Kendai Keluthi
From Panam Pagai Paasam · 1979
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- Vani Jairam
- Music director
- Shankar Ganesh
- Details
- Panam Pagai Paasam1979
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Kendai keluthi vaala vavvaa | Kendai, keluthi, vaala, and vavvaa... |
| Rushiyaana meenunga | Delicious varieties of fish! |
| Kendai keluthi vaala vavvaa | Kendai, keluthi, vaala, and vavvaa... |
| Rushiyaana meenunga | Delicious varieties of fish! |
| Female | |
| Raavelaam muzhichchi naane pudippaen | I stay awake all night and catch them myself. |
| Raavelaam muzhichchi naane pudippaen | I stay awake all night and catch them myself. |
| Sikkaatha meenukellaam vala veesa nenappen | I think of casting a net for all the uncaught fish. |
| Sikkaatha meenukellaam vala veesa nenappen | I think of casting a net for all the uncaught fish. |
| Female | |
| Kendai keluthi vaala vavvaa | Kendai, keluthi, vaala, and vavvaa... |
| Rushiyaana meenunga | Delicious varieties of fish! |
| Kendai keluthi vaala vavvaa | Kendai, keluthi, vaala, and vavvaa... |
| Rushiyaana meenunga | Delicious varieties of fish! |
| Female | |
| Vengaaya kozhambu vachu meena | Cooking the fish in an onion curry sauce, |
| Vennaiya pol vega vachchu | Making it cook soft like butter, |
| Moochu mutta thinnu vaasanaikku ponnu | Eating until breathless, attracted by the aroma, the girl... |
| Thannaala pakkam varuvaa | Will automatically come to your side. |
| Female | |
| Vengaaya kozhambu vachu meena | Cooking the fish in an onion curry sauce, |
| Vennaiya pol vega vachchu | Making it cook soft like butter, |
| Moochu mutta thinnu vaasanaikku ponnu | Eating until breathless, attracted by the aroma, the girl... |
| Thannaala pakkam varuvaa | Will automatically come to your side. |
| Female | |
| Neiyaattam manakkumunga | It smells rich like ghee, sir, |
| Thanni naakkulathaan oorumunga | Water waters in the mouth, sir. |
| Neiyaattam manakkumunga | It smells rich like ghee, sir, |
| Thanni naakkulathaan oorumunga | Water waters in the mouth, sir. |
| Female | |
| Kendai keluthi vaala vavvaa | Kendai, keluthi, vaala, and vavvaa... |
| Rushiyaana meenunga | Delicious varieties of fish! |
| Kendai keluthi vaala vavvaa | Kendai, keluthi, vaala, and vavvaa... |
| Rushiyaana meenunga | Delicious varieties of fish! |
| Female | |
| Paththavidum annaachchi | Light it up, big brother, |
| Thaedi vanthathu ennaachchi | What happened to what you came searching for? |
| Enniyathu unakku ennidaththil irukku | What you desired is here with me, |
| Ennaivittu pogaathae | Don't leave me and go. |
| Female | |
| Aalaagi naalaachchu | It has been days since I came of age, |
| Udambu aasaiyilae noolaachchu | My body has grown thin like a thread in desire. |
| Aalaagi naalaachchu | It has been days since I came of age, |
| Udambu aasaiyilae noolaachchu | My body has grown thin like a thread in desire. |
| Female | |
| Kendai keluthi vaala vavvaa | Kendai, keluthi, vaala, and vavvaa... |
| Rushiyaana meenunga | Delicious varieties of fish! |
| Kendai keluthi vaala vavvaa | Kendai, keluthi, vaala, and vavvaa... |
| Rushiyaana meenunga | Delicious varieties of fish! |
| Female | |
| Koodaiyilae nandirukku | There is a crab inside the basket, |
| Adha kondu poga aalirukku | There is someone to carry it away. |
| Eththanaiyo kokku suththuratha paaru | Look at how many cranes are hovering around, |
