Kettenaa Naan
From Desam · 2002
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- Sadhana Sargam, Mohammed Aslam
- Music director
- A. R. Rahman
- Details
- Desam2002
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Mm mm mm mmm | Mmm mm mm mmm |
| Kettenaa unnai kettenaa | Did I ask you? Did I ask you? |
| Ennai kaadhal sei endru kettenaa | Did I ask you to love me? |
| Maattenaa thara maattenaa | Would I refuse? Would I refuse to give? |
| Ennai naanaaga tharamaattenaa | Would I refuse to give myself as I am? |
| Female | |
| Enai thoda enai thoda | To touch me, to touch me, |
| Viralgalaacho vizhi | Did your eyes become fingers? |
| Vizhi thoda vizhi thoda | As eyes touched eyes, |
| Vilagipochoo mozhi | Did language step aside? |
| Vara vara vara vara | Gradually, gradually, |
| Ilaikkiren yenaadaa | Why am I growing thin, my dear? |
| Male | |
| Theekkul viralai vaithen | I placed my finger into the fire, |
| Thiththithaai angae nee thaan | And there you were, sweet as honey, |
| Mundaasu kavinjan sonna | As the turbaned poet once sang, |
| Kannamaavaa | Are you my Kannamma? |
| Naan kaatra ariviyalil | In the science I have learned, |
| Unnai pol adhisiyam illai | There is no wonder like you, |
| Thikkatru nirkkuthu kannae | It stands helpless, my dear, |
| Vingyanam thaan | Science itself! |
| Male | |
| Naan thaan antha | Am I that |
| Einstein aaa | Einstein, |
| Unnai aaraaichi seiya | To conduct research on you? |
| Ennaal aagadhu | It is not possible for me! |
| Needhaan pudhu vinmeenaa | Are you a new star? |
| Indha vaiyathai vittu | Leaving this earth, |
| Vaanam pogaathae | Do not fly away to the sky! |
| Female | |
| Neerum indri verum indri | Without water, without roots, |
| Poo pookkum viththai thaana | Is it a magic trick that blossoms flowers, |
| Kaadhal…hooo | Love... hooo? |
| Sollum indri mettum indri | Without words, without a tune, |
| Kann paadum kavithai thaana | Is it a poem sung by the eyes, |
| Kaadhal …hoo oo | Love... hoo oo? |
| Male | |
| Ilakkiya kaniyai | When Adam ate |
| Aadhaam thindraal | The forbidden literary fruit, |
| Vilainthathu andrae kaadhal | Love was born on that very day! |
| Ilakkiya vadivil umarkaiyyam sonaan | As Omar Khayyam stated in literary form, |
| Valarnthathu azhagaai kaadhal | Love grew beautifully! |
| Female | |
| Thanneeril kal erindhaal | When a stone is thrown into water, |
| Undaagum vattam polae | Like the ripples that are created, |
| Kanna naan kanden | My dear, I saw |
| Ennullae vattangalae | Ripples within myself! |
| Male | |
| Kannai oru kallai pola | Like throwing a stone, |
| Kannae naan vitterindhen | My dear, I threw my eyes, |
| Unnadaachu kaadhal vattam | And ripples of love became yours |
| Ullukkullae | Deep inside me! |
| Female | |
| Kettenaa unnai kettenaa | Did I ask you? Did I ask you? |
| Ennai kaadhal sei endru kettenaa | Did I ask you to love me? |
| Maattenaa thara maattenaa | Would I refuse? Would I refuse to give? |
| Ennai naanaaga tharamaattenaa | Would I refuse to give myself as I am? |
| Male | |
| Mmm..mmm | Mmm..mmm |
| Sikkimukki karkal kondu | Using flint stones, |
| Undaaki veippathundu theeyae | Fire is created and placed, |
| Hoo ooo | Hoo ooo |
