- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- P. Susheela
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Movie name
- Bhadrakali
- Movie release year
- 1976
- Lyrics added on
- 3 Mar 2019
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
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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