Kettaiye Oru Kelvi
From Ilaya Thalaimurai · 1977
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singers
- T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Ilaya Thalaimurai1977
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Kettaayae oru kelvi | You asked a question |
| Kettaayae oru kelvi | You asked a question |
| Naan vaarththaiyil badhil solla mudiyaathu | I cannot answer it in mere words |
| Anthiyile naan arumpaavaen | In the quiet twilight, I bloom like a flower bud |
| Aasaiyil ezhunthaal irumbaavaen | When aroused by desire, I become as strong as iron |
| Male | |
| Sugamo sugam ena karumpaavaen | In extreme pleasure, I become sweet like sugarcane |
| Sorkkaththil anantha virunthaavaen | In heaven, I turn into a blissful feast |
| Male | |
| Kettaayae oru kelvi | You asked a question |
| Naan vaarththaiyil bathil solla mudiyaathu | I cannot answer it in mere words |
| Male | |
| Munthaanai mogaththil panthaadum azhaginai | The beauty that plays playfully in the allure of the pallu |
| Kandaalum naan oru kavithai solvaen | Even if I merely look at it, I will recite a poem |
| Manthaara thendralil mandraadum idaiyinai | The waist that sways gently in the mild breeze |
| Thanthaalum naan adhai thazhvi kolvaen | Even if it is offered, I will embrace it dearly |
| Female | |
| Ammaadi enakkathu pudhiya kadhai | Oh my, this is a completely new story for me |
| Aanaalum unnidam iniya suvai | And yet, there is a sweet delight within you |
| Maanaga piranththu paruvasilai | A youthful statue born like a graceful doe |
| Neeyaaga tharuvathil thadaigal illai | There are no barriers when you offer it yourself |
| Male | |
| Kettaayae oru kelvi | You asked a question |
| Naan vaarththaiyil bathil solla mudiyaathu | I cannot answer it in mere words |
| Female | |
| Aththaani mandabam aththaanai kandathum | Upon seeing the royal hall and the lord |
| Thattaamal kadhavugal thirakkindrana | The doors open wide without even being knocked on |
| Anantha pookkalil thaen vantha vegathil | At the speed with which honey arrives in blissful flowers |
| Angangal padakena mithakkindrana | The limbs of the body float suddenly with lightness |
| Male | |
| Senthoora mugaththinil thuruthuruppu | There is restlessness on the vermilion-adorned face |
| Semaantha maarbinil paraparappu | There is a fluttering excitement in the reddened chest |
| Aaramba kadhalin suvai arinthu | Having tasted the sweetness of newly blossomed love |
| Anantham theduthu anai udainthu | It seeks bliss as if breaking through a dam |
| Kettaayae oru kelvi | You asked a question |
| Naan vaarththaiyil bathil solla mudiyaathu | I cannot answer it in mere words |
| Male | |
| Rasaththi poonjittu rajavin kaipattum | When the king touches the sweet little bird-like maiden |
| Pesaamal iruppathin porul ennavo | What is the true meaning behind staying silent? |
| Pesaamal iruppathin porul ennavo | What is the true meaning behind staying silent? |
| Penn paadum perinbam adhuvallavo | Is that silence not the supreme joy that a woman sings of? |
| Male | |
| Kelaamal kettathu nadakkindrathu | What was requested without asking is happening now |
| Female :Paaramal paarththathu inikkindrathu | Female: What was seen without looking feels so sweet |
| Male :Saeraamal saernthathu suvaikkindrathu | Male: What united without uniting tastes wonderful |
| Female :Theeraamal sugam pera azhaikkindrathu | Female: It calls out to experience endless ecstasy |
| Male | |
| Kettaayae oru kelvi | You asked a question |
| Naan vaarththaiyil bathil solla mudiyaathu | I cannot answer it in mere words |
| Female | |