| Koththi poga udamaattaen | But I won't let them peck it away! |
| Female | |
| Koodaiyilae nandirukku | There is a crab inside the basket, |
| Adha kondu poga aalirukku | There is someone to carry it away. |
| Eththanaiyo kokku suththuratha paaru | Look at how many cranes are hovering around, |
| Koththi poga udamaattaen | But I won't let them peck it away! |
| Female | |
| Yaemaaththa mudiyaathu | You cannot deceive me, |
| Adhuthaan engitta nadakkaathu | That won't happen with me! |
| Yaemaaththa mudiyaathu | You cannot deceive me, |
| Adhuthaan engitta nadakkaathu | That won't happen with me! |
| Female | |
| Kendai keluthi vaala vavvaa | Kendai, keluthi, vaala, and vavvaa... |
| Rushiyaana meenunga | Delicious varieties of fish! |
| Kendai keluthi vaala vavvaa | Kendai, keluthi, vaala, and vavvaa... |
| Rushiyaana meenunga | Delicious varieties of fish! |
| Female | |
| Raavellaam muzhichchi naanae pudippaen | I stay awake all night and catch them myself. |
| Raavellaam muzhichchi naanae pudippaen | I stay awake all night and catch them myself. |
| Sikkaatha meenukellaam vala veesa nenaippaen | I think of casting a net for all the uncaught fish. |
| Sikkaatha meenukellaam vala veesa nenaippaen | I think of casting a net for all the uncaught fish. |
கெண்டை கெளுத்தி வாள வவ்வா
ருசியான மீனுங்க
கெண்டை கெளுத்தி வாள வவ்வா
ருசியான மீனுங்க
Kendai, keluthi, vaala, and vavvaa...
Delicious varieties of fish!
Kendai, keluthi, vaala, and vavvaa...
Delicious varieties of fish!
ராவெல்லாம் முழிச்சி நானே புடிப்பேன்
ராவெல்லாம் முழிச்சி நானே புடிப்பேன்
சிக்காத மீனுக்கெல்லாம் வல வீச நெனப்பேன்
சிக்காத மீனுக்கெல்லாம் வல வீச நெனப்பேன்
I stay awake all night and catch them myself.
I stay awake all night and catch them myself.
I think of casting a net for all the uncaught fish.
I think of casting a net for all the uncaught fish.
கெண்டை கெளுத்தி வாள வவ்வா
ருசியான மீனுங்க
கெண்டை கெளுத்தி வாள வவ்வா
ருசியான மீனுங்க
Kendai, keluthi, vaala, and vavvaa...
Delicious varieties of fish!
Kendai, keluthi, vaala, and vavvaa...
Delicious varieties of fish!
வெங்காய கொழம்பு வச்சு மீன
வெண்ணயப் போல் வேக வச்சு
மூச்சு முட்ட தின்னு வாசனைக்கு பொண்ணு
தன்னால பக்கம் வருவா
Cooking the fish in an onion curry sauce,
Making it cook soft like butter,
Eating until breathless, attracted by the aroma, the girl...
Will automatically come to your side.
வெங்காய கொழம்பு வச்சு மீன
வெண்ணயப் போல் வேக வச்சு
மூச்சு முட்ட தின்னு வாசனைக்கு பொண்ணு
தன்னால பக்கம் வருவா
Cooking the fish in an onion curry sauce,
Making it cook soft like butter,
Eating until breathless, attracted by the aroma, the girl...
Will automatically come to your side.
நெய்யாட்டம் மணக்குமுங்க
தண்ணி நாக்குலதான் ஊறுமுங்க
நெய்யாட்டம் மணக்குமுங்க
தண்ணி நாக்குலதான் ஊறுமுங்க
It smells rich like ghee, sir,
Water waters in the mouth, sir.
It smells rich like ghee, sir,
Water waters in the mouth, sir.
கெண்டை கெளுத்தி வாள வவ்வா
ருசியான மீனுங்க
கெண்டை கெளுத்தி வாள வவ்வா
ருசியான மீனுங்க
Kendai, keluthi, vaala, and vavvaa...
Delicious varieties of fish!
Kendai, keluthi, vaala, and vavvaa...
Delicious varieties of fish!
பத்தவிடும் அண்ணாச்சி
தேடி வந்தது என்னாச்சி
எண்ணியது உனக்கு என்னிடத்தில் இருக்கு
என்னைவிட்டு போகாதே
Light it up, big brother,
What happened to what you came searching for?
What you desired is here with me,
Don't leave me and go.
ஆளாகி நாளாச்சு
உடம்பு ஆசையிலே நூலாச்சு
ஆளாகி நாளாச்சு
உடம்பு ஆசையிலே நூலாச்சு
It has been days since I came of age,
My body has grown thin like a thread in desire.
