Ketten Naan Oru
From Yettikki Potti · 1987
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- K. S. Chithra
- Music director
- Gangai Amaran
- Details
- Yettikki Potti1987
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| …………… | ... |
| Female | |
| Ketten naan oru thaen paattu | I heard a sweet, honey-like song, |
| Kaadhil sonnadhu poongaatru | Told to my ears by a gentle breeze. |
| Ketten naan oru thaen paattu | I heard a sweet, honey-like song, |
| Kaadhil sonnadhu poongaatru | Told to my ears by a gentle breeze. |
| Female | |
| Aana naan thaan ariyaa ponnu | But I am an innocent, naive girl, |
| Aattral enna theriya ponnu | A girl unaware of her own inner potential. |
| Ketten naan oru thaen paattu | I heard a sweet, honey-like song, |
| Kaadhil sonnadhu poongaatru | Told to my ears by a gentle breeze. |
| Female | |
| Thalladi paayum thanneerin oodai | The rushing stream stumbles along, |
| Boomi pen soodum ponnaana aadai | Like a golden garment worn by Mother Earth. |
| Semmeenai polae ingu naan maaruven | I will transform into a red fish here, |
| Sillendru eeram thottu neeraduven | And bathe in the cool, refreshing wetness. |
| Female | |
| Ammadi thulli thulli naanaduven | Oh my, I will leap and dance in joy, |
| Themmaangu mettu vechu naan paaduven | And sing to a folk tune. |
| Kummaalam kondattam undaagum naalthaan | Today is a day of joy and celebration, |
| Kattukkal illadha sittukkal naam thaan | For we are little sparrows free from all bonds. |
| Chorus | |
| Kondattam aadi paada vaamma vaamma | Come along, come to dance and celebrate! |
| Female :Kukkoo kukukukkoo kukkoo kukkoo | Female: Cuckoo cuckoo... |
| Kukukukoo kukkoo | Cuckoo cuckoo |
| Chorus :Kukkoo kukukukkoo kukkoo kukkoo | Chorus: Cuckoo cuckoo... |
| Kukukukoo kukkoo | Cuckoo cuckoo |
| Female | |
| Ketten naan oru thaen paattu | I heard a sweet, honey-like song, |
| Kaadhil sonnadhu poongaatru | Told to my ears by a gentle breeze. |
| Female | |
| Engeyo indru ennangal oda | As my thoughts wander off somewhere today, |
| Ennangal yaavum vannangal paada | All my thoughts sing in rich colors. |
| Singaara pattupoochi naan thaandi | I am a beautiful butterfly, |
| Sindhaikkul minnal minnum naalthaanadi | Today is the day lightning sparks in my mind, my friend. |
| Female | |
| Inbathai enna solla ooraayiram | How can I express this bliss that multiplies a thousand times? |
| Engengum kaanum katchi poongaaviyam | Every sight around me looks like a beautiful floral epic. |
| Kuttraala saaral pattalae podhum | A touch of the Courtallam mist is enough, |
| Illadha aasai ellamae thonum | To ignite desires I never knew existed. |
| Chorus :Ennodu neeyum aada vaamma vaamma | Chorus: Come join me and dance, come along! |
| Female :Kukkoo kukukukkoo kukkoo kukkoo | Female: Cuckoo cuckoo... |
| Kukukukoo kukkoo | Cuckoo cuckoo |
| Chorus :Kukkoo kukukukkoo kukkoo kukkoo | Chorus: Cuckoo cuckoo... |
| Kukukukoo kukkoo | Cuckoo cuckoo |
| Female | |
| Ketten naan oru thaen paattu | I heard a sweet, honey-like song, |
| Kaadhil sonnadhu poongaatru | Told to my ears by a gentle breeze. |
| Aana naan thaan ariyaa ponnu | But I am an innocent, naive girl, |
| Aattral enna theriyaa ponnu | A girl unaware of her own inner potential. |
| Female | |
| Ketten naan oru thaen paattu | I heard a sweet, honey-like song, |
| Kaadhil sonnadhu poongaatru | Told to my ears by a gentle breeze. |
| Kukkoo kukukukkoo kukkoo kukkoo | Cuckoo cuckoo... |
| Kukukukoo kukkoo | Cuckoo cuckoo |
| Chorus :Kukkoo kukukukkoo kukkoo kukkoo | Chorus: Cuckoo cuckoo... |
| Kukukukoo kukkoo | Cuckoo cuckoo |
..................