| Amaithiyilae naan arumpaavaen | In deep silence, I bloom like a flower bud |
| Male :Aasaiyil ezhunthaal irumpaavaen | Male: When aroused by desire, I become as strong as iron |
| Sugamo sugam ena karumpaavaen | I become sweet like sugarcane in supreme pleasure |
| Sorkaththil anantha virnthaavaen | I become a blissful feast in heavenly heights |
| Female | |
| …………………… | ... |
| Male :…………………….. | Male: ... |
கேட்டாயே ஒரு கேள்வி
கேட்டாயே ஒரு கேள்வி
நான் வார்த்தையில் பதில் சொல்ல முடியாது
அந்தியிலே நான் அரும்பாவேன்
ஆசையில் எழுந்தால் இரும்பாவேன்
You asked a question
You asked a question
I cannot answer it in mere words
In the quiet twilight, I bloom like a flower bud
When aroused by desire, I become as strong as iron
சுகமோ சுகம் என கரும்பாவேன்
சொர்க்கத்தில் ஆனந்த விருந்தாவேன்
In extreme pleasure, I become sweet like sugarcane
In heaven, I turn into a blissful feast
கேட்டாயே ஒரு கேள்வி
நான் வார்த்தையில் பதில் சொல்ல முடியாது
You asked a question
I cannot answer it in mere words
முந்தானை மேகத்தில் பந்தாடும் அழகினை
கண்டாலும் நான் ஒரு கவிதை சொல்வேன்
மந்தார தென்றலில் மன்றாடும் இடையினை
தந்தாலும் நான் அதை தழுவிக் கொள்வேன்
The beauty that plays playfully in the allure of the pallu
Even if I merely look at it, I will recite a poem
The waist that sways gently in the mild breeze
Even if it is offered, I will embrace it dearly
அம்மாடி எனக்கது புதியக் கதை
ஆனாலும் உன்னிடம் இனிய சுவை
மானாக பிறந்தது பருவச்சிலை
நீயாக தருவதில் தடைகள் இல்லை
Oh my, this is a completely new story for me
And yet, there is a sweet delight within you
A youthful statue born like a graceful doe
There are no barriers when you offer it yourself
கேட்டாயே ஒரு கேள்வி
நான் வார்த்தையில் பதில் சொல்ல முடியாது
You asked a question
I cannot answer it in mere words
அத்தாணி மண்டபம் அத்தானைக் கண்டதும்
தட்டாமல் கதவுகள் திறக்கின்றன
ஆனந்த பூக்களில் தேன் வந்த வேகத்தில்
அங்கங்கள் படகென மிதக்கின்றன
Upon seeing the royal hall and the lord
The doors open wide without even being knocked on
At the speed with which honey arrives in blissful flowers
The limbs of the body float suddenly with lightness
செந்தூர முகத்தினில் துறுதுறுப்பு
செம்மாந்த மார்பினில் பரபரப்பு
ஆரம்ப காதலின் சுவை அறிந்து
ஆனந்தம் தேடுது அணை உடைந்து
கேட்டாயே ஒரு கேள்வி
நான் வார்த்தையில் பதில் சொல்ல முடியாது
There is restlessness on the vermilion-adorned face
There is a fluttering excitement in the reddened chest
Having tasted the sweetness of newly blossomed love
It seeks bliss as if breaking through a dam
You asked a question
I cannot answer it in mere words
ராசாத்தி பூஞ்சிட்டு ராஜாவின் கைபட்டும்
பேசாமல் இருப்பதின் பொருள் என்னவோ
பேசாமல் இருப்பதில் லேசான சுகம் உண்டு
பெண் பாடும் பேரின்பம் அதுவல்லவோ
When the king touches the sweet little bird-like maiden
What is the true meaning behind staying silent?
What is the true meaning behind staying silent?
Is that silence not the supreme joy that a woman sings of?
கேளாமல் கேட்டது நடக்கின்றது
பாராமல் பார்த்தது இனிக்கின்றது
சேராமல் சேர்ந்தது சுவைக்கின்றது
தீராமல் சுகம்பெற அழைக்கின்றது
What was requested without asking is happening now
Female: What was seen without looking feels so sweet
Male: What united without uniting tastes wonderful
Female: It calls out to experience endless ecstasy
கேட்டாயே ஒரு கேள்வி
நான் வார்த்தையில் பதில் சொல்ல முடியாது
You asked a question
I cannot answer it in mere words
அமைதியிலே நான் அரும்பாவேன்
ஆசையில் எழுந்தால் இரும்பாவேன்
சுகமோ சுகம் என கரும்பாவேன்
சொர்க்கத்தில் ஆனந்த விருந்தாவேன்
In deep silence, I bloom like a flower bud
Male: When aroused by desire, I become as strong as iron
I become sweet like sugarcane in supreme pleasure
I become a blissful feast in heavenly heights
............................
................................
...
Male: ...