| Vaththi kuchi vizhigal kondu | With matchstick-like eyes, |
| Thee mooti veithathenna neeyae | Why did you kindle a fire in me? |
| Hoo ooo | Hoo ooo |
| Female | |
| Kaatrinil veitha | Like camphor left |
| Karporam pol | In the open wind, |
| Unnil karainthen naanae | I dissolved inside you completely, |
| Thaniyaai enakkor mugavari yedhu | What separate address do I have for myself? |
| Naan un nizhalaai ponnen | I became your shadow! |
| Male | |
| Un perai solli solli | By repeating your name endlessly, |
| Umil neerum thamil neer aachu | Even my saliva turned into sweet Tamil nectar! |
| Female :Piragenna ennai patri | Female: What next, about me |
| Kavidhai paadu | Sing a poem! |
| Male | |
| Kavidhaikkul sikkadhamma | It cannot be trapped in poetry, |
| Kannae un soundharyam thaan | My dear, that is your beauty! |
| Female :Unnaipol poi thaan solla | Female: To tell lies like you, |
| Ulagil yaaru… | Who else is there in the world? |
| Male | |
| Kettenaa unnai kettenaa | Did I ask you? Did I ask you? |
| Ennai kaadhal sei endru kettenaa | Did I ask you to love me? |
| Maattenaa thara maattenaa | Would I refuse? Would I refuse to give? |
| Ennai naanaaga tharamaattenaa | Would I refuse to give myself as I am? |
ம்ம் ம்ம் ம்ம் ம்ம்
கேட்டேனா உன்னை கேட்டேனா
என்னைக் காதல் செய்யென்று கேட்டேனா
மாட்டேனா என்னைத்தர மாட்டேனா
என்னை நானாக தரமாட்டேனா
Mmm mm mm mmm
Did I ask you? Did I ask you?
Did I ask you to love me?
Would I refuse? Would I refuse to give?
Would I refuse to give myself as I am?
எனை தொட எனை தொட
விரல்கலாச்சோ விழி
விழி தொட விழி தொட
விலகிபோச்சோ மொழி
வர வர இளைக்கிறேன் ஏனடா...
To touch me, to touch me,
Did your eyes become fingers?
As eyes touched eyes,
Did language step aside?
Gradually, gradually,
Why am I growing thin, my dear?
தீக்குள் விரலை வைத்தேன்
தித்தித்தாய் அங்கே நீதான்
முண்டாசு கவிஞன் சொன்ன
கண்ணமாவா..
I placed my finger into the fire,
And there you were, sweet as honey,
As the turbaned poet once sang,
Are you my Kannamma?
In the science I have learned,
There is no wonder like you,
It stands helpless, my dear,
Science itself!
நான் கற்ற அறிவியலில்
உன்னைப்போல் அதிசயம் இல்லை
திக்கற்று நிற்குது கண்ணே
விஞ்ஞானம்தான்
Am I that
Einstein,
To conduct research on you?
It is not possible for me!
Are you a new star?
Leaving this earth,
Do not fly away to the sky!
நான் தான் அந்த ஐன்ஸ்டீன் னா
உன்னை ஆராய்ச்சி செய்ய
என்னால் ஆகாதே
நீதான் புது விண்மீனா
இந்த வையத்தை விட்டு
வானம் போகாதே
Without water, without roots,
Is it a magic trick that blossoms flowers,
Love... hooo?
Without words, without a tune,
Is it a poem sung by the eyes,
Love... hoo oo?
நீரும் இன்றி வேரும் இன்றி
பூப்பூக்கும் வித்தைதானா காதல் ஓ...
சொல்லும் இன்றி மெட்டும் இன்றி
கண் பாடும் கவிதைதானா காதல் ஓ..
When Adam ate
The forbidden literary fruit,
Love was born on that very day!
As Omar Khayyam stated in literary form,
Love grew beautifully!
இலக்கிய கனியை ஆதாம் தின்றாள்
விழைந்தது அன்றே காதல்
இலக்கிய வடிவில் உமர் கையாம் சொன்னான்
வளர்ந்தது அழகாய் காதல்
When a stone is thrown into water,
Like the ripples that are created,
My dear, I saw
Ripples within myself!
தண்ணீரில் கல் எறிந்தால்
உண்டாகும் வட்டம் போலே
கண்ணா நான் கண்டேன்
என்னுள் வட்டங்களே
Like throwing a stone,
My dear, I threw my eyes,
And ripples of love became yours
Deep inside me!
