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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ketti Melam Kotta Venum

From Melam Kottu Thaali Kattu · 1988

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra
Music director
Premasrikemadasa
Details
Melam Kottu Thaali Kattu1988

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Ketti melam kotta venumThe loud wedding drums should beat
Manja thaali katta venumThe yellow sacred thread should be tied
Ippa nallarukku neramNow is the auspicious time for good things
Rendum onnaagathaan serumBoth of them will join together as one
Ini poomalai thaan ponnoonjal thaanFrom now on, it is flower garlands and a golden swing
Orae kondattamOnly non-stop celebration
Female
Ketti melam kotta venumThe loud wedding drums should beat
Manja thaali katta venumThe yellow sacred thread should be tied
Ippa nallarukku neramNow is the auspicious time for good things
Rendum onnaagathaan serumBoth of them will join together as one
Ini poomalai thaan ponnoonjal thaanFrom now on, it is flower garlands and a golden swing
Orae kondattamOnly non-stop celebration
Female
Anaikka anaikka manakkumAs I embrace you again and again, it smells sweet
Indha aavaaram poo maeniThis body soft like the Aavaaram flower
Vayasu ponna paathu vala virichuthenna naethuWhy did you cast a net yesterday after seeing a young girl?
Male :Vayalil aadum naatha adhaMale: Like the young crop dancing in the field
Valachu podum kaathuThe wind bends and wraps around it
Female
Edhukku ithana thavippuWhy is there so much restlessness?
Eduthu konjura nenappuAnd the thought of holding and fondling?
Male :Thanichu nikkura edanthaanMale: In this secluded lonely spot
Thazhuvi kolladi suganthaanEmbrace me, it feels like pure bliss
Female :Ada unakku naanum enakku neeyumFemale: Ah, I am for you and you are for me
Thaguntha porutham thaanA perfect match indeed
Male
Ketti melam kotta venumThe loud wedding drums should beat
Manjal thaali katta venumThe yellow sacred thread should be tied
Male
Valayal kulungum osaiThe sound of jingling bangles
Pudhu sangeethan pol ketkkaIs heard like a new melody
Female :Aa aa aa vizhiyil vazhiyum aasaiFemale: Ah, the desire overflowing in the eyes
Oru velloottam than paarkkaIs having a trial run
Male
Valayal kulungum osaiThe sound of jingling bangles
Pudhu sangeethan pol ketkkaIs heard like a new melody
Female :Vizhiyil vazhiyum aasaiFemale: The desire overflowing in the eyes
Oru velloottam than paarkkaIs having a trial run
Male
Manasuketha aalu un madiyil serum naaluThe day the suitable soulmate joins your lap
Female :Nenachathenna keluFemale: Ask what was in my thoughts
Ippa nerungiyaachu thozhuNow our shoulders have come close together
Male :Kaninju vandhadhu pazham thaanMale: The fruit has ripened naturally
Kadikka vandhadhu anil thaanAnd the squirrel has come to bite it
Female :Virumbhi vandhadhu unnathaanFemale: I came loving only you
Vaazha vaikkanum enna thaanYou must make my life fulfilling
Male :Adi piravi ezhum thodarndhu vaazhumMale: Oh, across seven births, this will continue
Paasa bandham thaanIt is a bond of true affection
Female
Ketti melam kotta venumThe loud wedding drums should beat
Manjal thaali katta venumThe yellow sacred thread should be tied
Ippa nallarukku neramNow is the auspicious time for good things
Rendum onnaagathaan serumBoth of them will join together as one
Ini poomalai thaan ponnoonjal thaanFrom now on, it is flower garlands and a golden swing
Orae kondattamOnly non-stop celebration

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Melam Kottu Thaali Kattu is a festive and romantic Tamil song celebrating love, romance, and the joyful anticipation of marriage. The lyrics highlight auspicious traditional Tamil wedding symbols, such as the ceremonial drums (ketti melam), sacred yellow thread (manja thaali), flower garlands, and golden swings, marking the holy union of two lovers.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Ketti melam kotta venum / Manja thaali katta venum

The second consonant 't' (ட்) rhymes between 'Ketti' and 'Manja' line structures ('kotta' / 'katta').

Metaphor (Uvamaani / Urvagathal)

Indha aavaaram poo maeni

Compares the soft yellow skin/body of the heroine to the delicate Aavaaram flower (Senna auriculata).

Simile (Upamai)

Valayal kulungum osai / Pudhu sangeethan pol ketkka

Uses 'pol' (like) to compare the pleasant clanking of bangles to a new musical melody.

Allegory / Folk Metaphor

Kaninju vandhadhu pazham thaan / Kadikka vandhadhu anil thaan

Compares the heroine coming of age to a ripe fruit and the lover to a squirrel arriving to enjoy it.

Did you know?

Trivia

This track features music composed by Sri Lankan composer Premasrikemadasa, showcasing a rare cross-border collaboration in 1980s Tamil cinema. Written by legendary lyricist Vaali, the song masterfully blends folk rhythms with classical Tamil wedding idioms.

Keep listening

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