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Lyrics & meaning

Kelvi Ketkum Neramalla Ithu

From Kulakozhunthu · 1981

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Kulakozhunthu1981

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kelvi ketkkum neramalla idhuThis is not the time to ask questions
Thevai inba kadhalennum madhuWhat is needed is the sweet wine called love
Arimugam orae mugam endruSaying that an introduction leads to familiarity
Aarambam aagattum poojaigalLet the worship rituals begin
Female :Aaa….aarambam aagattum poojaigalFemale: Ah... let the worship rituals begin
Female
Kelvi ketkkum neramalla idhuThis is not the time to ask questions
Thevai inba kadhalennum madhuWhat is needed is the sweet wine called love
Arimugam orae mugam endruSaying that an introduction leads to familiarity
Aarambam aagattum poojaigalLet the worship rituals begin
Female :Mmm….aarambam aagattum poojaigalFemale: Mmm... let the worship rituals begin
Male
………………[Music Interlude]
Female
Maangani saattrilae thenai oottruPour honey into the sweet mango juice
Maavilai medaiyil aadikkaattuPerform a breeze-like dance on a stage of mango leaves
Poovenum pennmayil veenai meettuPlay the lute on the flower-like maiden
Bodhaiyil paadalaam nooru paattuIn intoxication, we can sing a hundred songs
Poovenum pennmayil veenai meettuPlay the lute on the flower-like maiden
Bodhaiyil paadalaam nooru paattuIn intoxication, we can sing a hundred songs
Male
KonjamoIs it just a little?
Female :Aa….aa…Female: Ah... ah...
Male :PaaduvaenMale: I will sing
Female :Aa….aa…Female: Ah... ah...
Male :Kodi naal aaduvaenMale: I will dance for ten million days
Konjamo paaduvaenWill I sing just a little?
Kodi naal aaduvaenI will dance for ten million days
Female
Kelvi ketkkum neramalla idhuThis is not the time to ask questions
Male :Thevai inba kadhalennum madhuMale: What is needed is the sweet wine called love
Female :Arimugam orae mugam endruFemale: Saying that an introduction leads to familiarity
Aarambam aagattum poojaigalLet the worship rituals begin
Male :Aaa….aarambam aagattum poojaigalMale: Ah... let the worship rituals begin
Female
…………..[Music Interlude]
Male
Gopuram paarththavan kovil kandaanHe who saw the temple tower found the temple
Kovilai kandapin poojai endraanAfter seeing the temple, he sought to perform worship
Poojaiyae deviyin sevai endraanHe declared that worship itself is service to the Goddess
Poovaiyo paarkkalaam naalai endraalBut the flower-like maiden said, 'We shall see tomorrow'
Female
Solluvaal aayiram thottathum maaruvaalShe will speak a thousand excuses, but will yield upon a touch
Solluvaal aayiram thottathum maaruvaalShe will speak a thousand excuses, but will yield upon a touch
Male
Kelvi ketkkum neramalla idhuThis is not the time to ask questions
Female :Aa….aa…Female: Ah... ah...
Thevai inba kadhalennum madhuWhat is needed is the sweet wine called love
Both :Arimugam orae mugam endruBoth: Saying that an introduction leads to familiarity
Aarambam aagattum poojaigalLet the worship rituals begin
Female :Aa…aa….aarambam aagattum poojaigalFemale: Ah... ah... let the worship rituals begin
Aarambam aagattum naadagam laal lala laa….Let the romantic play begin, laal lala laa....

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Kelvi ketkkum neramalla idhu' from the 1981 movie 'Kulakozhunthu' is a playful and sensual romantic duet between two lovers who are setting aside hesitation and conversation to indulge in romance. The male lead compares love to an intoxicating worship service, suggesting that questioning and formal introductions are unnecessary when passion takes over.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Thevai inba kadhalennum madhu

Love is directly equated to intoxicating wine ('kadhalennum madhu') and romantic intimacy is equated to temple worship ('poojaigal').

Antadi / Chaining Effect (அந்தாதித் தொடை)

Gopuram paarththavan kovil kandaan / Kovilai kandapin poojai endraan

Each line builds directly upon the last word or concept of the previous line (Gopuram -> Kovil -> Poojai -> Devi).

Ethiray (Second-letter rhyme)

Poovenum pennmayil veenai meettu / Bodhaiyil paadalaam nooru paattu

Rhyming of the second letter 'o' across consecutive lines ('Poovenum' and 'Bodhaiyil').

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics by Kannadasan, this song stands out for Kannadasan's signature stylistic choice of blending sacred imagery (temple towers, worship, service to the Goddess) with seductive, romantic themes.

Keep listening

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