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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kattukkul Sikkumo

From Dharmam · 1986

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Usha Khanna
Details
Dharmam1986

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kattukkul sikkumo chittukkuruviWill a little sparrow get trapped inside a bond?
Ellaikkul nikkumo kottum aruviWill a gushing waterfall stay within boundaries?
Oo vaaname oo megamae oo thendralaeOh sky! Oh cloud! Oh gentle breeze!
Paadungal ennodu aadungal ennoduSing with me, dance with me!
Thatti ketkka yaarumillai vaazhalaamThere is no one to question or stop us, let us live!
Male
Kattukkul sikkumo chittukkuruviWill a little sparrow get trapped inside a bond?
Ellaikkul nikkumo kottum aruviWill a gushing waterfall stay within boundaries?
Oo vaaname oo megamae oo thendralaeOh sky! Oh cloud! Oh gentle breeze!
Paadungal ennodu aadungal ennoduSing with me, dance with me!
Thatti ketkka yaarumillai vaazhalaamThere is no one to question or stop us, let us live!
Male
{Pachchai pullin meththaiyunduThere is a bed made of green grass,
Pattu poovil thottilunduThere is a cradle inside silky flowers,
Annai endru ennai konjaTo caress me calling me mother,
Pongi paayum oodaiyillaiyo….Isn't there an overflowing stream?
Male
Konji pesa killaiyunduThere is a parrot to chatter with affectionately,
Vaasam veesum mullaiyunduThere is fragrant jasmine blooming,
Nesam ulla nenam ellaamAren't all loving hearts
Ennudaiya sontham illaiyo….} (2)My very own relatives?
Male
Oo vaaname oo megamae oo thendralaeOh sky! Oh cloud! Oh gentle breeze!
Paadungal ennodu aadungal ennoduSing with me, dance with me!
Thatti ketkka yaarumillai vaazhalaamThere is no one to question or stop us, let us live!
Male
{Naanum oru pennai kandaenI too saw a woman,
Neelam poththa kannai kandaenI saw blue-tinted eyes,
Antha pennin ennamThe thoughts of that woman
Intha nenajai vittu neengavillaiyae….Have not left this heart...
Male
Kaalam seitha kolam ennaWhat a design of fate and time,
Paadhai maari ponathennaWhy did the path change direction?
Kadhal ennum noyil vanthaThe wound caused by the illness called love
Kaayam innum aaravillaiyae….} (2)Has not yet healed...
Male
Oo vaaname oo megamae oo thendralaeOh sky! Oh cloud! Oh gentle breeze!
Paadungal ennodu aadungal ennoduSing with me, dance with me!
Thatti ketkka yaarumillai vaazhalaamThere is no one to question or stop us, let us live!
Male
Kattukkul sikkumo chittukkuruviWill a little sparrow get trapped inside a bond?
Ellaikkul nikkumo kottum aruviWill a gushing waterfall stay within boundaries?
Oo vaaname oo megamae oo thendralaeOh sky! Oh cloud! Oh gentle breeze!
Paadungal ennodu aadungal ennoduSing with me, dance with me!
Thatti ketkka yaarumillai vaazhalaamThere is no one to question or stop us, let us live!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song expresses a profound desire for unbridled freedom and a deep connection with nature. The singer compares himself to a free-spirited sparrow and a wild waterfall that cannot be bound by limits or societal restrictions. Finding comfort in nature's simple pleasures—grass beds, flower cradles, and babbling streams—he considers all living beings as his family and invites the elements (sky, clouds, and breeze) to sing and dance alongside him.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Rhetorical Question & Metaphor

Kattukkul sikkumo chittukkuruvi / Ellaikkul nikkumo kottum aruvi

Compares human freedom to sparrows and waterfalls, posing questions to emphasize that true spirit cannot be trapped.

Personification

Oo vaaname oo megamae oo thendralae / Paadungal ennodu aadungal ennodu

Addresses natural elements like the sky, cloud, and breeze as companions who can sing and dance.

Iyaibu (Rhyming / Monai)

Pachchai pullin meththaiyundu / Pattu poovil thottilundu

Uses rhythmic Tamil rhyming patterns across line ends ('meththaiyundu', 'thottilundu', 'killaiyundu', 'mullaiyundu').

Metaphor

Kadhal ennum noyil vantha / Kaayam innum aaravillaiyae….

Compares love to a disease/affliction that leaves lasting emotional wounds.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by the famed lyricist Vaali for the 1986 film 'Dharmam', this song highlights his trademark style of weaving philosophical views on liberty and heartbreaks into lighthearted, nature-centric lyricism.

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