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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kattukkadangatha Aasai

From Harichandra – 1968 Film · 1968

Lyricist
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Singers
S. C. Krishnan, S. V. Ponnusami
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Harichandra – 1968 Film1968

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kattukukadangaadha aasaiyaalaeBecause of uncontrollable desire,
Karadi pol kaanum un meesaiyaalaeBecause of your mustache that looks like a bear,
Kaadhalaalae kaadhal oosaiyaalaeBecause of love, because of the sound of love,
Ullam kalungudhae manmadhan leelaiyaalaeMy heart quivers due to Cupid's playful sports.
Male
Ingae irukkuIt is here,
Angae irukkuIt is there,
Inbam tharum kaadhal engae irukkuWhere is the love that bestows joy?
Male
Idhu ingae irukkuThis is here,
Adhu angae irukkuThat is there,
Inbam tharum kaadhal engae irukkuWhere is the love that bestows joy?
Male
Thanga palam polaeLike a golden fruit,
Singaaram aana ponnuA charming, beautiful girl,
Mmmmm…mmm…Mmmmm…mmm…
Thanga palam polaeLike a golden fruit,
Singaaram aana ponnuA charming, beautiful girl,
Thannalae thaedi vandhu kaathirukku…Has come searching on her own and is waiting…
Kaathirukku…Is waiting…
En kannaala mandaiyilae enna irukkuMy dear, what is inside your head?
Un kaashaya veshamum nannarukkuYour saffron disguise looks very fine,
Rombha nannarukkuIt looks very fine,
Innaruku narukku rukuFine and crisp rhythms,
Male
Jai shankar…Hail Lord Shiva…
Adi pennae…Hey girl…
Adi pennae en mandaiyilae mannarukkuHey girl, inside my head there is only mud,
Ada pedhai un mandaiyilae ponnarukkuOh foolish girl, inside your head there is gold,
Adi pennae en mandaiyilae mannarukkuHey girl, inside my head there is only mud,
Ada pedhai un mandaiyilae ponnarukkuOh foolish girl, inside your head there is gold,
Ponnarukku ennarukku narukku rukku..ku..Gold is there, what is there, crisp rhythms..ku..
Jai shankarHail Lord Shiva
Male
Aaa….aa….oo oo ooAaa….aa….oo oo oo
Kaadhalaa.. haiyooOh lover.. oh my,
Kaadhala haiyaiyooOh lover, oh my!
Kaadhal aaginen saamiI have fallen in love, my Lord,
Kanna konjam thorandhu kaamiOpen your eyes a little and look at me,
Kaadhal aaginen saamiI have fallen in love, my Lord,
Kanna konjam thorandhu kaamiOpen your eyes a little and look at me,
Kaadhal aaginen saamiI have fallen in love, my Lord,
Male
Jai shankarHail Lord Shiva
Kaadhalukku kannu yedhadiWhere are the eyes for love, woman?
Nee solladi kaadhalukku kannu yedhadiYou tell me, where are the eyes for love?
Nee solladiYou tell me,
Male
Kannurukku kaadhurukkuThere are eyes, there are ears,
Kairukku kaalurukkuThere are hands, there are legs,
Kannurukku kaadhurukkuThere are eyes, there are ears,
Kairukku kaalurukkuThere are hands, there are legs,
Kaala neram paarthirukkuThe right time is waiting,
Kanni ponnum kaathirukkuThe young maiden is waiting,
Kaala neram paarthirukkuThe right time is waiting,
Kanni ponnum kaathirukkuThe young maiden is waiting,
Haa prananaeOh my life!
Kaadhal aaginen saamiI have fallen in love, my Lord,
Kanna konjam thorandhu kaamiOpen your eyes a little and look at me,
Kaadhal aaginen saamiI have fallen in love, my Lord,
Male
Inimelae enakkum unakkumFrom now on, between you and me,
EnnarukkuWhat is there?
Male :Namba manam pole petha ponnuA girl born just as our hearts wished,
NannarukkuIs very fine,
Male
Inimelae enakkum unakkumFrom now on, between you and me,
EnnarukkuWhat is there?
Male :Namba manam pole petha ponnuA girl born just as our hearts wished,
NannarukkuIs very fine,
Male
Ahaa athu engae irukkuAha, where is that?
Male :Enna enga irukkaaWhat, where is it?
Inbam thandha kaadhal ingae irukkuThe love that gave bliss is right here,
Namba inbam thandha kaadhal ingae irukkuOur love that gave bliss is right here,
Ingae irukkuIt is right here,
Male :Jai shankarHail Lord Shiva
Male :Irukku…It is here…
Male :Jai shankarHail Lord Shiva
Male :Rukku…Rukku…
Male :Jai shankarHail Lord Shiva

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful track from Harichandra (1968) features a humorous dialogue between a woman captivated by love and a man posing as an ascetic or holy person devoted to Lord Shiva ('Jai Shankar'). The female lead teasingly tries to break through his holy disguise, expressing her deep affection and describing her longing, while comparing her devotion to a golden fruit waiting for acceptance. The male character playfully deflects her advances by declaring his head is filled with mere mud rather than romantic thoughts, questioning the physical reality or sensory nature of love. Throughout the song, lighthearted banter ensues, blending folk rhythmic phrases like 'narukku rukku' with romantic overtures. Eventually, the banter turns into an endearing acknowledgment of mutual connection, bringing love back from abstract spiritual devotion down to earth in joy and companionship.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monaidhu / Initial Alliteration (Monnai)

Kattukukadangaadha aasaiyaalae / Karadi pol kaanum un meesaiyaalae

Repetition of initial consonants/sounds ('K' sound) across lines creating a rhythmic chime.

Upamai (Simile)

Karadi pol kaanum un meesaiyaalae

Comparing the mustache playfully to a bear ('Karadi pol') and comparing the girl to a golden fruit ('Thanga palam polae').

Edupukku / End Rhyme (Iyaibu)

Ingae irukku / Angae irukku

Repetition of rhyming suffixes like '-irukku' or '-aalae' at line ends.

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyming)

Adi pennae en mandaiyilae mannarukku / Ada pedhai un mandaiyilae ponnarukku

Matching second consonants across lines, such as 'nd' in mandaiyilae / mannarukku.

Did you know?

Trivia

Harichandra (1968) featured legendary actors such as Sivaji Ganesan and K. V. Srinivasan in key roles. Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass, known for his rustic, humorous, and folk-infused Tamil song lyrics, used rhythmic slang words like 'narukku rukku' to add comedic effect in romantic duets involving ascetics or fake mendicants.

Keep listening

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