- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- K. S. Chithra
- Music director
- Gangai Amaran
- Movie name
- Yettikki Potti
- Movie release year
- 1987
- Lyrics added on
- 8 Sept 2022
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
The song 'Ketten Naan Oru Thaen Paattu' is a joyful, nature-infused expression of youthful freedom and self-discovery. The protagonist describes listening to the gentle breeze whisper a sweet melody, which awakens her senses. Although she sees herself as an innocent and naive girl, her spirit soars as she compares her newfound delight to a fish gliding in streams, a butterfly fluttering in nature, and sparrows flying without boundaries. Set against scenic imagery of flowing streams, colorful flowers, and refreshing rains, the track captures a moment of pure bliss and celebration. The lyrics by Vaali, combined with Gangai Amaran's vibrant folk-pop arrangement and K. S. Chithra's expressive vocals, evoke an atmosphere of boundless happiness and youthful exuberance.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Uvamaani (Simile)
“Boomi pen soodum ponnaana aadai”
Compares the flowing stream to a golden garment worn by Earth ('Boomi pen soodum ponnaana aadai') and the singer's transformation to a red fish ('Semmeenai polae').
Uruvagaimai (Metaphor)
“Ketten naan oru thaen paattu”
Refers to the breeze's sound as a honey-sweet song ('thaen paattu') and unbound women as sparrows ('kattukkal illadha sittukkal').
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Ketten naan oru thaen paattu / Kaadhil sonnadhu poongaatru”
Rhyming of second consonant letters in Tamil lines, such as 'Ketten' and 'Kaadhil' (or 'Thalladi' and 'Boomi').
Onomatopoeia (Anukaranam)
“Kukkoo kukukukkoo kukkoo kukkoo”
Use of bird call imitations ('Kukkoo kukukukkoo') to represent nature and birdsong.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by Gangai Amaran for the film 'Yettikki Potti' (1987), this song highlights K. S. Chithra's versatile range during the late 1980s, when she rapidly emerged as one of the leading female playback singers in Tamil cinema.
Keep listening
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