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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
Movie name
Melam Kottu Thaali Kattu
Movie release year
1988
Lyrics added on
2 May 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Ketti melam kotta venum
Manja thaali katta venum
Ippa nallarukku neram
Rendum onnaagathaan serum
Ini poomalai thaan ponnoonjal thaan
Orae kondattam
Ketti melam kotta venum
Manja thaali katta venum
Ippa nallarukku neram
Rendum onnaagathaan serum
Ini poomalai thaan ponnoonjal thaan
Orae kondattam
Anaikka anaikka manakkum
Indha aavaaram poo maeni
Vayasu ponna paathu vala virichuthenna naethu
Male :Vayalil aadum naatha adha
Valachu podum kaathu
Edhukku ithana thavippu
Eduthu konjura nenappu
Male :Thanichu nikkura edanthaan
Thazhuvi kolladi suganthaan
Female :Ada unakku naanum enakku neeyum
Thaguntha porutham thaan
Ketti melam kotta venum
Manjal thaali katta venum
Valayal kulungum osai
Pudhu sangeethan pol ketkka
Female :Aa aa aa vizhiyil vazhiyum aasai
Oru velloottam than paarkka
Valayal kulungum osai
Pudhu sangeethan pol ketkka
Female :Vizhiyil vazhiyum aasai
Oru velloottam than paarkka
Manasuketha aalu un madiyil serum naalu
Female :Nenachathenna kelu
Ippa nerungiyaachu thozhu
Male :Kaninju vandhadhu pazham thaan
Kadikka vandhadhu anil thaan
Female :Virumbhi vandhadhu unnathaan
Vaazha vaikkanum enna thaan
Male :Adi piravi ezhum thodarndhu vaazhum
Paasa bandham thaan
Ketti melam kotta venum
Manjal thaali katta venum
Ippa nallarukku neram
Rendum onnaagathaan serum
Ini poomalai thaan ponnoonjal thaan
Orae kondattam
The wedding drums must beat loud and fast!
The yellow thaali (sacred wedding thread) must be tied!
The auspicious time is just right now,
The two of us will surely unite as one!
From now on, it is flower garlands and a golden swing,
A nonstop celebration!
The wedding drums must beat loud and fast!
The yellow thaali (sacred wedding thread) must be tied!
The auspicious time is just right now,
The two of us will surely unite as one!
From now on, it is flower garlands and a golden swing,
A nonstop celebration!
The more you embrace it, the sweeter it smells,
This body like a golden aavaaram flower!
Seeing a young girl, why did you spread your net yesterday?
Male: Like young saplings dancing in the field,
The wind bends them and sweeps them close!
Why this sudden restless longing,
And the urge to scoop me up and pamper me?
Male: This is a quiet, secluded spot,
So let me hold you close, it feels so sweet!
Female: Oh, you for me and me for you,
We are truly the perfect match!
The wedding drums must beat loud and fast!
The yellow thaali (sacred wedding thread) must be tied!
The jingling sound of bangles
Rings out like brand-new music!
Female: Ah ah ah, the longing overflowing from our eyes
Is taking a sweet trial run!
The jingling sound of bangles
Rings out like brand-new music!
Female: The longing overflowing from our eyes
Is taking a sweet trial run!
This is the day the one after your heart joins you in your arms!
Female: Ask me what I have been dreaming of,
Now that our shoulders are pressed together!
Male: The sweet fruit has ripened on its own,
And the squirrel has come to take a bite!
Female: It is you whom I longed for with all my heart,
You must give me a beautiful life now!
Male: Oh, this bond of love between us
Will endure across all seven lifetimes!
The wedding drums must beat loud and fast!
The yellow thaali (sacred wedding thread) must be tied!
The auspicious time is just right now,
The two of us will surely unite as one!
From now on, it is flower garlands and a golden swing,
A nonstop celebration!
Male
Female
Female
Female
Male
Male
Male
Male
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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.

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