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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kettaalum Kettadhu Ippadi Kettudakkudaadhu

From Kalai Arasi · 1963

Lyricist
N. M. Muthukkoothan
Singer
A. G. Rathnamala
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Movie name
Kalai Arasi
Movie release year
1963
Lyrics added on
10 Sept 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kettaalum… kettaalum kettudhu
Ippadi kettuda koodaadhu ooru
Kettaalum kettudhu
Ippadi kettuda koodaadhu
Ada kaeli pesum kudumi kullaa
Neenga yaaru
Cha… cha… cha… cha… cha… cha…
Cha… cha… cha…
Kettaalum… kettaalum kettudhu
Ippadi kettuda koodaadhu ooru
Kettaalum kettudhu
Ippadi kettuda koodaadhu
Ada kaeli pesum kudumi kullaa
Neenga yaaru
Cha… cha… cha… cha… cha… cha…
Cha… cha… cha…
Ettaadha pazhathai paarthu
Kottaavi viduraaru
Edhaiyedhaiyo nenachi
Yengi saagiraaru
Ettaadha pazhathai paarthu
Kottaavi viduraaru
Edhaiyedhaiyo nenachi
Yengi saagiraaru
Muttaalum buthisaali vesham poduraaru
Muttaalum buthisaali vesham poduraaru
Iraval moolaikkaarar iraval moolaikkaarar
Ulladhai sonnaa moraichi paakkuraaru
Cha… cha… cha… cha… cha… cha…
Cha… cha… cha…
Paattu kettai rasippadhu pol
Pagatturaaru
Kaasu panathai neetti kaatti
Aalai mayakkuraaru
Ottai odasal kooda serndhu suthuraaru
Oorai suthuraaru
Ippa ozhaikka manamillaamae
Sutha oodhaariyaanaaru
Cha… cha… cha… cha… cha… cha…
Cha… cha… cha…
Kettaalum… kettaalum kettudhu
Ippadi kettuda koodaadhu ooru
Kettaalum kettudhu
Ippadi kettuda koodaadhu
Ada kaeli pesum kudumi kullaa
Neenga yaaru
Cha… cha… cha… cha… cha… cha…
Cha… cha… cha…cha
Even if things go bad... they have truly gone bad!
This town shouldn't ever spoil like this!
Even if things go bad, they have gone so bad,
It shouldn't ever fall apart like this!
Hey, you mocking folks in tufts and caps,
Who do you think you are?
Che... che... che... che... che... che...
Che... che... che...
Even if things go bad... they have truly gone bad!
This town shouldn't ever spoil like this!
Even if things go bad, they have gone so bad,
It shouldn't ever fall apart like this!
Hey, you mocking folks in tufts and caps,
Who do you think you are?
Che... che... che... che... che... che...
Che... che... che...
Staring at the fruit beyond his reach,
He sits and yawns in vain!
Daydreaming of all sorts of wild things,
He pines away in misery!
Staring at the fruit beyond his reach,
He sits and yawns in vain!
Daydreaming of all sorts of wild things,
He pines away in misery!
Even a fool pretends to be a wise man!
Even a fool pretends to be a wise man!
A man with a borrowed brain, living on borrowed wits!
If you tell him the truth, he glares with anger!
Che... che... che... che... che... che...
Che... che... che...
Acting like he enjoys listening to the song,
He puts on big airs!
Flashing his coins and cash,
He tries to charm and lure everyone in!
Hanging out with worthless riff-raff,
He wanders all around town!
Now, with no desire to do honest work,
He has turned into a total wastrel!
Che... che... che... che... che... che...
Che... che... che...
Even if things go bad... they have truly gone bad!
This town shouldn't ever spoil like this!
Even if things go bad, they have gone so bad,
It shouldn't ever fall apart like this!
Hey, you mocking folks in tufts and caps,
Who do you think you are?
Che... che... che... che... che... che...
Che... che... che...
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This satirical track from the 1963 film Kalai Arasi critiques pretentiousness, laziness, and moral degradation in society. The narrator mocks an arrogant, foolish character who pretends to be wise and wealthy while depending on borrowed intellect and deceitful charm. Instead of earning an honest living, he spends his time pining over unachievable desires, hanging out with bad company, and squandering resources as a spendthrift.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

“Kettaalum… kettaalum kettudhu / Ippadi kettuda koodaadhu ooru”

The second consonant 'tt' matches across consecutive lines, creating rhythmic symmetry.

Metaphor / Proverbial Allusion

“Ettaadha pazhathai paarthu / Kottaavi viduraaru”

Refers to the Tamil proverb 'Ettaadha pazhathukku kottaavi', symbolizing longing for something impossible to reach.

Irony / Satire

“Muttaalum buthisaali vesham poduraaru”

Satirizes a foolish person wearing a facade of intelligence ('iraval moolaikkaarar' - borrowed brains).

Alliteration (Monaai)

“Ottai odasal kooda serndhu suthuraaru / Oorai suthuraaru”

Repetition of initial consonants like 'O' in 'Ottai', 'Odasal', and 'Oorai'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Kalai Arasi (1963), starring M. G. Ramachandran and P. Bhanumathi, is widely regarded as one of the earliest sci-fi films in Indian cinema, featuring themes of alien abduction and space travel alongside traditional social satire and musical numbers.

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