It has been days since I came of age,
My body has grown thin like a thread in desire.
கெண்டை கெளுத்தி வாள வவ்வா
ருசியான மீனுங்க
கெண்டை கெளுத்தி வாள வவ்வா
ருசியான மீனுங்க
Kendai, keluthi, vaala, and vavvaa...
Delicious varieties of fish!
Kendai, keluthi, vaala, and vavvaa...
Delicious varieties of fish!
கூடையிலே நண்டிருக்கு
அத கொண்டு போக ஆளிருக்கு
எத்தனையோ கொக்கு சுத்துறத பாரு
கொத்தி போக உட மாட்டேன்
There is a crab inside the basket,
There is someone to carry it away.
Look at how many cranes are hovering around,
But I won't let them peck it away!
கூடையிலே நண்டிருக்கு
அத கொண்டு போக ஆளிருக்கு
எத்தனையோ கொக்கு சுத்துறத பாரு
கொத்தி போக உட மாட்டேன்
There is a crab inside the basket,
There is someone to carry it away.
Look at how many cranes are hovering around,
But I won't let them peck it away!
ஏமாத்த முடியாது
அதுதான் எங்கிட்ட நடக்காது....
ஏமாத்த முடியாது
அதுதான் எங்கிட்ட நடக்காது....
You cannot deceive me,
That won't happen with me!
You cannot deceive me,
That won't happen with me!
கெண்டை கெளுத்தி வாள வவ்வா
ருசியான மீனுங்க
கெண்டை கெளுத்தி வாள வவ்வா
ருசியான மீனுங்க
Kendai, keluthi, vaala, and vavvaa...
Delicious varieties of fish!
Kendai, keluthi, vaala, and vavvaa...
Delicious varieties of fish!
ராவெல்லாம் முழிச்சி நானே புடிப்பேன்
ராவெல்லாம் முழிச்சி நானே புடிப்பேன்
சிக்காத மீனுக்கெல்லாம் வல வீச நெனப்பேன்
சிக்காத மீனுக்கெல்லாம் வல வீச நெனப்பேன்
I stay awake all night and catch them myself.
I stay awake all night and catch them myself.
I think of casting a net for all the uncaught fish.
I think of casting a net for all the uncaught fish.
Kendai keluthi vaala vavvaa
Kendai, keluthi, vaala, and vavvaa...
Rushiyaana meenunga
Delicious varieties of fish!
Kendai keluthi vaala vavvaa
Kendai, keluthi, vaala, and vavvaa...
Rushiyaana meenunga
Delicious varieties of fish!
Raavelaam muzhichchi naane pudippaen
I stay awake all night and catch them myself.
Raavelaam muzhichchi naane pudippaen
I stay awake all night and catch them myself.
Sikkaatha meenukellaam vala veesa nenappen
I think of casting a net for all the uncaught fish.
Sikkaatha meenukellaam vala veesa nenappen
I think of casting a net for all the uncaught fish.
Kendai keluthi vaala vavvaa
Kendai, keluthi, vaala, and vavvaa...
Rushiyaana meenunga
Delicious varieties of fish!
Kendai keluthi vaala vavvaa
Kendai, keluthi, vaala, and vavvaa...
Rushiyaana meenunga
Delicious varieties of fish!
Vengaaya kozhambu vachu meena
Cooking the fish in an onion curry sauce,
Vennaiya pol vega vachchu
Making it cook soft like butter,
Moochu mutta thinnu vaasanaikku ponnu
Eating until breathless, attracted by the aroma, the girl...
Thannaala pakkam varuvaa
Will automatically come to your side.
Vengaaya kozhambu vachu meena
Cooking the fish in an onion curry sauce,
Vennaiya pol vega vachchu
Making it cook soft like butter,
Moochu mutta thinnu vaasanaikku ponnu
Eating until breathless, attracted by the aroma, the girl...
Thannaala pakkam varuvaa
Will automatically come to your side.
Neiyaattam manakkumunga
It smells rich like ghee, sir,
Thanni naakkulathaan oorumunga
Water waters in the mouth, sir.
Neiyaattam manakkumunga
It smells rich like ghee, sir,
Thanni naakkulathaan oorumunga
Water waters in the mouth, sir.
