azhagu sokkuthadi en manasu munnaadiYour beauty mesmerizes my heart in front of me.
Female
Achchu vellam ee moikkumFlies swarm around jaggery blocks,
Makku thalai aththaanaeOh foolish-headed cousin!
Achchu vellam ee moikkumFlies swarm around jaggery blocks,
Makku thalai aththaanaeOh foolish-headed cousin!
Sokku podi podaathaeDon't cast love spells on me,
Un soththa palla kaattaathaeDon't show off your decayed teeth!
Male
Aththa peththa muththuraaniOh pearl queen born to aunt,
Meththaiyadi nee enakkuYou are like a soft mattress to me,
Thottu paaththu kattikkiraenI will hold you close and marry you,
Kattuch choththu kannaaththaaOh packed-rice girl Kannatha!
Female
Thannanaana thannannaaThannanaana thannannaa
Thannanaana thannannaa….Thannanaana thannannaa…
Male
Hararararae….aththa peththa muththuraaniHararararae… pearl queen born to aunt,
Meththaiyadi nee enakkuYou are like a soft mattress to me,
Thottu paaththu kattikkiraenI will hold you close and marry you,
Kattuch choththu kannaaththaaOh packed-rice girl Kannatha!
Female
Thavala adai inthaaththaaFemale: Here, take this rice pancake!
Male :Kaara vadai kannaaththaaMale: Oh spicy vadai, Kannatha!
Female :Kozhikkari inthaaththaaFemale: Here, take this chicken curry!
Male :Katti muththam kannaaththaaMale: A tight kiss, Kannatha!
Male
Sengkarumbu kadichchu senthaena kudichchuBiting red sugarcane and drinking pure honey,
Sengkarumbu kadichchu senthaena kudichchuBiting red sugarcane and drinking pure honey,
Female :Sambaa choththa kozhachchi thanthidavaaFemale: Shall I mash and feed you Samba rice?
Urutti sambaa choththa kozhachchi thanthidavaaRolling into balls, shall I mash and feed you Samba rice?
Male
Hararararae….kattu choththa somanthukittuHararararae… carrying a bundle of packed rice,
Kattazhagi kannaaththaaOh gorgeous Kannatha,
Pattanamae suththuthu unthan pinnaadiThe entire city revolves around you,
Azhagu sokkuthadi en manasu munnaadiYour beauty mesmerizes my heart in front of me.
Female
Achchu vellam ee moikkumFlies swarm around jaggery blocks,
Male :AahaanMale: Aahaan
Female :Makku thalai aththaanaeFemale: Oh foolish-headed cousin!
Male :AahaaMale: Aahaa
Female :Sokku podi podaathaeFemale: Don't cast love spells on me,
Male :A…..aa….Male: Ah… aa…
Female :Un soththa palla kaattaathaeFemale: Don't show off your decayed teeth!
Male :…………….Male: [Music / Vocal ad-libs]

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from 'Thanga Kalasam' (1988) is a lively folk duet between a young village man and his cousin, Kannatha. The male protagonist admires Kannatha's striking beauty as she carries a bundle of packed rice, boasting that the whole town follows her wherever she goes and expressing his affectionate wish to marry her. Kannatha playfully retorts by teasing him, calling him foolish and warning him not to try wooing her with charm or showing his imperfect teeth. Despite her mock annoyance, the banter turns romantic as she offers him traditional homemade delicacies like Thavala Adai, chicken curry, and rolled balls of Samba rice. Their playful exchanges showcase traditional rural romance, filled with lighthearted teasing and affectionate culinary gestures.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Moonaai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Kattu choththa somanthukittu / Kattazhagi kannaaththaa

Repetition of the initial 'Ka' sound across consecutive lines in the opening stanza.

Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyming)

Kattu choththa somanthukittu / Pattanamae suththuthu unthan pinnaadi

Matching of the second consonant sound 'tt' across consecutive lines ('Kattu' and 'Pattanamae').

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Achchu vellam ee moikkum / Makku thalai aththaanae

Comparing the hero's persistent attention to flies swarming around sweet jaggery.

Folk Refrain (Santha Sol)

Thannanaana thannannaa / Thannanaana thannannaa…

Rhythmic vocal syllables standard in Tamil folk tradition to maintain tempo and melody.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by lyricist London Gopal for the 1988 film 'Thanga Kalasam', the song prominently incorporates authentic rural Tamil food references—such as 'Kattu Choru' (packed rice bundle), 'Thavala Adai' (a traditional deep-fried lentil pancake), and 'Samba Choru' (aromatic raw rice grain)—to ground the romantic dialogue in native village culture.

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