கண்ணை ஒரு கல்லைப்போல
கண்ணே நான் விட்டெறிந்தேன்
உண்டாச்சு காதல்
வட்டம் உள்ளுக்குள்ளே
Did I ask you? Did I ask you?
Did I ask you to love me?
Would I refuse? Would I refuse to give?
Would I refuse to give myself as I am?
கேட்டேனா உன்னை கேட்டேனா
என்னைக் காதல் செய்யென்று கேட்டேனா
மாட்டேனா என்னைத்தர மாட்டேனா
என்னை நானாக தரமாட்டேனா
Mmm..mmm
Using flint stones,
Fire is created and placed,
Hoo ooo
With matchstick-like eyes,
Why did you kindle a fire in me?
Hoo ooo
ம்ம் சிக்கிமுக்கி கற்கள் கொண்டு
உண்டாக்கி வைப்பதுண்டு தீயே ஓ
வத்தி குச்சி விழிகள் கொண்டு
தீ மூட்டி வைத்ததென்ன நீயே ஓ
Like camphor left
In the open wind,
I dissolved inside you completely,
What separate address do I have for myself?
I became your shadow!
காற்றினில் வைத்த கற்பூரம் போல்
உன்னில் கரைந்தேன் நானே
தனியாய் எனக்கோர் முகவரி ஏது
நான் உன் நிழலாய் போனேன்
By repeating your name endlessly,
Even my saliva turned into sweet Tamil nectar!
Female: What next, about me
Sing a poem!
உன் பேரை சொல்லி சொல்லி
உமிழ்நீரும் தமிழ்நீராச்சு
பிறகென்ன என்னைப்பற்றி
கவிதை பாடு
It cannot be trapped in poetry,
My dear, that is your beauty!
Female: To tell lies like you,
Who else is there in the world?
கவிதைக்குள் சிக்காதம்மா
கண்ணே உன் சௌந்தர்யம்தான்
உனைப்போல் பொய் தான்
சொல்ல உலகில் யாரு
Did I ask you? Did I ask you?
Did I ask you to love me?
Would I refuse? Would I refuse to give?
Would I refuse to give myself as I am?
கேட்டேனா உன்னை கேட்டேனா
என்னைக் காதல் செய்யென்று கேட்டேனா
மாட்டேனா என்னைத்தர மாட்டேனா
என்னை நானாக தரமாட்டேனா
Mm mm mm mmm
Mmm mm mm mmm
Kettenaa unnai kettenaa
Did I ask you? Did I ask you?
Ennai kaadhal sei endru kettenaa
Did I ask you to love me?
Maattenaa thara maattenaa
Would I refuse? Would I refuse to give?
Ennai naanaaga tharamaattenaa
Would I refuse to give myself as I am?
Enai thoda enai thoda
To touch me, to touch me,
Viralgalaacho vizhi
Did your eyes become fingers?
Vizhi thoda vizhi thoda
As eyes touched eyes,
Vilagipochoo mozhi
Did language step aside?
Vara vara vara vara
Gradually, gradually,
Ilaikkiren yenaadaa
Why am I growing thin, my dear?
Theekkul viralai vaithen
I placed my finger into the fire,
Thiththithaai angae nee thaan
And there you were, sweet as honey,
Mundaasu kavinjan sonna
As the turbaned poet once sang,
Kannamaavaa
Are you my Kannamma?
Naan kaatra ariviyalil
In the science I have learned,
Unnai pol adhisiyam illai
There is no wonder like you,
Thikkatru nirkkuthu kannae
It stands helpless, my dear,
Vingyanam thaan
Science itself!
Naan thaan antha
Am I that
Einstein aaa
Einstein,
Unnai aaraaichi seiya
To conduct research on you?
Ennaal aagadhu
It is not possible for me!
Needhaan pudhu vinmeenaa
Are you a new star?
Indha vaiyathai vittu
Leaving this earth,
Vaanam pogaathae
Do not fly away to the sky!
Neerum indri verum indri
Without water, without roots,
Poo pookkum viththai thaana
Is it a magic trick that blossoms flowers,
Kaadhal…hooo
Love... hooo?
Sollum indri mettum indri
Without words, without a tune,
Kann paadum kavithai thaana
Is it a poem sung by the eyes,
Kaadhal …hoo oo
Love... hoo oo?
