- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- P. Susheela
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Movie name
- Bombay Mail 109
- Movie release year
- 1980
- Lyrics added on
- 23 Apr 2022
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
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.
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