Kettaayae oru kelvi
You asked a question
Kettaayae oru kelvi
You asked a question
Naan vaarththaiyil badhil solla mudiyaathu
I cannot answer it in mere words
Anthiyile naan arumpaavaen
In the quiet twilight, I bloom like a flower bud
Aasaiyil ezhunthaal irumbaavaen
When aroused by desire, I become as strong as iron
Sugamo sugam ena karumpaavaen
In extreme pleasure, I become sweet like sugarcane
Sorkkaththil anantha virunthaavaen
In heaven, I turn into a blissful feast
Kettaayae oru kelvi
You asked a question
Naan vaarththaiyil bathil solla mudiyaathu
I cannot answer it in mere words
Munthaanai mogaththil panthaadum azhaginai
The beauty that plays playfully in the allure of the pallu
Kandaalum naan oru kavithai solvaen
Even if I merely look at it, I will recite a poem
Manthaara thendralil mandraadum idaiyinai
The waist that sways gently in the mild breeze
Thanthaalum naan adhai thazhvi kolvaen
Even if it is offered, I will embrace it dearly
Ammaadi enakkathu pudhiya kadhai
Oh my, this is a completely new story for me
Aanaalum unnidam iniya suvai
And yet, there is a sweet delight within you
Maanaga piranththu paruvasilai
A youthful statue born like a graceful doe
Neeyaaga tharuvathil thadaigal illai
There are no barriers when you offer it yourself
Kettaayae oru kelvi
You asked a question
Naan vaarththaiyil bathil solla mudiyaathu
I cannot answer it in mere words
Aththaani mandabam aththaanai kandathum
Upon seeing the royal hall and the lord
Thattaamal kadhavugal thirakkindrana
The doors open wide without even being knocked on
Anantha pookkalil thaen vantha vegathil
At the speed with which honey arrives in blissful flowers
Angangal padakena mithakkindrana
The limbs of the body float suddenly with lightness
Senthoora mugaththinil thuruthuruppu
There is restlessness on the vermilion-adorned face
Semaantha maarbinil paraparappu
There is a fluttering excitement in the reddened chest
Aaramba kadhalin suvai arinthu
Having tasted the sweetness of newly blossomed love
Anantham theduthu anai udainthu
It seeks bliss as if breaking through a dam
Kettaayae oru kelvi
You asked a question
Naan vaarththaiyil bathil solla mudiyaathu
I cannot answer it in mere words
Rasaththi poonjittu rajavin kaipattum
When the king touches the sweet little bird-like maiden
Pesaamal iruppathin porul ennavo
What is the true meaning behind staying silent?
Pesaamal iruppathin porul ennavo
What is the true meaning behind staying silent?
Penn paadum perinbam adhuvallavo
Is that silence not the supreme joy that a woman sings of?
Kelaamal kettathu nadakkindrathu
What was requested without asking is happening now
Female :Paaramal paarththathu inikkindrathu
Female: What was seen without looking feels so sweet
Male :Saeraamal saernthathu suvaikkindrathu
Male: What united without uniting tastes wonderful
Female :Theeraamal sugam pera azhaikkindrathu
Female: It calls out to experience endless ecstasy
Kettaayae oru kelvi
You asked a question
Naan vaarththaiyil bathil solla mudiyaathu
I cannot answer it in mere words
Amaithiyilae naan arumpaavaen
In deep silence, I bloom like a flower bud
Male :Aasaiyil ezhunthaal irumpaavaen
Male: When aroused by desire, I become as strong as iron
Sugamo sugam ena karumpaavaen
I become sweet like sugarcane in supreme pleasure
Sorkaththil anantha virnthaavaen
I become a blissful feast in heavenly heights
……………………
...
Male :……………………..
Male: ...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This romantic song captures an intimate conversation between lovers where words fall short of expressing their deep physical and emotional intimacy. The central theme revolves around the idea that certain profound feelings and desires cannot be articulated verbally, but must be experienced through touch, emotion, and togetherness.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Uvamai (Simile)
“Anthiyile naan arumpaavaen / Aasaiyil ezhunthaal irumbaavaen / Sugamo sugam ena karumpaavaen”
Comparing the transformation of feelings to natural and physical objects such as a blooming bud ('arumpaavaen'), iron ('irumbaavaen'), and sugarcane ('karumpaavaen').
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Aththaani mandabam aththaanai kandathum / Thattaamal kadhavugal thirakkindrana”
Repetition of the second consonant sound 'th' in consecutive lines for rhythmic flow ('Aththaani' and 'Thattaamal').
Monaif (First-letter Alliteration / Wordplay)
“Kelaamal kettathu nadakkindrathu / Paaramal paarththathu inikkindrathu”
Playful juxtaposition of contrasting words starting with the same sounds ('Kelaamal' vs 'kettathu', 'Paaramal' vs 'paarththathu').
Did you know?
Trivia
The song features classic vintage orchestration by M. S. Viswanathan with expressive renditions by T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela, written by legendary lyricist Kannadasan who excels at subtle erotic imagery embedded in classical Tamil metaphors.
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