...
கேட்டேன் நான் ஒரு தேன் பாட்டு
காதில் சொன்னது பூங்காற்று
கேட்டேன் நான் ஒரு தேன் பாட்டு
காதில் சொன்னது பூங்காற்று
I heard a sweet, honey-like song,
Told to my ears by a gentle breeze.
I heard a sweet, honey-like song,
Told to my ears by a gentle breeze.
ஆனா நான்தான் அறியாப் பொண்ணு
ஆற்றல் என்ன தெரியாப் பொண்ணு
கேட்டேன் நான் ஒரு தேன் பாட்டு
காதில் சொன்னது பூங்காற்று
But I am an innocent, naive girl,
A girl unaware of her own inner potential.
I heard a sweet, honey-like song,
Told to my ears by a gentle breeze.
தள்ளாடி பாயும் தண்ணீரின் ஓடை
பூமி பெண் சூடும் பொன்னான ஆடை
செம்மீனைப் போலே இங்கு நான் மாறுவேன்
சில்லென்று ஈரம் தொட்டு நீராடுவேன்
The rushing stream stumbles along,
Like a golden garment worn by Mother Earth.
I will transform into a red fish here,
And bathe in the cool, refreshing wetness.
அம்மாடி துள்ளி துள்ளி நானாடுவேன்
தெம்மாங்கு மெட்டு வச்சு நான் பாடுவேன்
கும்மாளம் கொண்டாட்டம் உண்டாகும் நாள்தான்
கட்டுக்கள் இல்லாத சிட்டுக்கள் நாம்தான்
Oh my, I will leap and dance in joy,
And sing to a folk tune.
Today is a day of joy and celebration,
For we are little sparrows free from all bonds.
கொண்டாட்டம் ஆடிப்பாட வாம்மா வாம்மா
குக்கூ குகுகுக்கூ குக்கூ குக்கூ
குகுகுக்கூ குக்கூ
குழு :
குக்கூ குகுகுக்கூ குக்கூ குக்கூ
குகுகுக்கூ குக்கூ
Come along, come to dance and celebrate!
Female: Cuckoo cuckoo...
Cuckoo cuckoo
Chorus: Cuckoo cuckoo...
Cuckoo cuckoo
கேட்டேன் நான் ஒரு தேன் பாட்டு
காதில் சொன்னது பூங்காற்று...
I heard a sweet, honey-like song,
Told to my ears by a gentle breeze.
எங்கேயோ இன்று எண்ணங்கள் ஓட
எண்ணங்கள் யாவும் வண்ணங்கள் பாட
சிங்கார பட்டுப்பூச்சி நான் தானடி
சிந்தைக்குள் மின்னல் மின்னும் நாள்தானடி
As my thoughts wander off somewhere today,
All my thoughts sing in rich colors.
I am a beautiful butterfly,
Today is the day lightning sparks in my mind, my friend.
இன்பத்தை என்ன சொல்ல ஓராயிரம்
எங்கெங்கும் காணும் காட்சி பூங்காவியம்
குற்றால சாரல் பட்டாலே போதும்
இல்லாத ஆசை எல்லாமே தோணும்
குழு :
என்னோட நீயும் ஆட வாம்மா வாம்மா
குக்கூ குகுகுக்கூ குக்கூ குக்கூ
குகுகுக்கூ குக்கூ
குழு :
குக்கூ குகுகுக்கூ குக்கூ குக்கூ
குகுகுக்கூ குக்கூ
How can I express this bliss that multiplies a thousand times?
Every sight around me looks like a beautiful floral epic.
A touch of the Courtallam mist is enough,
To ignite desires I never knew existed.
Chorus: Come join me and dance, come along!
Female: Cuckoo cuckoo...
Cuckoo cuckoo
Chorus: Cuckoo cuckoo...
Cuckoo cuckoo
கேட்டேன் நான் ஒரு தேன் பாட்டு
காதில் சொன்னது பூங்காற்று...
ஆனா நான்தான் அறியாப் பொண்ணு
ஆற்றல் என்ன தெரியாப் பொண்ணு
I heard a sweet, honey-like song,
Told to my ears by a gentle breeze.
But I am an innocent, naive girl,
A girl unaware of her own inner potential.
