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Isaimozhi
Dharmam album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Kattukkul Sikkumo

From Dharmam · 1986

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Usha Khanna
Movie name
Dharmam
Movie release year
1986
Lyrics added on
23 Nov 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kattukkul sikkumo chittukkuruvi
Ellaikkul nikkumo kottum aruvi
Oo vaaname oo megamae oo thendralae
Paadungal ennodu aadungal ennodu
Thatti ketkka yaarumillai vaazhalaam
Kattukkul sikkumo chittukkuruvi
Ellaikkul nikkumo kottum aruvi
Oo vaaname oo megamae oo thendralae
Paadungal ennodu aadungal ennodu
Thatti ketkka yaarumillai vaazhalaam
{Pachchai pullin meththaiyundu
Pattu poovil thottilundu
Annai endru ennai konja
Pongi paayum oodaiyillaiyo….
Konji pesa killaiyundu
Vaasam veesum mullaiyundu
Nesam ulla nenam ellaam
Ennudaiya sontham illaiyo….} (2)
Oo vaaname oo megamae oo thendralae
Paadungal ennodu aadungal ennodu
Thatti ketkka yaarumillai vaazhalaam
{Naanum oru pennai kandaen
Neelam poththa kannai kandaen
Antha pennin ennam
Intha nenajai vittu neengavillaiyae….
Kaalam seitha kolam enna
Paadhai maari ponathenna
Kadhal ennum noyil vantha
Kaayam innum aaravillaiyae….} (2)
Oo vaaname oo megamae oo thendralae
Paadungal ennodu aadungal ennodu
Thatti ketkka yaarumillai vaazhalaam
Kattukkul sikkumo chittukkuruvi
Ellaikkul nikkumo kottum aruvi
Oo vaaname oo megamae oo thendralae
Paadungal ennodu aadungal ennodu
Thatti ketkka yaarumillai vaazhalaam
Can a little sparrow ever be kept in control?
Will a rushing waterfall ever stay within bounds?
Oh sky, oh clouds, oh gentle breeze!
Sing with me, dance with me!
There is no one to question us, we can live freely!
Can a little sparrow ever be kept in control?
Will a rushing waterfall ever stay within bounds?
Oh sky, oh clouds, oh gentle breeze!
Sing with me, dance with me!
There is no one to question us, we can live freely!
There is a mattress of green grass,
There is a cradle in soft silky flowers,
To cuddle and care for me like a mother,
isn't there a bubbling, flowing stream?
There is a parrot to chatter with me sweetly,
There is jasmine spreading its sweet fragrance,
Aren't all hearts filled with love
my very own family?
Oh sky, oh clouds, oh gentle breeze!
Sing with me, dance with me!
There is no one to question us, we can live freely...
I too once saw a girl,
I saw her blooming blue eyes,
The memories of that girl
have never left this heart of mine...
What a strange game time has played,
why did our paths drift apart?
The wound from this affliction called love
has not healed even now...
Oh sky, oh clouds, oh gentle breeze!
Sing with me, dance with me!
There is no one to question us, we can live freely!
Can a little sparrow ever be kept in control?
Will a rushing waterfall ever stay within bounds?
Oh sky, oh clouds, oh gentle breeze!
Sing with me, dance with me!
There is no one to question us, we can live freely!
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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.

Keep listening

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