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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kattuven Kaiyil Unnai

From Bombay Mail 109 · 1980

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Bombay Mail 1091980

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kattuven kayil unnaiI will bind you in my hands
Kattalai iduven kannaiI will command with my eyes
Kattuven kayil unnaiI will bind you in my hands
Kattalai iduven kannaiI will command with my eyes
Naan velluven ini unnaiI will conquer you from now on
Female
Kottuven murasum ondruI will beat a drum of victory
Konjuven arugil nindruI will affectionally coax standing near you
Nee vellalaam enai indruYou may conquer me today
Poovaiyin thegam porkkalam aagumA woman's body becomes a battlefield
Poovaiyin thegam porkkalam aagumA woman's body becomes a battlefield
Mannavan veeram kondu adhai vellalaamA king can conquer it with his bravery
Female
Kattuven kayil unnaiI will bind you in my hands
Kattalai iduven kannaiI will command with my eyes
Naan velluven ini unnaiI will conquer you from now on
Female
Chandhiran medai kattiBuilding a stage out of the moon
Anthiyil aadumpothuWhen dancing in the dusk
Chandhiran medai kattiBuilding a stage out of the moon
Anthiyil aadumpothuWhen dancing in the dusk
Panthu pol ullam thullimThe heart leaps like a ball
Sinthaiyo engo sellumWhere will thoughts wander off to?
Female
Porilae vellum kaavalan ullamThe mind of a defender who wins in war
Kadhalil adimaiyaanaalIf it becomes a slave to love
Penn enna seiyumWhat can a woman do?
Female
Kattuven kayil unnaiI will bind you in my hands
Kattalai iduven kannaiI will command with my eyes
Naan velluven ini unnaiI will conquer you from now on
Female
Devathai koyil unduThere is a temple of an angel
Sevvidhazh vaasal unduThere is an entrance of red lips
Kinnamum madhuvum unduThere is a chalice and wine
Pennilum bodhai unduThere is intoxication in a woman too
Female
Paththarai maaththu thangamPure twenty-four karat gold
Muththirai podumpothuWhen placing a royal seal upon it
Thaththuvam engae sellumWhere will philosophy go?
Kaththi pol kannae vellumThe eyes will conquer like a sharp sword
Naalvagai thenai yaavaiyum aalveanI will rule over all four types of honey
Thalaivanai polae nindru thazhuvungal ennaiStand like a leader and embrace me
Female
Kattuven kayil unnaiI will bind you in my hands
Kattalai iduven kannaiI will command with my eyes
Naan velluven ini unnaiI will conquer you from now on

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Kattuven Kayil Unnai from the film Bombay Mail 109 is a playful and romantic song where a woman playfully challenges her lover to a duel of love. Using the metaphor of a battlefield, she expresses her desire to conquer him with her charm while simultaneously inviting him to win her heart through his valor. She poetically blends themes of dominance, surrender, and romance. The song develops with sensual imagery, comparing her lips to temple gates and love to pure gold and wine. Kannadasan's lyrics playfully note how even grand philosophy and warrior strength dissolve when confronted by love, leading to a passionate plea for her beloved to stand like a king and embrace her.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Poovaiyin thegam porkkalam aagum

Compares a woman's body directly to a battlefield ('porkkalam').

Simile (Uwamai)

Panthu pol ullam thullim

Compares the excited leaping of the heart to a bouncing ball ('Panthu pol').

Simile (Uwamai)

Kaththi pol kannae vellum

Compares the sharp, conquering gaze of the eyes to a sword ('Kaththi pol').

Edhugai (Second-letter rhyme)

Kattuven kayil unnai / Kattalai iduven kannai

Matching second consonants across consecutive lines (Kattuven / Kattalai / Kottuven).

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics by Kannadasan, this track showcases P. Susheela's versatile vocal range in blending seductive playfulness with classical melody.

Keep listening

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