கேட்டேன் நான் ஒரு தேன் பாட்டு
காதில் சொன்னது பூங்காற்று
குக்கூ குகுகுக்கூ குக்கூ குக்கூ
குகுகுக்கூ குக்கூ
குழு :
குக்கூ குகுகுக்கூ குக்கூ குக்கூ
குகுகுக்கூ குக்கூ.....
I heard a sweet, honey-like song,
Told to my ears by a gentle breeze.
Cuckoo cuckoo...
Cuckoo cuckoo
Chorus: Cuckoo cuckoo...
Cuckoo cuckoo
……………
...
Ketten naan oru thaen paattu
I heard a sweet, honey-like song,
Kaadhil sonnadhu poongaatru
Told to my ears by a gentle breeze.
Ketten naan oru thaen paattu
I heard a sweet, honey-like song,
Kaadhil sonnadhu poongaatru
Told to my ears by a gentle breeze.
Aana naan thaan ariyaa ponnu
But I am an innocent, naive girl,
Aattral enna theriya ponnu
A girl unaware of her own inner potential.
Ketten naan oru thaen paattu
I heard a sweet, honey-like song,
Kaadhil sonnadhu poongaatru
Told to my ears by a gentle breeze.
Thalladi paayum thanneerin oodai
The rushing stream stumbles along,
Boomi pen soodum ponnaana aadai
Like a golden garment worn by Mother Earth.
Semmeenai polae ingu naan maaruven
I will transform into a red fish here,
Sillendru eeram thottu neeraduven
And bathe in the cool, refreshing wetness.
Ammadi thulli thulli naanaduven
Oh my, I will leap and dance in joy,
Themmaangu mettu vechu naan paaduven
And sing to a folk tune.
Kummaalam kondattam undaagum naalthaan
Today is a day of joy and celebration,
Kattukkal illadha sittukkal naam thaan
For we are little sparrows free from all bonds.
Kondattam aadi paada vaamma vaamma
Come along, come to dance and celebrate!
Female :Kukkoo kukukukkoo kukkoo kukkoo
Female: Cuckoo cuckoo...
Kukukukoo kukkoo
Cuckoo cuckoo
Chorus :Kukkoo kukukukkoo kukkoo kukkoo
Chorus: Cuckoo cuckoo...
Kukukukoo kukkoo
Cuckoo cuckoo
Ketten naan oru thaen paattu
I heard a sweet, honey-like song,
Kaadhil sonnadhu poongaatru
Told to my ears by a gentle breeze.
Engeyo indru ennangal oda
As my thoughts wander off somewhere today,
Ennangal yaavum vannangal paada
All my thoughts sing in rich colors.
Singaara pattupoochi naan thaandi
I am a beautiful butterfly,
Sindhaikkul minnal minnum naalthaanadi
Today is the day lightning sparks in my mind, my friend.
Inbathai enna solla ooraayiram
How can I express this bliss that multiplies a thousand times?
Engengum kaanum katchi poongaaviyam
Every sight around me looks like a beautiful floral epic.
Kuttraala saaral pattalae podhum
A touch of the Courtallam mist is enough,
Illadha aasai ellamae thonum
To ignite desires I never knew existed.
Chorus :Ennodu neeyum aada vaamma vaamma
Chorus: Come join me and dance, come along!
Female :Kukkoo kukukukkoo kukkoo kukkoo
Female: Cuckoo cuckoo...
Kukukukoo kukkoo
Cuckoo cuckoo
Chorus :Kukkoo kukukukkoo kukkoo kukkoo
Chorus: Cuckoo cuckoo...
Kukukukoo kukkoo
Cuckoo cuckoo
Ketten naan oru thaen paattu
I heard a sweet, honey-like song,
Kaadhil sonnadhu poongaatru
Told to my ears by a gentle breeze.
Aana naan thaan ariyaa ponnu
But I am an innocent, naive girl,
Aattral enna theriyaa ponnu
A girl unaware of her own inner potential.
Ketten naan oru thaen paattu
I heard a sweet, honey-like song,
Kaadhil sonnadhu poongaatru
Told to my ears by a gentle breeze.
Kukkoo kukukukkoo kukkoo kukkoo
Cuckoo cuckoo...
Kukukukoo kukkoo
Cuckoo cuckoo
Chorus :Kukkoo kukukukkoo kukkoo kukkoo
Chorus: Cuckoo cuckoo...
Kukukukoo kukkoo
Cuckoo cuckoo
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
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.
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