Ilakkiya kaniyai
When Adam ate
Aadhaam thindraal
The forbidden literary fruit,
Vilainthathu andrae kaadhal
Love was born on that very day!
Ilakkiya vadivil umarkaiyyam sonaan
As Omar Khayyam stated in literary form,
Valarnthathu azhagaai kaadhal
Love grew beautifully!
Thanneeril kal erindhaal
When a stone is thrown into water,
Undaagum vattam polae
Like the ripples that are created,
Kanna naan kanden
My dear, I saw
Ennullae vattangalae
Ripples within myself!
Kannai oru kallai pola
Like throwing a stone,
Kannae naan vitterindhen
My dear, I threw my eyes,
Unnadaachu kaadhal vattam
And ripples of love became yours
Ullukkullae
Deep inside me!
Kettenaa unnai kettenaa
Did I ask you? Did I ask you?
Ennai kaadhal sei endru kettenaa
Did I ask you to love me?
Maattenaa thara maattenaa
Would I refuse? Would I refuse to give?
Ennai naanaaga tharamaattenaa
Would I refuse to give myself as I am?
Mmm..mmm
Mmm..mmm
Sikkimukki karkal kondu
Using flint stones,
Undaaki veippathundu theeyae
Fire is created and placed,
Hoo ooo
Hoo ooo
Vaththi kuchi vizhigal kondu
With matchstick-like eyes,
Thee mooti veithathenna neeyae
Why did you kindle a fire in me?
Hoo ooo
Hoo ooo
Kaatrinil veitha
Like camphor left
Karporam pol
In the open wind,
Unnil karainthen naanae
I dissolved inside you completely,
Thaniyaai enakkor mugavari yedhu
What separate address do I have for myself?
Naan un nizhalaai ponnen
I became your shadow!
Un perai solli solli
By repeating your name endlessly,
Umil neerum thamil neer aachu
Even my saliva turned into sweet Tamil nectar!
Female :Piragenna ennai patri
Female: What next, about me
Kavidhai paadu
Sing a poem!
Kavidhaikkul sikkadhamma
It cannot be trapped in poetry,
Kannae un soundharyam thaan
My dear, that is your beauty!
Female :Unnaipol poi thaan solla
Female: To tell lies like you,
Ulagil yaaru…
Who else is there in the world?
Kettenaa unnai kettenaa
Did I ask you? Did I ask you?
Ennai kaadhal sei endru kettenaa
Did I ask you to love me?
Maattenaa thara maattenaa
Would I refuse? Would I refuse to give?
Ennai naanaaga tharamaattenaa
Would I refuse to give myself as I am?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This romantic song from Desam is an expressive conversation between lovers who describe their feelings through poetic imagery, science, and classical allusions. The lyrics playfully question the origin of love while celebrating its effortless, magical effect on the soul. The song fuses references to famous figures like Einstein, Subramania Bharati, Adam, and Omar Khayyam to depict love as an unexplainable force beyond science and poetry.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Ethirai (Second-letter rhyme)
“Kettenaa unnai kettenaa / Maattenaa thara maattenaa”
Rhyming of the second letter across lines such as 'Kettenaa' and 'Maattenaa'.
Simile (Upamai)
“Kaatrinil veitha Karporam pol”
Comparing the dissolution of self in love to camphor evaporating in the wind ('Karporam pol').
Allusion
“Mundaasu kavinjan sonna Kannamaavaa”
Direct reference to the legendary Tamil poet Subramania Bharati, known as 'Mundaasu kavinjan', and his muse 'Kannamma'.
Metaphor (Uvagam)
“Vaththi kuchi vizhigal kondu thee mooti veithathenna neeyae”
Comparing eyes to matchsticks that kindle fire within the heart.
Did you know?
Trivia
Desam (2004) is the Tamil version of Ashutosh Gowariker's acclaimed Hindi film 'Swades', featuring music by A.R. Rahman. The Hindi original song is 'Aahista Aahista' composed by A.R. Rahman, with Tamil lyrics cleverly adapted by Vaali to maintain rich Tamil poetic references like 'Mundaasu Kavinjan' (Bharathiyar).
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