Kendai keluthi vaala vavvaa
Kendai, keluthi, vaala, and vavvaa...
Rushiyaana meenunga
Delicious varieties of fish!
Kendai keluthi vaala vavvaa
Kendai, keluthi, vaala, and vavvaa...
Rushiyaana meenunga
Delicious varieties of fish!
Paththavidum annaachchi
Light it up, big brother,
Thaedi vanthathu ennaachchi
What happened to what you came searching for?
Enniyathu unakku ennidaththil irukku
What you desired is here with me,
Ennaivittu pogaathae
Don't leave me and go.
Aalaagi naalaachchu
It has been days since I came of age,
Udambu aasaiyilae noolaachchu
My body has grown thin like a thread in desire.
Aalaagi naalaachchu
It has been days since I came of age,
Udambu aasaiyilae noolaachchu
My body has grown thin like a thread in desire.
Kendai keluthi vaala vavvaa
Kendai, keluthi, vaala, and vavvaa...
Rushiyaana meenunga
Delicious varieties of fish!
Kendai keluthi vaala vavvaa
Kendai, keluthi, vaala, and vavvaa...
Rushiyaana meenunga
Delicious varieties of fish!
Koodaiyilae nandirukku
There is a crab inside the basket,
Adha kondu poga aalirukku
There is someone to carry it away.
Eththanaiyo kokku suththuratha paaru
Look at how many cranes are hovering around,
Koththi poga udamaattaen
But I won't let them peck it away!
Koodaiyilae nandirukku
There is a crab inside the basket,
Adha kondu poga aalirukku
There is someone to carry it away.
Eththanaiyo kokku suththuratha paaru
Look at how many cranes are hovering around,
Koththi poga udamaattaen
But I won't let them peck it away!
Yaemaaththa mudiyaathu
You cannot deceive me,
Adhuthaan engitta nadakkaathu
That won't happen with me!
Yaemaaththa mudiyaathu
You cannot deceive me,
Adhuthaan engitta nadakkaathu
That won't happen with me!
Kendai keluthi vaala vavvaa
Kendai, keluthi, vaala, and vavvaa...
Rushiyaana meenunga
Delicious varieties of fish!
Kendai keluthi vaala vavvaa
Kendai, keluthi, vaala, and vavvaa...
Rushiyaana meenunga
Delicious varieties of fish!
Raavellaam muzhichchi naanae pudippaen
I stay awake all night and catch them myself.
Raavellaam muzhichchi naanae pudippaen
I stay awake all night and catch them myself.
Sikkaatha meenukellaam vala veesa nenaippaen
I think of casting a net for all the uncaught fish.
Sikkaatha meenukellaam vala veesa nenaippaen
I think of casting a net for all the uncaught fish.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Kendai Keluthi Vaala Vavvaa is a lively, folk-style romantic song from the film Panam Pagai Paasam (1979). Sung by Vani Jairam with music composed by Shankar-Ganesh and lyrics written by Kannadasan, the song uses rich culinary and fishing metaphors to express playful flirtation, desire, and affection. The heroine names various popular freshwater fish (Kendai, Keluthi, Vaala, Vavvaa) and describes preparing mouth-watering dishes with onion curry and ghee. Through these sensory food metaphors and imagery of fishing nets and protective crabs, she playfully tempts her lover, expresses her longing, and warns off potential rivals symbolized as circling cranes.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Upamai)
“Vennaiya pol vega vachchu”
Compares the delicate, soft texture of well-cooked fish to butter using the comparative marker 'pol'.
Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navortchi)
“Udambu aasaiyilae noolaachchu”
Exaggerates physical longing and weight loss due to romantic longing as becoming thin as a thread.
Extended Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Eththanaiyo kokku suththuratha paaru / Koththi poga udamaattaen”
Uses 'kokku' (cranes) as a metaphor for rival suitors trying to peck away 'nandhu' (crab/love interest).
Alliteration (Monai)
“Kendai keluthi vaala vavvaa”
Repetition of the initial 'k' consonant sound across consecutive words in the line.
Did you know?
Trivia
Panam Pagai Paasam (1979) showcased Kannadasan's skill in adopting authentic rural folk terminology and local seafood culture into film lyrics. Vani Jairam's energetic rendition combined with Shankar-Ganesh's catchy folk beats made this track a memorable dance number in late 70s Tamil cinema.
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