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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kettele Ange

From Bhadrakali · 1976

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Bhadrakali1976

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kettaelae angaeDid you hear it there?
Adhai paarthaelaa ingaeDid you see that here?
Kettaelae angaeDid you hear it there?
Adhai paarthaelaa ingaeDid you see that here?
Edhaiyo nenachelWhatever you were thinking of,
Adhaiyae nenachen naanI thought of that exact same thing.
Aambadaiyaan manusuAccording to my husband's wishes,
Polae nadappenI will conduct myself.
Indha aathukkaariThis wife of the house,
Veredhukku irukkenWhat else am I here for?
Vaangonnaa ada vaangonnaaCome on, oh husband, please come on.
Female
Kettaelae angaeDid you hear it there?
Adhai paarthaelaa ingaeDid you see that here?
Kettaelae angaeDid you hear it there?
Adhai paarthaelaa ingaeDid you see that here?
Edhaiyo nenachelWhatever you were thinking of,
Adhaiyae nenachen naanI thought of that exact same thing.
Aambadaiyaan manusuAccording to my husband's wishes,
Polae nadappenI will conduct myself.
Indha aathukkaariThis wife of the house,
Veredhukku irukken vaangonnaaWhat else am I here for? Come on, husband.
Female
{Madisaaru pudavaikkuIs there any beauty matching
Illaadha azhagathe elegance of a Madisaaru saree?
Veraaru ennaattamWho else could walk like me
Nadai pottu varuvaa} (2)with such style and grace?
Female
TheriyaadhaannaaDon't you know, my dear?
TheriyaadhaannaaDon't you know, my dear?
PuriyaadhaannaaDon't you understand?
Vayasillaiyo naekkumAm I not at the right age?
Vasiyam pannattumaaShall I cast a romantic spell on you?
Female
Vaangonnaa ada vaangonnaaCome on, oh husband, please come on.
Vaangonnaa ada vaangonnaaCome on, oh husband, please come on.
Female
Kettaelae angaeDid you hear it there?
Adhai paarthaelaa ingaeDid you see that here?
Kettaelae angaeDid you hear it there?
Adhai paarthaelaa ingaeDid you see that here?
Edhaiyo nenachelWhatever you were thinking of,
Adhaiyae nenachen naanI thought of that exact same thing.
Aambadaiyaan manusuAccording to my husband's wishes,
Polae nadappenI will conduct myself.
Indha aathukkaariThis wife of the house,
Veredhukku irukken vaangonnaaWhat else am I here for? Come on, husband.
Female
{Thanjavoor kadhamabathaBuying a cubit of mixed flowers
Mozham pottu vangifrom the town of Thanjavur,
Thalaimelae vachchunduand placing them on my head,
Ninnenae yengi} (2)I stood waiting longingly.
Female
Manakkalaiyo manakkalaiyoDoes it not fragrance? Does it not fragrance?
Mayakkalaiyo kodhikalaiyo udambuIs it not intoxicating? Is my body not burning with passion?
Pakkam naanillaiyoAm I not right by your side?
Vaangonnaa ada vaangonnaaCome on, oh husband, please come on.
Vaangonnaa chummaa vaangonnaaCome on, just come on.
Female
Kettaelae angaeDid you hear it there?
Adhai paarthaelaa ingaeDid you see that here?
Kettaelae angaeDid you hear it there?
Adhai paarthaelaa ingaeDid you see that here?
Edhaiyo nenachelWhatever you were thinking of,
Adhaiyae nenachen naanI thought of that exact same thing.
Aambadaiyaan manusuAccording to my husband's wishes,
Polae nadappenI will conduct myself.
Indha aathukkaariThis wife of the house,
Veredhukku irukken vaangonnaaWhat else am I here for? Come on, husband.
Female
{Pollaadha aasaikkuFor such wicked desire,
Yenindha alaichalwhy this endless wandering?
Kallaattam irukenaeI am standing right here like a firm statue,
Naekkenna kurachal} (2)what flaw or shortage do I have?
Female
Mookkirukku mookkirukkuI have a nose, I have a nose,
Muzhi irukku azhaghillaiyo naekkuI have expressiveness in my eyes, do I lack beauty?
Aadi kaattattumaaShall I dance and show you?
Vaangonnaa ada vaangonnaaCome on, oh husband, please come on.
Vaangonnaa ada vaangonnaaCome on, oh husband, please come on.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Kettaelae Angae' from the 1976 film 'Bhadrakali' is a playful, romantic, and seductive track written from the perspective of a traditional Brahmin wife enticing her husband. Rendered in a distinct Iyer/Iyengar Brahmin dialect of Tamil (utilizing terms like 'aathukkaari', 'aambadaiyaan', 'madisaaru', and 'naekku'), the heroine playfully expresses her charm, devotion, and romantic desires towards her spouse.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)

Edhaiyo nenachel / Adhaiyae nenachen naan

Rhyming of the second letter in consecutive lines, such as 'Kettaelae' and 'Adhai' / 'Edhaiyo' and 'Adhaiyae'.

Repetition / Anaphora (Anaphora/Adukkuthodar)

Manakkalaiyo manakkalaiyo

Repeating terms for emphasis and rhythmic cadence like 'Theriyaadhaannaa / Theriyaadhaannaa' and 'Manakkalaiyo manakkalaiyo'.

Cultural Dialectism (Vattara Vazhakku)

Aambadaiyaan manusu / Polae nadappen

Use of specific Brahmin community slang and dialect words such as 'Aambadaiyaan' (husband), 'Aathukkaari' (wife/lady of the house), 'Madisaaru' (traditional saree drape), and 'Naekku' (to me).

Did you know?

Trivia

This iconic song from 'Bhadrakali' (1976) was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja and sung brilliantly by P. Susheela. Lyricist Vaali crafted the lyrics using authentic Brahmin dialect terms, which was unique and catchy at the time, making the track a memorable chartbuster in 1970s Tamil cinema.

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